A09339:2107
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.
This communion hath two parts, fellowship of the members with the head, and of the members with themselves. The communion of the members with their head is not outward, but altogether spiritual in the conscience: and ⟨p. 500⟩for the opening of it, we must consider what the Church receiveth of Christ, and what he receives of it. The Church receives of Christ four most worthy benefits. The first, that Christ our Mediator, God and man, hath truly given himself unto us, and is become our lot and portion, and withal God the father, and the holy spirit, in him, as David saith,1 Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup: thou shalt maintain my lot: the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places: yea I have a fair heritage. And,2 My flesh faileth: and my heart also: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. The second is, the Right of adoption, whereby all the faithful whether in heaven or earth are actually made the children of God. The benefit is wonderful, howsoever carnal men esteem not of it. If a man should either by election or birth, or any way else be made the son and heir of an earthly prince, he would think himself highly advanced: how highly then are they extolled which are made the sons of God himself? The third benefit is a title and right to the righteousness of Christ in his sufferings, and his fulfilling of the law. The excellency of it is unspeakable, because it serves to award the greatest temptations of the devil. When the devil replieth thus, thou art a transgressor of the law of God, therefore thou shalt be damned: by means of that communion which we have with Christ we answer again: that Christ suffered the curse of the law to free us from due and deserved damnation: and when he further replies, that seeing we never fulfilled the law, we can not therefore enter into heaven: we answer again, that Christs obedience is a fulfilling of the law for us, and his whole righteousness is ours to make us stand righteous before God. The fourth benefit is a right to the kingdom of heaven, as Christ comforting his disciples saith, Fear not little flock, it is your fathers pleasure to give you a kingdom: and hence it is sundry times called a