A08483:90
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.
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 ⟨p. 85⟩whom before in the same Chapiter, Seraphim had cried, Holy, Holy, Holy, Iehouah, Lord of hoasts) Goe and say vnto this people, in hearing heare you, and vnderstand not: and in seeing, see you and knowe not. These same wordes which the Lorde spake. Paule, Acts. 28. saith that the holy Ghost spake, Very well (saith he) spake the holy Ghost by Isaias the Prophet vnto our fathers, &c. Therefore the holy Ghost is Iehouah. The same is also plaine by other places, Ierem. 31. This is the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After these daies saith Iehouah, I will giue my lawe into their hearte &c.
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.
Therefore those former being dispatched, to wit that the father, the Son and the holy ghost, are things subsisting of themselves, understanding, &c. it followeth also that we teach that they are incommunicable, or rather distinct, Gene. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and the spirit of God moved it self upon the face of the waters, And God said, Let there be a light, and the light was made. Mat. 3. The trinity of the persons is plainly described, to wit the Son clad in mans nature and baptised, then the Holy Ghost in a bodily form as it were a dove descending down from heaven, & abiding upon the Son: Lastly the father pronouncing with a clear voice out of heaven, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Also, Mat. 28. ver. 19. Joh. 8. vers. 16, 17, 18. Also cap. 14 Now I will ask the father, and he will give you another comforter, that he may remain with you for ever. And, 15.26. But when that comforter shall come, whom I will send unto you from the father, that spirit of truth who proceedeth from the father, he shall witness of me. Also, cap. 16. vers. 7. Further that these three persons, are one divine essence, these places witness, Deut 6. Hear Israel, Thy Lord thy God is one God. And 32. See, I; am one and there is no other God besides me. Psal. 18. Who is God besides the the Lord? And who is God besides our God? 2. King. 5. I know for a surety (saith Naaman Syrus) that there is no other God in all the earth, but only in Israel. Isai. 42.43.45, and 48. John, 10. I and the father are one. And the 14. Believe me, that I am in the father, and the father in me. Isaiah. 6. Seraphin cried ⟨p. 90⟩Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord of Hosts. The voice Holy thrice repeated, setteth forth the Trinity of persons: and the word Jehovah, the unity of the essence: Matt. 28
Now whatsoever things have been spoken before of the Godhead of the Son, and of the holy ghost, they do also prove the same thing, to wit that these three persons are one everlasting God. For neither the father, were an everlasting father, unless he had a Son from everlasting, and coessential, or of the same substance with him: neither were the Son the only begotten Son of the Father, unless he were of the same substance with him: neither were the holy ghost the spirit of the father and Son, proceeding from both, unless it were coessential with the father and the Son.
Now whatsoeuer thinges haue beene spoken before of the Godhead of the sonne, and of the holy ghost, they doe also proue the same thing, to witte that these three persons are one euerlasting God. For neither the father, were an euerlasting father, vnlesse he had a sonne from euerlasting, and coessentiall, or of the same substance with him: neither were the Sonne the onely begotten sonne of the Father, vnlesse he were of the same substance with him: neither were the holy ghost the spirite of the father and sonne, proceeding from both, vnlesse it were coessentiall with the father and the sonne.
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.
THerefore those former being dispatched, to witt that the father, the sonne and the holy ghost, are thinges subsisting of themselues, vnderstāding, &c. it foloweth also that we teach that they are incōmunicable, or rather distinct, Gene. 1. In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth, and the spirite of God moued it selfe vpon the face of the waters, And God said, Let there be a light, and the light was made. Mat. 3. The trinitie of the persons is plainly described, to witt the sonne clad in mans nature and baptised, then ye holighost in a bodily forme as it were a doue descending downe from heauen, & abiding vpon the sonne: Lastly ye father pronoūcing with a cleare voyce out of heauen, This is my beloued sonne in whō I am wel pleased. Also, Mat. 28. ver. 19. Ioh. 8. vers. 16, 17, 18. Also cap. 14 Now I will aske the father, and he will giue you another comforter, that hee maie remaine with you for euer. And, 15.26. But when that comforter shall come, whom I will send vnto you from the father, that spirite of truth who proceedeth from the father, he shall witnesse of me. Also, cap. 16. vers. 7. Further that these three persons, are one diuine essence, these places witnes, Deut 6. Heare Israel, Thy Lord thy God is one God. And 32. See, I; am one and there is no other God besides me. Psal. 18. Who is God besides the the Lord? And who is God besides our God? 2. King. 5. I know for a suertie (saith Naaman Syrus) that there is no other God in all the earth, but onely in Israel. Isai. 42.43.45, and 48. Iohn, 10. I and the father are one. And the 14. Beleeue me, that I am in the father, and the father in me. Esai. 6. Seraphin cried ⟨p. 90⟩Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord of Hoastes. The voyce Holy thrise repeated, setteth foorth the Trinitie of persons: and the word Iehouah, the vnitie of the essence: Matt. 28. Going foorth, Teach ye all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, and of the sonne, and of the holy ghost. It is verie certaine that we are baptised into the faith and worship of one God: But that there is mention made of three, to witte of the father, of the sonne, and of the holy ghost: in the selfesame is noted the Trinitie of persons, in the vnitie of substance. 1. Cor. 7. vers. 11. 1. Iohn, 5. There are three which beare witnesse in heauen, the father, the word, and the holy ghost, and these three are one.
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. Luk. 11. ver. 49, 50, 51, 52.
