A09339:1553
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.
It may be objected against this which hath bin said, that if Christ be in this manner conceived by the holy Ghost, then the holy Ghost shall be father to Christ, and Christ his son. Answ. The reason is not good. For he that is a father is not a bare efficient cause, but one which in the effecting of any thing confers the matter unto it from himself, whereof it shall be made. Now the holy Ghost did not minister any matter unto Christ from his own substance, but did only as it were, take the mass and lump of mans nature from the body of the virgin Mary, and without ordinary generation made it the body ⟨p. 285⟩of Christ: as Basil saith,1 Christ was conceived not of the substance, but of the power, not by any generation, but by the appointment and benediction of the holy Ghost.
It may be obiected against this which hath bin said, that if Christ be in this manner conceiued by the holy Ghost, then the holy Ghost shall be father to Christ, and Christ his sonne. Answ. The reason is not good. For he that is a father is not a bare efficient cause, but one which in the effecting of any thing conferres the matter vnto it from himselfe, whereof it shall be made. Now the holy Ghost did not minister any matter vnto Christ from his own substance, but did onely as it were, take the masse and lumpe of mans nature from the bodie of the virgin Marie, and without ordinarie generation made it the bodie ⟨p. 285⟩of Christ: as Basil saith,1 Christ was conceiued not of the substance, but of the power, not by any generation, but by the appointment and benediction of the holy Ghost.
- 1Serm. de S. nati••t.