A Golden Chain

Note further, that of all the three persons, the first person the Father is set in the first place, and described to us by three things: I. by his title that he is a Father. II. by his attribute that he is Almighty. III. by his effect, that he is maker of heaven and earth: of these in order as they lie in the Creed. And first of the title [Father.] It may seem that he hath some prerogative over the Son and the holy Ghost, because he is set before them: but we must know, that he is set before them neither in regard of time• nor of dignity, for therein all three are equal; but in regard of order only. ⟨p. 205⟩The Father is the first, the Son the second, and the holy Ghost the third: as may appear by this similitude. If three Emperors equal in dignity should meet all in one place, being equal also in power and majesty, if all three should sit down, though one be no better then an other; yet one of them must needs sit down the first, and an other in the second place, and then the third: but yet we cannot say, that he which sate down first is the chiefest. And so it is in the Trinity, though none be greater or above another; yet the Father is in the first place, not because he is before the Son, or the holy Ghost in dignity or honour, but because he is the fountain of the Deity, the Son being from him, and the holy Ghost from them both.

Note further, that of all the three persons, the first person the Father is set in the first place, and described to vs by three things: I. by his title that hee is a Father. II. by his attribute that he is Almightie. III. by his effect, that he is maker of heauen and earth: of these in order as they lie in the Creed. And first of the title [Father.] It may seeme that he hath some prerogatiue ouer the Sonne and the holy Ghost, because he is set before them: but wee must knowe, that hee is set before them neither in regard of time• nor of dignitie, for therein all three are equall; but in regard of order onely. ⟨p. 205⟩The Father is the first, the Sonne the second, and the holy Ghost the third: as may appeare by this similitude. If three Emperours equall in dignitie should meete all in one place, beeing equall also in power and maiestie, if all three should sit downe, though one be no better then an other; yet one of them must needes sit downe the first, and an other in the second place, and then the third: but yet we cannot say, that he which sate downe first is the chiefest. And so it is in the Trinitie, though none be greater or aboue another; yet the Father is in the first place, not because he is before the Sonne, or the holy Ghost in dignitie or honour, but because he is the fountaine of the Deitie, the Sonne beeing from him, and the holy Ghost from them both.