A09339:1760
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.
Thus much of Christs triumph, and the passion of his cross. Now followeth the second degree of his humiliation, in these words, And buried. Where we must consider these points: I. why it was needful that Christ should be buried. II. who was the author of his burial. III. the manner or preparation to his burial. IV. the place and time where and when he was buried. Of these in order. For the first; the causes are many, but especially four why Christ was to be buried. I. that the truth and certainty of his death might be confirmed unto us, and that no man might so much as imagine that his death was a fantastical death, or his body a fantastical body: for men use not to bury a living but a dead man, or a man in show but a true man. II. that his burial might be unto him a passage from the estate of humiliation to the estate of exaltation, which began in his resurrection: and he could not have risen again if he had not been first buried. III. that the outward humiliation in the form of a servant, which he took upon him, might be continued upon him to the lowest degree of all: and therefore it was not sufficient that ⟨p. 367⟩he should be crucified even to death, but being dead, he must be also buried. IV. Christ was buried, that he might not only vanquish death on the cross, but even after the manner of conquerors subdue him at his own home, and as it were pluck him out of his own cabin or den.
Thus much of Christs triumph, and the passion of his crosse. Now followeth the second degree of his humiliation, in these words, And buried. Where we must consider these points: I. why it was needefull that Christ should be buried. II. who was the author of his buriall. III. the manner or preparation to his buriall. IV. the place and time where and when he was buried. Of these in order. For the first; the causes are many, but especially foure why Christ was to be buried. I. that the truth and certentie of his death might be confirmed vnto vs, and that no man might so much as imagine that his death was a fantasticall death, or his bodie a fantasticall bodie: for men vse not to burie a liuing but a dead man, or a man in shew but a true man. II. that his buriall might be vnto him a passage from the estate of humiliation to the estate of exaltation, which began in his resurrection: and he could not haue risen againe if he had not beene first buried. III. that the outward humiliation in the forme of a seruant, which he tooke vpon him, might be continued vpon him to the lowest degree of all: and therefore it was not sufficient that