Page images
PDF
EPUB

touched is a difficulty almost insuperable, and he who now addresses the reader has frequently found that remarks which he at first thought original in himself or others, might be traced through a succession of writers, to some esteemed old author. quently, to re-dress, to re-model, to re-edite the standard works on divinity, principally engages the attention of the studious of our day.

Conse

Of such a nature is the present attempt. It is intended as a popular Exposition of the Apostles' Creed; and contains, for the most part, the observations of former writers, abridged and simplified. The chief person to whom the author is indebted is Bishop Pearson, " even the dust of whose writings is gold." Other authorities indeed, such as Bishops Bull and Burnet,-Barrow, Hooker, and Waterland,-have been consulted, as also the primitive fathers, St. Augustine, Irenæus, Tertullian, &c. But it may be truly said, that as the mariner steers his way through the expanse of waters by the compass, so this work has been carried forward with an

eye steadily fixed on Bishop Pearson's admirable Exposition. Should the undertaking, therefore, meet with a favourable acceptance, it is chiefly to be attributed to the guidance of that incomparable Prelate: whatever failings it may have, the writer is sensible must wholly attach to himself.

It is only necessary further to add, that as his most ardent desire is to promote the pure and Apostolical faith of the Church of England, so it is his heart-felt prayer, that all who peruse the following pages may rise from a consideration of them, with confirmed belief in divine revelation, and renewed hope in the promises of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

16, for death read resurrection

249, notes, line 2, for requi read regni

251, line 12, for of read to

303, 5, for intrinsecally read intrinsically

[ocr errors]

311, notes, line 4, the note beginning Illi sancti belongs to note a, p. 309.

CATECHETICAL EXPOSITION,

&c.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

Question. What do you understand by a Creed? Answer. A rule of faith; or a concise yet comprehensive summary of doctrines held to be essentially necessary to salvation.

Q. What is the origin of the term?

A. It is derived from the Latin word "credo," I believe".

Q. But, strictly speaking, are not the Holy Scriptures the Christian's sole unerring rule of faith?

2

A. Assuredly; and Creeds are so called only

Regula Fidei. Tertull. De Virg. Vel. p. 178. St. Jerom. Ep. ad Marcell. cont. Montan. tom. ii. p. 46. St. Augustin, Serm. de Temp. 119.

In the Eastern Church the term Kavov, Canon, was often used; as also Σvußodov, Symbolum, from ovμßadλw, to put together, to collect into one. Vid. Vossius de Tribus Symbolis. Dissert. i. § 9 and 15.

B

« PreviousContinue »