By the Descent into h.e.l.l, I understand, that our Lord actually descended into those Places where the Souls are detain"d, that have not yet receiv"d the eternal Beat.i.tude; and thereby he has not only demonstrated, that every thing which he had said of his Divinity was true, but that he was also the Son of G.o.d, as he had before prov"d by Abundance of Prodigies and Miracles. Indeed all Men who descended into those secret Places, descended into them as Slaves, but Jesus Christ descended into them free and victorious; he destroy"d the Power of the Devils, who exercis"d their Tyranny, and retain"d the Souls of Men there, by reason of their Sins.
Jesus Christ being victorious, releas"d those Souls out of the Prison in which they were languishing, as St. _Paul_ affirms, when he says to the _Colossians_, Chap. ii. Ver. 15. _And having spoiled Princ.i.p.alities and Powers, he made a Shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it._
XXI. I believe, _that on the Third Day Jesus Christ rose again from the Dead_: When I say, that our Lord rose again, I don"t only understand that he came to Life again, but that he also rose again by his own inherent Power; which is particularly correspondent with Jesus Christ, and also proves his Divinity; the rather, because the Resurrection of the Dead is contrary to the Order of Nature, there being no Person that has the Power of pa.s.sing from Death to Life. St. _Paul_ says upon this Head to the _Corinthians_, 2 _Cor._ Chap. xiii. Ver. 4. _For though he was crucified through Weakness, yet he liveth by the power of G.o.d._
As the G.o.dhead of Jesus Christ was never separated from his Body, he was able by his own Power to raise himself again, and to restore himself to Life. _David_ had foretold this Truth, _Psalm_ xcviii. Ver. 1. _His Right Hand and his Holy Arm hath gotten him the Victory._ Our Lord himself confirm"d this Truth, when he said in St. _John_, Chap. x. Ver. 17, 18. _I lay down my Life, that I might take it again_; and _I have Power to take it again_. In another Place he says, speaking to the _Jews_, St. _John_ Chap. ii. Ver. 19. _Destroy this Temple, and in Three Days I will raise it up._
When I say, that our Lord rose again the Third Day, I don"t therefore imagine, that he was Three intire Days in the Sepulchre; he was laid there on the _Friday_ Night, and rose again the _Sunday_ Morning following, which makes the Three Days. Jesus Christ plac"d this Interval between his Death and Resurrection, to shew, that he was truly Man; and at the same time that there might be no Doubt of his Death. I am firmly persuaded, that "tis absolutely necessary to believe the Mystery of the Resurrection, which I take to be one of the most important Truths of our Religion, as St. _Paul_ proves, who, speaking to the _Corinthians_, says in the Fifteenth Chapter, Ver. 14, 17. _And if Christ be not risen, then is our Preaching vain, and your Faith is also vain; for ye are yet in your Sins._ I believe also, that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was absolutely necessary in the first Place to shew the Justice of G.o.d, in rewarding him who had been set at nought; and was so dutiful, as to give up his Life.
The Apostle says to the _Philippians_, Chap. ii. Ver. 8. _And being found in Fashion as a Man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Cross._ Secondly, To maintain and strengthen our Hopes, which ought to be firm and constant. For since Jesus Christ rose again, we ought likewise to hope, that we shall one Day rise again. Upon this Subject St. _Peter_ says in his first Epistle, Chap. i. Ver. 3, 4.
_Blessed be the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant Mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead, to an Inheritance uncorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away._
XXII. I believe, _that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the Right Hand of G.o.d, the Father Almighty_.
By our Lord"s Ascension I understand, that Jesus Christ, after having completed the Mystery of our Redemption, ascended, as Man, with Body and Soul into Heaven, where he had been all along as G.o.d, being present in all Places by his Deity; that he ascended to it by his own Power, and not by any foreign Efficacy, like _Elias_, who was translated to Heaven in a fiery Chariot.
