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.