These considerations are quite sufficient of themselves to prove that the Apostles´ Creed, as it is called, is not entitled to much respect, and is not fitted to be of much use, as a summary of the leading doctrines of Christianity. A document which maybe honestly assented to by Papists and Arians, by the adherents of the great apostasy and by the opposers of the divinity of our Saviour, can be of no real utility as a directory, or as an element or bond of union among the churches of Christ. And while it is so brief and general as to be no adequate protest or protection against error, it does not contain any statement of some important truths essential to a right comprehension of the scheme of ChrisÂtian doctrine and the way of salvation. It is quite true that, under the different articles of the Creed, or even under any of the earlier creeds which contained merely a brief profession of faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we might bring in, as many authors have done, an explanation of all the leading doctrines taught us in Scripture; but it is not the less true that they are not stated in the document itself, and that there is nothing in its words which is fitted to bring them to our notice.
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I think it is much to be regretted that so very inadequate and defective a summary of the leading principles of Christianity as the Apostles´ Creed, "”possessed of no authority, and having no exÂtrinsic claims to respect, "”should have been exalted to such a place of prominence and influence in the worship and services of the church of Christ; and I have no doubt that this has operated inÂjuriously in leading to the disregard of some important articles of Christian doctrine, which are not embodied in it, but which are of fundamental importance. Even in the third century, we find the doctrines of grace, "”the true principles of the Gospel which unfold the scriptural method of salvation, were thrown into the backÂground, were little attended to, and not very distinctly understood; while the attention of the church in the fourth century was almost entirely engrossed by controversial speculations about the Trinity and the person of Christ; and it is, I believe, in some measure from the same cause"”i.e., having the Apostles´ Creed pressed upon men´s attention in the ordinary public services of the church, as a summary of Christian doctrine, entitled to great deference and respect"”that we are to account for the ignorance and indifference respecting the great principles of evangelical truth by which so large a proportion of the ordinary attenders upon the services of the Church of England have been usually characterized, "”a result aided, no doubt, by the peculiar character and complexion of the other two creeds which are also sanctioned by her articles, and which are sometimes, though not so frequently, used in her public service"”the Nicene and the Athanasian.
