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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.

:72p. 14–15

Secondly, it is called the Apostles Creed, to give it authority above all humane writings, even those that have much or most excelled. The confession of National Churches have been worthily had in great request, so have the Creeds of the Councils, and so have the Apocrypha Scriptures: but yet none of these have attained to the honour of this Creed. The translation ⟨p. 15⟩of the Canonical Scriptures in respect of the words are humane, though in respect of the matter and order they are divine: and these of all humane writings are the best, yet not without the defects of the Translators, whereas the original in both Testaments is divine both for matter, order, and words also. Thus of the Authors. The kind of writing follows.

Secondly, it is called the Apostles Creed, to giue it authority aboue all humane writings, euen those that haue much or most excelled. The confession of Nationall Churches haue been worthily had in great request, so haue the Creeds of the Councells, and so haue the Apocripha Scriptures: but yet none of these haue attained to the honour of this Creed. The translation ⟨p. 15⟩of the Canonicall Scriptures in respect of the words are humane, though in respect of the matter and order they are diuine: and these of all humane writings are the best, yet not without the defects of the Translators, whereas the originall in both Testaments is diuine both for matter, order, and words also. Thus of the Authors. The kinde of writing followes.

:73p. 15

Creed]Symbolum is the word used in the most Christian Churches and is plainly agreeable to the original word, the Creed being first penned in the Greek tongue.

Creede]Symbolum is the word vsed in the most Christian Churches and is plainely agreeable to the originall word, the Creed being first penned in the Greeke tongue.

:74p. 15

If the word be derived of Sin and bolus, then it may signify two things: first, a morsel, or as much as a man may well swallow at once: and so the whole Scriptures containing but the divine furnishing of Gods Table as it were, the Creed contains each particular Christians morsel, so much as he may and must swallow, and receive down into his heart, without leaving any of these Articles out: secondly, a draught, even as much as a net can take at once. The sea is the Word, the fisherman is the Christian man, the Net is faith, the Creed is as much as the faith of the Christian can take at a draught out of the Sea of doctrine contained in the Scriptures. But it is more likely the word should be derived of Sin and [Greek or Hebrew], and then it may signify all or any of these five things:

If the word bee deriued of Syn and bolus, then it may signifie two things: first, a morsell, or as much as a man may well swallow at once: and so the whole Scriptures containing but the diuine furnishing of Gods Table as it were, the Creed containes each particular Christians morsell, so much as hee may and must swallow, and receiue downe into his heart, without leauing any of these Articles out: secondly, a draught, euen as much as a net can take at once. The sea is the Word, the fisherman is the Christian man, the Net is faith, the Creed is as much as the faith of the Christian can take at a draught out of the Sea of doctrine contained in the Scriptures. But it is more likely the word should be deriued of Syn and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and then it may signifie all or any of these fiue things:

:75p. 15¶1

1. A Shot: it containing the reckoning which the Apostles made for the Churches, being deducted or cast in, out of the several writings of each of the Apostles.

1. A Shot: it containing the reckoning which the Apostles made for the Churches, being deducted or cast in, out of the seuerall writings of each of the Apostles.

:76p. 15¶2

2. A Watchword, or any sign in the time of war, by which the Soldier might be distinguished from spies or strangers, and so might show to what captain or colours he belonged: so the Creed is the Military sign by which the true Christian is distinguished from all spiritual spies and foreigners: 'tis Gods Watchword.

2. A Watchword, or any signe in the time of warre, by which the Souldier might be distinguished from spies or strangers, and so might shew to what captaine or colours hee belonged: so the Creed is the Military signe by which the true Christian is distinguished from all spirituall spies and forreiners: 'tis Gods Watchword.

:77p. 15¶3

3. The Motto or Poesy, or word given in mens Arms: so the Creed is the Christians Motto, his word which is set in his Arms, being made noble in blood by Christ, and so able to give the Arms of his spiritual house and kindred.

3. The Motto or Poesie, or word giuen in mens Armes: so the Creed is the Christians Motto, his word which is set in his Armes, being made noble in bloud by Christ, and so able to giue the Armes of his spirituall house and kindred.

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4. A token or Bill of Exchange, by which a man is enabled to trade or receive commodities: By the Creed the Christian may trade for any spiritual commodities.

4. A token or Bill of Exchange, by which a man is enabled to trade or receiue commodities: By the Creed the Christian may trade for any spirituall commodities.