By these Words, _he sitteth at the Right Hand of G.o.d, the Father Almighty_, I don"t believe, that he actually sitteth, this being one of the figurative Expressions us"d in the Scripture: G.o.d has _nothing_ corporeal, and by Consequence has no Right Hand, and is not seated: Therefore when the Creed saith, that Jesus Christ sitteth on his Right Hand, "tis also a figurative Term, which the Scripture makes Use of to denote the glorious State to which our Lord Jesus Christ, as Man, was advanc"d above all other Creatures. This Expression _he sitteth_, signifies the stable and permanent Possession of the Glory and Sovereign Power which Jesus Christ receiv"d from his Father, who, according to the Apostle to the _Ephesians_, Chap. i. Ver. 20, 21. _Raised him from the Dead, and set him at his own Right Hand in the heavenly Places, far above all Princ.i.p.ality and Power, and Might and Dominion, and every Name that is named, not only in this World, but also in that which is to come._
As to the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven, I believe, that it was absolutely necessary: "Twas requisite that Jesus Christ should set up his Throne in Heaven to prove, that his Kingdom was not of this World, that it was not a transitory or an earthly Kingdom, as the _Jews_ fancied, but that his Kingdom was spiritual.
He also chose to ascend into Heaven, to the end that his Ascension might raise a Desire in us to follow him, and at the same time to fulfil the Promise that he made to his Apostles, when he told them, _John_ xvi. Ver.
7. _It is expedient for you, that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: But if I depart, I will send him unto you._ Finally, Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, to be our Advocate with his Father; as St. _John_ says in his first Epistle, Chap. ii. Ver. 1, 2.
_My little Children, these Things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the Propitiation for our Sins._
Jesus Christ ascended also into Heaven, to prepare a Place there for us, as he had promis"d us, and in quality of our Head, to take Possession of Glory For us, and to open for us the Gates of it, which had, ever since the Fall of _Adam_ till that time, been shut up.
XXIII. I believe, _that Jesus Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead_, because the Holy Scripture a.s.sures me, that the Son of G.o.d is to come twice upon Earth. The first time was, when for our Salvation he was pleas"d to a.s.sume the human Nature; and the second will be, when he cometh at the End of the World to judge all Mankind; when this will happen I know not, but that it will happen, I am however very certain. Of this St.
_Matthew_ a.s.sures me, Chap. xxiv. Ver. 36. _But of that Day and Hour knoweth no Man, no not the Angels of Heaven, but my Father only._
As to the Manner how we shall be judg"d; I believe, there are Two ways: The first Judgment will be, when my Soul forsakes my Body. I shall appear that Instant before G.o.d"s Tribunal, to give him an exact Account of every thing that I have done, said, and thought. The second will be, when I shall appear with all Mankind that ever had a Being in the World, to receive the Judgment that it shall then please G.o.d to p.r.o.nounce: Every one will there appear as he has been in this Life; and this Judgment will be the universal Judgment: This universal Judgment is absolutely necessary; and because Men have only committed Good and Evil by the Instrumentality of their Bodies, "tis but just that their Bodies, as well as their Souls, should have a Share in the Reward or Punishment due to the Good and to the Wicked; which can only be done, when all Men rise again, and at the time of the universal Judgment. In fine, what persuades me that there must be an universal Judgment is, that Jesus himself a.s.sures us of it in St.
_Matthew_, and tells us of all the Signs that are to be the Forerunners of that great Day. In like manner the _Acts_ of the Apostles also prove it to us, Chap. i. Ver. 11. _This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven._
XXIV. I believe _in the Holy Ghost_.
My Lord, As I have already declar"d what I believe with regard to this Article, and have nothing to add to it, I proceed to the Reasons that oblige me to believe in the _Holy Catholic Church_.
XXV. By the Church I understand with St. _Augustin_ all the Believers in general that are dispers"d throughout the World. There is only one Church, but "tis divided into the Church _Triumphant_ and the Church _Militant_.
