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Orthodox Confession
St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762
Part 1, 8. Questions 71–90
Question 71
What is the second Thing taught in this Article?
Answer.
That the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father Only, as from the Fountain and Original of his Divinity; as our Saviour himself teacheth us (John xv. 26), When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father; the Spirit of Truth, which Proceedeth from the Father. The same Doctrine St. Athanasius lays down in his Creed, “The Holy Ghost is of the Father, not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.” And elsewhere in his works (Holy Questions, vol. ii. 43, &c.), “God and Father, he only is the Cause of the other two, and unbegotten. The Son, begotten, and sprung from the Father only, the Cause of his Origin. The Holy Ghost himself also springs and proceeds only from the Father, as his Cause, and by the Son was sent into the World.” And Gregory the Divine sayeth (Homily V. of Divinity and of the Holy Ghost), “The Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from the Father, is uncreated, as being Proceeding; as being unbegotten, he is not the Son; but as being between unbegotten and begotten, he is God.” We have already treated of this Matter at large in the First Article. Let it, therefore, suffice us that we hold what Christ himself taught; what the Catholic and Orthodox Eastern Church believeth and altogether professed in the Second General Council; and let us hold the Faith without Addition, and from the Son, as the Church hath commanded. Nay, not only the Orthodox and Catholic Eastern Church hath passed a heavy censure on those who add these Words, but also the Western Roman Church. This is evident from the two Silver Tables, on one of which the Creed was engraved in Greek, and on the other in Latin, without this Addition, And from The Son; which Tables were, by order of Leo the Third, Pope of Rome, affixt up in St. Peter’s Church, in the Year of our Lord 809, as Baronius confesseth. Whosoever, therefore, continues firm and constant in this Faith, he may have undoubting Hope of his Salvation, as one who turneth not aside from the Doctrine of the Church.
Question 72
What is the third Thing taught in this Article?
Answer.
That the Holy Ghost is the real Author of the holy Scripture, both of the Old and of the New Testaments; and wrote them by the Hands of divers Servants: Wherefore the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and also of the New, is the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost. Wherefore thou oughtest to believe, that whatsoever the holy Fathers have decreed, in general and particular orthodox Councils, wheresoever they were held, is taught of the Holy Ghost. The holy Apostles speak in their Synod (Acts xv. 28), It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us: After whose Example other orthodox Councils have, in the same Style, concluded their Decrees.
Question 73
What, and how many, are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
Seven; of which the holy Scripture speaketh thus (Rev. iv. 5), And there were seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Now, these Gifts of the Spirit, or, to speak more properly, the Holy Spirit himself was in Christ after a more abundant and a perfect Manner than ever in any other Man, as sayeth the Prophet (Isai. xi. 2), And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the Fear of the Lord. This the Evangelist St. John confirms with his Testimony (John i. 14), And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth. And (ver. 16), Of his Fulness have all we received, and Grace for Grace. For the Holy Spirit was in Christ, as being of the same Substance with him, according to his Divinity; and filled him with Grace and Wisdom, as it is written (Luke ii. 40), And the Child grew, and waxed strong in Spirit, filled with Wisdom, and the Grace of God was upon him. This is to be understood of the human Nature of Christ.
Question 74
What is the first Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
The first Gift is Wisdom; namely, that Wisdom which is from Above, of which the Apostle thus speaketh (James iii. 17), The Wisdom that is from Above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of Mercy and good Fruits, without Partiality, and without Hypocrisy. And this is the contrary of carnal Wisdom, according to the Apostle (2 Cor. i. 12), In Simplicity and godly Sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Conversation in the World. Which fleshly and worldly Wisdom the same Apostle farther speaks of, rehearsing the Old Testament (1 Cor. i. 19), For it is written (namely, Isai. xxix. 14 and xxxiii. 18), I will destroy the Wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the Understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the Disputer of this World? Hath not God made foolish the Wisdom of this World?
