Articles I to VIII: The Catholic Faith
English: I, II, III,
IV, V, VI, VII,
VIII.
Latin: I, II, III,
IV, V, VI, VII,
VIII.
Of faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions;
of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things both
visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one
substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
De fide in Sacrosanctam Trinitatem
Unus est vivus et verus Deus, aeternus, incorporeus, impartibilis, impassibilis,
immensae potentiae, sapientiae, ac bonitatis, creator et conservator omnium,
tum visibilium tum invisibilium. Et in unitate huius divinae naturae tres sunt
Personae eiusdem essentiae, potentiae, ac aeternitatis,
Pater, Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus.
Provenance
This article is ultimately derived from the Confession of Ausburg via the provenance of the Thirteen Articles. It has been unchanged since 1553.
Of the Word, or Son of God, which was made very man
The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father,
the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took man's nature
in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect
natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood, were joined together in one person,
never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered,
was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile His Father to us, and to be a sacrifice,
not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.
Filius, qui est Verbum Patris, ab aeterno a Patre genitus, verus et aeternus Deus,
ac Patri consubstantialis in utero beate Virginis ex illius substantia naturam humanam
assumpsit: ita ut duae naturae, divina
et humana, integre atque perfecte in unitate personae, fuerint inseparabiliter
coniunctae: ex quibus est unus Christus, verus Deus et verus homo: qui vere passus est,
crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, ut Patrem nobis reconciliaret, essetque hostia
non tantum pro culpa originis verum etiam pro omnibus actualibus hominum peccatis.
Provenance
This article is taken from the Confession of Ausburg via the Thirteen Articles. It was last changed in 1563.
Of the going down of Christ into Hell
As Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed that He went down
into Hell.
Quemadmodum Christus Pro nobis mortuus est, et sepultus, ita est etiam credendus
ad inferos descendisse.
Of the Resurrection of Christ
Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again His body, with flesh, bones,
and all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherefore He ascended
into heaven, and there sitteth until He return to judge all men at the last day.
Provenance
This article was composed by the English reformers in 1552/3.
De Resurrectione Christi
Christus vere a mortuis resurrexit, suumque corpus cum carne, ossibus, omnibusque
ad integritatem humanae naturae pertinentibus, recepit, cum quibus in coelum ascendit,
ibique residet, quoad extremo die ad iudicandos homines reversurus sit.
Provenance
Composed by the English reformers in 1552/3.
Article V
Of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty,
and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
Spiritus sanctus, a Patre et Filio procedens, eiusdem est cum Patre et FIlio essentiae,
maiestatis, et gloriae, verus ac aeternus Deus.
Provenance
Added in 1563, from the Confession of Würtemberg.
Of the sufficiency of the Holy Scripture for Salvation
Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever
is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man,
that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite or
necessary to salvation.
In the name of Holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old
and New testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
Of the names and number of the Canonical Books.
Genesis.
Exodus.
Leviticus.
Numbers.
Deuteronomy
Joshua.
Judges.
Ruth.
The First Book of Samuel.
The Second Book of Samuel.
The First Book of Kings.
The Second Book of Kings.
The First Book of Chronicles.
The Second Book of Chronicles.
The First Book of Esdras.
The Second Book of Esdras.
The Book of Esther.
The Book of Job.
The Psalms.
The Proverbs.
Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher.
Cantica, or Songs of Solomon.
Four Prophets the Greater.
Twelve Prophets the Less.
All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive,
and account them canonical.
And the other books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and
instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine.
Such are these following:
The Third Book of Esdras.
The Fourth Book of Esdras.
The Book of Tobias.
The Book of Judith.
The rest of the Book of Esther.
The Book of Wisdom.
Jesus the Son of Sirach.
Baruch the Prophet.
The Song of the Three Children.
The Story of Susanna.
Of Bel and the Dragon.
The Prayer of Manasses.
The First Book of Maccabees.
The Second Book of Maccabees.
De divinis Scripturis, quod sufficiant ad salutem
Scriptura sacra continet omnia, quae ad salutem sunt necessaria, ita, ut quicquid in
ea nec legitur, neque inde probari potest, non sit a quoquam exigendum, ut tanquam
articulus fidei credatur, aut ad salutis necessitatem requiri putetur.
Sacrae Scripturae nomine, eos Canonicos libros Veteris et Novi Testamenti
intelligimus, de quorum authoritate in Ecclesia nunquam dubitatum est.
De nominibus et numero librorum sacrae Canonicae Scripturae veteris Testamenti.
Genesis.
Exodus.
Leviticus.
Numeri.
Deuteronomium.
Iosuae.
Iudicum.
Ruth.
Prior liber Samuelis.
Secundus liber Samuelis.
Prior liber Regum.
Secundus liber Regum.
Prior liber Paralipomenon.
Secundus liber Paralipomenon.
Primus liber Esdrae.
Secundus liber Esdrae.
Liber Hester.
Liber Iob.
Psalmi.
Proverbia.
Ecclesiastes vel Concionator.
Cantica Solomonis.
IV Prophetae maiores.
XII Prophetae minores.
Novi Testamenti omnes libros (ut vulgo recepti sunt) recipimus,
et habemus pro Canonicis.
Alios autem libros (ut ait Hieronymus) legit quidem Ecclesia ad exempla vitae et
formandos mores; illos tamen ad dogmata confirmanda non adhibet: ut sunt:
Tertius liber Esdrae.
Quartus liber Esdrae.
Liber Tobiae.
Liber Iudith.
Reliquum libri Hester.
Liber Sapientiae.
Liber Iesu filii Sirach.
Baruch Propheta.
Canticum trium puerorum.
Historia Susannae.
De Bel et Dracone.
Oratio Manassis.
Prior liber Machabaeorum.
Secundus liber Machabaeorum.
Provenance
Composed in 1952/3. The original article contained the clause, "Although it be sometime received of the faithful, as godly and profitable for an order and comeliness." which was deleted in 1563.
Article VII
Of the Old Testament
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament
everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between
God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign
that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given
from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor
the civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth;
yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the
commandments which are called moral.
Testamentum Vetus Novo contrarium non est, quandoquidem tam in Veteri quam in
Novo per Christum, qui unicus est Mediator Dei et hominum, Deus et Homo, aeterna
vita humano generi est proposita. Quare male sentiunt, qui veteres tantum
in promissiones temporarias sperasse confingunt. Quanquam lex a Deo data per Mosen,
quoad ceremonias et ritus, Christianos non astringat, neque civilia eius
praecepta in aliqua republica necessario recipi debeant: nihilominus tamen ab
obendientia mandatorum quae moralia vocantur nullus quantumvis Christianus est
solutus.
Provenance
Two articles originally written in 1552/3 and put together in 1563.
Article VIII
Of the Three Creeds
The three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius' Creed, and that which is commonly
called the Apostles' Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed; for they
may be proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture.
Symbola tria, Nicaenum, Athanasii, et quod vulgo Apostolorum appellatur omnino
recipienda sunt et credenda; Scripturarum testimoniis probari possunt.
Provenance
Composed by the English reformers in 1552/3.
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