A09339:1938
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.
The fourth and last point is, that the holy Ghost is equal to the father and the son. And this we are taught to acknowledge in the Creed, in that we do as well believe in the Holy Ghost, as in the father and the son. And though the holy Ghost be sent of the father and the son, yet (as I have said before) that argues no inequality (for one equal may send another by consent) but order only, whereby the Holy Ghost is last of all the three persons. Again in that the holy Ghost receiveth from the son, it proves no inferiority. Because he receives from the son whatsoever he receives by nature, and not by grace. And he receives not a part, but all that the son hath, saving the propriety of his person.
The fourth and last point is, that the holy Ghost is equall to the father and the sonne. And this we are taught to acknowledge in the Creede, in that wee doe as well beleeue in the Holy Ghost, as in the father and the sonne. And though the holy Ghost be sent of the father and the sonne, yet (as I haue said before) that argues no inequalitie (for one equall may send another by consent) but order onely, whereby the Holy Ghost is last of all the three persons. Againe in that the holy Ghost receiueth from the sonne, it prooues no inferiority. Because he receiues frō the sonne whatsoeuer he receiues by nature, and not by grace. And he receiues not a part, but all that the sonne hath, sauing the proprietie of his person.
Now follow the benefits which are given by the holy Ghost, and they are of two sorts: some are common to all creatures, & some are proper to men. The benefit of the Holy Ghost common to all creatures, is the work of creation and preservation. For all things were created and made, and afterward preserved by the holy Ghost. So Elihu saith,1 The spirit of God hath made me. And Moses saith,2 In the beginning the spirit moved upon the waters. The phrase is borrowed from a bird, who in hatching of her young ones, sits upon the eggs, moves her self upon them, and heats them. And so likewise the holy Ghost in the beginning did by his own power cherish and preserve the mass or lump whereof all things were made, and caused it to bring forth the creatures. This being evident, that the Holy Ghost hath a stroke in the work of creation and preservation, we must unfeignedly acknowledge that we were first created, and since that time continually preserved by the benefit even of the third person.