A09339:1407
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.
The second point to be considered in the creation of man is the dignity of his person: for David saith,1 Thou hast made man little inferior to the Angels, and crowned him with glory, and worship. This dignity stands in four points. I. A blessed communion with the true God: for Paul speaking of the Gentiles which were not called,2 saith they were strangers from the life of God. Where by the contrary we may gather, that our first parents in their innocency lived the life of God, which is nothing else but to lead such a life here on earth, as that the creature shall have a blessed and immediate fellowship with God, which stands in this, that before the fall of man, God revealed himself in a ⟨p. 237⟩special manner unto him, so as his very body and soul was a temple and dwelling place of the Creator. This fellowship between God and man in his innocency, was made manifest in the familiar conference which God vouchsafed to man: but since the fall, this communion is lost: for man can not abide the presence of God. And therefore when Peter had fished all night, and caught nothing, our Saviour bad him cast down his net to make a draught,3 who did so; but when he saw the great multitude of fishes that were taken, at this sight beholding but as it were some sparks of the glorious majesty of God in Christ, he fell down at his feet, saying, Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinner. The second point wherein mans dignity consisteth, is, that man was made lord and king over all creatures, as David saith,4 Thou hast made him to have dominion in the works of thy hands: and therefore God having created him in his image, biddeth him rule over the fishes of the sea, over the fowls of the heaven, and over every beast that moveth upon the earth: 5& afterward he brought them all to him, as to a sovereign lord and king to be named by him: and answerably every creature in his kind gave reverence and subjection unto man before his fall, as unto their lord and king. Where by the way we must remember, that when we see any creature that is hurtful and noisome unto man, and would rather devour then obey him; it must put us in mind of our sin: for by creation we were made lords and kings over all creatures, and they durst not but reverence and obey us: but the rebellion of man unto God is the cause of the rebellion of the creatures unto us.