A08483:86
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.
1He communicateth himself with the Saints, that is, with all the elect, and he dwelleth in them howsoever they are thrown out of the world. John, 14 vers. 23. I and the father will come and make our abiding with him. And in the 15 chap. vers 1.4. Also 1. Cor. 12. ver. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body which is one, though they be many, yet are but one body: so is Christ. Ephe. 3. That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Gala. 2. vers. 20. Now I live no more, but Christ liveth in me. Also John, 17. vers. 23. and 26. He entereth into league and fellowship with the Church by the ministry of the word and sacraments: ⟨p. 81⟩& he is present with it even from the beginning of the world, and remaineth present unto the end. 1. Cor. 10. Let us not tempt Christ, as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of Serpents. Also 1. Pet. 1. vers. 11. Matt. 28. Lo I am with you always to the end of the world. He instituted baptism the seal of the covenant, and would have us no less baptised in his name, then in the name of the father & of the holy ghost: making promise of salvation to them that believe and are baptised, Matt. 28. vers. 19. Mar. 16. vers. 16. Collo. 2. verse, 9, 10, 11. Act. 8. vers. 16. and chap. 19 vers. 5. Now it is both blasphemy to be baptised in the name of any creature, and it is only proper unto God, to make promises of salvation, and to fulfil them. Wherefore also Christ is he, which baptiseth with the holy ghost, Mat. 3, verse, 11. Act. 2. vers. 18 32. He instituted the sacrament of thanksgiving, for the divine worship of himself, in the place of the Paschal, as he saith: Do this in remembrance of me: Wherefore also Paul calleth it the cup of thanksgiving, whereby we give thanks: And concerning the seal of the new Testament, he speaketh thus: This is the new Testament in my blood. Now it is the same Lord or Hosts, that had promised a new Testament, & who confirmeth the selfsame by his death. Jerem, 31. vers. 33. and Hebrews, 9. vers. 17.
1He communicateth himselfe with the Sainctes, that is, with all the elect, and he dwelleth in them howsoeuer they are throwne out of the world. Iohn, 14 vers. 23. I and the father will come and make our abiding with him. And in the 15 chap. vers 1.4. Also 1. Cor. 12. ver. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body which is one, though they be many, yet are but one body: so is Christ. Ephe. 3. That Christ may dwell in your hartes through faith. Gala. 2. vers. 20. Now I liue no more, but Christ liueth in me. Also Iohn, 17. vers. 23. and 26. He entreth into league and fellowship with the Church by the ministerie of the word and sacramentes: ⟨p. 81⟩& he is present with it euen from the beginning of the world, and remaineth present vnto the end. 1. Cor. 10. Let vs not tempte Christ, as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of Serpentes. Also 1. Pet. 1. vers. 11. Matt. 28. Loe I am with you alwaies to the ende of the world. He instituted baptisme the seale of the couenant, and would haue vs no lesse baptised in his name, then in the name of the father & of the holy ghost: making promise of saluation to them that beleeue and are baptised, Matt. 28. vers. 19. Mar. 16. vers. 16. Collo. 2. verse, 9, 10, 11. Acte. 8. vers. 16. and chap. 19 vers. 5. Now it is both blasphemie to be baptised in the name of any creature, and it is onely proper vnto God, to make promises of saluation, and to fulfill them. Wherefore also Christ is he, which baptiseth with the holy ghost, Mat. 3, verse, 11. Act. 2. vers. 18 32. He instituted the sacrament of thankesgiuing, for the diuine worship of himselfe, in the place of the Paschall, as he saith: Do this in remembrance of me: Wherefore also Paule calleth it the cuppe of thankesgiuing, whereby we giue thankes: And concerning the seale of the newe Testament, he speaketh thus: This is the newe Testament in my blood. Now it is the same Lord or Hoastes, that had promised a newe Testament, & who confirmeth the selfsame by his death.
