A09339:1158
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Object. I. Christ took upon him mans nature: therefore he redeemed mans nature generally. Answer. I. It followeth not, except we would say that Christ redeemed his own humanity, which cannot be any ways possible. II. Every woman doth partake the humane nature of every man, yet is not every man each woman's husband, but hers alone, with whom by the covenant in matrimony, he is made one flesh: and in like sort Christ did by his incarnation ([Greek or Hebrew]) take also upon him mans nature, and that common to all Adams progeny, yet is he the husband of his Church alone, by another more peculiar conjunction, namely, the bond of the spirit and of faith. And by it the Church is become flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone. Eph. 5.20. And therefore she alone may justly claim title to the death of Christ and all his merits.
Obiect. I. Christ tooke vpon him mans nature: therefore he redeemed mans nature generally. Answer. I. It followeth not, except we would say that Christ redeemed his owne humanitie, which cannot be any waies possible. II. Euery woman doth partake the humane nature of euery man, yet is not euery man each womans husband, but hers alone, with whome by the couenant in matrimorie, he is made one flesh: and in like sort Christ did by his incarnation (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) take also vpon him mans nature, and that common to all Adams progenie, yet is he the husband of his Church alone, by another more peculiar coniunction, namely, the bond of the spirit and of faith. And by it the Church is become flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone. Eph. 5.20. And therefore shee alone may iustly claime title to the death of Christ and al his merits.
Objection. II. Christs redemption is as general, as Adams fall was: and therefore it appertaineth to all Adams posterity. Answer. Adam was a type of Christ, and Christ a counter-type correspondent to Adam. Adam was the root of all his successors, or all that should come of him, from the which first Adam, was sin and death derived: again, Christ he is also a root, but of the elect only, and such as believe, to whom, from him, proceed righteousness, and life eternal. He cannot be said to be the root of all, and every singular man, because that all do not drink and receive this his righteousness, and life neither are they actually by him made righteous.