A09339:1822
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.
Secondly the resurrection of Christ serveth as a notable means to work inward sanctification, as S. Peter saith,1 We are regenerate to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And S. Paul,2 We are then (saith he) buried with him by baptism into his death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his father, so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we be grafted with him to the similitude of his death, we shall be also to the similitude of his resurrection. Which words import thus much, that as Christ by the power of his own Godhead, freed his manhood from death and from the guilt of our sins: so doth he free those that are knit unto him by the bond of one spirit, from the corruption of their natures in which they are dead, that they may live unto God. In the natural body, the head is the fountain of all the senses and of motion: and therefore by sundry nerves dispersed through the body, the power of moving and of sense is derived even to the least parts; so as the hands and the feet move by means of that power which comes from the head: and so it is in the spiritual body of Christ, namely the church: he is the head and the fountain of life, and therefore he conveyeth spiritual life to every one of his members: and that very power of his Godhead whereby he raised up himself when he was dead, he conveyeth from himself to his members, and thereby raiseth them up from the death of sin to newness ⟨p. 392⟩of life. And look as in a perfect body, when the head hath sense and motion, the hand that is of the same body hath also the sense and motion convenient for it: so likewise Christ being the resurrection and the life; as there is spiritual life in him, so every member of his shall feel in it self spiritual sense and motion, whereby it is raised up from sin and liveth unto God. For the better conceiving of this, we must consider two things: the outward means of this spiritual life, and the measure of it. For the means, if we will have common water we must go to the well: and if we would have water of life, we must go unto Christ, who saith, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
Secondly the resurrection of Christ serueth as a notable meanes to worke inward sanctification, as S. Peter saith,