A09339:1488
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.
By this which hath been said, the Papists are faulty two ways. First, that they give too much to the name of Jesus: for they write in plain terms,1 that the bare name it self being used hath great power and doth drive away devils, though the parties that use it be void of good affection: whereas indeed it hath no more virtue then other titles of God or Christ. Secondly, they are faulty that they give too little to the thing signified. For Christ must either be our alone and whole Saviour or no Saviour. Now they make him but half a Saviour, and they join others with him as partners in the work of salvation, when they teach, that with Christs merits must be joined our works of grace in the matter of justification, and with Christs satisfaction for the wrath of God, our satisfaction for the temporal punishment; and when they add to Christs intercession the intercession and patronage of Saints, especially of the Virgin Mary, whom they call the Queen of heaven,2 the mother of mercy, withal requesting her, that by the authority of a mother she would command her son. If this doctrine of theirs may stand, Christ can not be the only Saviour of mankind, but every man in part shall be Jesus to himself.
By this which hath beene saide, the Papists are faultie two waies. First, that they giue too much to the name of Iesus: for they write in plaine tearmes,1 that the bare name it selfe beeing vsed hath great power and doth driue away deuils, though the parties that vse it be void of good affection: whereas indeed it hath no more vertue then other titles of God or Christ. Secondly, they are faultie that they giue too little to the thing signified. For Christ must either be our alone and whole Sauiour or no Sauiour. Now they make him but halfe a Sauiour, and they ioyne others with him as partners in the worke of saluation, when they teach, that with Christs merits must be ioyned our workes of grace in the matter of iustification, and with Christs satisfaction for the wrath of God, our satisfaction for the temporall punishment; and when they adde to Christs intercession the intercession and patronage of Saints, especially of the Virgin Marie, whome they call the Queene of heauen,2