A09339:1730
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 third thing to be spoken of is, the altar whereon Christ offered himself. The altar was not the cross, but rather the godhead of Christ. He was both the priest, the sacrifice, and the altar: the sacrifice, as he is man; the priest, as he is both God and man; the altar, as he is God. The property of an altar, is to sanctify the sacrifice: as Christ saith,1 ye fools and blind, whether is greater the offering, or the altar that sanctifieth the offering? Now Christ as he is God, sanctifieth himself as he was man:2 and therefore (saith he) for their sakes sanctify I my self, by doing two things: I. by setting apart the manhood to be a sacrifice unto his father for our sins. II. by giving to this sacrifice merit or efficacy to deserve at Gods hands remission of our sins: the manhood of Christ without the Godhead hath no virtue nor efficacy in it self to be a meritorious sacrifice: and therefore the dignity and excellency which it hath is derived thence. As for the chalky and stony altars of the Church of Rome; they are nothing else but the toys of mans brain. Christ himself is the only real altar of the new testament. And in stead of altars which were under the law, we have now the Lords table whereon we celebrate the Sacrament of his ⟨p. 354⟩body and blood, to show forth his death till he come.
The third thing to be spoken of is, the altar whereon Christ offered himselfe. The altar was not the crosse, but rather the godhead of Christ. He was both the priest, the sacrifice, and the altar: the sacrifice, as he is man; the priest, as he is both God and man; the altar, as he is God. The propertie of an altar, is to sanctifie the sacrifice: as Christ saith,1 ye fooles and blind, whether is greater the offering, or the altar that sanctifieth the offering? Now Christ as he is God, sanctifieth himselfe as he was man:2 and therefore (saith he) for their sakes sanctifie I my selfe, by doing two things: I. by setting apart the manhood to be a sacrifice vnto his father for our sinnes. II. by giuing to this sacrifice merit or efficacie to deserue at Gods hands remission of our sinnes: the manhood of Christ without the Godhead hath no vertue nor efficacie in it selfe to be a meritorious sacrifice: and therefore the dignitie and excellencie which it hath is deriued thence. As for the chalkie and stonie altars of the Church of Rome; they are nothing els but the toyes of mans braine. Christ himselfe is the onely reall altar of the new testament. And in stead of altars which were vnder the law, we haue now the Lords table wheron we celebrate the Sacrament of his