The former is compos"d of all the Saints, and all the Blessed that are in Paradise; and who after having triumph"d over the World, the Flesh and the Devil, are safe in the Enjoyment of eternal Happiness, and exempt from the Miseries of this Life. The other Church is the a.s.sembly of all the Faithful who are still living: This Church is call"d the Church _Militant_, because of the continual Warfare which the Faithful have to maintain against their cruel Enemies the World, the Flesh, and the Devil: There are some, who, to these Two Churches, add a Third, which they call the _Pa.s.sive_ Church, because it consists of those who yet languish in the Pains of Purgatory, and are there to remain till they are thoroughly purified, that they may then be able to enter into the _Triumphant_ Church, and thereby form one and the same Church.
I exclude out of the Church Infidels, Heretics, Schismatics, and Persons excommunicate. Infidels are no Part of the Church, because they never enter"d into it, never understood it, and never partook of any of the Sacraments. Heretics and Schismatics are excluded from the Church, because they are separate from it: They are nevertheless under the Power of the Church, which has a Right to judge, punish, and excommunicate them.
Finally, Excommunicated Persons are excluded from the Church, because the Church herself has judg"d them, and cut them off from her Body; and she never more admits them to her Communion without their Conversion.
As to the Marks and Properties of the Church, I believe, that they consist, in the first Place, in its Unity, _Canticles_ Chap. vi. Ver. 9.
_My Dove, my Undefiled, is but one._ She is conducted and govern"d by an _Invisible_ Head, and by a _Visible_ Head: The former is Jesus Christ, whom G.o.d the Father has appointed the Head of his whole Church. The Visible Head is he, who, as lawful Successor of St. _Peter_, possesses the See of the Church of _Rome_. I believe, that this Head is absolutely necessary, as having been establish"d by Jesus Christ himself, when he said to St. _Peter_, _thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church_, Matt. Chap. xvi. Ver. 18. St. _Peter_ was the first to whom the Episcopal See was given, which he establish"d first at _Antioch_, but afterwards translated to _Rome_, where he kept his See, as Chief of all the Apostles; to the end that the Unity of one See might be secur"d to him by them all, and that the other Apostles might never take it into their Heads to a.s.sume to themselves another. A Man that should offer to erect a See, in Prejudice of that which Jesus Christ hath established to be the Centre of Unity, would be deem"d as a Schismatic, and as a Heretic. In Fact, Jesus Christ, as G.o.d, gives Men a Share of his Dignities: He is the High-priest, and he honours Men with the Dignity of the Priesthood: "Tis he that is the true _Peter_, and he communicates this Quality of _Peter_ to another. Thus he makes his Servants Sharers of what is proper and particular to himself: He establish"d St. _Peter_ to be the Pastor and Head of all Believers, and was willing that he should have the same Power as himself, to govern his Church.
The other Property of the Church is its _Holiness_. St. _Peter_ a.s.sures us of this in his first Epistle, Chap. ii. Ver. 9. _But ye are a chosen Generation, a holy Nation._ "Tis call"d holy, because "tis consecrated to the Service of G.o.d: "Tis a Custom to call every thing that is set apart for Divine Worship holy: This was a Custom, even under the Old Law, when the Priests Vestments, the Levites, and the Altars were call"d holy. A farther Proof of the Church"s Holiness is, that the Holy Spirit presides over it, and that he govern"d it by the Ministry of the Apostles. The Apostles were the first that receiv"d the Holy Ghost, and since their Time such has been G.o.d"s infinite Love to his Church, the Holy Spirit has ever remain"d with it. Therefore this very Church, which is govern"d by the Holy Spirit, cannot be mistaken in Matters of Faith, nor even in Point of Discipline.
XXVI. I believe the _Communion of Saints_.
I declare, and mean by these Words, that I partake in all the Sacraments, especially those of Baptism and the Eucharist: Baptism qualifies me for partaking of all the Sacraments, and the Eucharist demonstrates this Communion in a more particular manner: And indeed, tho" all the Sacraments unite me to G.o.d, and make me Partaker of his Grace, which they convey to me, yet all these Attributes are more peculiar to the Eucharist.
