A09339:1934
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 the action of faith which concerns the third person, is to believe in him. Which is, I. to acknowledge the Holy Ghost as he hath revealed himself in the word. II. In special to believe that he is my sanctifier and comforter. III. To put all the confidence of my heart in him, for that cause. In these words are comprised four points of doctrine, which are to be believed concerning the holy Ghost. The first, that he is very God. For we are not to put our affiance or confidence in any but in God alone. And no doubt the penners of the Creed in that they prefixed these words, I believe in, before the article of the third person, meant thereby to signify, that he is true God, equal with the father and the son, according to the tenor of the Scriptures themselves. Peter saith to Ananias: Why hath Satan filled thine heart, that thou shouldest lie unto the Holy Ghost? 1and continuing the same speech, he changeth the term only, and saith, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Whereby hey nsinuateth that the Holy Ghost is very God. In the vision of the Prophet Isai,2 the words by him set down are thus: I heard the voice of Jehovah, saying, Whom shall I send, &c. and he said, God and say to this people: Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand. But Paul quoting the same place, spake on this manner:3 Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet, saying, Go unto this people and say unto them. Now these places being compared together make it plain, that the title of Jehovah, agreeth to the holy Ghost. But yet the enemies of this truth which think that the Holy Ghost is nothing else but the action or operation of God, object out of the Scriptures to the contrary: I. God knoweth the son:4 the holy Ghost knoweth not the son: for none knoweth the son but the father: ergo the holy Ghost is not God. Ans. That place excludeth no person in Trinity, but only creatures, and false gods, and the meaning is this: None, that is, no creature, or idol god; knoweth the son of God, but the father. And the opposition is made to exclude creatures, not to exclude the holy Ghost.5