A09339:1340
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.
God is omnipotent two ways: I. Because he is able to do whatsoever he will. II. Because he is able to do more then he will do. For the first, that god is able to do whatsoever he will, David saith: Our God is in heaven, and he doth whatsoever he will: for there is nothing that can hinder God; but as he willeth, so every thing is done. Secondly, that God can do more then he willeth to be done, it is plain where John Baptist saith:1 God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham: for though God can do thus much, yet he will not do it. So likewise when Christ was betrayed, the Father could have given him more then 12. legions of angels to have delivered him out of their hands, but yet he would not: & the like may be said of many other things. The father is & was able to have created another world, yea a thousand worlds; but he would not, nor will not. And likewise Christ being upon the cross, was able at their bidding to have come down, and saved himself from death; but he would not: and therefore this is true, the Lord can do any thing that he willeth to be done actually, yea and more then he will. But some will say, God can not do some things which man can do, as God cannot lie, nor deny himself:2 and therefore he is not omnipotent. Answer. Although some have thought that God could do even these things, and that he did them not, because he would not: yet we must know and believe that God can neither lie, nor deny himself: indeed man can do both, but these and many other such things if God could do them, he could not be God. God indeed can do all things which show forth his glory and majesty: but such things as are against his nature, he cannot doe• as for example: God can not sin, and therefore cannot li•: and because he cannot do these things, for this very cause he ⟨p. 212⟩is omnipotent: for these and such like, are works of impotency: which if god could do, he should even by his own word be judged impotent. Secondly, he cannot do that which implies contradiction: as when a thing is, to make it at the same time to be, and not to be: as when the Sun doth shine, to make it at the same instant to shine and not to shine.