BEfore we come to speake of the meaning of these wordes , it shall not be amisse to consider in a word or two , who made this Christian order and forme of our beliefe . The generall and common opinion receaued with the whole consent of the Church , is , that the xii . Apostles of our sauiour Iesus Christ , made this Creede , euery one an article , as a godly writer of our time , one Aretius in his booke of questions doeth shew . Therefore it is called the Apostles Creede . But whether it were they or no that made it , or any other , it is no great matter , seeing it is all the vndoubted trueth of Gods worde , & euery poynt of it agreeth with the rest of the holy scriptures written with the Spirit of Christ . We haue many bookes in the olde & new Testament , which are written for our consolation & comfort , and that by the finger of God , but yet we knowe not the names of those men that wrote them , as the booke of the Iudges , the booke of Kinges , and the Chronicles , and such like : and in the newe Testament the Epistle to the Ebrewes . These all are the holy worde of God , but yet we knowe not the authors of them . And it seemeth that the holy Ghost woulde haue their names suppressed and vnknowen , because we shoulde receiue all Scripture alike , and with the same authoritie which proceedeth from the mouth of God , making no difference of persons , or choyse of men , when all is trueth that is written , and that we shoulde not consider so much , who speaketh or writeth a thing , as what is spoken & written vnto vs . Thus much for the writers of this worke . Nowe let vs consider the thing it selfe . This Creede hath foure partes , the first is of our faith , & beliefe in God the Father , the first person in Trinitie : the seconde is of our trust and beliefe in God the Sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour , the second person in Trinitie : the third is of our faith in the holy Ghost , the power of God , which is the thirde person in Trinitie : the fourth and last parte is of the holy and Vniuersall Church of Christ , and of those things that are to be beleued concerning the same , which are contayned in the last three articles , which are annexed and ioyned vnto the Church , as The remission of sinnes , the resurrection of the bodie , and the life euerlasting . These are the benefites which followe the Church . This is the diuision of the Creede . Out of the first article we haue to note these two things : first that we must beleeue in God : secondly , what maner of God it is , in whome we doe beleeue . The meaning of these wordes is this , I the seruant and childe of God , I , I say , & not another for me , doe beleeue , hope and trust in one almightie , eternall & euerliuing God , which is not only a God of might vnto me , to be able to do all thinges , but a most mercifull father in Iesus Christ , most willing and ready to helpe me in al troubles and aduersities of this life , when I shall cry & call vnto him . First therefore we learne here to beleeue & trust in God only , and not in any creature whatsoeuer , for they cannot helpe vs , as Dauid sayeth in his Psalmes , Vaine is the helpe of man . It is thou that sauest me from mine aduersaries . And here note , that there is a great difference betwene these three , to beleeue God , & to beleeue there is a God , & to beleeue in God , the deuils beleue the first & the second , that God is true of his word and promise , which is , to beleeue God , & they also beleeue there is one God and no moe , and tremble , as S. Iames the Apostle sayth , Chap. 2. 19. but they beleeue not the third , that is , in God , which is as much as to embrace & acknowledge him for our good God , and to sticke to him , and to his worde only . This is proper to the Elect & children of God , not to the deuils and reprobates , which doe not trust in him . For they lacke a true iustifying faith , which is defined to be a sure trust in the mercies of God & his promises , made vnto vs in Iesus Christ his Sonne , ( by whom he hath adopted vs ) that he wil be mercifull vnto vs , & forgiue vs all our sinnes . This is faith , & this is it that we must haue , when we say , I beleeue in God . For faith must looke vnto God , & not to any man or angel , or saint in heauen . Therefore Paul said to the iayler , asking howe he might be saued , when he had abused & cruelly handled the Apostles , Actes 16. Beleeue , saieth he , in the Lorde Iesus Christ , and