The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.

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Author:	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.
Title:	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.
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Print source:	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey. Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664. London: Printed by T[homas] H[arper] for Ph. Stephens, and Ch. Meredith, 1630.
Subject terms:	Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
URL:	https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A17419.0001.001
How to cite:	For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

Table of Contents

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title page

TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull and re∣ligious Knight, my most bountifull Patrone, S^t. Tho∣mas Euelin, and to the vertu∣ous Lady, the Lady Anne, his Wife: R. B. wisheth Grace here, and Glory here∣after.

The Contents of this Treatise in an Anali∣ticall Table.

THE PREFACE shewing the occasion, order, and vse of this Treatise.

THE FIRST PART.

§. 1.

§. 11. Thus of the Scriptures, out of these the Creed was taken; according to the order thereof our faith is carried vnto God as the chiefe ob∣iect, and first it lookes vpon God the Father on this wise.

I beleeue in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of heauen and earth:

In God the Father

§. III. Secondly, our faith looketh vpon the Sonne of God, the Messiah, concerning whom we are to beleeue and pro∣fesse, and to liue and dye in that profession and beliefe.

And Iesus his onely Sonne,

Iesus

Christ our Lord,

Our Lord,

Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary,

He suffered vnder Pon∣tius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead,

And buried: he descen∣ded into hell:

The third day hee rose againe

He ascended into hea∣uen,

And sitteth at the right hand of God,

From thence hee shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead:

§. IIII. Wee beleeue also and professe, and ought to hold till death

I beleeue in the Holy Ghost,

§. V. Concerning the Church of God, we beleeue

The Holy Catholike Church:

Concerning her prerogatiues in this life.

1 Communion of Saints

2 Forgiuenesse of sinnes,

The resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting.

§. VI. These are the Articles of our beliefe: to these God hath annexed two seales, viz. Baptisme, and the Lords Supper. For wee are to be∣leeue and hold,

§. VII. The answere of a good consci∣ence.

I beleeue

THE SECOND PART.

§. I. The order.

§. II Of the qualifying of the per∣son that would lead a godly life.

§. III. Of the helpes of an holy life.

§. IIII. Of the manner of wel-doing.

§. V. Of our duty towards God, and first of the knowledge of God.

§. VI. Of the worship of God.

§. VII. Of the seruice of God in gene∣rall.

§. VIII. The first, the hearing of the word read and preached.

§. IX. The second part of Gods wor∣ship: viz. the receiuing of the Sacrament of Christs Body and Bloud.

§ X. The third: Baptisme, where rules for the vse thereof.

§. XI. The fourth, Prayer.

§. XII. The fifth: feasting, or solemneThankesgiuing.

§. XIII. The Sixt, Fasting.

§. XIIII. The seuenth, singing of Psalmes.

§. XV. The eight, Reading of Scrip∣ture, or meditation.

§. XVI. The ninth, vowes and swea∣ring.

§. XVII. Of seruing God with our goods.

§. XVIII. Of keeping the Lords day.

§. XIX. Of our duty to all men, as it concernes the right d•sposi∣tion of the heart.

§. XX. Of the guides that direct the particular frame of righte∣ous conuersing with men.

§. XXI. Of the gouernment of the tongue.

§. XXII. Of the innocency of the hands.

§. XXIII. Of Mercy.

§. XXIIII. Of the loue of the godly.

§. XXV. Our carriage to the Godly in som• particuler case of fal∣ling, weaknesse or strength.

§. XXVI. The rule for our behauiour towards the wicked.

§. XXVII. A right ordered conuersati∣on towards our selues, and that first in our particular callings.

§ XXVIII. The order of our conuersation in our generall calling, all our liues.

§. XXIX. The order of our liues in the seuerall changes of our fa∣ding condition.

1 In thy wealth.

2 In afflictions of any sort.

3 In Po•erty.

4 In Sicknesse.

5 In Persecutions.

§. XXX. Preparations for death: or how to dye.

§. XXXI. Peculiar rules applyed for the passing euery day.

THE THIRD PART.

§. 1. The Order and vse hereof.

§. II. Of the Magistrate and Sub∣iect.

§. III. Of the Husband and Wife.

§. IIII. Of Parents and Children.

§. V. Of the Master and Seruant.

§. VI. Of the Pastor and the flocke.

§. VII. Of Neighborhood.

§. VIII. Of Friendship.

§ IX Of Enmity.

§ X. Of the aged.

§. XI. Of the Youth.

§. XII. Of the Virgin and Widdow.

Errata.

colophon