A08483:101
An exposition of the Symbol of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith In which the chief points of the everlasting and free covenant between God and the faithful is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Trevir, and now translated out of the Latin tongue into the English for the benefit of Christ his Church. By John Field.
London: printed by H. Middleton for Thomas Man, 1581
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.
First of all, forasmuch as this is the true felicity, that we should know the true God, because God doth communicate himself unto us through the knowledge of himself: and forasmuch as our bodies and souls, were created and redeemed with a great price to this purpose, that they might be the temples of the living God in which he might be praised: we know that this is truly and indeed fulfilled in us, through the knowledge of the true God, of the father, the Son, and the holy ghost, as Christ promiseth, John 14.16. I will ask the father, and he shall give unto you another comforter, that he may dwell with you for ever, to wit the spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither hath known him: But you know him, because he abideth with you & shall be in you. Also ver. 23. The father and I will come & make our abiding with him. 1. Joh. 1. ver. 3. 1. Cor. 6. ver. 19.20. Secondly it is profitable & necessary that in our calling upon God, we should think upon what god we call, to wit, upon that same true God, with whom we have stricken and entered into a covenant of faith, and who hath witnessed in an everlasting league that he will be a God unto us, and which he hath sealed unto us by the seal of baptism, that so we might separate our invocation, from the invocation of Ethnics, Turks, and such like: who call upon those Gods that are no gods, but are devised of the ⟨p. 92⟩father of all living. For God cannot tolerate at any hand that there should be any fellowship with his confederates, in the invocation and worship of false gods: the which thing the holy ghost plainly pronounceth, 2. Cor. 6. vers. 14, 15. Now the same Apostle yet further setteth before our eyes, the greatness of the danger, unless through true obedience of faith we cleave unto the true God, whose confederates we are, and altogether abstain from all idolatrous worship or invocation, 1. Cor. 10. That which the gentiles offer, they offer to devils & not to God. Now I would not that ye should be partakers with devils. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, & of the cup of devils: Ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils. For there followeth after the fellowship with the devils table, fellowship also in everlasting pains. Apoca. 14. ver. 9, 10, 11, 12. Luk. 11. ver. 49, 50, 51, 52.
FIrst of all, forasmuch as this is the true felicitie, that we should know the true God, because God doth communicate himselfe vnto vs through the knowledge of himselfe: and forasmuch as our bodies and soules, were created and redeemed with a great price to this purpose, that they might be the temples of the liuing God in which he might be praysed: we know that this is truly and indeede fulfilled in vs, through the knowledg of the true God, of the father, the sonne, and the holy ghost, as Christ promiseth, Iohn 14.16. I will aske the father, and he shall giue vnto you another comforter, that he may dwell with you for euer, to wit the spirite of truth, which the world cannot receiue, because it seeth him not, neither hath knowne him: But you knowe him, because he abydeth with you & shall be in you. Also ver. 23. The father and I will come & make our abiding with him. 1. Ioh. 1. ver. 3. 1. Cor. 6. ver. 19.20. Secōdly it is profitable & necessarie that in our calling vpon God, we should thinke vpon what god we cal, to wit, vpō that same true God, with whom we haue stricken and entred into a couenant of faith, and who hath witnessed in an euerlasting league that he wilbe a God vnto vs, and which he hath sealed vnto vs by the seale of baptisme, that so we might separate our inuocation, from the inuocation of Ethnickes, Turkes, and such like: who call vpon those Gods that are no gods, but are deuised of the ⟨p. 92⟩father of all liuing. For God cannot tollerate at any hand that there should be any felowship with his confederates, in the inuocation and worship of false gods: the which thing the holy ghost playnly pronounceth, 2. Cor. 6. vers. 14, 15. Now the same Apostle yet further setteth before our eyes, the greatnes of the daunger, vnlesse through true obedience of faith wee cleaue vnto the true God, whose confederates we are, and altogether abstaine from al idolatrous worship or inuocation, 1. Cor. 10. That which the gentiles offer, they offer to diuels & not to God. Now I would not that ye should be partakers with diuels. Ye cannot drinke of the cup of the Lord, & of the cup of diuels: Ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of diuels. For there followeth after ye fellowship with the diuels table, fellowship also in euerlasting paines. Apoca. 14. ver. 9, 10, 11, 12.
BY the name of the father, we are put in mind of that same most strait covenant confirmed between God and us, in Christ his only Son, and of his unchangeable love towards us. John, 17. O holy father, keep them through thy name, whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. Also, That the world may know that I was sent from thee, and that thou lovest them even as thou hast loved me.
BY the name of the father, we are put in minde of that same most streight couenant confirmed betweene God and vs, in Christ his onely sonne, and of his vnchangable loue towards vs. Iohn, 17. O holy father, keepe them through thy name, whom thou hast giuen me, that they may bee one, euen as wee are one. Also, That the world may know that I was sent from thee, and that thou louest them euen as thou hast loued me.
