An exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith. In which the chiefe points of the euerlasting and free couenant betweene God and the faithfull is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Treuir, and now translated out of the Latine tongue into the English for the benefite of Christ his Church. By Iohn Fielde.

The first point of doctrine concerning Gods prouidence.

FIrst of all let euery faithfull man, that is in league with God, vndoubtedly determine

with himselfe, that God by the selfe same omnipotencie, whereby he hath created all things, doth also preserue and continue the same, and by his wonderfull prouidence doth gouerne them. Heb. 1. verses 10.11.12. Coloss. 1.16. And that not onely by some vniuersall rea∣son and motion, but also by a particular and speciall, yea which stretcheth it selfe euen to the least sparrowes and to the most contempti∣ble haires of our heades, yea further euen to the direction of lottes, so that all things are done by the dispensation and appointment of God, and fall not out at aduenture or by chance: and therefore he must haue the sight of his minde alwaies bent vpon God with whō he is in league as the chiefe cause of all things. Testimonies, Exod. 21, vers. 13 He that hath not lien in waite for him, but the Lorde hath appointed him into his handes: Prouerbs. Chap. 16. vers. 33. Lottes are cast into the lappe, and all the iudgement therof dependeth wholy vpō the Lord. Act. 1 26. Iam. 4.13.14.15. Go to now ye that say, to day and to mo∣rowe we will goe into such a citie, and let vs continue there a yeere, & buy & sell, & get gaine, who know not what shall come to passe to morrowe. For what is your life? It is euen a vapoure that appeareth for a little time, and afterward vanisheth away. And therefore yee ought to saye, and if the Lord will, and we liue, we will doe this or that. Matt. 10.29. Are not two sparrowes sould for a farthing, and one of them falleth not on the grounde without your father: And the haires of your head also are numbred? Feare ye not therefore, yee are of more value then many sparrowes.

Also Deutero. 28. Ierem. 10, 23. Prouerb. 20. Actes 14. Gene. 25. Ioseph saith,* 1.1 It was not you that sould me into Egypt, but I was sent before you by the will of God, that I might preserue your life. Ioseph knewe that he was not sould by chaunce, but by the counsell of God, so that he saith that he was sent thither by the will of God, in which also he resteth. Iob busieth not himselfe with complaints against the Chaldeans; but he saith,* 1.2 The Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gene. 45.5.
• * 1.2

  Iob. 1.21.