A09339:1479
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.
Thus much of the permission of the fall of man. Now we come to the Covenant of grace. Which is nothing else but a compact made between God & man touching reconciliation and life everlasting by Christ. This covenant was first of all revealed and delivered to our first parents in the garden of Eden, immediately after their fall by God himself, in these words,1 The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head, and afterward it was continued and renewed with a part of Adams posterity, as with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, &c. but it was most fully revealed & accomplished at the coming of Christ.
Thus much of the permission of the fal of man. Now we come to the Couenant of grace. Which is nothing els but a compact made betweene God & man touching reconciliation and life euerlasting by Christ. This couenant was first of all reuealed and deliuered to our first parents in the garden of Eden, immediately after their fall by God himselfe, in these wordes,1 The seede of the woman shall bruise the serpents head, and afterward it was continued and renued with a part of Adams posteritie, as with Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Dauid, &c. but it was most fully reuealed & accomplished at the comming of Christ.
In the Covenant I will consider two things; the parties reconciled between whom the Covenant is made, and the foundation thereof. The parties are God and man. God is the principal, and he promiseth righteousness and life eternal in Christ: Man again binds himself by Gods grace to believe and to rest upon the promise. Here it may be demanded why man is more in the covenant then angels. Ans. The will of God in this point, is not revealed unless it be because angels fell of themselves, not moved by any other: but man did fall by them. Again it may be asked, whether all mankind were ever in the covenant or no? Ans. We can not say that all and every man hath bin and now is in the covenant, but only that little part of mankind which in all ages hath bin the Church of God, and hath by faith embraced the covenant: as Paul plainly avoucheth,