Ba. Do, with all my Heart.

Au. Inquisitive Persons are commonly hated, but yet Physicians are allowed to be inquisitive after every particular Thing.

Ba. Ask me any Thing that you have a Mind to ask me.

Au. I’ll try.  But you must promise me you’ll answer me sincerely.

Ba. I’ll promise you.  But let me know what you’ll ask me about.

Au. Concerning the Apostles Creed.

Ba. Symbolum is indeed a military Word.  I will be content to be look’d upon an Enemy to Christ, if I shall deceive you in this Matter.

Au. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, who made the Heaven and Earth.

Ba. Yes, and whatsoever is contained in the Heaven and Earth, and the Angels also which are Spirits.

Au. When thou say’st God, what dost thou understand by it?

Ba. I understand a certain eternal Mind, which neither had Beginning nor shall have any End, than which nothing can be either greater, wiser, or better.

Au. Thou believest indeed like a good Christian.

Ba. Who by his omnipotent Beck made all Things visible or invisible; who by his wonderful Wisdom orders and governs all Things; who by his Goodness feeds and maintains all Things, and freely restored Mankind when fallen.

Au. These are indeed three especial Attributes in God:  But what Benefit dost thou receive by the Knowledge of them?

Ba. When I conceive him to be Omnipotent, I submit myself wholly to him, in comparison of whose Majesty, the Excellency of Men and Angels is nothing.  Moreover, I firmly believe whatsoever the holy Scriptures teach to have been done, and also that what he hath promised shall be done by him, seeing he can by his single Beck do whatsoever he pleases, how impossible soever it may seem to Man.  And upon that Account distrusting my own Strength, I depend wholly upon him who can do all Things.  When I consider his Wisdom, I attribute nothing at all to my own, but I believe all Things are done by him righteously and justly, although they may seem to human Sense absurd or unjust.  When I animadvert on his Goodness, I see nothing in myself that I do not owe to free Grace, and I think there is no Sin so great, but he is willing to forgive to a true Penitent, nor nothing but what he will freely bestow on him that asks in Faith.

Au. Dost thou think that it is sufficient for thee to believe him to be so?

Ba. By no Means.  But with a sincere Affection I put my whole Trust and Confidence in him alone, detesting Satan, and all Idolatry, and magic Arts.  I worship him alone, preferring nothing before him, nor equalling nothing with him, neither Angel, nor my Parents, nor Children, nor Wife, nor Prince, nor Riches, nor Honours, nor Pleasures; being ready to lay down my Life if he call for it, being assur’d that he can’t possibly perish who commits himself wholly to him.