A09339:1385
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.
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 ⟨p. 228⟩word. For the Scripture saith,4 Abraham looked for a city (meaning the heavenly Jerusalem, this third heaven) having a foundation whose builder and maker is God. Further if it be eternal, it must either be? Creator or a creature: but it is no creator, for then it should be God: and therefore it must needs be a creature. But some will say, the Lord is eternal, and this third heaven hath always been the place of the Lords abode, and therefore it is also eternal. Answer. True it is indeed that God doth show his glory and majesty in the third heaven: but yet that cannot possibly contain his Godhead, as Solomon saith, Behold the heavens, and the heavens of heavens are not able to contain thee.