A09339:1565
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 use of the personal union is threefold. First it serves to show the heinousness of our sins, and the greatness of our misery. For it had not been possible to make a satisfaction to Gods justice in mans nature for the least offence, unless the same nature had first of all been nearly joined to the godhead of the son; that thereby it might be so far forth supported and sustained that it might overcome the wrath of God. Secondly it sets forth unto us the endless love of God to man. For whereas by reason of Adams fall we were become the vilest of all creatures, except the devil and his angels: by his mystical conjunction, our nature is exalted to such an estate and condition as is far above all creatures even the angels themselves. Thirdly it is as it were the key of all our comfort: for all sound comfort stands in happiness, all happiness is in fellowship with God, all fellowship with God is by Christ, who for this cause being very God, became very man, that he might reconcile man to God, and God to man.
The vse of the personall vnion is threefold. First it serues to shew the hainousnesse of our sinnes, and the greatnesse of our miserie. For it had not bene possible to make a satisfaction to Gods iustice in mans nature for the least offence, vnlesse the same nature had first of all beene neerely ioyned to the godhead of the sonne; that thereby it might be so farre forth supported and sustained that it might ouercome the wrath of God. Secondly it sets forth vnto vs the endlesse loue of God to man. For whereas by reason of Adams fall we were become the vilest of all creatures, except the deuill and his angels: by his mysticall coniunction, our nature is exalted to such an estate and condition as is farre aboue all creatures euen the angels themselues. Thirdly it is as it were the keye of all our comfort: for all sound comfort stands in happines, all happines is in fellowship with God, all fellowship with God is by Christ, who for this cause beeing very God, became very man, that he might reconcile man to God, and God to man.
Thus much of the conception of Christ: now follows his birth: whereby in the ordinary time of travel according to the course of nature he was brought forth into the world by the virgin Mary.