A09339:1309
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 third point is, touching the number of Gods, namely whether there be more gods then one or no. Ans. There is not, neither can there be any more Gods then one. Which point the Creed avoucheth, in saying, I believe in God, not gods: and yet more plainly the Nicene Creed and the Creed of Athanasius, both of them explaining the words of the Apostles Creed on this manner, I believe in one God. Howsoever some in former times have erroneously held, that two gods were the beginning of all things, one of good things, the other of evil things: others, that there was one God in the old testament, another in the new: others again, namely the Valentinians, that there were thirty couple of gods: and the heathen people (as Augustine recordeth) worshipped thirty thousand gods: yet we that are members of Gods Church, must hold and believe one God alone, and no more, Deut. 4.39. Understand this day and consider in thine heart, that Jehovah he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath: there is none other. Eph. 4.6. One God, one faith, one baptism. If it be alleged that the Scripture mentioneth many gods, because aMagistrates are called Gods, bMoses is called Aaron's god, cthe devil and all idols are called gods. The answer is this: They are not properly or by nature gods, for in that respect there is only one God: but they are so termed in other respects. Magistrates are gods, because they be Vicegerents placed in the room of the true God, to govern their subjects: Moses is Aaron's god, because he was in the room of God to reveal his will to Aaron: the devil is a god, because the hearts of the wicked would give the honour unto him, which is peculiar to the everliving God: idols are called gods, because they are such in mens conceits and opinions who esteem of them as of gods. Therefore Paul saith, an idol is nothing in the world, 4that is, nothing in nature subsisting, or nothing in respect of the divinity ascribed unto it.