A09339:1868
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.
Thirdly Christs intercession serveth to make our good works acceptable to God. For even in the best works that a man can do, there are two wants. First they are good only in part: secondly they are mingled with sin. For as a man is partly spirit or grace and partly flesh: so are his works partly gracious and partly fleshly. And because grace is only begun in this life, therefore all the works of grace in this life are sinful and imperfect. Now by Christs intercession ⟨p. 412⟩his satisfaction is applied to our persons, and by consequent the defect of our works is covered and removed, and they are approved of God the father.1 In a vision Saint John saw an angel, standing before the altar with a golden censer full of sweet odours to offer up with the prayers of the Saints upon the same. And this signifies, that Christ presents our works before the throne of God, and by his intercession sanctifies them, that they may be acceptable to God. And therefore we must remember that when we do any thing that is accepted of God, it is not for our sakes, but by reason of the value and vigour of Christ his merit.
Thirdly Christs intercession serueth to make our good works acceptable to God. For euen in the best workes that a man can doe, there are two wants. First they are good onely in part: secondly they are mingled with sinne. For as a man is partly spirit or grace and partly flesh: so are his works partly gratious and partly fleshly. And because grace is onely begun in this life, therefore all the workes of grace in this life are sinfull and imperfit. Now by Christs intercession ⟨p. 412⟩his satisfaction is applied to our persons, and by consequent the defect of our workes is couered and remooued, and they are approued of God the father.1 In a vision Saint Iohn saw an angel, standing before the altar with a golden censer full of sweete odours to offer vp with the praiers of the Saints vpon the same. And this signifies, that Christ presents our workes before the throne of God, and by his intercession sanctifies them, that they may be acceptable to God. And therefore we must remember that when we doe any thing that is accepted of God, it is not for our sakes, but by reason of the value and vigour of Christ his merit.