For albeit he be named father, in respect of his coeternal Son: yet we rightly gather thereof, that he is also in a free & undeserved favour ⟨p. 93⟩our father, because he hath promised in his Son, that he will become such a one unto us, and hath performed it in deed, when he gave his only begotten Son to be our brother, and made us in his Son, reconciled unto him self his members, and so adopted us into his children. Ephe. 1. vers. 5. John, 1. ver. 12 Which thing also (having wrought that same full reconciliation) Christ witnesseth, John, 20. I ascend unto my father, and to your father; to my God and to your God. Wherefore the true Citizens of the kingdom of Christ have God for their father embracing them with the same love, wherewith he embraceth his only begotten Son. Ephes. 1. vers. 6. 1. John, vers. 3, 12.
For albeit he be named father, in respect of his coeternall sonne: yet we rightly gather thereof, that he is also in a free & vndeserued fauor ⟨p. 93⟩our father, because he hath promised in his sonne, that hee will become such a one vnto vs, and hath performed it in deede, when he gaue his onely begotten sonne to be our brother, and made vs in his sonne, reconciled vnto him selfe his members, and so adopted vs into his children. Ephe. 1. vers. 5. Iohn, 1. ver. 12 Which thing also (hauing wrought that same full reconciliation) Christ witnesseth, Iohn, 20. I ascend vnto my father, and to your father; to my God and to your God. Wherefore the true Citizens of the kingdome of Christ haue God for their father imbracing them with the same loue, wherewith he imbraceth his onely begotten sonne.
I Believe that I am entered into league with almighty God, who also by his omnipotency worketh what soever he will in all the world, & whatsoever things he will not or hath not decreed, he hindereth, confoundeth & scattereth them; so as it is impossible that they should be done. For even like as he is almighty, in bringing that to pass that he will, so in that that he will not, he abideth no resistance, which is as it were the other part of his divine power. Ps. 135. ver. 6, 7.14. Isaiah. 43.13. & 8. ver. 10. & 46.10. & 19.3.11.12 14. Joh, 10. vers. 29.30. Now let this omnipotency be always in sight to the confederates or rather faithful citizens of the kingdom of God, even as the Lord from the very beginning hath set the same before the eyes of Abraham the father ⟨p. 94⟩of believers in his covenant: I am God almighty, and before in the 15. Chapter, Fear not Abraham, I will be thy shield: Therefore I must not consider any thing whatsoever seemeth to be against the divine promises, either in my self or in all creatures, but I must give praise to the omnipotent power of God, & must cheerfully follow God whither he calleth. Rom. 4.17.18.19.20.21. Heb. 11.17.19.
I Beleeue that I am entred into league with almightie God, who also by his omnipotencie worketh what soeuer he wil in al ye world, & whatsoeuer things he wil not or hath not decreed, he hindereth, cōfoundeth & scatereth thē; so as it is impossible yt they should be done. For euen like as he is almightie, in bringing that to passe that he wil, so in yt that he wil not, he abideth no resistance, which is as it were the other part of his diuine power. Ps. 135. ver. 6, 7.14. Esai. 43.13. & 8. ver. 10. & 46.10. & 19.3.11.12 14. Ioh, 10. vers. 29.30. Now let this omnipotency be alwaies in sight to ye confederates or rather faithful citizens of the kingdome of God, euen as the Lord from the verie beginning hath set the same before the eyes of Abraham the father
These words make very much for the confirmation of our faith in God almighty. For first whiles we have a covenant with the creator, who giveth substance and being to all things; we believe that we have a sure help in him against all creatures, because it is as easy for the creator to destroy them and bring them to nothing, as it was once easy for him to create them of nothing. Genes. 1. Psal. 91. and 104. Secondly forasmuch as the creator with whom we are in league, doth give moving & all things else unto his creatures, so that they can do nothing but as they are driven of the creator, we must constantly hold that whatsoever things are sent upon us by the creatures, that they are sent of God, yea and that for our good, and further in respect of the constant and everlasting league that we have with the creator, & so consequently with all creatures, which thing is contained in this article of our faith, and is offered and described unto us by the Prophet ⟨p. 95⟩Hosea in his 2. Chapter, even to the end of it. Thirdly, the consideration also of the works of God, doth make so for the confirmation of our faith, whiles that we know that we have league not with an unknown God, but with him who daily offereth himself unto us to be felt of us. Acts. 17. As also David saith in the Psalms: Taste and see how good the Lord is. Therefore all the creatures which we use daily, are so many testimonies unto us of Gods omnipotency, wisdom, and goodness towards us.
