A09339:2149
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.
Thus much of the third prerogative or benefit: now followeth the fourth and last, in these words, And life everlasting. To handle this point to the full, a•d to open the nature of it, as it deserveth, is not in the power of man. For […] ⟨image 283⟩[…] ⟨image 283⟩⟨p. 516⟩both the prophet Isaiah and Saint Paul say,1 that the eye hath not seen, & the ear hath not heard, neither came it into mans heart to think of those things which God hath prepared for those that love him. Again Paul when he was rapt into the third heaven saith,2 that he saw things not to be uttered. Nevertheless we may in some part describe the same, so far forth as God in this case hath revealed his will unto us. Wherefore in this last prerogative, I consider two things; the first is, Life it self, the second is the Continuance of life, noted in the word everlasting. Life it self is that whereby any thing acteth, liveth, and moveth it self: and it is twofold, uncreated or created. Uncreated life is the very godhead it self, whereby God liveth absolutely in himself, from himself, and by himself, giving life and being to all things that live and have being: and this life is not meant here; because it is not communicable to any creature. Created life is a quality in the creature; and its again two-fold: natural, spiritual. Natural life is that whereby men in this world live by meat and drink, and all such means as are ministered by Gods providence. Spiritual life is that most blessed and happy estate, in which all the Elect shall reign with Christ their head in the heavens after this life, and after the day of judgement for ever and ever. And this alone is the life which in the Creed we confess and believe: and it consisteth in an immediate conjunction and communion or fellowship with God himself: as Christ in his solemn prayer to his father a little before his death, signifieth:3 I pray not for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through thy word, that they all may be one as thou, O father art in me and I in thee, even that they may be one also in us. And when S. John in the Revelation saith,