An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…

The Creed therefore sets down two things concerning faith, namely the action of faith and his object, which also are the parts of the Creed. The action in these words, I believe: the object in all the words following, in God the Father almighty, maker &c. And first let us begin with the action.

The Creede therefore sets downe two things concerning faith, namely the action of faith and his obiect, which also are the parts of the Creede. The action in these words, I beleeue: the obiect in all the words following, in God the Father almightie, maker &c. And first let vs begin with the action.

I believe in God.) We are taught to say, I believe, not we believe, for two causes. First (because as we touched before) in the Primitive Church this Creed was made to be an answer made unto a question, which was demanded of every particular man that was baptized: for they asked him thus; What dost thou believe? then he answered, I believe in God the Father, &c. and thus did every one of years make profession of his faith: and it is likely that Peter alluded hereunto, saying,¹ the stipulation or answer of a good conscience maketh request to God. The second cause is, howsoever we are to pray one for another, by saying, O our father, &c. yet when we come to years, we must have a particular faith of our own: no man can be saved by another's mans faith, but by his own, so it is said: The just shall live by his faith. But some will say, this is not true.² For children must be saved by their parents faith: the answer is this; the faith of the parents doth bring the child to have a title or interest to the covenant of grace and to all the benefits of Christ: but yet it doth not apply the benefits of Christs death, his obedience, his merits, and righteousness unto the infant: for this the believer doth only unto himself & to no other. Again some may say, if they do not apprehend Christs benefits by their parents faith, how then is Christs righteousness made theirs? Answ. By the inward working of the holy Ghost, who is the principal applier of all graces, whereas faith is but the instrument. And this is true, men of years are justified by their own faith; & the infant by some other special working of Gods holy spirit.