A09339:1518
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.
II. It may be objected thus, God hath no beginning from any other; Christ hath beginning from the father: therefore he is not God. Answ. Christ must be considered both in regard of his godhead and in regard of his person: in regard of his godhead he came not of any but is of himself, as well as the father is: yet in regard of his person he is from the father, who is a beginning to the rest of the persons,1 both in respect of order (for the Scripture saith not; the holy Ghost, the Son, the Father: but the Father, the Son, the holy Ghost) as also in respect of the communication of the Godhead. And whereas it is said that God is of himself, if the name of God, be taken for the Godhead it self absolutely considered, it is true: but if it be taken for any particular person in the godhead, it is false. III. Ob. None is greater then God: but the father is greater then Christ, for so he saith,2 the father is greater then I. Ans. Christ there speaks of himself as he was a man abased in the form of a servant: in which respect he is less then the father, who never was incarnate and abased in our nature. And though Christ in respect of his nature assumed be inferior to the father, yet doth it not hinder but that he may be equal to him, as he is the second person in trinity, or as he is God by one and the same Godhead with the father. IV. Object. He that is made of God, this or that, is not God: but Christ is made God, as Paul saith,3 Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, &c. Answ. Christ is said to be made, not because there was any beginning of his godhead, or any change or alteration in his person: but because in the eternal counsel of the father, he was set apart before all times to execute the office of a Mediator, and was withal in time called, and as it were consecrated and ordained thereunto in his baptism: he is made therefore in respect of his office, but not in respect of his person, or nature. V. Object. God hath no head, Christ hath an head, as Paul saith,4 God is Christs head. Answ. God, that is, the father, is head of Christ, not as he is God simply, but as he is God incarnate, or made manifest in the flesh, and in respect of the office to which he willingly abased himself. VI. Object. He which gives up his kingdom is not God, Christ gives up his kingdom.