A09339:1971
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.
Question is made what the words are which are to be supplied in this article, the holy Catholic Church, whether, I believe, or, I believe in: and ancient expositors have sufficiently determined the matter. One bsaith, In these words, in which is set forth our faith of the godhead, it is said, In God the father, in the Son, and in the holy Ghost; but in the rest where the speech is not of the Godhead, but of creatures and mysteries, the preposition In is not added that it should be, in the holy Church, but, that we should believe there is an holy Church not as God, but as a company gathered to God. And men should believe that there is remission of sins, not, in the remission of sins: and they should believe the resurrection of the body not, in the resurrection of the body: therefore by this preposition the Creator is distinguished from the creatures, and things pertaining to God from things pertaining to men. Another upon these words, This is the work of God that ye believe in him; saith,2 If ye believe in him, ye believe him; not if ye believe him, ye believe in him, for the devils believed God, but did not believe in him. Again of the Apostles, we may say, we believe Paul, but we do not believe in Paul: we believe Peter, but we believe not in Peter. For his faith that believeth in him which justifieth the ungodly, is imputed to him for righteousness. What is it therefore to believe in him? by believing to love and like, and as it were to pass into him, and to be incorporated into his members. Now the reasons which some Papists bring to the contrary to prove that we may believe in the creatures, & in the church, are of no moment. First they allege the phrase of Scripture, Exod. 14.31. ⟨p. 451⟩They believed in God, and in Moses. 1. Sam. 27. 12. And Achis believed in David. 2. Chron. 20.20. Believe in the Prophets and prosper. Ans. 3