A09339:1567
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 time was in the last days, toward the end of the 70. weeks of Daniel,1 which are to be accounted from the end of the captivity of Babylon, and make in all 490 years: or more plainly 3900 years and more from the beginning of the world,2 and as Paul saith in the fullness of time. And the Evangelists have noted of purpose the time to have been when Augustus Caesar taxed the Jews and all nations under his dominions;3 to signify that Christ was borne at the very time foretold by Jacob, when the crown and sceptre was taken from Judah: and withal, to show that his kingdom was not of this world. And it was the good pleasure of God that Christ should not be borne either later or sooner, but so many ages from the beginning of the world. And this consideration of the very time it self serves greatly for the confirmation of our faith. For thus may we reason with our selves: If God who in the beginning made a promise to our first parents concerning the seed of the woman, deferred it almost 4000 years, and yet at length accomplished the same to the very full: then no doubt God having promised the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting, will in his good time bring them to pass, though as yet we see them not. And thus by the accomplishment of all things past, should we confirm our hope concerning things to come.
The time was in the last daies, toward the end of the 70. weekes of Daniel,1 which are to be accounted from the ende of the captiuitie of Babylon, and make in all 490 yeares: or more plainly 3900 yeares and more from the beginning of the world,2 and as Paul saith in the fulnesse of time. And the Euangelists haue noted of purpose the time to haue beene when Augustus Caesar taxed the Iewes and all nations vnder his dominions;3 to signifie that Christ was borne at the very time foretold by Iaacob, when the crowne and scepter was taken from Iuda: and withall, to shew that his kingdome was not of this world. And it was the good pleasure of God that Christ should not be borne either later or sooner, but so many ages from the beginning of the world. And this consideration of the very time it selfe serues greatly for the confirmation of our faith. For thus may we reason with our selues: If God who in the beginning made a promise to our first parents concerning the seede of the woman, deferred it almost 4000 yeares, and yet at length accomplished the same to the very full: then no doubt God hauing promised the resurrection of the dead and life euerlasting, will in his good time bring them to passe, though as yet we see them not. And thus by the accomplishment of all things past, should we confirme our hope concerning things to come.