thou shalt be saued . Surely he could not haue sayde , Beleeue in Christ , vnlesse he had bene very God : and marke howe he sayeth not , Beleeue Iesus Christ , but , Beleeue in the Lord Iesus , and thou shalt be saued , as it is sayde here in our Creede , I beleeue in God . This that we must beleeue in God , is warranted by our sauiour Christ , saying to his disciples , Beleeue in God , let not your heartes be troubled , Iohn 14. So that this doctrine to beleeue in God & in no other , is a doctrine of comfort to al the godly , and to settle their hearts that they be not troubled or caried away with vaine persuasions of men and of Angels , which Paul forbiddeth , Colos. 2. But here may a question be made , why we say not , as in the Lordes prayer in the plurall number , Our Father , and forgiue vs our trespasses : so here also in like sort , why say we not , We beleeue in God ? First I answere , that is a prayer to God , & this is a confession of our faith . Then I say the case is not all one or alike . For I may pray for another man , 1. Tim. 2. and am commanded so to doe , because we are al members of the same body of Christ , so that my prayer may helpe and profit him . But I can not beleeue for another man , neither shal my faith and beliefe profit another man , except he beleeue him selfe the promises of Christ : for euery man shall be saued by his owne faith , as the Prophet Habakuk saith , Chap. 2. The iust man shal liue by his own faith . And this notably confoundeth & reproueth that fond and false opinion of the papistes , which say that it is inough to beleeue generally as the church beleeueth , not knowing how or what to beleeue . This sentence also reproueth and conuinceth another heresie of theirs which say , that a man may be iustified by his owne works . Here it is sayd , The iust shall liue by his faith , and not by his good workes or deedes . And when Habacuk saith , his faith , he meaneth not that faith is of our selues , but that faith which doth saue vs , is within vs in our hearts , & not without vs in other men , meaning neuerthelesse , that faith commeth from God aboue , and not of vs . As Iames chap. 1. And this doth teach vs to apply the mercies of God vnto our selues , saying , I beleeue as well as other men , that God wil help me , & be my father . This is a great confort which the godly only haue , and not the wicked , as Dauid saith , The Lorde is his Lorde as wel as he is a lord to other . Thus much on whom we must beleeue , that is , in God only . Now secondly consider with your selues in what maner of god you doe beleeue and trust : not in such a one as the Paynims did , that could not help them , as Iupiter , Apollo , Diana and such like , which did appoint a multitude of them to gouerne and guyde the worlde , because they thought that one was not able ynough of himselfe , and therefore made one for heauen , as Iupiter , another for the sea , as Neptune . One for hell as Pluto . One for the fire as Vulcan . Neither are wee taught here to beleeue in such a god as the wicked Israelites did , called Baal , which could not heare them when they cryed vnto him , as it is in the booke of the Kings , whom Elias reproueth , 3. Kings . 18. Chap. Of such Idols and gods the Prophet Dauid speaketh , and derideth them & their worshippers , Psal. 115. Saying , they haue mouthes and speake not , eares and heare not , eyes & see not , noses and smell not , hands and handle not , feete and walke not , neither make they a sound with their throte . Neither haue we such pety gods of stone and wood , as the papists haue their Images . But our God in whom we do confesse that we beleeue , is such a one as is a father , for his goodnes and mercie : and almightie , for his strength and power . This doth Dauid meane , when hee doeth speake of his great God , and setteth him against al other false gods of the idolaters , saying , as for our God , he is in heauen . As if he would say , he is a most mightie God , and both what soeuer hee will , no man can hinder or let his power . This as it is a great comfort to all the godly , to haue such a God to ayde them at all neede , so it is a terror to the wicked to consider that they haue to doe with such a God as is omnipotent , able to beate them to peeces and powder , when they resist him . As hee did mightily destroy Pharao , so did hee wonderfully deliuer his people and children the Israelites out of his handes , from the read sea . So he declared him selfe an omnipotent father . We see then here as in other places , how God ioyneth his power and iustice to terrifie , and also his mercie and clemency to comfort . I say they are put both together , euen to terrifie the godly also , that they should not commit sinne , but feare to offende such a mightie Father . So it is said in the beginning of our prayer , Our father , to comfort vs , but it is said also , in heauen , to magnifie his power & greatnes ouer al things . Likewise in the giuing of the Law it is saide , Heare O Israel , I am the Lorde , great & terrible , no doubt , to put them in mind to feare him reuerently , and not to presume vpon him . But yet he addeth comfort afterward , saying , Thy God , to deliuer thee hereafter , which hath bene thy God already . Thus we see that both must goe together , Gods iustice , and Gods mercie , as Dauid said , Thy rod & thy staffe , they confort me , Psal. 23. Wee call him father , not in respect of our creation , for so he is our Maker and Creator : neither in respect of our gouernment , for so he is our Lord and master : and those names are not so comfortable vnto vs , because hee is so , that is , a Lord and maker , euen to the wicked and reprobate . But wee call him father , first in respect of Christ , which is his onely begotten and beloued sonne : Then in that we are his children adopted in Christ our elder brother , which hath made vs all sonnes and children to his heauenly father , by his death and passion , by his obedience , by his fulfilling of the lawe , and by his satisfaction for our sinnes , as Iohn saith , Chap. 3. Behold what loue the father hath shewed vnto vs , that we should bee called the sonnes of God . This is a marueilous comfort , that the God of the whole earth , the Lord of lords , is a louing father vnto vs . And this is in Christ Iesus , that wee haue this dignity & prerogatiue aboue others , not in our selues , nor by birth and nature , for so we are the sonnes of Gods ire & wrath , of condemnation , because of our sinful father Adam , transgressing Gods commandement . When we name him almighty , we do not conceiue him to haue such a power which he doth not vse , but in saying this , we confesse and acknowledge , that he hath al things & creatures vnder his power & obedience , euen the deuils themselues , as we see in the Gospel , how they submitted themselues to Christ the sonne of God , & how he asked leaue , before he could do any thing to Iob , Iob. 1. Again , we must needes graunt , that being omnipotent , and almighty , he doth all things that are done , he ruleth & gouerneth heauen & earth , the sea and hel , & all things in them , the whole world at his beck doth bend & yeld it self . So that our God being so mighty , is not an idle God in heauen , as the wicked do imagine , but disposeth al things by his iust & wise prouidence , howsoeuer they fal out : nothing commeth to passe without his wil and counsel , no not the flight of Sparrowes . Mat. 10. For if the Lord should not vphold heauen and earth , yea the whole world with his power , it would fal to nothing , to dust & ashes : therefore it is said , that Christ doth susteine all things by the worde of his might , Hebr. 1. And here our faith hath a double confort , by the prouidence & omnipotencie of God . First because it considereth , that God hath sufficient power to defende his Church . Secondly , because he is willling to do it . It foloweth , maker of heauen & earth . This proueth , that he is almighty , because he hath made heauen & earth of nothing , when it was not , Gen. 1. And this doth notably confute the wicked & false opinions of the Philosophers , as Plato & Aristotle , who greatly to the derogation & impairing of Gods glory & power , thought & held that the world was eternal from the beginnings , and neuer made , neither should haue ende . But this is false & blasphemous against God . We learne here another lesson in our faith , that the world was made and had a beginning , and shall haue an ending , as Moses proueth the one , & Peter the other , 2. Epist. 