A learned and excellent treatise containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion. Set downe by way of conference in a most plaine and familiar manner. Written first in French by maister Mathew Virell, after translated into Latine: and now turned into English for the vse of our country-men.

A short exposition of the Apostles Creede.

Theoph.

Thou hast made mee to vnderstand all the articles of the Apostles Creed: Neuerthelesse I do de∣sire, to the ende the things which thou hast sayd may the better stick in my mind, that the summe of the same articles should againe be declared in some short Para∣phrasis or exposition: as also to be taught how the faith∣full may apply them to them selues.

Mat.

Thou desirest a thing (except I be deceiued) not vnprofitable. Therefore euerie one may compre∣hend the summe of the Creed, and apply it to himselfe, in these words; I put my whole trust in God the father, as in him which will blesse me. For I doubt not, seeing he is the Father of Iesus Christ, but he is also my fa∣ther, and therefore loueth me perfectly and infinitely, euen as he him selfe is perfect and infinite.

Now, that will of his cannot be hindered by impo∣tencie or weakenesse, as our earthly parentes are often wont: For he is omnipotent, and hath all creatures, as well those that be in heauen, as those that be in earth in his hand, to do me good, to keepe me safe from all sinnes, and to helpe me in all my necessities, so far forth as he him selfe shall know to be expedient for me: who also doth so keep in, bridle, and hold backe the deuill & all mine enemies, that they cannot by any meanes hurt mee.

I do also put my whole trust in Christ Iesus our Lord, the onely Sonne of God, of the same essence with the Father and the holy Ghost, who came downe into the earth, that he might lift me vp into heauen; which was made man, to the ende he might haue the same God with me, and I might haue the same Father with him. For these be his words, I ascend or go vp to my Father, and your Father, and my God and your God.

Who also that he might reconcile mee to God the Father, was conceiued by the holy Ghost, and borne of the Virgine Marie: Moreouer vnder Pontius Pilate he suffred all the reproches which I had deserued. For he was bound as a guiltie person, that I might be loosed out of the chaine of the Deuill and sinne. He was con∣demned of an earthly Iudge, notwithstanding he were most iust and innocent, that I which am guilty of innu∣merable transgressions, might be discharged before the tribunall seate of the heauenly Iudge.

Who in scorne was clothed with purple, and crow∣ned with a crowne of thornes, that he might make me partaker of his glorious crowne and kingly dignitie.

Who was nayled to the crosse, dead, and buried, that he might deliuer me from the curse of death, and sla∣uerie of sinne, and the tyrannie of the deuill.

Who for me descended into hell, while as in the ve∣rie time of that passion, he suffred both in soule and bo∣die, the fearefull torments of the wrath of God, which I had deserued, and wherewith I should for euer haue beene ouerwhelmed in hell, who also the third day

rose againe from the dead, that for my sake death be∣ing fully ouercome, he might giue me life.

Who finally ascended into heauen, from whence I was banished for my sinnes, that he might set open a passage for me into it, and might in my name take pos∣session of the heauenly kingdome.

But now he sitteth at the right hand of God the Fa∣ther almighty, and there continually maketh interces∣sion for me with his Father, and offreth for me the me∣rite of his death, that so he may become mercifull vn∣to me.

I beleeue also that at the last day he shall come visi∣bly downe from the heauens to iudge both quicke and dead. Neither is there any cause why I should feare, or be afrayde of condemnation, seeing I shall stand at the iudgement seate of that Iudge, which is also my patron and aduocate. I do therefore assuredly know, that he will giue sentence on my side, and absolue me, that I may be partaker of his glory.

I do also put my whole trust in the holy Ghost, which is God of the same essence with the Father and the Sonne, who also hath ioyned me with Christ, and san∣ctified me in him.

Which beareth witnesse with my Spirite, that I am the child of God.

Which maketh request for me with sighs that cānot be expressed.

Which comforteth me in aduersitie.

Which kindleth a desire in vs to lead our liues in the obedience of God, strengtheneth vs, and finally gi∣ueth vs the gift of perseuerance to the end. Cōfirmeth me against all temptations. If at any time I fall, it rai∣seth me vp by true repentance, and promiseth to be with me with his grace euen vnto death.

I beleeue the Catholick Church, gathered together by the power of the holy Ghost, that is to say, the com∣pany of the faithfull chosen of God, which are scatte∣red throughout the whole world, of whose number I do certainly know my selfe to be one.

I beleeue that all we which are faithful, are so vnited and ioyned with Christ our head, that we are made partakers of his gifts, that is of the merite of his death, and the power of his resurrection.

Whereupon I am assured of the full forgiuenesse of my sinnes, and of my glorious resurrection in the last day, which the partaking of eternall life shall follow, together with all the faithfull and elect, with whom he shall for euer be praysed of me in the heauens.

Theoph.

I haue verily heard of thee an excellent Pa∣raphrasis or short exposition of the Apostles Creede, & such a one as doth not a little serue for edification. But that thou mayst prouide for, and helpe the memorie of the vnlearned, draw all this into as short a summe as thou canst.

Mat.

It cannot be made shorter, then if thou say: I put the whole hope of my saluatiō in one Iesus Christ crucified, who being giuen vnto me by the mercie of the Father, communicateth himselfe vnto me by the power of the holy Ghost, to make me partaker of the merite of his death, and also of eternall life. Now this agreeth with that which the Apostle saith, I determi∣ned to know nothing among you, but Iesus Christ, and him crucified.

Theoph.

I am fully satisfied with this exposition of the Apostles Creede, and it containeth many things, which bring no small comfort to the hearers. And I pray our good and heauenly Father, to engraue them in our hearts by the working of the holy Ghost, & that so we may earnestly acknowledge & stedfastly beleeue that immeasurable loue wherewith he loueth vs in Christ Iesus. By whō he hath redeemed vs, from euer∣lasting death, and hath taken vs for his children, that at length we may be heires of his kingdome.

Mat.

But now night draweth on, wherefore I would aduise, that we put off the rest till to morow. Farewell Theophilus.

Theoph.

Fare thou well also Matthew.

Notes

• I beleeue in God the Fa∣ther.
• Almightie maker of heauen and earth.
• And in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lord.
• Ioh. 20. 17.
• Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffe∣red vnder Pontius Pi∣late.
• Crucified dead and buried.
• He descen∣ded into hell.
• The third day he rose againe from the dead. He ascēded into heauen.
• Sitteth at the right had of God the Father almightie.
• From thēce he shall come to iudge the quicke and dead.
• I beleeue in the holy Ghost.
• The holy Catholicke Church.
• The cōmu∣niō of saints.
• The remis∣sion of sins. Resurection of the body. The life e∣uerlasting.
• The summe of the Creede.
• 1. Cor. 2. 2.