The forgiveness of sins, which he not only deserveth by his death, but also giveth by his ⟨p. 82⟩own power, is also a notable testimony of the Godhead of Christ.1 For he justifieth all his elect, from the beginning of the world. Act. 15. vers. 10.11. Why tempt ye God, laying a yoke upon the Disciples necks, that neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, even as they do. John. 8. vers. 56. Psal. 110. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent him. Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. By, and for this Priest, were sins always forgiven to the believers. Now that he doth forgive sins by his own power, he confirmeth by a miracle. Matt. 9. But that you may know that the Son of man hath authority in earth to forgive sins (then he saith to the man sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house: And in Joh. 13. he saith, Unless I wash thee, thou shalt have no part with me.
The forgiuenes of sinnes, which he not onely deserueth by his death, but also giueth by his ⟨p. 82⟩owne power, is also a notable testimonie of the Godhead of Christ.1 For he iustifieth all his elect, from the beginning of the world. Act. 15. vers. 10.11. Whie tempte ye God, laying a yoake vpon the Disciples neckes, that neither our fathers nor we were able to beare? but by ye grace of our Lord Iesus Christ we beleeue to be saued, euen as they doe. Iohn. 8. vers. 56
1The resurrection also of the flesh is a work of Christ, as also the inward renewing to everlasting life. John. 5. vers. 2. and 28. As my father raiseth up the dead and giveth them life, so also the Son giveth life unto whom he will. And the hour shall come, that all that are in their graves, shall hear his voice, &c. Also John, 6. vers. 39.40. and in the 11. chap. I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though that he were dead, he shall live, & whosoever liveth and believeth in me, he shall not die for ever. By Christ shall be fulfilled that of Hoseas, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⟨p. 83⟩O death, where is thy victory? &c. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.57. and in the same Chapter, verses 45.48.
1The resurrectiō also of the flesh is a worke of Christ, as also the inward renuing to euerlasting life. Iohn. 5. vers. 2. and 28. As my father raiseth vp the dead and giueth them life, so also the sonne giueth life vnto whom he will. And the howre shall come, that all that are in their graues, shall heare his voyce, &c. Also Iohn, 6. vers. 39.40. and in the 11. chap. I am the resurrection and the life, he that beleeueth in me, though that hee were dead, hee shal liue, & whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in me, he shall not die for euer. By Christ shalbe fulfilled that of Hoseas, Death is swallowed vp in victorie. ⟨p. 83⟩O death, where is thy victorie? &c. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.57. and in the same Chapiter, verses 45.48.
And Christ himself giveth everlasting life.1 Joh. 1. Life was in him. Joh. 10. I give eternal life unto my sheep, neither shall they perish for ever, neither shall any man take them out of my hand, I and the father are one. All these things which we have rehearsed according to the order of the description of God, and the articles of the faith, seeing they are of that sort, as can agree to none but only to God, they plainly convince Christ to be God by nature.
And Christ himselfe giueth euerlasting life.1 Ioh. 1. Life was in him. Ioh. 10. I giue eternall life vnto my sheepe, neither shall they perish for euer, neither shall any man take them out of my hande, I and the father are one. All these thinges which we haue rehearsed according to the order of the description of God, and the articles of the faith, seeing they are of that sorte, as can agree to none but onely to God, they plainly conuince Christ to be God by nature.
The truth it self showeth a most present danger. Joh. 3. He that believeth in the Son, is not judged or condemned, but he that believeth not, is judged already, because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And in the 8. Chapter, You are from hell, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world: therefore I have said unto you, that you shall dye in your sins. Moreover it is said in the 1. Joh. 2. vers. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, hath not the father. Also in the 2. Joh. vers. 9.10.11. And in Joh. 16 vers. 3. Therefore the holy Ghost hath forewarned us by the Apostle Peter, that we should take heed ⟨p. 84⟩of these deceivers. 2. Epist. Cap. 2. There were also false Prophets amongest the people, as also there shall be false teachers among you, who shall bring in deadly heresies, denying the Lord who hath bought them, hasting unto themselves a swift damnation, and many shall follow their condemnation. Now the Lord who hath bought us, is Jesus Christ, very God and man, as the scripture witnesseth. Acts. 20. God hath redeemed his Church through his blood. Now therefore if so be that any do not believe, that he is the true God, that hath in mans nature shed forth his blood, he denieth the Lord who hath bought him.