3. Chap. Now by making of heauen and earth , we vnderstand al things conteined in heauen & earth , as the sea . For Dauid saith , The sea is his , and he made it , 95. Psa. The things in heauen , as his angels , the things in earth , men , beasts , fishes , foules , worms , & al other sensles creatures whatsoeuer . It is therfore , as if we should say , maker of al things , visible which we see , & inuible which we see not , as in the Creed of the counsell of Nice in more fully expressed . And this was done , because of the Heretikes called the Maniches , which did appoynt two beginnings of things created , the one good , which was God , and him they made the beginner of all good thinges , the other they imagined to be ill , which was the deuil , and him they set ouer the euill things , and supposed him the maker of them . But these men were deceiued , which thought any ill thing to be created and made ill at the first , for the scripture doth otherwise pronounce of al things , that they were exceeding good . Genes. 1. But in that any thing is ill , it is by deprauation and corruption , by the sinne of man , of Adam , and not by creation : for the deuill was made an Angel , but he fell and lost his first estate , and so became a deuill and wicked spirit by his owne corruption and will , as Peter proueth . 2. Epistle 2. Chap. Nowe if the deuill made some things , them God made not al : but what saith the scripture ? The Lord hath made al things for his owne sake : he saith not some things , but al : nay he goeth further , & addeth , euen the wicked for the day of euil . not that he created them wicked : for hee made them in Adam perfit and good : but he hath appointed them to serue to his honour and glory : although they bee vessels of wrath , he is glorified in them after a sort , although not so as hee is glorified in the good . For therefore dyd he sturre vp Pharao King of Egypt , because he woulde shewe his glory vpon him , Rom. 9. Seeing then God hath made heauen , he hath made also all the ornaments of heauen : as the heauenly spirits , the Sunne , the Moone , the Starres to gouerne the earth by their light . For in that we giue him the creation of the greater , wee must needes graunt the lesser , and hee that can make the great and huge heauens of nothing , is able also to make the things conteyned in them of lesse importance . As concerning the Angels , it is sufficient for vs to know , that they were all made of the Lorde for his wil and pleasure , to be his ministring Spirites , to execute his commandementes and iudgements against the wicked , and for to serue for those that shal be heires of saluation , Hebr. 1. It is but curiositie to enquire of the time of the creation , or of the orders and estate in heauen . Moses telleth vs a good and short lesson , that heauen and earth were made perfect in sixe dayes , with al the hostes and furniture of them , and saieth no more of this matter , to teache vs sobrietie in these things , to wade no farther then we haue the warrant of the worde to beare vs out . Seeing all other vaine questions are condemned of the Apostle Saint Paul , Titus 3. The like is to be vnderstoode in making of the earth , to comprehende all things in the earth , whatsoeuer I doe see , heare , and vnderstande . By the creation of these thinges celestiall , and terrestiall , I doe consider with my selfe these foure most excellent and diuine vertues in God , which comprehende all the rest in them , and to the which they may bee referred . First by the great and wonderfull creation of the vniuersall worlde , I learne to come to the consideration of his vnspeakeable power and greatnesse , Potentia Dei . that he was able without and payne or labour at all , yea with great ease and pleasure , to create heauen and earth , with his onely worde , as the Prophet Dauid sayeth , He spake the worde , and it was done . O what a great God is this , to be feared ouer all the earth , for his wonderfull greatnesse and Maiestie ! This doeth put vs in minde what a mighty God we do serue , that wee may from our heart feare him . The seconde thing to be considered in this creation generall , Sapientia Dei . is his infinite and inestimable wisedome , in disposing so orderly , and placing so seemely all thinges in their place and degree , as it is most wonderfull to beholde , with such beautie and proportion in euery creature , that vnlesse we be too too blockishe , we must crye out with Dauid and say , and confesse , O Lord , howe wonderfull are thy workes : in wisedome hast thou made them all . And againe : Great is our Lorde , great is his power , yea his wisdome is infinite . To see the goodly order of heauen , it will make a man to be astonied at the wisedome of his God , more then the Queene of Saba was , when shee came to see , and heare the wisedome of Solomon . For this wisedome by whome all thinges were made , is the Sonne of GOD Iesus Christ , the wisedome of his Father , Iohn 1. Hebr. 1. And here we learne of this wisedome , which he hath vsed and shewed in the creation , a good lesson for our comfort , that as the Lorde is almightie , and able to deliuer vs his children , and Church from the wicked : so doeth hee knowe the wayes and meanes most perfitly and readily howe to doe it at all times . For his knowledge passeth our vnderstanding farre . Therfore Peter said , The Lorde knoweth howe to deliuer the godly out of tentation and trouble , and to punish the wicked . 