按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Part Second。 OF THE CREED。
Thus far we have heard the first part of Christian doctrine； in which
we have seen all that God wishes us to do or to leave undone。 Now；
there properly follows the Creed； which sets forth to us everything
that we must expect and receive from God； and； to state it quite
briefly； teaches us to know Him fully。 And this is intended to help us
do that which according to the Ten Commandments we ought to do。 For （as
said above） they are set so high that all human ability is far too
feeble and weak to ＇attain to or＇ keep them。 Therefore it is as
necessary to learn this part as the former in order that we may know
how to attain thereto； whence and whereby to obtain such power。 For if
we could by our own powers keep the Ten Commandments as they are to be
kept； we would need nothing further； neither the Creed nor the Lord's
Prayer。 But before we explain this advantage and necessity of the
Creed； it is sufficient at first for the simple…minded that they learn
to comprehend and understand the Creed itself。
In the first place； the Creed has hitherto been divided into twelve
articles； although； if all points which are written in the Scriptures
and which belong to the Creed were to be distinctly set forth； there
would be far more articles； nor could they all be clearly expressed in
so few words。 But that it may be most easily and clearly understood as
it is to be taught to children； we shall briefly sum up the entire
Creed in three chief articles； according to the three persons in the
Godhead； to whom everything that we believe is related； So that the
First Article； of God the Father； explains Creation； the Second
Article； of the Son； Redemption； and the Third； of the Holy Ghost；
Sanctification。 Just as though the Creed were briefly comprehended in
so many words： I believe in God the Father； who has created me； I
believe in God the Son； who has redeemed me； I believe in the Holy
Ghost； who sanctifies me。 One God and one faith； but three persons；
therefore also three articles or confessions。 Let us briefly run over
the words。
Article I。
I believe in God the Father Almighty； Maker of heaven and earth。
This portrays and sets forth most briefly what is the essence； will；
activity； and work of God the Father。 For since the Ten Commandments
have taught that we are to have not more than one God； the question
might be asked； What kind of a person is God？ What does He do？ How can
we praise or portray and describe Him； that He may be known？ Now； that
is taught in this and in the following article； so that the Creed is
nothing else than the answer and confession of Christians arranged with
respect to the First Commandment。 As if you were to ask a little child：
My dear； what sort of a God have you？ What do you know of Him？ he could
say： This is my God： first； the Father； who has created heaven and
earth； besides this only One I regard nothing else as God； for there is
no one else who could create heaven and earth。
But for the learned； and those who are somewhat advanced ＇have
acquired some Scriptural knowledge＇； these three articles may all be
expanded and divided into as many parts as there are words。 But now for
young scholars let it suffice to indicate the most necessary points；
namely； as we have said； that this article refers to the Creation： that
we emphasize the words： Creator of heaven and earth But what is the
force of this； or what do you mean by these words： I believe in God the
Father Almighty； Maker； etc。？ Answer： This is what I mean and believe；
that I am a creature of God； that is； that He has given and constantly
preserves to me my body； soul； and life； members great and small； all
my senses； reason； and understanding； and so on； food and drink；
clothing and support； wife and children； domestics； house and home；
etc。 Besides； He causes all creatures to serve for the uses and
necessities of life sun； moon and stars in the firmament； day and
night； air； fire； water； earth； and whatever it bears and produces；
birds and fishes； beasts； grain； and all kinds of produce； and whatever
else there is of bodily and temporal goods； good government； peace；
security。 Thus we learn from this article that none of us has of
himself； nor can preserve； his life nor anything that is here
enumerated or can be enumerated； however small and unimportant a thing
it might be； for all is comprehended in the word Creator。
Moreover； we also confess that God the Father has not only given us all
that we have and see before our eyes； but daily preserves and defends
us against all evil and misfortune； averts all sorts of danger and
calamity； and that He does all this out of pure love and goodness；
without our merit； as a benevolent Father； who cares for us that no
evil befall us。 But to speak more of this belongs in the other two
parts of this article； where we say： Father Almighty
Now； since： all that we possess； and； moreover； whatever； in addition；
is in heaven and upon the earth； is daily given； preserved； and kept
for us by God； it is readily inferred and concluded that it is our duty
to love； praise； and thank Him for it without ceasing； and； in short；
to serve Him with all these things as He demands and has enjoined in
the Ten Commandments。
Here we could say much if we were to expatiate； how few there are that
believe this article。 For we all pass over it； hear it and say it； but
neither see nor consider what the words teach us。 For if we believed it
with the heart； we would also act accordingly； and not stalk about
proudly； act defiantly； and boast as though we had life； riches； power；
and honor； etc。； of ourselves； so that others must fear and serve us；
as is the practice of the wretched； perverse world； which is drowned in
blindness； and abuses all the good things and gifts of God only for its
own pride； avarice； lust； and luxury； and never once regards God； so
as to thank Him or acknowledge Him as Lord and Creator。
Therefore； this article ought to humble and terrify us all； if we
believed it。 For we sin daily with eyes； ears； hands； body and soul；
money and possessions； and with everything we have； especially those
who even fight against the Word of God。 Yet Christians have this
advantage； that they acknowledge themselves in duty bound to serve God
for all these things； and to be obedient to Him ＇which the world knows
not how to do＇。
We ought； therefore； daily to practice this article； impress it upon
our mind； and to remember it in all that meets our eyes； and in all
good that falls to our lot； and wherever we escape from calamity or
danger； that it is God who gives and does all these things； that
therein we sense and see His paternal heart and His transcendent love
toward us。 Thereby the heart would be warmed and kindled to be
thankful； and to employ all such good things to the honor and praise of
God。
Thus we have most briefly presented the meaning of this article； as
much as is at first necessary for the most simple to learn； both as to
what we have and receive from God； and what we owe in return； which is
a most excellent knowledge； but a far greater treasure。 For here we see
how the Fath