I also acknowledge a Communion, of which Charity is the princ.i.p.al, and am united, as St. _Ambrose_ calls it, by the Bands of Love and Society, with all that fear G.o.d.
XXVII. I believe the _Forgiveness of Sins_.
This is a Truth which ought absolutely to be believ"d; for upon this Occasion our Lord said to his Disciples, a little before he ascended into Heaven, St. _Luke_ Chap, xxiv, Ver. 46, 47. _Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the Dead the Third Day: And that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations, beginning at Jerusalem._ Thus Jesus Christ himself has oblig"d us absolutely to believe the Forgiveness of Sins: The Sacrament of Baptism remits Sins instantly; the Church has this Power also, because it has receiv"d the Keys of Heaven, not only to remit Sins by the Sacrament of Baptism, but also to forgive all those People their Sins who truly repent of them, even tho" they were to persevere in their Sins to the last Day of their Lives: This the Holy Scripture teaches us in more Places than one. In St. _Matthew_, Chap, xvi. Ver. 19. our Lord said to St. _Peter_, _And I will give unto Thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind en Earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven._ In another Place Jesus Christ says also, speaking to his Apostles, _Matt._ xviii, Ver. 18. _Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven._ This induces me to believe, that I ought to use that Power which Jesus Christ has given to his Church, of remitting Sins, as a most salutary Remedy for the Diseases of my Soul. And I have Recourse to the Sacrament of Penance, as the only Means in my own Power to cleanse me from my Sins.
XXVIII. I believe the _Resurrection of the Body_, and look upon it as the Basis on which the Hope of our Salvation is founded: This is what St.
_Paul_ says to the _Corinthians_, first Epistle, Chap. xv. Ver. 13, 14.
_But if there be no Resurrection of the Dead, then is Christ not risen.
And if Christ be not risen, then is our Preaching vain, and your Faith is also vain._ Therefore nothing is more certain than the Resurrection of the Body. The Old and New Testament prove this by several Examples: We read in the Old Testament, that _Elias_ and _Elisha_ brought several of the Dead to Life: And in the New Testament, besides the Dead who were rais"d again to Life by Jesus Christ, there is Mention also of some that were brought to Life again by the Apostles: Now as all those dead People were rais"d to Life again, I firmly believe, that all Mankind must rise again: _Job_ says, Chap. xix. Ver. 26. _That he hopes to see G.o.d in his own Flesh._ And _Daniel_, Chap. xii. Ver. 2. says, speaking of the Dead, _And many of them that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake, some to everlasting Life, and some to Shame, and everlasting Contempt._
There are divers other Pa.s.sages in the New Testament, which prove the Resurrection of the Dead; particularly that Pa.s.sage in St. _Matthew_, Chap. xxii. where we have an Account of the Dispute which Jesus Christ had with the _Sadducees_; those Parts of the Gospel which mention the last Judgment, and several Pa.s.sages in the Epistles of St. Paul to the _Corinthians_ and the _Thessalonians_. In the first Epistle to the _Corinthians_, Chap. xv. Ver. 42. "tis said, _So also is the Resurrection of the Dead; it is sown in Corruption, it is raised in Incorruption_.
XXIX. I believe _the Life everlasting._
By the Life everlasting, I mean eternal Happiness: "Tis so call"d, in the first Place, that it may not be imagin"d to consist in Things temporal, or the perishable Goods of this World; and then "tis to satisfy us, that when we are once in Possession of this true Happiness, we can never lose it. I am of Opinion also, that "tis not possible for Words to express the Nature of this Happiness to Perfection; for indeed, tho" the Holy Scripture gives it several Names, such as _the Kingdom of G.o.d_, _the new Jerusalem_, _the Mansions or Habitations of the everlasting Father_; yet none of these Expressions is strong enough to give us an Idea of its Excellency and Extensiveness: The Fruition of G.o.d will undoubtedly be our greatest Happiness: Jesus Christ says the same thing, speaking to G.o.d his Father, St. _John_ Chap. xvii. Ver. 3. _And this is Life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true G.o.d, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent._ St.
