A09339:2072
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.
Hitherto we have heard what the Church is, now to believe the Church is nothing else but to believe that there is a company of the predestinate made one in Christ, and that withal we are in the number of them.
Hitherto we haue heard what the Church is, nowe to beleeue the Church is nothing els but to beleeue that there is a companie of the predestinate made one in Christ, and that withall we are in the number of them.
Before we proceed any further, three rules must be observed touching the Church in general.1 The first, that Christ alone is the head of the Catholic Church, and that he neither hath nor can have any creature in heaven or earth to be his fellow herein. For the Church is his body, and none but he can perform the duty of an head unto it: which duty stands in two things: the first is, to govern the Church by such power and authority whereby he can and doeth prescribe laws properly binding the consciences of all his members; the second is, by grace to quicken and to put spiritual life into them, so as they shall be able to say, that they live not, but Christ in them. As for the Supremacy of the sea of Rome whereby the Pope will needs stand ministerial head to the Catholic Church, it is a satanical forgery. For the headship (as I may term it) of Christ is of that nature or quality, that it can admit no deputy. Whether we respect the commanding or the quickening power of Christ before named. Nay Christ needs no vicar or deputy; for he is all sufficient in himself and always present with his Church, as he himself testifieth, saying, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middest among them. And whereas all commissions cease in the presence of him that gives the commission: it is as much pride and arrogance for the Pope to take unto himself the title of the head and universal Bishop of the Church; as it is for a subject to keep himself in commission in the presence of his King.
Before wee proceede any further, three rules must be obserued touching the Church in generall.