A09339:1386
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.
1Wherefore though God doth manifest his eternal glory in this third heaven, yet doth it not follow that therefore this place should be eternal: for he needs no habitation to dwell in: he is every where filling all things with his presence, excluded from no place. The second question is, where this third heaven is? Answer. There are some protestants say, it is every where: and they hold this opinion to maintain the real presence of the Lords body in or about the Sacrament. But if it were every where, then hell should be in heaven, which no man will say: but heaven indeed is above these visible heavens which we see with our eyes: so the Apostle saith,2 Christ ascended on high far above all heavens, &c. And again it is said of Steven, that being full of the holy Ghost, He looked up steadfastly into the heavens, and saw them open, and the son of man standing at the right hand of God. 3Thirdly it may be demanded, why God created this third heaven? Answer. God made it for this cause, that there might be a certain place wherein he might make manifest his glory and majesty to his elect angels and men; for the which cause it was created a thousand fold more glorious then the two former heavens are,4 and in this respect it is called Paradise, by reason of the joy and pleasure arising from Gods glorious presence. And our Saviour Christ calleth it the house of God his father;5 because into it must be gathered all gods children. It is called the kingdom of heaven, because God is the king thereof and ruleth there in perfect glory. True it is, God hath his kingdom here on earth: but he ruleth not so fully and gloriously here, as he •hall in heaven: for this is the kingdom of grace, but that is the kingdom of his glory, where he so reigneth, that he will be all in all, first in Christ, & then in the elect both angels and men.
1Wherefore though God doth manifest his eternall glorie in this third heauen, yet doth it not followe that therefore this place should bee eternall: for hee needes no habitation to dwell in: hee is euery where filling all things with his presence, excluded from no place. The second question is, where this third heauen is? Awere. There are some protestants say, it is euery where: and they holde this opinion to maintaine the reall presence of the Lordes bodie in or about the Sacrament. But if it were euery where, then hell should be in heauen, which no man will say: but heauen indeede is aboue these visible heauens which wee see with our eies: so the Apostle saith,