A09339:1788
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.
Now to come to the manner of Christs resurrection, five things are to be considered in it. The first, that Christ rose again not as every private man doth, but as a public person representing all men that are to come to life eternal. For as in his passion, so also in his resurrection, he stood in our room and place:1 and therefore when he rose from death, we all, yea the whole Church rose in him, and together with him. And this point not considered, we do not conceive aright of Christs resurrection, neither can we reap sound comfort by it.
Nowe to come to the manner of Christs resurrection, fiue things are to be considered in it. The first, that Christ rose againe not as euery priuate man doth, but as a publike person representing all men that are to come to life eternall. For as in his passion, so also in his resurrection, he stood in our roome and place:1 and therfore when he rose from death, we al, yea the whole Church rose in him, and togither with him. And this point not considered, we doe not conceiue aright of Christs resurrection, neither can we reape sound comfort by it.
- 1•ph. 2.6.
The second is that Christ himself and no other for him, did by his own power raise himself to life. This was the thing which he meant, when he said, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will build it up again: 1& more plainly, I have (saith he) power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again. From whence we learn divers instructions. First, whereas Christ raiseth himself from death to life, it serveth to prove that he was not only man, but also true God. For the body being dead, could not bring again the soul and join it self unto the same, and make it self alive again; neither yet the soul that is departed from the body, can return again and quicken the body: and therefore there was some other nature in Christ, namely his godhead, which did reunite soul and body together, and thereby quicken the manhood. Secondly, if Christ give life to himself being dead in the grave then much more now being alive and in heaven glorified, is he able to raise up his members from death to life. We are all by nature even stark dead in sin, as the dead body rotten in the grave: and therefore our duty is, to come to Christ our Lord by humble prayer, earnestly entreating him