A09339:1514
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 manner of this generation is this. The son is begotten of the substance of the father not by any flux, as when water is derived from the head of the spring to the channel: nor by decision, as when a thing is cut in pieces: nor by propagation, as when a graft is transplanted into a new stock: but by an unspeakable ⟨p. 271⟩communication of the whole essence or Godhead from the father to the son; in receiving whereof the son doth no more diminish the majesty or godhead of the father, then the light of one candle doth the light of the other from which it is taken. Whereupon the Council of Nicene hath said well, that the son is of the father as light of light not proceeding but begotten.
The manner of this generation is this. The sonne is begotten of the substance of the father not by any fluxe, as when water is deriued from the head of the spring to the chanell: nor by decision, as when a thing is cut in pieces: nor by propagation, as when a grift is transplanted into a new stocke: but by an vnspeakable ⟨p. 271⟩communication of the whole essence or Godhead from the father to the sonne; in receiuing whereof the sonne doth no more diminish the maiestie or godhead of the father, then the light of one candle doth the light of the other from which it is taken. Whereupon the Councill of Nicene hath saide well, that the sonne is of the father as light of light not proceeding but begotten.
The time of this generation hath neither beginning, middle, or end: and therefore it is eternal before all worlds: and it is a thing to be wondered at, that the father begetting and the son begotten are coeternal, and therefore equal in time.1 Wisdom in the Proverbs (which with one consent of all Divines is said to be Christ) affirmeth that she was before the world was created, that is, from eternity: for before the world was made there was nothing but eternity. But it may be alleged to the contrary, that the saying of the father, This day have I begotten thee,