The Belgic Confession (Art. 1–2)
Guido de Brès · 1561
The confession's opening articles: the one simple and spiritual being of God, and the two means — creation and Scripture — by which he is known.
Article 1: The Only God#
We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.#
Article 2: By What Means God Is Made Known#
We know him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God. Secondly, he makes himself more clearly and fully known to us by his holy and divine Word; that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to his glory and our salvation.#