A09339:1597
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.
Now followeth the second point concerning the passion of Christ, which is, under whom he suffered, namely under Pontius Pilate. And Christ may be said to suffer under him in two respects. First, because he was then the president of Jury. For a little before the birth of Christ the kingdom of the Jews was taken away by the Roman Emperor,1 and reduced into a Province, and Pontius Pilate was placed over the Jews, not as king, but as the Roman Emperors deputy. And this circumstance is noted in the history of the Gospel, and here specified in the Creed, to show that the Messiah was exhibited in the time foretold by the Prophets.2 Jacob foretold that Shiloh must be borne after the sceptre is removed from Judah. Isaiah saith,3 that the family of Ishai shall be worn as it were to the root before Christ as a branch shall spring out of it. Again, Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate as he was a judge: whereby we are given to understand of a wonder, namely that Christ the son of God, King of heaven and earth, was arraigned at the bar of an earthly judge, and there condemned. For thus much the words in meaning import, that Pontius Pilate sate as judge upon Christ, to examine him, to arraign him, and give sentence against him. Wherefore before we come to speak of the degrees of the passion of Christ, we must needs entreat of his arraignment upon earth. In handling whereof we must generally consider these points. First that when he was arraigned before Pilate he was not as a private man,4 but as a pledge and surety that stood in the place and stead of us miserable ⟨p. 300⟩sinners, as the Prophet Isaiah saith,5 He bare our infirmities, and carried our sorrows: and withal in him was mankind arraigned before God. Secondly, this arraignment was made not privately in a corner, but openly in the public court, and that in a great feast of the Jews, as it were in the hearing of the whole world. Thirdly, though Pilate in citing, examining, and condemning Christ, intended not to work any part of mans redemption, yet was this wholly set down in the counsel and good pleasure of God, in whose room Pilate sate,