2. Pet. 2. So that when man can finde no way , no deuice or meane how to shift him self out of daunger , yet the Lord by his wisedome and knowledge hath diuers wayes to helpe . Diuers examples of this are in the holy Scriptures : when Moses and the Israelites were so entangled and compassed about , that there seemed no way for them to escape , so that Moses prayed to the Lorde most earnestly to deliuer them , for he him selfe sawe no meanes howe to doe it , being on euery side on the ryght hande and on the left , compassed in with the hie hilles , before them was the great redde sea , behind them was the huge host of Pharao , so that nowe all hope of life and succour was taken away : then the Lorde founde a way in the middest of the sea , to deliuer his people , and to drowne his enemies : so he declared his wisedome in preseruing them so miraculously . So likewise when the virgin Marie dyd not see howe she shoulde conceyue and bring foorth a sonne being a mayde , and not knowing any man , and therefore sayde to the angel , Howe shall this come to passe , so strange and rare a matter ? the Lorde founde a readie way howe he brought it to passe , that she conceiued by the operation of the holy ghost . This made Solomon in his Prouerbs , to say , Chapter 21. There is no wisedome , there is no vnderstanding , there is no counsell against the Lord . For he ouerthroweth the subtill fetches of the wisedome of this worlde , as of Ieroboam in his politike counsel to make calues , & of Achitophel in his wilie practises . The Pharisees in their snare that they had layde for our Sauiour Christ , were taken them selues , to their shame and reproche . Thus the Lorde scattereth abroade the deuises of the wicked kings and princes of this worlde , by his wisedome , for theirs is foolishnesse to his , 1. Cor. 3. Saint Paul is rauished with the consideration of this great wisedome , and cryeth out , saying , O the depth of the riches & wisdome , and knowledge of God , howe vnsercheable are his iudgements , & his wayes past finding our . Rom. 11. Wee must then applie these things to our selues , to receiue comfort and consolation by them . When we looke vp into heauen , & downe in the earth , or in the sea , let vs thinke vpon the wisedome of the Lorde and glorifie him in it , and say , O Lorde , howe wise art thou in all thy doings , howe great is thy knowledge vnto me : such knowledge is too excellent for me , it passeth my reache and capacities ▪ So saide Dauid , saye vnto God , O how wonderful art thou in thy workes ! Unlesse we doe this , we are vnthankefull beholders of Gods wisedome , if we praise him not for it . We may see it in our owne selues , and in others euery day , in our creation of our body and soule , howe wise and wonderfull hee is . These thinges we must meditate vpon dayly and thinke , otherwise we are no better then bruite beastes , which see them onely and beholde them , but consider nothing in them . Here we learne our duetie to our good God .

3 Thirdly in the creation of the worlde Bonitas Dei . we beholde as it were in a glasse , the goodnesse of God , his mercie towarde all men , but especially to the elect and chosen , that for them , and their sakes , he hath created these things , and doeth dayly preserue by his prouidence euerye one of them , so that hee hath not made them for him selfe , I meane , that hee needed not any of them , being all sufficient in him selfe , most happie and blessed , which is meant by his name Shaddai , which signifieth that hee is sufficient of his owne nature . So that a true Christian man may say that his heauenly Father hath made all thinges for his vse and benefite , heauen one daye to receiue him , the earth to maynteyne him , all creatures to serue him , the Sunne , Moone & Starres to lyght