Expositio super symbolum Nicenum
Alan of Lille (1120–1202)
A commentary on the Nicene Creed by Alan.
Prologus I: Expositio super symbolum Nicenum.
Caput I: Credo in unum Deum.
Caput II: Patrem.
Caput III: Omnipotentem.
Caput IV: Factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.
Caput V: Et in unum Dominum.
Caput VI: Iesum Christum.
Caput VII: Filium Dei unigenitum.
Caput VIII: Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula.
Caput IX: Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero.
Caput X: Genitum, non factum.
Caput XI: Consubstantialem Patri.
Caput XII: Per quem omnia facta sunt.
Caput XIII: Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis.
Caput XIV: Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est.
Caput XV: Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est.
Caput XVI: Et resurrexit tertia die secundum Scripturas.
Caput XVII: Et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.
Caput XVIII: Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Caput XIX: Cuius regni non erit finis.
Caput XX: Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum, et vivificantem.
Caput XXI: Qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.
Caput XXII: Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur.
Caput XXIII: Qui locutus est per prophetas.
Caput XXIV: Unam Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam et Apostolicam.
One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Among the other articles of faith we are bound to believe this: that the Church is one, not divided by schisms — one in faith, lest it be divided by heresies; one in charity, lest it be divided by schisms; one in the communion of the sacraments, one by the vivifying of the same Holy Spirit. And we must therefore believe it to be holy, because it is founded upon Christ the rock, established in charity, made firm in patience. This is said against the heretics who establish diverse baptisms, a divided faith, a diversity of doctrine.
And note that "church" is interpreted "the convocation of rational beings." For in the Church there ought to be rational beings, whose whole intention is fixed upon God. We are bound to believe this Church to be catholic, that is, universal, because it has spread through nearly all the ends of the world, and its precepts are general, because they are set forth not for one nation, not for one condition, not for one sex, but for all.
Apostolic.
Because it was given in the faith and preaching of the apostles. The same is contained in the other symbol, where it is said: "the holy Church."