The Creed Poem by Rees Prichard

A. In God, the Father, whose Almighty Pow'r
Did heav'n, earth, sea, into existence call,
I do believe, and ever will adore
Him, as the Governor supreme o'er all.

In Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
And born of Mary, prov'd upon record
A spotless virgin, I still farther trust.

The same who suffered a most shameful death,
(Whilst Pontius Pilate Judah's sceptre sway'd)
And, when upon the cross depriv'd of breath,
Like a mere mortal, in the grave was laid.

Then for our sakes he into Hades went,
That seat of pain and never-ending woes!
But the third day, he after that descent,
From the dark chambers of the dead arose:

But not till he had over Death obtain'd
A victory, in ev'ry sense complete,
And from the fiend, that foul deceiver, gain'd
Ample amends for the first man's defeat :

To the third heavens then ascended he,
Where he does now on God's right hand reside,
And where he shall, for endless ages, be
To all the church a never-erring guide:

From thence, with Glory and great Pow'r, he'll come
As Judge, both o'er the living and the dead,
That terribly-important day of doom,
When they'll be call'd to his tribunal dread.

Another point, I do believe, is this,
(For so I find it in another creed)
That th' Holy Ghost, who gives us life and bliss,
Does from the Father, and the Son, proceed.

I, farthermore, beyond all doubt am sure,
That there's in ev'ry age and realm reserv'd
A church, that keeps the Christian doctrines pure;
And, therefore, it shall be, thro' Christ, preserv'd.

And I believe that all the Saints below
Shall of the gifts (with those above) partake,
Which from our blessed Saviour's merits flow,
Who suffer'd death and sorrow for our sake.

The resurrection likewise of the just
I do believe, with confidence sincere,
When the last trump shall raise them from the dust,
And they, above the clouds, shall all appear.

I am convinc'd with faith, which nought can move,
That all, who worthily their God adore,
Shall endless happiness enjoy above,
When this terrestrial scene shall be no more.
Amen.


Q. What dost thou chiefly learn by this belief,
The sum of which thou hast repeated now?
Endeavour its contents to show in brief,
With all the benefits which, from it, flow.

A. First, I believe in God, as I am taught,
The Sire supreme, on whose stupendous plan
This world was wholly to existence brought,
And this my frame, with that of ev'ry man.

Next, I believe in God, the filial Pow'r,
Our gracious Lord, to mercy still inclin'd,
Who by his blood, in a most happy hour,
Redemption brought to me, and all mankind.

Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghost I trust,
Who from all kind of sin does make me clean,
And sanctifies, along with me, the just,
All the elected sons of God, I mean.

Q. Thou didst a promise by thy sponsors make,
That thou wou'dst God's commandments keep with care;
Come, tell me then, for thy Redeemer's sake,
How many, if thou knowest them, they are?

A. God gave us Ten - it was the sum express,
That we might keep them with the strictest care,
Nor must we either of them all transgress;
Lest we shou'd die, if such a crime we dare.

Q. Which be they? - tell me, for thy Saviour's sake,
If thou hast ever learn'd them out by heart,
These holy statutes for thy pattern take,
And never from the faultless rules depart.

A. They are the same, which the Almighty spoke
On Sinai's hill, and publish'd as his law,
Involv'd in circumambient fire and smoke,
Which all the trembling congregation saw.

They are the same, which he to Moses gave,
On two fair tables of unchisel'd stone,
Where God's own finger did those laws engrave,
That they to all the people might be shown:

And even now you may, if so inclin'd,
The same from the inspir'd scriptures learn:
In Exodus with ease you may them find,
If you'll but to the twentieth chapter turn.

Q. Which is the first of those commandments, say?
And then the next? - and then the next agen?
Each, in its proper place, before me lay,
Until thou hast repeated all the ten.