First by knowing Him as almighty and perfectly good.
9. How can we do that? First by knowing Him as almighty and perfectly good.
10. Is this enough? No.
11. Why? Because we are unworthy that He should show His power in helping us, or employ His goodness toward us.
12. What more then is required? That we be certain that He loves us, and desires to be our Father, and Saviour.
13. How do we know that? By His Word, in which He declares His mercy to us in Christ, and assures us of His love toward us.
14. Then the foundation for true reliance upon God is to know Him in Jesus Christ [John 17:3]? That is true.
15. What then briefly is the substance of this knowledge? It is contained in the Confession of Faith used by all Christians. It is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, because it is a summary of the true faith which has always been held in Christ's Church, and was derived from the pure doctrine of the Apostles.
16. Recite it.
17. In order to expound this confession in detail, into how many parts do we divide it? Into four principal parts.
18. What are they? The first is about God the Father; the second about His Son Jesus Christ, which also includes the whole history of our redemption; the third is about