AMEN.
Hitherto
by GodÕs goodness I have shewed the meaning of the Creed; now to draw to a
conclusion, the general uses which are to be made of it follow:
Use
1. And first of all we learn by it
that the church of Rome hath no cause to condemn us for heretics; for we do
truly hold and believe the whole apostolical Symbol or Creed, which is an
epitome of the Scriptures, and the very key of faith. It will be said that we
deny the popeÕs supremacy, justification by works, purgatory, the sacrifice of
the mass for the sins of the quick and dead, the invocation and intercession of
saints, etc., which are the greatest points of religion. It is true indeed, we
deny and renounce them as doctrines of devils; persuading ourselves that if
they indeed had been apostolical, and the very grounds and pillars of religion,
as they are avouched to be, they should in no wise have been left forth of the
Creed. For it is an oversight in making a confession of faith, to omit the
principal points and rules of faith. It will be further said that in the Creed,
we believe the church, and so consequently are to believe all these former
points which are taught and avouched by the church. But this defence is
foolish; for it takes this for granted: that the church of Rome is the church here
meant, which we deny, unless they can prove a particular church to be universal
or catholic. Nay, I add further that the principal grounds of popish faith, for
which they contend with us as for life and death, are not mentioned in any
other creeds which were made by the churches and councils for many hundred
years after Christ.
Use
2. Secondly, the Creed serves as a
store-house of remedies against all troubles and temptations whatsoever:
(1)
If a man be grieved for the loss of earthly riches, let him consider that he
believes God to be his Creator,
who will therefore guide and preserve His own workmanship, and by His
providence minister all things needful unto it. And that he hath not lost the
principal blessing of all, in that he hath God to be his Father, Christ
to be his Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost to be his Comforter; and that considering he looks for life eternal, he is not to be overmuch careful for this life; and
that Christ being our Lord, will
not forsake us being the servants in His own house, but will provide things
needful for us.
(2)
If any man be grieved in respect of outward disgrace and contempt, let him
remember that he believes in Christ crucified, and that therefore he is to rejoice in contempt for
righteousness sake.
(3)
They which are troubled for the decease of friends, are to comfort themselves
in the communion of saints, and
that they have God the Father, and
Christ, and the Holy Ghost for their friends.
(4)
Against bodily captivity, let men consider that they believe in Christ their
Lord, whose service is perfect
liberty.
(5)
Against the fear of bodily diseases, we must remember the resurrection of
the body, in which all diseases and
infirmities shall be abolished.
(6)
If a man fear death of the body, let him consider that he believes in Christ
which died upon the cross, who by
death hath vanquished death.
(7)
The fear of persecution is restrained, if we call to remembrance that God is a Father
Almighty, not only able, but also
willing to repress the power of the adversary, so far forth as shall be for the
good of His children.
(8)
Terrors arising of the consideration of the last judgment are allayed by
remembrance of this: that Christ shall be our judge who is our Redeemer.
(9)
Fear of damnation is remedied by consideration that Christ died to make satisfaction for us, and now sits at the
right hand of His Father to make
intercession for us; and by the resurrection of the body to life everlasting.
(10)
Terrors of conscience for sins are repressed, if we consider that God is a Father, and therefore much in sparing, and that it is a
prerogative of the church to have remission of sins.
Deo
Gloria