A09339:1288
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
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.
The principal and main object of this faith is, the saving promise, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. But some will say, Christ is commonly said to be the object of faith. Ans. In effect it is all one to say the saving promise, and Christ promised, who is the substance of the covenant. Christ then as he is set forth unto us in the word & Sacraments, is the object of faith. And here certain questions offer themselves to be scanned.
The principall and maine obiect of this faith is, the sauing promise, God so loued the world, that he gaue his onely begotten sonne, that whosoeuer beleeues in him, shall not perish, but haue euerlasting life. But some will say, Christ is commonly said to be the obiect of faith. Ans. In effect it is all one to say the sauing promise, and Christ promised, who is the substance of the couenant. Christ then as he is set forth vnto vs in the word & Sacraments, is the obiect of faith. And here certaine questions offer themselues to be skanned.
The first, What is, that particular thing, which faith apprehendeth? Answ. Faith apprehendeth whole Christ God and man. For his godhead without his manhood, and his manhood without his godhead doth not reconcile us to God. Yet this which I say must be conceived with some distinction according to the difference of his two natures. His godhead is apprehended not in respect of his essence or nature, but in respect of his efficacy manifested in the manhood, whereby the obedience thereof is made meritorious before God: as for his manhood, it is apprehended both in respect of the substance or thing it self, and also in respect of the efficacy and benefits thereof.
The first, What is, that particular thing, which faith apprehendeth? Answ. Faith apprehendeth whole Christ God and man. For his godhead without his manhoode, and his manhoode without his godhead doth not reconcile vs to God. Yet this which I say must be conceiued with some distinction according to the difference of his two natures. His godhead is apprehended not in respect of his essence or nature, but in respect of his efficacie manifested in the manhood, whereby the obedience thereof is made meritorious before God: as for his manhoode, it is apprehended both in respect of the substance or thing it selfe, and also in respect of the efficacie and benefits thereof.