A09339:1774
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.
Therefore that we may come to speak of the meaning of it, we must know that it hath four usual expositions, which we will rehearse in order, and then make choice of that which shall be thought to be the fittest. The first is, that Christs soul after his passion upon the cross, did really and locally descend into the place of the damned. But this seems not to be true. The reasons are these. I. all the Evangelists, and among the rest S. Luke,1 intending to make an c.exact narration of the life and death of Christ, have set down at large his passion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, and withal they make rehearsal of small circumstances, therefore no doubt they would not have omitted Christ local descent into the place of the damned, if there had been ⟨p. 373⟩any such thing. And the end why they penned this history was, that we might believe that Jesus is Christ the son of God;3 and believing, we might have life everlasting. Now there could not have been a greater matter for the confirmation of our faith then this, that Jesus the son of Mary who went down to the place of the damned, returned thence to live in happiness for ever. II. If Christ did go into the place of the damned, then either in soul or in body, or in his godhead. But his Godhead could not descend, because it is every where, and his body was in the grave. And as for his soul it went not to hell, but presently after his death it went to paradise, that is, the third heaven, a place of joy and happiness, Luk. 23.43. This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: which words of Christ must be understood of his manhood or soul, and not of his Godhead. For they are an answer to a demand: and therefore unto it, they must be suitable. Now the thief seeing that Christ was first of all crucified, and therefore in all likelihood should first of all die, makes his request to this effect: Lord, thou shalt shortly enter into thy kingdom, remember me then; to which Christs answer (as the very words import) is thus much. I shall enter into paradise this day, and there shalt thou be with me. Now there is no entrance, but in regard of his soul or manhood. For the Godhead which is at all times in all places, cannot be said properly to enter into a place.