THe truth it selfe sheweth a most present daunger. Ioh. 3. He that beleeueth in the sonne, is not iudged or condemned, but he that beleeueth not, is iudged already, because he beleeueth not in the name of the onely begotten sonne of God. And in the 8. Chapiter, You are from hell, I am from aboue. You are of this worlde, I am not of this worlde: therefore I haue said vnto you, that you shall dye in your sinnes. Moreouer it is said in the 1. Ioh. 2. vers. 23. Whosoeuer denieth the sonne, hath not the father. Also in the
1That the holy Ghost is subsisting and God by nature, first of all it is showed by the creation, Genes. 1. And the spirit of God moved it self upon the face of the waters. In which words it is attributed to the holy Ghost, that he wrought together in the creation of all with the father and the Son. The creation is most clearly attributed unto him. Psal. 104. Send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Therefore the scripture affirmeth that the holy Ghost is Jehovah, which is most plain out of the 6. of Isay, and the 28. of Acts vers. 25. Isay, 6. And he said (Jehovah of ⟨p. 85⟩whom before in the same Chapter, Seraphim had cried, Holy, Holy, Holy, Jehovah, Lord of hosts) Go and say unto this people, in hearing hear you, and understand not: and in seeing, see you and know not. These same words which the Lord spake. Paul, Acts. 28. saith that the holy Ghost spake, Very well (saith he) spake the holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet unto our fathers, &c. Therefore the holy Ghost is Jehovah. The same is also plain by other places, Jerem. 31. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After these days saith Jehovah, I will give my law into their heart &c.
1THat the holy Ghost is subsisting and God by nature, first of all it is shewed by the creation, Genes. 1. And the spirit of God moued it selfe vpon the face of the waters. In which words it is attributed to the holy Ghost, that he wrought together in the creation of all with the father and the sonne. The creation is most clearely attributed vnto him. Psal. 104. Sende forth thy spirit, and they shalbe created, and thou shalt renue the face of the earth. Therefore the scripture affirmeth that ye holy Ghost is Iehouah, which is most plaine out of the 6. of Isay, and the 28. of Acts vers. 25. Isay, 6. And he said (Iehouah of
Now the Epistle to the Hebrews, Cap. 10. vers. 15. affirmeth that these same words of the lord proceeded from the holy ghost. The holy ghost also himself witnesseth unto us. For after he had foreshowed, This is my covenant that I will make with them, &c. The which also Joel affirmeth, Cap. 2. whom Peter also citeth and expoundeth, that he may show them as plain effects of the holy Ghost which are altogether belonging to the power of the godhead: I will, saith Jehovah pour out of my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy.
Nowe the Epistle to the Hebrews, Cap. 10. vers. 15. affirmeth that these same wordes of the lord proceeded from the holy ghost. The holy ghost also himselfe witnesseth vnto vs. For after he had foreshewed, This is my couenant that I will make with them, &c. The which also Ioel affirmeth, Cap. 2. whom Peter also citeth and expoundeth, that he may shewe them as plaine effectes of the holy Ghost which are altogether belonging to the power of the godhead: I wil, saith Iehouah powre out of my spirit vpon all flesh, and your sonnes and daughters shall prophesie.
And these things which are alleged now, to show that the holy Ghost is God the creator: by them also is showed that he is an understanding essence, everlasting, good, righteous, merciful, most free, of an infinite power and most constant truth: nevertheless let us yet see also certain testimonies severally concerning ⟨p. 86⟩those things that are attributed unto him: which as they only agree unto God, so they plainly prove the holy Ghost to be very God.
And these thinges which are alledged now, to shew that the holy Ghost is God the creator: by them also is shewed that he is an vnderstanding essence, euerlasting, good, righteous, mercifull, most free, of an infinite power and most constant truth: neuerthelesse let vs yet see also certaine testimonies seuerally concerning ⟨p. 86⟩those thinges that are attributed vnto him: which as they onely agree vnto God, so they plainly proue the holy Ghost to be very God.
