A09339:1993
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 point is, the actual or real foundation of Gods election, and that is Christ: and therefore we are said to be chosen to salvation in Christ. 1He must be considered two ways: as he is God, we are predestinate of him, even as we are predestinate of the father and the holy Ghost. As he is our Mediator we are predestinate in him. For when God with himself had decreed to manifest his glory in saving some men by his mercy, he ordained further the creation of man in his own image, yet so as by his own fall he should infold himself and all his posterity under damnation: this done, he also decreed that the Word should be incarnate actually, to redeem those out of the former misery, whom he had ordained to salvation. Christ therefore himself was first of all predestinate as he was to be our head, and as Peter saith,2 ordained before all worlds; and we secondly predestinate in him, because God ordained that the execution of mans Election should be in him. Here if any demand, how we may be assured that Christ in his passion stood in our room and stead, the resolution will be easy, if we consider that he was ordained in the eternal counsel of God, to be our surety and pledge, and to be a public person to represent all the elect in his obedience and sufferings: and therefore it is, that Peter saith,3 that he was delivered by the foreknowledge and determinate counsel of God. And Paul, that grace was given unto us through Christ Jesus before the world was.
The fourth point is, the actuall or reall foundation of Gods election, and that is Christ: and therefore we are said to be chosen to saluation in Christ. 1He must be considered two waies: as he is God, we are predestinate of him, euen as we are predestinate of the father and the holy Ghost. As he is our Mediatour we are predestinate in him. For when God with himselfe had decreed to manifest his glorie in sauing some men by his mercie, hee ordained further the creation of man in his owne image, yet so as by his owne fall hee should infold himselfe and all his posteritie vnder damnation: this done, he also decreed that the Word should bee incarnate actually, to redeeme those out of the former miserie, whome he had ordained to saluation. Christ therefore himselfe was first of all predestinate as he was to bee our head, and as Peter saith,