THese wordes make very much for the confirmation of our faith in God almighty. For first whiles we haue a couenant with the creator, who giueth substance and being to all things; we beleeue that we haue a sure help in him against all creatures, because it is as easy for the creator to destroy them and bring them to nothing, as it was once easy for him to create them of nothing. Genes. 1. Psal. 91. and 104. Secondly forasmuch as the creator with whom we are in league, doth giue mouing & all things else vnto his creatures, so that they can doe nothing but as they are driuen of the creator, we must constantly holde that whatsoeuer thinges are sent vpon vs by the creatures, that they are sent of God, yea and that for our good, and further in respect of the constant and euerlasting league that we haue with the creator, & so consequently with all creatures, which thing is contained in this article of our faith, and is offred and described vnto vs by the Prophet
Because we have said that that same omnipotency of God, is not an idle, but a working and an effectual omnipotency, which continually showeth it self in the conservation & governance of the things which are created; it followeth that we set out that same most profitable doctrine of Gods providence and of the fruits thereof. Now there are five special points to be marked of every one that is in league with God for the obtaining of that same true knowledge of Gods providence, and sure establishing of the confidence and faith of the heart.
BEcause we haue said that that same omnipotencie of God, is not an idle, but a working and an effectuall omnipotencie, which continually sheweth it selfe in the conseruation & gouernance of the things which are created; it followeth that we set out that same most profitable doctrine of Gods prouidence and of the fruites thereof. Nowe there are fiue speciall points to be marked of euerie one that is in league with God for ye obtaining of that same true knowledge of Gods prouidence, and sure establishing of the confidence and faith of the heart.
First of all let every faithful man, that is in league with God, undoubtedly determine ⟨p. 96⟩with himself, that God by the self same omnipotency, whereby he hath created all things, doth also preserve and continue the same, and by his wonderful providence doth govern them. Heb. 1. verses 10.11.12. Coloss. 1.16. And that not only by some universal reason and motion, but also by a particular and special, yea which stretcheth it self even to the least sparrows and to the most contemptible hairs of our heads, yea further even to the direction of lots, so that all things are done by the dispensation and appointment of God, and fall not out at adventure or by chance: and therefore he must have the sight of his mind always bent upon God with whom he is in league as the chief cause of all things. Testimonies, Exod. 21, vers. 13 He that hath not lien in wait for him, but the Lord hath appointed him into his hands: Proverbs. Chap. 16. vers. 33. Lots are cast into the lap, and all the judgement thereof dependeth wholly upon the Lord. Act. 1 26. Jam. 4.13.14.15. Go to now ye that say, to day and to morrow we will go into such a city, and let us continue there a year, & buy & sell, & get gain, who know not what shall come to pass to morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and afterward vanisheth away. And therefore ye ought to say, and if the Lord will, and we live, we will do this or that. Matt. 10.29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them falleth not on the ground without your father: And the hairs of your head also are numbered? Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value then many sparrows. ⟨p. 97⟩Also Deutero. 28. Jerem. 10, 23. Proverb. 20. Acts 14. Gene. 25. Joseph saith,
FIrst of all let euery faithfull man, that is in league with God, vndoubtedly determine ⟨p. 96⟩with himselfe, that God by the selfe same omnipotencie, whereby he hath created all things, doth also preserue and continue the same, and by his wonderfull prouidence doth gouerne them. Heb. 1. verses 10.11.12. Coloss. 1.16. And that not onely by some vniuersall reason and motion, but also by a particular and speciall, yea which stretcheth it selfe euen to the least sparrowes and to the most contemptible haires of our heades, yea further euen to the direction of lottes, so that all things are done by the dispensation and appointment of God, and fall not out at aduenture or by chance: and therefore he must haue the sight of his minde alwaies bent vpon God with whō he is in league as the chiefe cause of all things. Testimonies, Exod. 21, vers. 13 He that hath not lien in waite for him, but the Lorde hath appointed him into his handes: Prouerbs. Chap. 16. vers. 33. Lottes are cast into the lappe, and all the iudgement therof dependeth wholy vpō the Lord. Act. 1 26. Iam. 4.13.14.15. Go to now ye that say, to day and to morowe we will goe into such a citie, and let vs continue there a yeere, & buy & sell, & get gaine, who know not what shall come to passe to morrowe. For what is your life? It is euen a vapoure that appeareth for a little time, and afterward vanisheth away. And therefore yee ought to saye, and if the Lord will, and we liue, we will doe this or that. Matt. 10.29. Are not two sparrowes sould for a farthing, and one of them falleth not on the grounde without your father: And the haires of your head also are numbred? Feare ye not therefore, yee are of more value then many sparrowes. ⟨p. 97⟩Also Deutero. 28. Ierem. 10, 23. Prouerb. 20. Actes 14. Gene. 25. Ioseph saith,1 It was not you that sould me into Egypt, but I was sent before you by the will of God, that I might preserue your life. Ioseph knewe that he was not sould by chaunce, but by the counsell of God, so that he saith that he was sent thither by the will of God, in which also he resteth. Iob busieth not himselfe with complaints against the Chaldeans; but he saith,2 The Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken, blessed be the name of the Lord.