That the holy Ghost is an understanding essence, everlasting, and which giveth understanding, it plainly appeareth out of the 61. of Isaiah: The spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, for that Jehovah hath anointed me: to preach unto the mild he hath sent me. Luk. 4. Christ teacheth that he is he, upon whom is the spirit of Jehovah, for that he anointed him. But to anoint inwardly, as Christ properly is anointed, and by his own power to send to preach glad tidings, and to give power to preach glad tidings aright, is a work of a person truly subsisting, understanding, and of the everlasting God. Also it appeareth by his effects which are reckoned up in the 5. to the Galatians, that he is also good, just, pure, merciful, most free, and in deed as God communicating his gifts unto other. The fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, gentleness, benignity, goodness, faith, softness of spirit, and temperance. And surely the same Apostle teacheth that the holy Ghost is the worker of these, and therefore God. 1. Cor. 12. There are diversity of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are diversity of administrations, but God is the same that worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the spirit, the word of wisdom: and to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit. And a little after, But all these ⟨p. 87⟩things worketh one and the same spirit, distributing to every man severally as he will. Lo he had said before: There are diversity of administrations, but God is the same that worketh all in all: afterwards showing that the same holy spirit is God himself, he saith: All these things worketh one and the same spirit, distributing to every man severally as he will. That he is true, and that as God looking into the hearts, and trying the thoughts, it is taught in the 5. of the Acts. Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart, that thou shouldest lie unto the holy Ghost? and by and by he addeth, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And that he proceedeth from the father and the Son, not as a created motion or moving, but as a person existing, understanding, and of the same essence with the father & the Son, Christ teacheth in Joh. Cap. 14. vers. 26.
That the holy Ghost is an vnderstanding essence, euerlasting, and which giueth vnderstanding, it plainly appeareth out of the 61. of Esai: The spirit of the Lord Iehouah is vpō me, for that Iehouah hath anointed me: to preach vnto the milde he hath sent me.
Now that same holy spirit the comforter, whom the father shall send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and shall put all these things into your mind which I have said unto you. But this belongeth only to God 1. Cor. 2. vers. 10.11.12. He justifieth and sanctifieth the Church aswell as the Son: 1. Cor. 1.6. 1. Pet. 1. and reneweth it to everlasting life. Joh. 3. & baptiseth into the same body. 1. Cor. 12. He dwelleth in the believers, and raiseth them up from the dead. Rom. 8. If his spirit who hath raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he will also quicken your mortal bodies, by his spirit dwelling in you. And verily he dwelleth in us, as in his own temple. Therefore the holy Ghost must necessarily be the true God. 1. ⟨p. 88⟩Cor. 3. vers. 16. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God doth dwell in you? &c. Now in the 2. Cor. cap. 6. he saith, Ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk there. &c.
Now that same holy spirit the comforter, whom the father shall sende in my name, he shall teach you all things, and shall put all these things into your minde which I haue said vnto you. But this belongeth onely to God 1. Cor. 2. vers. 10.11.12. He iustifieth and sanctifieth the Church aswell as the sonne: 1. Cor. 1.6.
Out of all which it is understood that the holy ghost is the true and everlasting God.
Out of all which it is vnderstoode that the holy ghost is the true and euerlasting God.
IF any believe not in the holy Ghost, he neither believeth in the father nor in the Son, and so manifestly believeth not in God: forasmuch as the father and the Son cannot be known and be believed of us, unless the holy ghost reveal it, who proceedeth from the father and the Son, and is of the same essence with both. 1. Jo. 4. ver. 14. So therefore we must determine: that if any man have not the spirit of Christ, the same is not his. Rom. 8. But if any know not the holy Ghost, neither also hath he it. John, 14. The world can not receive the holy Ghost, because it seeth it not, neither knoweth it. Therefore he that knoweth not the holy ghost, he is not of Christ. But you know him (saith Christ) because he abideth with you, and shall be in you.
IF any beleeue not in the holy Ghost, he neither beleeueth in the father nor in the sonne, and so manifestly beleeueth not in God: forasmuch as the father and the sonne cannot be knowen and be beleeued of vs, vnlesse the holy ghost reueale it, who proceedeth from the father and the sonne, and is of the same essence with both. 1. Io. 4. ver. 14. So therefore we must determine: that if any man haue not the spirite of Christ, the same is not his. Rom. 8. But if any knowe not the holy Ghost, neither also hath he it. Iohn, 14. The worlde can not receaue the holy Ghost, because it seeth it not, neither knoweth it. Therefore he that knoweth not the holy ghost, he is not of Christ. But you knowe him (saith Christ) because he abideth with you, and shalbe in you.
