The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

This form of answering came first in at Baptism in the Primitive Church: for before the party to be baptized was admitted unto Baptism, he was examined (as the Eunuch was by Philip) and did answer by making confession of his faith in this or the like form. Neither is this the answer of the Christian at the time of his Baptism only, but all the days of his life: for if God ask him, what he hath to do to take his words into his mouth, or what he makes among his servants? or if the devil ask him, why he lives not in his sins, or contrariwise, why he despairs not, or why he entertains doctrines of which their can be no Reason given? or if the Law ask him, what shift he can make with all his sins, having broken every Law; and with all the curses due to him for his sins? or if the world ask him, why he lives so retiredly, and keeps ⟨p. 18⟩not company with the men of the world, and seeks not, or admires not the pleasures of life, or the honours and favours of great men, or the Riches of this world, and why he suffers so much disgrace, and affliction, which he might avoid if he would do as other men do? to all or any of these or the like questions, he still answers, I believe in God, &c.

This forme of answering came first in at Baptisme in the Primitiue Church: for before the partie to be baptized was admitted vnto Baptisme, hee was examined (as the Eunuch was by Philip) and did answer by making confession of his faith in this or the like forme. Neither is this the answer of the Christian at the time of his Baptisme onely, but all the daies of his life: for if God aske him, what he hath to doe to take his words into his mouth, or what he makes among his seruants? or if the diuell aske him, why he liues not in his sinnes, or contrariwise, why he dispaires not, or why he entertaines doctrines of which their can bee no Reason giuen? or if the Lawe aske him, what shift he can make with all his sins, hauing broken euery Lawe; and with all the curses due to him for his sinnes? or if the world aske him, why he liues so retiredly, and keepes ⟨p. 18⟩not companie with the men of the world, and seekes not, or admires not the pleasures of life, or the honors and fauours of great men, or the Riches of this world, and why hee suffers so much disgrace, and affliction, which hee might auoid if hee would doe as other men doe? to all or any of these or the like questions, he still answers, I beleeue in God, &c.