An exposition of the Symbol of the ApostlesAn exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles

The use of this description is, that the nature of God being known, we should embrace by true faith, as our only and most sovereign God, and should fear to offend him: to the end that through true faith and fear, or amendment of life, he might be glorified of us. For first when we hear that God, who hath promised by an everlasting covenant that he will be a God unto us, is an understanding, wise, everlasting, good, righteous and merciful God we conclude very rightly upon it, of the very form of that free covenant: that he is not only such a one by nature, but also that he will show himself to be such a one to us believers; and that by an everlasting covenant, though all creatures should seem to persuade us to the contrary. He that knoweth this nature of God, of whom he is received into covenant: he hath large matter of trusting in him, and of framing his life by faith, according to the will of God. Both of these, to wit how the knowledge of God maketh to faith and repentance, and so to the establishing of the kingdom of God in us, we will make plain out of some of his attributes. So great and so constant is the truth of God, that one word of the divine truth, passeth the truth of all Angels and men: because the truth ⟨p. 64⟩of all creatures, dependeth upon the truth of God, and hath the original from that, and consisteth in that alone: so that the truth of god, is the cause and foundation of all truth both in Angels and men. When therefore we waver or doubt of any matter, why do we not consult, whether there be not some word of the Lord concerning that matter, whereof we doubt? which being found, we may give our minds to rest, knowing assuredly, that the least title of the truth is more firm, then the whole frame of heaven and earth. Jeremi 31. Matt. 5. vers. 18. therefore it is said in the second book of the Kings, Cap. 10. vers. 10. Know you now, that there shall not fall any thing of the word of the Lord to the ground. Also his infinite power ought to encourage us, to trust in him: in him I say, that mighty God, who calleth those things which are not as if they were. Ro. 4. Like as also, that same Apostle further speaketh of the faith of Abraham: He doubted not of the promise of God through unbelief, but was made strong in faith, giving glory to God: Being fully assured that he which had promised, he also was able to perform it.

THe vse of this description is, that the nature of God being knowne, we should embrace by true faith, as our onely and most soueraigne God, and should feare to offende him: to the end that through true faith and feare, or amendment of life, he might be glorified of vs. For first when we heare that God, who hath promised by an euerlasting couenant that he wilbe a God vnto vs, is an vnderstanding, wise, euerlasting, good, righteous and mercifull God we conclude verie rightly vppon it, of the verie forme of that free couenant: that he is not onely such a one by nature, but also yt he will shew himselfe to be such a one to vs beleeuers; and that by an euerlasting couenant, though all creatures should seeme to persuade vs to ye contrarie. He that knoweth this nature of God, of whom he is receiued into couenant: he hath large matter of trusting in him, and of framing his life by faith, according to the will of God. Both of these, to wit howe the knowledge of God maketh to faith and repentance, and so to the establishing of the kingdome of God in vs, we will make plaine out of some of his attributes. So great and so constant is the truth of God, that one word of the diuine truth, passeth the truth of all Angels and men: because the truth