A69028:666
The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…
The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as it affordeth both milk for babes, and strong meat for such as are at full age / by ... Nicholas Bifield ; ... now published ... by his son, Adoniram Bifield.The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as it affordeth both milke for babes, and strong meat for such as are at full age / by ... Nicholas Bifield ; ... now published ... by his sonne, Adoniram Bifield.
London: printed by G.M. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith, 1626
THE CREED. › Article 1 › I Believe in God.THE CREEDE. › Article 1 › I Beleeue in God.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, you must note in the description, that I say God is without beginning in respect of time: which must be noted ⟨p. 103⟩in regard of the doctrine of the eternal generation of the Son of God: for there is a twofold beginning, the one of order, the other of time. In respect of order or original, the Son and 1the holy Ghost had a beginning from the Father, but not a beginning in respect of time. The beginning in respect of order is not excluded out of eternity, but only the beginning in respect of time.
Secondly, you must note in the description, that I say God is without beginning in respect of time: which must be noted ⟨p. 103⟩in regard of the doctrine of the eternall generation of the Son of God: for there is a twofold beginning, the one of order, the other of time. In respect of order or originall, the Sonne and 1the holy Ghost had a beginning from the Father, but not a beginning in respect of time. The beginning in respect of order is not excluded out of eternity, but onely the beginning in respect of time.
- 1Principium originis non temporis.
Thirdly, it would be noted that it is said that Gods eternity is absolute: for so it is differenced from all the everlastingness of the creatures which is not absolute, but by gift, and à Posteriori, or a Part post as they say in Schools, that is in respect of continuance yet to come: whereas Gods eternity is not by grace, but by Nature, and à Priori, or a Part antè, that is in respect of everlastingness without beginning as well as without end.