TERTULLIAN

The Rule of Faith is, namely, that by which we believe That there is but ONE GOD, and not other besides the Maker of the world, who produced the universe out of nothing, by his Word sent forth first of all; that this Word, called HIS SON, was seen in the name of God in various ways by the patriarchs, was always heard in the prophets, at last was sent down from the Spirit and power of God the Father, into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and born of her, lived as JESUS CHRIST; that then he preached the new law and the new promise of the kingdom of heaven; wrought miracles; was nailed to the cross; rose again on the third day; was caught up to the heavens; and sat down at the right hand of the Father; sent in his place the power of the HOLY GHOST, to guide the believers; he will come again with glory to take the saints into the enjoyment of eternal life and the celestial promises, and to judge the wicked with eternal fire, after the resuscitation of both, with the restitution of the flesh.

Regula est autem fidei, illa scilicet qua creditur, UNUM omnino DEUM esse, nec alium praeter mundi conditorem, qui universa de nihilo produxerit, per Verbum suum primo omnium demissum; id Verbum, FILIUM EJUS appellatum, in nomine Dei varie visum a patriarchis, in prophetis semper auditum, postremo delatum, ex Spiritu Patris Dei et virtute, in Virginem Mariam, carnem factum in utero ejus, et ex ea natum, egisse JESUM CHRISTUM; exinde praedicasse novam legem et novam promissionem regni caelorum; virtutes fecisse; fixum curci; tertia die resurrexisse; in caelos ereptum; sedisse ad dexteram Patris; misisse vicariam vim SPIRITUS SANCTI, qui credentes agat; venturum cum claritate ad sumendos sanctos in vitae aeternae et promissorum caelestium fructum, et ad profanos adjudicandos igni perpetuo, facta utriusque partis resuscitatione, cum carnis restitutione.