doctrine far surpasses all human understanding, nevertheless we now believe it by means of the word of God, but expect hereafter to enjoy the perfect knowledge and benefit thereof in heaven. Moreover we must observe the particular offices and operations of these three persons towards us. The Father is called our Creator, by his power; the Son is our Saviour and Redeemer, by his blood; the Holy Ghost is our sanctifier, by his dwelling in our hearts. This doctrine of the holy trinity hath always been defended and maintained by the true church, since the times of the apostles, to this very day, against the Jews, Mahometans, and some false Christians and heretics, as Marcion, Manes, Praxeas, Sabellius, Samosatenus, Arius, and such like, who have been justly condemned by the orthodox fathers. Therefore, in this point, we do willingly receive the three creeds, namely, that of the Apostles, of Nice, and of Athanasius: Likewise that, which, conformable thereunto, is agreed upon by the ancient fathers.
X. That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.
We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only begotten Son of God begotten from eternity, not made nor created, (for then he would be a creature), but co-essential and co-eternal with the Father, the express image of his person, and the brightness of his glory, equal unto him in all things. Who is the Son of God, not only from the time that he assumed our nature, but from all eternity, as these testimonies, when compared together, teach us. Moses saith, that God created the world; and John saith, that all things were made by that word, which he calleth God: And the Apostle saith, that God made the worlds by his Son. Likewise, that God created all things by Jesus Christ.—Therefore it must needs follow, that he, who is called God, the Word, the Son and Jesus Christ, did exist at that time when all things were created by him. Therefore the prophet Micah saith, his goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. And the apostle; he hath neither beginning of days, nor end of life: He therefore is that true eternal, and almighty God, whom we invoke, worship, and serve.
XI. That the Holy Ghost is true and eternal God.
We believe and confess also, that the Holy Ghost, from eternity, proceeds from the Father and Son; and therefore is neither made, created, nor begotten, but only proceedeth from both; who in order is the third person of the holy trinity; of one and the same essence, majesty and glory with the Father, and the Son: and therefore, is the true and eternal God, as the holy scriptures teach us.
