A09339:1720
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 second thing which fell out immediately upon the death of Christ is, that the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and thence issued water and blood. The use which ariseth of this point is two-fold: first, it serves to prove that Christ died truly, and not in show, or a feigned death: for there is about the heart a film or skin like unto a purse wherein is contained clear water to cool the heat of the heart,1 and therefore when water and blood issued out after piercing of the side, it is very likely that athat very skin was pierced: for else in reason we can not conjecture whence this water should come. Saint John an eye-witness of this thing, being about to prove that Jesus the son of Mary was the true Messiah, bringeth in six witnesses: three in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: & three in earth, the Water, the Spirit, and the blood: 3where no doubt he alludeth to the water and blood that issued out ⟨p. 349⟩of the side of Christ: by spirit we may understand the efficacy and operation of Gods spirit making men to bring forth the fruits of the same, as love, peace, joy, &c. And the second witness, namely water, hath relation to the water that came forth of Christs side, which signifieth the inward washing away of sin, and the purging of the heart by Christs blood: which also is and was signified by the outward washing of the body with water in baptism. The third witness he calls blood, alluding to the blood that issued out of Christs side: whereby is signified the expiation or satisfaction made to Gods justice for mans sin. The same use had the ceremonial sprinkling in the old testament, typically signifying the sprinkling of Christs blood. Now these three witnesses are not to be sought for in heaven, but every Christian man must search for them in his own heart and conscience, and there shall he find them in some measure. And this water and blood flowing out of the side of Christ being now dead, signifieth that he is our justification and sanctification even after his death: and that out of his death springs our life: and therefore as Eve was made of a rib taken out of the side of Adam: so springs the Church out of the blood that flows out of the side of the second Adam.