him , liuing creatures to feede him and to recreate him , the angels to keepe and to preserue him in his wayes , by his Fatherly appoyntment . O what great benefites are here , that we receiue of our mercifull Father by his creation of all things ! Here we learne our duetie to be thankful to God for them , in the name of Iesus Christ his Sonne , to vse these benefits to his honour and glorie , to the profit and commodity of his Church , and our brethren here with vs . And here I see by Gods goodnesse and mercie towarde me , that hee hath not onely created these things at the first , but he doeth preserue them euery houre by his power : otherwise they woulde vanishe away and come to nothing , as Dauid sayeth , If thou take away thy breath from them , That is , his power from his creatures , they dye . So that here we see Gods prouidence ouer vs , and all things . For he woorketh dayly by preseruing and keeping his creatures in their estate , as Christ saith , My Father hitherto woorketh , and I woorke , by maynteyning things created . For God is not like a carpenter that maketh an house , and setteth it vp in deede , but afterwarde neuer peraduenture seeth it againe , but leaueth it to the dweller and owner of it , the master thereof , and careth no more for it . If God shoulde deale so with vs , it woulde be ill and wrong with vs : for the deuill woulde dayly destroy vs , if he did not keepe vs and all ours . For we are not able to keepe our selues , no not a minute of an houre . Here therefore acknowledge in the mercie of God , his Fatherly care and prouidence ouer vs and all his creatures .

4 The last thing we learne of the creation of the worlde , is the iustice of God , how he gouerneth it rightly in equitie & iudgement , as the Prophet singeth , All the waies of the Lord are iudgement & equite . For vnlesse hee dyd execute his iustice vpon the wicked , they woulde destroy his Church : but he keepeth them vnder , as it were with a bridle , and hampereth euen the proude tyrants and deuils of hell , by his seuere iustice shewed vpon them . So that the Lorde is iust in all his wayes , yea his wil is a most perfite rule and patterne of iustice . Dauid often repeateth this lesson , to terrifie the wicked , Iust art thou , O Lorde , & right are thy iudgements , Psalm . 119. So sayde the Emperor Mauricius , being killed by Phocas . This do the wicked confesse themselues , when they feele his heauy hand vpon them for their sinnes and offences , as Pharao did when the hayle destroyed the cattell of Egypt , saying vnto Moses & Aaron , I haue nowe sinned , the Lorde is righteous , but I and my people are wicked , Exod. 19. Thus the reprobate , whether they will or no , must confesse the Lorde to be righteous in his workes . For as the Lord is merciful to Forgive the sinnes of his children that are truely penitent , and not obstinate : so is he also a most iust Iudge ouer all the earth , to execute his sharpe punishments vpon the malitous and wilful sinners . The Iudge of the worlde doeth according to iustice , as Abraham sayde of him , when he was about to destroy Sodoma , Gen. 18. I delite , sayth the Lorde , in iustice , mercy , and iudgement , Ierem. 9. Examples of his iustice he hath shewed in the flood brought in vpon the wicked . Example of his mercie , in sauing Noe and his familie : so that his iustice and mercie goeth alwaies together , as Dauid saith , I will sing of mercie and iudgement , Psal. 101. representing the person of Christ , which should be in his kingdom , as wel iust as mercifull : a Lion of the tribe of Iuda , to teare in pieces the wicked , and a Lambe to preserue his with al gentlenesse & softnesse . Looke vpon Sodome , how the Lord shewed there his extreme and seuere Iustice vpon those miscreants , to consume them with fire and brimstone from heauen most terribly , Gen. 19. and as Peter sayeth , Made them an example for all ages and posterities to come , of his iustice against sinne and vncleannes , 2. Pet. 2. But yet then hee deliuered iust Lot out of tentation and trouble . Note his mercy in it , to the good & godly . I might heere recken vp the examples of Sennacherib , of Achab , of Nabuchodonozor , of Herode , of Iulian , and such other persecuting kings and Emperours against the Church of Christ : whome all God in his iustice hath ouerthrowen and vtterly destroyed . This we learne , that God doeth also preserue the state of mankinde by his iustice , that one