A Golden Chain

Thus much of the efficient cause of the Church, namely Gods predestination: ⟨p. 482⟩which doctrine could not here be omitted considering no man can believe himself to be a member of the Church, unless withal he believe that he is predestinate to life everlasting. Now we come to the second point, namely the Mystical union, which is the very form of the Church, whereby all that believe are made one with Christ. ¹To the causing of this union two things are required, a Donation or giving of Christ unto that man, which is to be made one with him: and a Conjunction between them both. Of the first, the Prophet Isaiah saith,² Unto us a child is borne, and unto us a son is given: and Paul, Who spared not his own son, but gave him for us all: how shall he not with him give us all things also? And touching it sundry points must be considered. The first is, what is meant by this giving? Ans. It is an action or work of God the Father by the holy ghost, whereby Christ as redeemer in the appointed time is really communicated to all ordained to salvation in such manner, that they may truly say, that Christ himself withal his benefits is theirs, both in respect of right thereto, and in respect of all fruit redounding thence, and that as truly as any man may say that house and land given him of his ancestors is his own both to possess and to use.

Thus much of the efficient cause of the Church, namely Gods predestination: ⟨p. 482⟩which doctrine could not here bee omitted considering no man can beleeue himselfe to be a member of the Church, vnlesse withall hee beleeue that he is predestinate to life euerlasting. Nowe wee come to the second point, namely the Mysticall vnion, which is the very forme of the Church, whereby all that beleeue are made one with Christ. ¹To the causing of this vnion two things are required, a Donation or giuing of Christ vnto that man, which is to bee made one with him: and a Coniunction betweene them both. Of the first, the Prophet Esai saith,