A09339:1384
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.
And thus much of the creation in general. Now it followeth that we come to the handling of the parts thereof. For it is not said barely that God is a Creator; but particularly that he is a creator of heaven and earth: of both which we will speak in order: and first of the creation of heaven.
And thus much of the creation in generall. Nowe it followeth that wee come to the handling of the parts thereof. For it is not said barely that God is a Creator; but particularly that he is a creatour of heauen and earth: of both which wee will speake in order: and first of the creation of heauen.
Heaven] in Gods word signifieth all that is above the earth: for the air wherein we breath is called heaven. And according to this acceptation of the word, there are three heavens, as Paul saith, He was taken up into the third heaven. 1The first of these heavens is that space, which is from the earth upward unto the firmament, where the stars are. Thus the birds which fly in the air between the earth and the stars, are called the fowls of the heaven: and when God sent the flood to drown the old world, Moses saith,2 the windows of heaven were opened: meaning, that God poured down rain from the clouds abundantly, for the making of a flood to drown the world. The second heaven is that which containeth the Sun, the Moon, and the stars: so Moses saith, that God in the beginning created the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, and placed them in the firmament of heaven. 3Besides these two heavens, there is a third which is invisible: and yet it is the work of Gods hands: and it is that glorious place where Christ even in his manhood sitteth at the right hand of the father: and whither the souls of the faithful departed are carried, and placed: and in which at the end of the world shall all the elect both in body and soul, have perfect joy and bliss in the glorious sight and presence of God for ever. But for the better conceiving the trueth, we are to scan and consider diligently three questions. First, whether this third heaven be a creature; for many have thought it was never created, but was eternal with God himself: but it is a gross error contrary to Gods