A09339:1604
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.
In this prayer sundry points worthy our marking are to be considered. The first, who prayed? Answ. Christ the Son of God: but still we must remember the distinction of natures & of their operations in one and the same Christ; he prayeth not in his Godhead, but according to his manhood. The second is, for whom he prayeth. Ans. Some have thought that this and all other his prayers were made for his mystical body the Church; but the truth is, he now prays for himself, yet not as he was God, for the Godhead feels no want: but as he was a man abased in the form of a servant; and that for two causes. First, in that he was a man, he was a creature, and in that respect was to perform homage to God the creator. Secondly, as he was man, he put on the infirmities of our nature, and thereupon prayed that he might have strength and power in his manhood to support him in bearing the whole brunt of the passion to come.
In this prayer sundrie points worthie our marking are to be considered. The first, who praied? Answ. Christ the Sonne of God: but still we must remember the distinction of natures & of their operations in one and the same Christ; he praieth not in his Godhead, but according to his manhood. The second is, for whome he praieth. Ans. Some haue thought that this and all other his prayers were made for his mysticall bodie the Church; but the truth is, he now praies for himselfe, yet not as he was God, for the Godhead feeles no want: but as he was a man abased in the forme of a seruant; and that for two causes. First, in that he was a man, he was a creature, and in that respect was to performe homage to God the creator. Secondly, as he was man, he put on the infirmities of our nature, and thereupon praied that he might haue strength and power in his manhoode to support him in bearing the whole brunt of the passion to come.
The third point is, to whom he prayed? Answ. To the father: neither must this trouble us, as though Christ in praying to the father, should pray to himself, because he is one and the same God with him. For though in essence they admit no distinction, yet in person or in the proper manner of subsisting they do. The Father is one person, the Son an other: