Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/200

 the Athanasian Creed, are, to my thinking, not at all more substantial than Squire Martingal's against the Prayer Book and Bible. Indeed, Sir, it is my opinion, that there is nothing in that Creed either unscriptural or uncharitable, but quite the very contrary; that it is essentially, (as I once heard you call the Commination Service,) 'in its matter, Christian Truth; and in its manner, Christian Love.' And, Sir, if you will not be weary of me, I will try to show you how I came to this conclusion."

"Richard," said I, "you need not fear that you will tire me."

"Well, Sir," he proceeded; "it seemed to me plain from the Scriptures, (what no one indeed will deny or question,) that the Great should be the object of all our Love and Adoration. From the same Scriptures it also appeared, that the  our only Saviour and Hope, is entitled to all our Love and Adoration.

"And again, from the same Scriptures, it appears that the of, the only Sanctifier, Guide, and Guardian of His Church, is entitled to all our Love and Adoration."

"Certainly," I replied; "no one, who believes the Scriptures, can doubt this."

"And is not this," he said, "the very doctrine of the first part of the Creed; 'that the Father is, the Son is , and the Holy Ghost is ; and yet they are not three , but one ?'" In like manner, if any man enquire for the very foundation of Christian hope and consolation, surely it is the doctrine that our  took on Him our frail and mortal nature; that He was 'perfect man,' as well as 'perfect .' Without this doctrine, the peculiar hopes and consolations of the Gospel fade away and disappear. Now this is the great truth prest on our thoughts in the second part of the Athanasian Creed, where we are taught boldly to maintain that 'the right faith is, that we ,—not believe only, but believe and confess,—that our, the Son of , is .'"

"Yes," I answered, "it is difficult to imagine how any one who acknowledges the truth of the Scriptures, can deny and question this. But you must, I am sure, be aware, that many people object, that this doctrine is not simply stated, and so left to every one's own conscience to approve, but that attempts are made to draw