Question 75
What is the second Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
The Gift of Understanding, or the Knowledge of the hidden and secret Things of the Divine Will, whereof the Scripture thus teacheth (Exod. xxxvi. 1), Every wise-hearted Man in whom the Lord put Wisdom and Understanding, to know how to work all manner of Work for the Service of the Sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded. And of the Companions of Daniel (Dan. i. 17), God gave them Knowledge and Skill in all Learning and Wisdom, and Daniel had Understanding in all Visions and Dreams. And also (Luke xxiv. 45), Then opened he their Understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. And the Apostle (2 Tim. ii. 7), The Lord give thee Understanding in all Things. Contrary to this is Folly and Disbelief; of which our Lord sayeth thus (Luke xxiv. 25), O Fool, and slow of Heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken. And elsewhere the Apostle (Gal. iii. 3), Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the Flesh?
Question 76
What is the third Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
The third Gift of the Holy Spirit is Counsel, which serveth to carry to the divine Glory and the Salvation of Men’s Souls, and is nearly the same as Justice. Of this Counsel the Scripture thus speaketh (Acts xx. 27), For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the Counsel of God. Opposite to this is the Counsel of the Ungodly; of which thus the divine Psalmist (Psal. i. 1), Blessed is the Man who hath not walked in the Counsel of the Ungodly. And again (Psal. xxxiii. 10), The Lord bringeth the Counsel of the Heathen to nought, and maketh the Devices of the People to be of none Effect, and casteth out the Counsels of Princes.
Question 77
What is the fourth Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
Strength. For, maintaining all Constancy and Fortitude in the Faith, we ought bravely to resist all Temptations: Of which Strength of Mind the Scripture sayeth thus (1 Cor. xvi. 13 and Eph. vi. 14), Watch ye, stand fast in the Faith, quit you like Men, be strong. Stand ye, therefore, having your Loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness; and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace; above all, taking the Shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked; and take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Contrary to this Strength is Fear; of which the Holy Prophet sayeth (Psal. xiv. 9), They were brought in great Fear, even where no Fear was. And our Lord Jesus Christ forbids to have this Fear (Luke xii. 4), Fear not those that kill the Body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Question 78
What is the fifth Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
Knowledge, which the holy Psalmist thus describeth (Psal. xciv. 10), Who nurtureth the Heathen, shall not he punish? It is he that teacheth Man Knowledge. And the Prophet Jerem. iii. 15, I will give you Pastors according to mine Heart, which shall feed you with Knowledge and Understanding. Which Knowledge and Understanding is chiefly to be understood and explained to mean the Knowledge of the Will and Law of God. Contrary to this is Ignorance; namely, of the Divine Will and Law: as sayeth the Psalmist (Psal. lxxix. 6), Pour out thine Indignation upon the Heathen that have not known thee, and upon the Kingdoms that have not called upon thy Name.
Question 79
What is the sixth Gift of the Holy Ghost?
Answer.
Godliness, which is founded in constant and earnest Prayer and Good Works, together with a right Faith; of which the Apostle sayeth (1 Tim. iv. 8), Godliness is profitable unto all things, having Promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come. Therefore are those truly called godly who continually worship God with Prayer, and shun everything that appertaineth unto Sin. Godliness, I say, not showy and specious, as was that formerly of the Pharisees, but solid and genuine, deep rooted in the Bottom of the Heart, and to which this Saying of our Lord’s cannot be applied (Matth. xv. 8), This People honoureth me with their Lips, but their Heart is far from me. And again (Matth. xxiii. 26), Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the Cup and Platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Question 80
What is the seventh Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer.
The Fear of God, which ought to be like the Fear of Children towards their Parents, and not like the Fear of Servants towards their Masters. Of this proper, right Fear the holy Psalmist singeth (Psal. xxxiv. 9), O fear the Lord, ye that are his Saints, for they that fear him lack nothing. But of the other sort of Fear the Apostle sayeth thus (1 John iv. 18), There is no Fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out Fear; because Fear hath Torment; he that feareth is not made perfect in Love. And the Scripture teacheth us, that we should fear God for Love (Psal. xxii. 23), O praise the Lord, ye that fear him. Magnify him, all ye of the Seed of Jacob; and fear him, all ye Seed of Israel. He that thus feareth the Lord will keep his Commandments, as it is said (John xiv. 23), If a Man love me, he will keep my Words.
Question 81
What, and how many, are the Fruits of the Holy Ghost?
Answer.
Saint Paul reckons up nine Fruits of the Holy Ghost, or Signs of divine Grace (Gal. v. 22), The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance. But we are, moreover, to call and account all other Virtues Fruits of the Holy Spirit, because they come down from him, and by his Grace are rightly practised by Men: And, therefore, St. Paul doth not add, against these (only) there is no Law, but against such: there being many like unto these.