_John_ seems to explain these Words in his first Epistle, when he says, Chap. iii. Ver. 2. _Beloved, now are we the Sons of G.o.d, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know, that when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is._
x.x.x. I receive and believe _the Holy Sacraments of the Church_. Of these I believe that there are Seven; and I look upon them as Things that were inst.i.tuted for Signs to us of other Things, because they discover to us the Disposition of the Heart, by what pa.s.ses externally: The Holy Scripture tells us very clearly, that they must be look"d upon as Symbols: The Apostle says, speaking of Circ.u.mcision, which had been a Sacrament under the Old Law, and which was a Command laid upon _Abraham_, _Romans_ Chap. iv. Ver. 11. _And he received the Sign of Circ.u.mcision, a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith._ And in another Place the same Apostle a.s.sures us, _Rom._ vi. 3. that _So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his Death_.
Our Lord Jesus Christ inst.i.tuted the Seven Sacraments, not only to signify, but also to produce and operate what they signify.
The Sacraments are Symbols of the Grace of G.o.d, who sanctifies our Souls, and gives them all the Christian Virtues: The first of all these Sacraments is Baptism, which qualifies us to be Partakers of all the others; and "twas inst.i.tuted like all the other Sacraments by our Lord Jesus Christ: "Tis impossible to be a Christian, or to hope for Life everlasting, without being baptiz"d.
In St. _John_, Chap. iii. Ver. 5. Jesus said, _Except a Man be born of Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of G.o.d._ This relates to Infants as well as to adult Persons, because Infants having sinned in _Adam_, they are under an absolute Necessity of receiving the Grace and Righteousness of Jesus Christ to reign in eternal Life. Baptism is a Sacrament which is receiv"d but once: _One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism_, says the Apostle to the _Ephesians_, Chap. iv. Ver. 5. because, as Jesus Christ cannot die a second time, so we cannot die a second time to Sin by Baptism.
As to the Sacrament of _Confirmation_, it was likewise inst.i.tuted by our Lord Jesus Christ: I think that People ought to be very cautious of neglecting a Sacrament so holy, and which is a Means that G.o.d employs to make us Partakers of so many of his Graces. As, by Baptism, we become the Soldiers of Jesus Christ, by the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive Arms to combat our Enemies. By Baptism the Holy Spirit gives us the Fullness of Grace to recover Innocence, and by Confirmation he gives us Grace to acquire the Perfection of Righteousness. By Baptism we are born again to Newness of Life, and Confirmation gives us Strength to fight the good Fight. By Baptism we are wash"d and purify"d, and by Confirmation we are strengthen"d. Regeneration in a time of Tranquillity saves of its own Accord such as receive Baptism, and Confirmation puts Weapons into their Hands, and makes them ready for the Battle. In fine, I believe, that all Catholics ought to take all possible Care to receive this Sacrament, because Jesus Christ was pleas"d, that his Apostles should receive it; which was the Case, according to St. _Luke_, when the Holy Ghost descended upon them in so miraculous a manner at the Feast of _Pentecost_. "Tis said in the _Acts_ of the Apostles, Chap. ii. Ver. 2. _And suddenly there came a Sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty Wind, and it filled all the House where they were sitting, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost._ As we are given to understand by these Words, that all the Disciples who were a.s.sembled in that House, which was the Figure of the Church, receiv"d the Holy Ghost, so all that are in the Church are under a Necessity of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is prov"d by the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Feast of _Pentecost_. Finally, I believe, that by this Sacrament G.o.d confirms in us what he begun with Baptism, and that by Confirmation he makes us perfect Christians.