A Golden Chain

Now to come to the Creed, let us begin with the name or title thereof. That which in English we call the Apostles Creed, in other tongues is called Symbolum, that is, a shot or a badge. It is called a shot, because as in a feast or banquet every man payeth his part: which being all gathered, the whole (which we call the shot) amounteth: and so out of the several writings of the Apostles ariseth this creed or brief confession of faith. It is a badge, because as a soldier in the field by his badge and livery is known of what band he is, and to what captain he doth belong: even so by this belief a christian man may be distinguished and known from all Jews, Turks, Atheists, and all false professors: and for this cause it is called a badge.

Nowe to come to the Creede, let vs begin with the name or title thereof. That which in English we call the Apostles Creed, in other tongues is called Symbolum, that is, a shot or a badge. It is called a shot, because as in a feast or banquet euery man payeth his part: which beeing all gathered, the whole (which we call the shot) amounteth: and so out of the seuerall writings of the Apostles ariseth this creed or briefe confession of faith. It is a badge, because as a souldier in the field by his badge and liuerie is knowne of what band he is, and to what captaine he doth belong: euen so by this beleefe a christian man may be distinguished and knowne from all Iewes, Turkes, Atheists, and all false professours: and for this cause it is called a badge.

Again it is called the creed of the Apostles, not because they were the pen ners of it, conferring to it besides the matter^a the very style & frame of words as we have them now set down. Reason. I. there are in this creed certain words & ⟨p. 186⟩phrases which are not to be found in the writings of the Apostles, and namely these: He descended into hell; the Catholic Church. The latter whereof no doubt^a