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SUMMARY OF

AN EXPOSITION ON THE CREED.

THIS Creed comprehends the main principles of the Christian religion, by which our practice is to be regulated. Brief observations on the other expositions introduced.

Usage of the Creed in the primitive churches: Apostolical authority of it, as drawn from the fountains of Scripture, shown. Meaning of the ancient expression for it, or the word symbolum. As for the subject itself, it is a short system of Christian doctrine, suited for every person to declare his consent thereto. Interpretation of the word Creed, or Belief. Belief has too acceptations; one more general and popular, another more restrained and artificial: these explained. The first of them considered as that which we profess in our Creed. Reasons for this given.

The various expressions in the Creed commented on. 1. The whole clause, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, illustrated; it being considered, 1. what it is that we are to believe; 2. why, and on what grounds we should believe it. First, the true notion of God, according to his glorious attributes, is pointed out as the object of our belief. Secondly, the real existence of such a Being is proved, 1. from natural effects observable by every man in the formation of all things; 2. by the general consent of mankind, that unanimous testimony of all people and nations not disagreeing in this only point; 3. by the discovery of a divine power, in works that cannot be ascribed to any other cause,

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visible or natural; 4. by every man's particular experience concerning a Divine Providence.

Arguments drawn from the preceding observations, to show the eternity of God, the indefectibility of his existence, his omnipresence, his justice and veracity, his rightful sovereignty and dominion, &c. The constitution of our own souls also tends to confirm divers attributes of God.

In the next place, it is observed that in this article the unity of God is implied: this unity expressed in other ancient Creeds with it the common suffrage of mankind is shown to agree: the same truth also declared by divine revelation.

It was anciently objected by Celsus and other adversaries of our religion, that Christianity exacted of men a blind groundless belief; that it condemned human wisdom, banished understanding, and prohibited all inquiry, &c. These objections answered; whilst it is shown that Christianity calls on men, or rather obliges them, to inquire into itself, though it will not allow a Christian to be so vain and inconsistent as to question any particular of its doctrine.

Now the first principle of Christianity is, that there is one God: the next, that God is perfectly veracious, or that whatever he asserts is true: thirdly, that God is the Author of the Christian doctrine in general: fourthly, that those authorities and traditions on which we ground and prove the particular doctrines of Christianity to be truly such, are proper and sufficient for the purpose.

These two latter principles, involving matter of fact, &c. require a rational probation: this given and it is shown,

1. That it is reasonable to suppose that God should sometime reveal unto men the truth concerning himself, and concerning them, as they stand related to him.

2. That no other religion which bath been, or now is, could, or can, with any propriety pretend thus to have proceeded from God, or by him to have been designed for the general,

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plete, and perpetual instruction and obligation of mankind. Paganism, Mahometanism, and Judaism, examined under this view of the subject.

It is next shown that the Christian doctrine is in all respects such as might become God as its Author; worthy of his wisdom and goodness to reveal, and impose on mankind: 1. if we regard the information it imparts to us of the nature and will of God, as far as is necessary for us to know them, &c.: 2. if we look to that concerning ourselves and the state of our souls; the nobleness of our original nature; and our present condition, &c. 3. if we regard the rule of life which it prescribes to us, so agreeable to reason, and conducive to our good: 4. if we consider, not only the means which it shows, but the help and ability which it affords us, to practise that rule.

In addition to the foregoing abstracted considerations, it is shown that God hath, in every deed, asserted and attested to the Christian doctrine. The different passages in the Creed more closely examined and explained.

I believe in God the Father. The appellation of God here, not improperly taken; (as when it is attributed to creatures on some resemblance in nature or office which they bear to him ;) but may be applied to God essentially considered: in this sense of the word the attribute of Father is shown, from many respects truly and properly to belong to him.

The consideration and belief of the grounds on which this relation of God to us is founded hath manifold good uses; is apt to inform us of, and to enforce on us, many necessary duties resulting from it: this shown. But God is also here to be understood, principally, as the first person in the blessed Trinity; as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: this partially shown: full proof left to another clause.

Almighty. Though all the divine perfections really and equally belong to each person of the blessed Trinity, yet they

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are in some respects eminently attributed to the Father: this enlarged on.

The title or epithet πаvтокρáтwρ, which we render Almighty, explained and illustrated. Uses and importance of a belief in this truth.

Maker of Heaven and Earth. This clause stated to be one which was of later times inserted into this Creed: reasons assigned for it: explication of its terms. Disquisition on matter, as being, according to the opinions of some philoso phers, eternal and uncreated. God shown to have been the Creator of it and all things. On the origin of evil. A few brief considerations concerning the manner how, and the reason why, God made the world; on which somewhat of our duty may be grounded, and our practice thereby directed.

Second division of the Creed. Jesus. This name not unusual among the Jews; imposed on our Saviour at his circumcision to denote his great design, the salvation of mankind: this fully shown. The several respects, in which he may be styled our Saviour, shown. 1. His conducting of us into and in the way of salvation. 2. His actual purchase of our salvation. 3. His communication to us of spiritual strength, &c. 4. His finally conferring on us, and crowning us with salvation. The love and gratitude, which this consideration should excite in us, briefly touched on.

Christ. This title or name imports office and dignity; the same with Messias: one in Greek, the other in Hebrew, signifying The Anointed. This topic enlarged on, and illustrated. Shown to involve the character of a

king, and of a priest.

prophet, of a

His only Son. That the Messias, designed by God to restore mankind, was in an especial manner to be 'The Son of God,' seems to have been a common persuasion of the ancient Jews before his appearance. And that our Saviour was indeed

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