A09339:1725
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 fourth point is, whether there be any more real priests of the new Testament beside Christ or no? Ans. In the old testament there were many priests one following another in continual succession, but of the new Testament there is one only real priest, Christ Jesus God and man, and no more: as the author of the Hebrews saith,1 because he endureth for ever, he hath an everlasting priesthood: and the word translated [everlasting] signifieth such a priesthood, which can not pass from him to any other, as the priesthood of Aaron did. And therefore the priesthood of Christ is so tied to his own person, that none can have the same but he; neither man nor angel, nor any other creature, no not the Father nor the holy Ghost. But the factors of the church of Rome will say, that Christ may have men to be his deputies in his stead to offer sacrifice. Ans. We must consider Christ two ways: I. as he is God: II. as he is Mediator. As he is God with the father and with the holy Ghost, he hath Kings and Magistrates to be his deputies on earth: and therefore they are called Elohim, 2that is, gods. But as he is Mediator, and so consequently a priest and a King, he hath neither deputy nor vicegerent; neither king to rule in his stead over his Church, nor priest to offer sacrifice for him: nay he hath no Prophet to be his deputy, as he is the doctor of the Church. And therefore he saith to his disciples; be not called doctors,3 for one is your doctor. Indeed he hath his ministers to teach men his will: but a deputy to offer sacrifice in his stead he hath not. And therefore we may with good conscience abhor the massing priesthood of the church of Rome, as a thing fetched from the bottom of hell: and their massing priests as instruments of Satan; holding this for a ⟨p. 352⟩very truth, that we have but one only priest even Christ himself God and man. Indeed all Christians are priests to offer up spiritual sacrifice: but it is the property of Christ alone to offer an outward and real sacrifice unto God now in the new Testament.
The fourth point is, whether there be any more reall priests of the newe Testament beside Christ or no? Ans. In the old testament there were many priests one following another in continuall succession, but of the new Testament there is one onely reall priest, Christ Jesus God and man, and no more: as the author of the Hebrewes saith,