Question 82
What is the ninth Article of the Faith?
Answer.
In one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Question 83
What doth the holy Church teach in this Article of the Faith?
Answer.
Four Things. First, That the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic; according to the Doctrine of the Apostle (2 Cor. xi. 2), I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste Virgin unto Christ. For like as Christ is only one, so his Spouse also can be but one; as is manifest from the Epistle to the Ephesians (iv. 5), One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all.
Question 84
What is the second Thing contained in this Article?
Answer.
The second Thing taught in this Article is, that the Church doth not take this Denomination of Catholic Church from any one Place or See predominant over all others; For those are particular Churches which are in particular Places; As the Church of Ephesus, of Philadelphia, of Laodicea, Antioch, Jerusalem, Rome, Alexandria, and others. However, among these particular Churches she may well be called the Mother who was honoured first with the Presence of Christ, and received eternal Life and Remission of Sins, and from which the Gospel was first preached and spread through the whole World; As the Scripture witnesseth (Luke xxiv. 47), Thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the Dead the third Day. And that Repentance and Remission from Sin should be preached in his Name among all Nations, beginning at Jerusalem, and ye are Witnesses of these Things. And elsewhere (Acts i. 8), Ye shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost Parts of the Earth. And she is wont to be respected first who outshone all other Churches in Sanctity of Doctrine and Manners, and to whose Judgment the Apostles submitted their Actions; as the Scripture tells us (Acts xi. 2), And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the Circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to Men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. To which Peter answered (ver. 17), What was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these Things they held their Peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life. And (ver. 22), Then Tidings of these Things came unto the Ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem; and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. And elsewhere (chap. xv. 2), They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this Question; (ver. 22), Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen Men of their own Company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and wrote Letters by them after this Manner: It seemed good unto the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay no greater Burden upon you than those necessary Things. Farther also of the same, in xvi. 4 of the Acts: And as they went through the Cities, they delivered them the Decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem. The Church of Jerusalem, therefore, is without Doubt the Mother and Princess of all other Churches: forasmuch as the Gospel was spread from her over the whole World (although, indeed, in Aftertimes, the Emperors gave the Precedency to Old and New Rome, for the Honour of the Empire, which they became the Seats of, according to the third Canon of the second general Council of Constantinople). Nevertheless, this Church of Jerusalem was the universal Church, as all Nations received their Faith and Doctrine from her.
Question 85
What is the third Thing contained in this Article?
Answer.
That Jesus Christ is the only Foundation of the Church, according to the Words of the Apostle (1 Cor. iii. 11), Other Foundation can no Man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Although in some Times the Apostles and Prophets are called the Foundations of the Faith and of the Church; as when St. John says (Rev. xxi. 14), That the great City, Jerusalem, was enclosed with a Wall, having twelve Foundations, and in them the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb were written. And St. Paul affirms, that we are built upon the Foundations of the Apostles and Prophets. This is to be understood, not as if the Apostles and Prophets were these Foundations of themselves, and in the first Instance; for in that Sense Christ only is the Foundation; But secondarily, and with relation, as being themselves laid next upon the Foundation of the Doctrine of Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, as being the First who propagated the Faith of Christ over the whole World. For Christ hath not founded his Church on any Mortal Men, but only upon himself, and on his own divine Doctrine. Moreover, we are taught, in this Article, that Christ is the only Head of his Church; according as we are taught by the Apostle (Ephes. v. 23), For the Husband is the Head of the Wife, and Christ is the Head of the Church; and he is the Saviour of the Body. And again (Colos. i. 18), He is the Head of the Body of the Church, who is the Beginning, and the first-born from the Dead; that in all things he might have the Pre-eminence. However, the Rulers of the Church are called Heads, in their several Churches over which they are placed; but this is only as Stewards and Vicars of Christ, in his several Provinces, over which they are said to be Heads. Thus the holy Scripture speaks then (Acts xx. 28), Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and unto the whole Flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed the Churches of God, which he hath purchased with his own Blood. In suchwise, however, that Christ himself is the Head and Chief of the Shepherds; as St. Peter testifies (1 Peter v. 4), When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away.