:79p. 16¶5

5. A Passport: Christians are strangers and Pilgrims, a great way from home, and the government of the Christian world, will not let a man pass without his authentic Passport: Now by his Creed the Christian man may pass and find entertainment in any part of the Christian world.

5. A Passeport: Christians are strangers and Pilgrims, a great way from home, and the gouernment of the Christian world, will not let a man passe without his authenticke Passeport: Now by his Creed the Christian man may passe and finde entertainement in any part of the Christian world.

:80p. 16

As for the name Creed, it is not easy to tell when it first came up in our Language, but it is certain it comes of the first word which is in Latin Credo, rendered I believe.

As for the name Creed, it is not easie to tell when it first came vp in our Language, but it is certaine it comes of the first word which is in Latine Credo, rendered I beleeue.

:81p. 16

But by the way; if these Articles be a Creed, then they are not a Prayer, nor to be said as a Prayer, as the ignorant multitude doth abuse it

:82p. 16

Thus of the Title.

:83p. 16

I Believe.

I Beleeue.

:84p. 16

Mark 9. 24.

Marke 9. 24.

:85p. 16–17

IN the Creed it self we must consider: first, matter of duty which is in the word Believe, which is the hand or clasp ¹that takes hold of all and every of the Articles: secondly, matter of doctrine, which may be cast into two Heads, as it concerns God or the Church: for the Lord doth not vouchsafe to cumber Religion with the whole doctrine that might concern the estate of all men out of the Church: concerning God, the Articles look upon all three persons: and in the doctrine of the Father, amongst his attributes, singles out his Almightiness; and amongst his works, looks upon his making of Heaven and Earth. In Christ faith looks upon his Person and his Office. In his Person it acknowledgeth his divine Nature as Gods only Son; and his humane Nature in these two words (viz.) conception by the holy Ghost, and birth of a Virgin. His Office is considered according to his estate both of Humiliation and Exaltation. In his Humiliation is considered his sufferings: first, in body in that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was dead and buried; and then in soul, in that he descended into Hell: In his Exaltation, faith views his Resurrection, Ascension, and Session at the right hand of God, and ⟨p. 17⟩his coming to Judgement. Concerning the holy Ghost, the Church hath retained and maintained that truth in all ages without any great opposition, and therefore that Article is very barely set down: the greatest quarrels were raised either by Gentiles against the doctrine of God the Father; or by Heretics against the doctrine of Christ the Son; which made faith speak out more distinctly in the doctrine of these two persons. Thus of God.

IN the Creed it selfe we must consider: first, matter of dutie which is in the word Beleeue, which is the hand or claspe ¹that takes hold of all and euery of the Articles: secondly, matter of doctrine, which may be cast into two Heads, as it concernes God or the Church: for the Lord doth not vouchsafe to comber Religion with the whole doctrine that might concerne the estate of all men out of the Church: concerning God, the Articles looke vpon all three persons: and in the doctrine of the Father, amongst his attributes, singles out his Almightinesse; and amongst his workes, lookes vpon his making of Heauen and Earth. In Christ faith lookes vpon his Person and his Office. In his Person it acknowledgeth his diuine Nature as Gods onely Sonne; and his humane Nature in these two words (viz.) conception by the holy Ghost, and birth of a Virgin. His Office is considered according to his estate both of Humiliation and Exaltation. In his Humiliation is considered his sufferings: first, in body in that he suffered vnder Pontius Pilate, was dead and buried; and then in soule, in that he descended into Hell: In his Exaltation, faith viewes his Resurrection, Ascension, and Session at the right hand of God, and

:86p. 17

Concerning the Church, two things are to be noted: Properties or Privileges. Her properties are two, holy and Catholic. The goods or Privileges of the Church are either in this world, or in the world to come. In this world there is Communion of Saints and forgiveness of sins. In another world faith sees and wonders at the Resurrection of the body and the life Everlasting.

Concerning the Church, two things are to be noted: Properties or Priuiledges. Her properties are two, holy and Catholique. The goods or Priuiledges of the Church are either in this world, or in the world to come. In this world there is Communion of Saints and forgiuenesse of sinnes. In another world faith sees and wonders at the Resurrection of the body and the life Euerlasting.

:87p. 17

I Believe.]

I Beleeue.]

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

I Believe.

I Beleeue.