A09339:1374
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.
Seventhly, some may ask in what space of time did God make the world? I answer, God could have made the world, and all things in it in one moment: but he began and finished the whole work in six distinct days.1 In the first day he made the matter of all things and the light: in the second the heavens; in the third day he brought the sea into his compass, and made the dry land appear, and caused it to bring forth herbs, plants, and trees: in the fourth he made the Sun, the Moon, and the stars in heaven: in the fifth day he made the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the heaven, and every creeping thing: in the sixth day he made the beasts of the field, and all cattle, and in the end of the sixth day he made man. Thus in six distinct spaces of time, the Lord did make all things: and that especially for three causes. I. To teach men that they ought to have a distinct and serious consideration of every creature: for if God made the world in a moment, some might have said, this work is so mystical, that no man can speak of it. But for the preventing of this cavil, it was his pleasure to make the world and all things therein in six days: and the seventh day he commanded it to be sanctified by men, that they might distinctly and seriously mediate upon every days work of the creation. II. God ⟨p. 224⟩made the world, and every thing therein in six distinct days, to teach us, what wonderful power and liberty he had over all his creatures: for he made the light when there was neither Sun nor Moon, nor stars: to show, that in giving light to the world, he is not bound to the Sun, to any creature, or to any means: for the light was made the first day: but the sun, the moon, and the stars were not created before the fourth day. Again, trees and plants were created the third day: but yet the sun, moon, and the stars, and rain which nourish and make herbs, trees, and plants to grow were not created till after the third day: which shows plainly, that God can make trees, plants, and herbs to grow without the means of rain, and without the virtue and operation of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars. III. He made the world in six distinct days, and framed all things in this order, to teach us his wonderful providence over all his creatures:
Seuenthly, some may aske in what space of time did God make the world? I answer, God could haue made the world, and all things in it in one moment: but he began and finished the whole worke in sixe distinct daies.