Question 86
What is the fourth Thing taught in this Article?
Answer.
It instructs us, that every Christian ought to submit himself and be obedient to the Church. This Christ himself teacheth (Matth. xviii. 17), If he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen Man and a Publican. And the Church is so fully empowered, that she hath Authority, in her general Councils, to examine and warrant the Scripture, to inquire into the Behaviour and judge of Patriarchs, Popes, Bishops, and all others, And to inflict severe Canonical Punishment upon them according to their Offences. For it is the Pillar and the Ground of Truth, as the Apostle says (1 Tim. iii. 15), That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
Question 87
What are the Precepts of the Church?
Answer.
The Chief and Principal Commands or Precepts of the Church are nine in number. First, That every one Worship God with an humble and contrite Heart, and carefully observe all the Sundays and Holy Days, and all other solemn Times as the Church shall appoint. That is, by diligently attending on all the Service of Morning Prayer, the Holy Communion, Evening Prayers, and Sermons, of which the Scripture thus teacheth us (Luke xviii. 1), Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. And again (Eph. vi. 18), Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints. And in another place St. Paul goes on (1 Thess. v. 17), Pray without ceasing.
Question 88
What is the second Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That every Christian do yearly keep and observe four stated or set Lents, or Times of Fasting. The first, just before the Time of the Nativity of Christ, beginning the fifteenth Day of November. The second, which is called the Great Lent, established by the Fasting of Christ himself (Matth. iv. 2), And when he had fasted forty Days and forty Nights, at length he was an hungered. The third is of the holy Apostles, which the Church appoints to begin immediately after the Whitsun Week; this is called the Lent of the holy Apostles, because at this time the holy Apostles, being just upon going forth to preach the Gospel, solemnised a Fast, as appears from the Acts (xiii. 3), When they had fasted and prayed, they laid their Hands on them and sent them away. The fourth is the Fast of the all-holy, the God-bearing, and ever Virgin Mary, beginning the first Day of August, and ending on the Feast of the Assumption, which is the fifteenth Day of the same Month. Moreover, he must Fast on all Wednesdays and Fridays, but not on Saturdays and Sundays (this being forbidden by the LXVI. Canon of the holy Apostles), except the great Sabbath, or Saturday, which is the Easter Eve. The Church also appoints the fourteenth of September, being the exaltation of the holy Cross, to be observed as a Fast, because on that Day we solemnise the Memory of our Lord suffering, by reciting the Gospel wherein that is related. Also, the twenty-ninth of August is to be held a Fast, it being the Decollation of St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Christ. Farthermore, on some certain Days the Church forbiddeth us to Fast; as from the Day of our Lord’s Nativity to the Epiphany, and all the Week of Easter, and Whitsun Week. Also the Week before Septuagesima Sunday and the Week between Sexagesima and Quinquagesima Sundays. All which the orthodox Christian ought most faithfully to keep and observe.
Question 89
What is the third Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That we respect spiritual Persons with all due Reverence, as the Ministers of God set apart, who pray to God for us: Especially those who, as our spiritual Fathers, receive our Confessions, and whom we are to consult about our Salvation. Of this Command the Scripture thus declareth (1 Cor. iv. 1), Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. And again (1 Thess. v. 12), We beseech you, Brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you that you esteem them very highly in love, for their Work’s sake. Also in another place (1 Cor. ix. 13), Do ye not know that they which minister about holy Things live by the Things of the Temple? and they which wait at the Altar are Partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. Also in his Epistle to Timothy (1 Tim. v. 17), Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double Honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine. It is, therefore, unlawful for Lay Persons to meddle with and thrust themselves into Spiritual Matters; as the Apostle says (Gal. vi. 1), Brethren, if a Man be overtaken in a Fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such an one in the Spirit of Meekness.
Question 90
What is the fourth Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That we make Confession of our Sins to a Priest, rightly and lawfully ordained, four Times every Year. However, those who are well advanced in Religion and Godliness may discharge this Duty every Month. The weaker Brethren must at least once a Year, namely, at the great Lent, not fail to unburden their Conscience by Confession: And let the Sick, before all Things, purify their Conscience by Confession, and partaking of the holy Sacrament, having first received the holy Oil, with Prayer, with Reverence and Devotion.