A08483:131
An exposition of the Symbol of the ApostlesAn exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles
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.An exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith In which the chiefe points of the euerlasting and free couenant betweene God and the faithfull is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Treuir, and now translated out of the Latine tongue into the English for the benefite of Christ his Church. By Iohn Fielde.
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.
The second fruit.
The second fruite.
The second fruit is patience, aswell in our whole life which is full of miseries, as also in enduring persecutions for the truth of the gospel. And verily; first we will briefly show how the knowledge of the doctrine of Gods providence begetteth patience in us. This bringeth forth impatience in us, because we look upon creatures that are adversaries unto us. But indeed we look not upon God, when as notwithstanding he doth these things, not as an adversary against us, but as a father. And undoubtedly those same afflictions, wherewith he exerciseth our faith and patience; what other things are they, then instruments wherewith even himself being present worketh, and that verily for this end he worketh; that all things according to his promise, (no not the least thing or grief excepted) I say, that all things might work together to our good. Rom. 8. Whatsoever things therefore shall fall out either public or private, aswell joyful as heavy, whosoever is throughly persuaded that God most wisely governeth all things by his providence, and is fully reconciled unto him in Christ, he must needs take them no otherwise then as benefits, yea and as benefits of God, and which undoubtedly are to his salvation. Unless therefore we will resist God who is only wise, with the wisdom of our flesh, and become blasphemers against Christ, as not having reconciled the father fully unto us: we must not doubt any whit at all, that the infinite wisdom of God, by and for his goodness worketh all ⟨p. 108⟩things for our good, how soever it seem otherwise unto us. And therefore a faithful man when he once knoweth the doctrine of Gods providence, he sticketh not in creatures by which he is afflicted, or in the contemplation of his own evil, but he will rather lift up his mind to consider the fatherly hand of the most wise God, whereby he is chastised, and to that same undoubted good, that God through that same affliction will have wrought, and in his good time, will make manifest. For God always hath the end joined with his own glory, and the salvation of the faithful. The consideration of either of these must needs be of great force to imprint, both that same quiet moderation of mind, and patience in his children. Whereof we have notable examples in Joseph, Gene. 45. in