A09339:2076
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 Catholic church hath two parts: the church Triumphant in heaven, and the church Militant on earth.
The Catholike church hath two parts: the church Triumphant in heauen, and the church Militant on earth.
The Triumphant church may thus be described: It is a company of the spirits of just men, triumphing over the flesh, the devil, and the world, praising God. 1First I say it is a company of the spirits of men as the holy Ghost expressly termeth it, because the souls only of the godly departed, as of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, &c. are as yet ascended into heaven, and not their bodies. Furthermore the properties of this company are two. The first is, to make triumph over their spiritual enemies the flesh, the devil, the world: for the righteous man so long as he lives in this world is in continual combat without truce with all the enemies of his salvation: and by constant faith obtaining victory in the end of his life, he is translated in glorious and triumphant manner into the kingdom of glory. This was signified to John in a vision in which he saw an innumerable company of all sorts of nations, kindreds, people, and tongues stand before the Lamb clothed in long white robes with palms in their hands, 2in token that they had been warriors, but now by Christ have gotten the victory and are made conquerors. Their second property is to praise and magnify the name of God, as it followeth in the former place, saying Amen: praise and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, honour, power, and might be unto our God for evermore. Hence it may be demanded whether Angels be of this Triumphant church or no? Ans. The blessed Angels be in heaven in the presence of God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, but they are not of the mystical body of Christ, because they are not under him as he is their redeemer, considering they can not be redeemed, which never fell: and it can not be proved that they now stand by the virtue of Christs redemption: but they are under him as he is their Lord and King, and by the power of Christ as he is God, and their God, are they confirmed. And therefore as I take it, we can not say, that Angels are members of the mystical body of Christ or of the triumphant church; though indeed, they be of the company of the blessed.