A09339:2062
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 second point is, what is the very thing given? Answ. Whole Christ God and man is given, because his humanity without his godhead, or the godhead without the humanity doth not reconcile us to God. Yet in this giving there must be a divers consideration had of the two natures of Christ• for the communication of the godhead is merely energetical, that is, only in respect of operation; in that it doth make the manhood personally united unto it to be propitiatory for our sins and meritorious of life eternal. And to avouch any communication of the godhead in respect of essence, were to bring in the heresy of the Manichees, and to maintain a composition and a commixtion of our natures with the nature of God. Again, in the manhood of Christ we must distinguish between the subject it self, the substance of body and soul, and the blessings in the subject which tend to our salvation. And the communication of the aforesaid manhood is in respect of both, without separation: for no man can receive saving virtue from Christ, unless first of all he receive Christ himself, as no man can have the treasure hid in the field, unless first of all he have the field: and no man can be nourished by meat and drink unless first of all he receive the substance of both.1 And this is the cause why not only in the preaching of the word but also in the institution of the Lords supper, express mention is made, not only of Christs merit, but also of his very body and blood, whereby the whole humanity is signified, as appears by that place where it is said,2 that the Word was made flesh. And though the flesh of it self profit nothing as S. John saith, yet as it is joined to the godhead of the son and doth subsist in his person, it receiveth thence quickening virtue, to revive and renew all those to whom it shall be given. Lastly, among the blessings that are stored up in the manhood of Christ for our salvation, some are given unto us by imputation, as when we are justified by the righteousness indeed inherent in his manhood, but imputed unto us: some by infusion, as when holiness is wrought in our hearts by the spirit, as a fruit of that holiness which is ⟨p. 483⟩in the manhood of Christ, and derived from it, as the light of one candle from another.