doeth not ouerrunne another , as wilde beastes . Then by this wee learne to stand in feare of Gods iustice , if we sinne at any tyme desperately , least we be caught vp with it , and suddenly consumed , If his wrath be kindled , yea but a litle , blessed are al they that put their trust in him , Psalme 2. For our God in his wrath and iustice is a consuming fire , as Hebr. 12. And it is an horrible thing , to fall into his handes . If he be angry , who may abide or stande in his sight , when the hilles melte away , and the sea is dried vp , and the hard rockes cleaue asunder ? O that we had this consideration of his iustice before our eyes continually , it would keepe vs from all sinne and vngodlines : for therefore we sinne , because wee feare not this iustice of the Lordes . There is no feare of god ( sayeth Dauid of the wicked ) before their eyes , therefore they sinne . We see then what wee haue to note vpon this article of our Christian beliefe , and what commodity commeth vnto vs of the creation of all thinges by God , howe we gather and consider of his infinite greatnesse , by his wonderfull woorkes : for the heauens declare the glory of God , and the firmament sheweth his handy worke . And this is one way to come to God , as to be without excuse before his tribunall seate in the day of iudgement , when the secretes of all heartes shall be disclosed , and all thoughts opened before the Lorde . By this creation the heathen men are without excuse , and haue knowen him generally , as Paul sayeth , Romanes the first chap. That which may be knowen of God , is manifest in them , for God hath shewed it vnto them . For the inuisible things of him , that is , his eternall power and Godhead , are seene by the creation of the worlde , being considered in his workes , to the intent , that they should be without excuse , because that when they knew God , they glorified him not as God , neyther were thankefull , but became vayne in their imaginations , & their foolish heart was full of darknesse : when they professed themselues to be wise , they became fooles . God is knowen three wayes , by his works , God is knowen three wayes . by his worde , and by his holy spirit of adoption . Although God be knowen by all these wayes of his elect , yet he is knowen of the reprobate onely by his worde and workes , which see the workes , and heare his worde , but neuer haue his Spirite directing them aright , which is proper onely to his owne children . Of the first way speaketh Paul in this place , vnto the which the creation is a glasse , to bring vs to a full consideration of his greatnesse . Wel , we learne by the creation of heauen and earth , his power , his wisedome , his goodnesse and iustice , and whatsoeuer else may be in God . This is great comfort to the godly , and bringeth great boldenesse vnto them , and trust in the last day , that they haue such a father , and do beleeue in such a God , as is maker of heauen and earth : this teacheth vs our duetie , to referre all our actions to his honour and glory , to confesse him alone , to acknowledge that he made vs , and not we ourlelues , to liue to him , to dye to him , to do al things for his sake , that hath made all for vs , as good seruantes should be more carefull of their masters honour & profite , them of their own . Nowe let vs giue thankes to such a God , that hath vouchsafed to giue vs faith to beleeue in him , being so mightie a God , and we so lowe and base children : so mercifull a father vnto vs , notwithstanding we are vnthankefull sonnes to him . And let vs praye vnto him , to confirme this faith , and to encrease it in vs euery day , till we come to a perfect man in Iesus Christ . Let vs desire of him to giue vs grace to behold this his wonderful and diuine worke of his creation , wherin hee hath shewed his wisedome , power , mercy , and iustice vnto al men , that we may magnifie it ( as it doth require ) worthyly with our heartes , and set forth his honour and glory in these thinges , with thankes giuing for all his benefites , seeing they appertayne vnto vs , our bodyes and soules , which are fed and nourished by them . This grace and mercy let vs desire him to continewe vnto vs , for his Christes sake our sauiour , who hath dearly bought vs : to whom with the holy ghost his infinit power , three persons and one euerliuing God , bee rendred all power , prayse , glory , honour , and thankesgiuing , both nowe and for euer . Amen .