A69028:735
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.
Of Believing I entreated before, only we must know that these words I believe must be applied unto each word and Article of the Creed: and so we must here consider what it is in particular to believe in God, and what every Christian should mean when he saith, I believe in God. It is to be noted by the way that he doth not say I believe God, but in God: The ordinary distinction of believing is not impertinent: It is ⟨p. 113⟩one thing to believe that God is, Credere Deum, or to believe God, Credere Deo, and another thing to believe in God, Credere in Deum; for to believe in God, is first to know God, as he hath revealed himself in his Word and so to conceive of God according to the former doctrine of his Nature: secondly, to be persuaded, That that God is my God; and thirdly, to put all my trust in him, and to rest upon him alone for all happiness.
Of Beleeuing I entreated before, onely wee must know that these words I beleeue must be applied vnto each word and Article of the Creed: and so we must heere consider what it is in particular to beleeue in God, and what euery Christian should meane when he saith, I beleeue in God. It is to bee noted by the way that he doth not say I beleeue God, but in God: The ordinary distinction of beleeuing is not impertinent: It is ⟨p. 113⟩one thing to beleeue that God is, Credere Deum, or to beleeue God, Credere Deo, and another thing to beleeue in God, Credere in Deum; for to beleeue in God, is first to know God, as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his Word and so to conceiue of God according to the former doctrine of his Nature: secondly, to bee perswaded, That that God is my God; and thirdly, to put all my trust in him, and to rest vpon him alone for all happinesse.
Of the knowledge of Gods Nature before. And of the work of faith in believing God to be my God, before. This believing in God here expressed urgeth principally upon us the third thing, and that is that we must employ our faith in a daily relying upon God, and confident affiance and trust in his goodness and mercy towards us.