DISSERTATIONS.* .

DISSERTATION LO

On the Authors, and the Authority of the Apostles' Creed.

Pages 1-15:

THE History of the Creed has been amply discussed by Usher,

Voet, Vossius, and Heidegger

It is maintained by the Church of Rome, that the Apostles
are the Authors of the Creed

And even that each of them delivered his own article
Nay, they imagine that they know exactly, what article was
dictated by each of the Apostles

SECT.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

The Contents of the Dissertations in both Volumes are faithfully translated

from the Latin. T.

This they attempt to prove from the title, from the term
Kyuddum, from the Fathers, and from Reason
Tum arguments, however, are either uncertain or faise
The tie of the Apostles' Creed is not authentic; and were
it much, it might refer not to the authors, but to the

matter

The term Symbolum does not signify a collection; and if it
did, it might refer to the plurality, not of persons collect-
ing, but of articles collected

The argument taken from the Fathers is very uncertain

The argument derived from reason, rather injures than serves

the cause

That the contrary opinion is far more probable, is evinced by

various arguments

That each of the Apostles delivered his own sentence, is al-

most ridiculous

In the original simplicity of the Christian Religion, there

was no Creed except that of Christ in Mat. xxviii. 19.

But in course of time, heresies increasing, various articles

The Authority of the Apostles' Creed is great, yet not su-

ISSERTATION II.

Fundamental Articles.

Poģes 16-33.

Whether all the necessary articles, and those only, are con-

tained in the Creed

I.

An article may be said to be necessary, to salvation, to reli-

gion, to the Church

II.

The knowledge of necessary articles is either more or less
explicit

III.

A greater measure of knowledge is required under the New,

than under the Old dispensation

IV.

Nothing ought to be deemed a fundamental article, which
cannot be found in Scripture

And which is not clearly stated there

That only is to be held fundamental, without which neither
faith nor repentance can exist

That also is evidently a fundamental article, to the rejec-

tion of which, God has annexed a threatening of destruc-

tion

Every thing is not fundamental, to which a promise of life

is annexed

But that is fundamental, which the Scripture calls a foun-

dation

-

-

And that, without which, what is necessary can be neither

believed nor known

In fine, that which the nature of the thing shows to be no

less, or even more necessary, than that which is propound-

ed as such in holy writ

A distinction betwixt these marks of fundamental articles

An equally distinct knowledge of necessary articles, is not

indispensably requisite in all

To determine the number of fundamental articles, is either

impossible, or extremely difficult

Nor is it necessary; either with respect to individuals

Or with respect to the whole Church

XVIII.

All the necessary articles are not contained in the Creed

In what sense some may have said, that all necessary points

Nor are all the articles included in it, necessary

Yet such articles are not improperly inserted in Creeds

DISSERTATION III.

On Saving Faith.

Pages 34-68.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

The sum of what is to be said

Saving faith comprehends a great number of things

Just as Life; for it is the spring of spiritual life

III.

Nor should it be restricted to any one faculty of the soul,

any more than free-will, or original righteousness

IV.

SECT.

Which is the less wonderful, because the faculties of the ra-
tional soul are not, in reality, distinct

Yet amongst the acts of faith, there is one that holds the
principal place

In the exercise of faith, an equally distinct order is not ob-
served, with that which we exhibit in the theory

Knowledge belongs to faith

Which, however, in many believers, is exceedingly implicit

The sum of the truths which must be known

To knowledge it is necessary to add assent

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

In faith, there is λngoPogia, full assurance

And ὑποστασις, substance

And έλεγχος, evidence

Hence it appears that there can be no falsehood in a divine

faith

Believers sometimes stagger with respect to the most certain

truths

Love follows assent

Hunger and thirst after Christ succeed

Hunger and thirst are followed by the reception of Christ

And is connected with dependance on Christ

Which is often spoken of in the Holy Scriptures

Explanation of the Hebrew term

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

The soul also, by faith, surrenders itself to Christ, as its Lord XXIII.

Hence arises that Syllogism of faith, the conclusion of which

Of the above-mentioned acts of faith, some belong to it an-

tecedently, some formally, and some consequently

What Historical faith is, and whether it be rightly so termed

What is intended by Temporary faith

It differs from Saving faith. 1st, In its knowledge of the

truth

xxx.

2dly, In its application of the promises of the Gospel

3dly, In its joy

-

XXXI.

XXXII.

4thly, In its fruits

XXXIII.

Why we say individually, I BELIEVE

One may be conscious to himself of his own faith

XXXIV.

XXXV.