A69028:723
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.
Lastly, we should therefore most seek such things as serve for the use of Spirits. The treasures that are spiritual are far more excellent then bodily and earthly things can be, even for this reason, because they bring us nearer to God, and more properly commend us to him.
Lastly, we should therefore most seeke such things as serue for the vse of Spirits. The treasures that are spirituall are farre more excellent then bodily and earthly things can be, euen for this reason, because they bring vs neerer to God, and more properly commend vs to him.
The second thing we are to know about Gods essence is, that it is one, and but one. The Nicene Creed and Athanasius have it thus: I believe in one God: which the Apostles Creed doth affirm too, though not so expressly: for we say, We believe in God, not in Gods, importing thereby that there is but one God.
The second thing wee are to know about Gods essence is, that it is one, and but one. The Nicen Creed and Athanasius haue it thus: I beleeue in one God: which the Apostles Creed doth affirme too, though not so expresly: for we say, Wee beleeue in God, not in Gods, importing thereby that there is but one God.
Nor is God one by aggregation, or consent, or kind, or sort, but he is one in number. By aggregation a whole heard of cattle is said to be one, by consent many friends are one: by kind men and beasts are one, for they are living creatures. By sort, all men are one, because they have all one Nature, and are one sort of creatures: but God is one, none of these ways, but in number. And yet to say God is one in number is not enough, unless we add absolutely one: for Peter the Apostle is one man, though there be many other men, but he is not a man, so as there is none but he; whereas God is not Unus only, but he is Unicus also, he is one and but one.