A09339:1404
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 of Angels. Now it follows to speak of the creation of Man: wherein we must consider two things: I. the points of doctrine: II. the uses. For the points of doctrine. First, Man was created and framed hy the hand of God, and made after the image of God: for Moses brings in the Lord speaking thus,1 Let us make man in our image, &c. in the image of God created he them, which also must be understood of Angels. The image of God, is nothing else but a conformity of man unto God, whereby man is holy as God is holy: for Paul saith,2 Put on the new man which after God, that is, in Gods image, is created in righteousness and true holiness. Now I reason thus: wherein the renewing of the image of God in man doth stand, therein was it at the first: but the renewing of Gods image in man doth stand in righteousness ⟨p. 236⟩and holiness: therefore Gods image wherein man was created at the beginning, was a conformity to God in righteousness and holiness. Now whether Gods image doth further consist in the substance of mans body and soul, or in the faculties of both, the Scripture speaketh nothing. This Image of God hath two principal parts: I. wisdom: II. holiness. Concerning wisdom Paul saith,3 Put ye on the new man which is created in knowledge, after the image of him which created him. This wisdom consisteth in three points: I. in that he knew God his creator perfectly: for Adam in his innocency knew God so far forth as it was convenient for a creature to know his creator. II. He knew Gods will so far forth as it was convenient for him, to show his obedience thereunto. III. He knew the wisdom and will of his creator touching the particular creatures: for after Adam was created, the Lord brought every creature unto him, presenting them unto him as being lord and king over them, that he might give names unto them. Whereby it appears that Adam in his innocency did know the nature of all creatures, and the wisdom of God in creating them, else he could not have given them fit names: and when God brought Eve unto Adam, he knew her at the first, and said,4 This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, &c. The second part of Gods image in man, is holiness and righteousness;