A09339:2151
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.
Touching this Communion, three points must be considered. The first is, in what order men shall have fellowship with God? Ans. This communion shall be first of all with Christ as he is man; and by reason that the manhood of Christ is personally united to the godhead of the son, it shall also be with Christ as he is God; and consequently with the father and the holy Ghost. The reason of this order is, because Christ, though he be the author and the fountain of eternal life as he is God, yet he conveys the same unto us only in and by his flesh or manhood. Yet must we not here think that life proceedeth from the manhood it self, as from a cause efficient: for the flesh quickeneth not by any virtue from it self, but by the Word to which it is personally united; it being as it were a pipe eternally to convey life from the godhead unto us.
Touching this Communion, three points must be considered. The first is, in what order men shall haue fellowship with God? Ans. This communion shall be first of all with Christ as he is man; and by reason that the manhoode of Christ is personally vnited to the godhead of the sonne, it shall also be with Christ as he is God; and consequently with the father and the holy Ghost. The reason of this order is, because Christ, though he be the author and the fountaine of eternall life as he is God, yet he conueies the same vnto vs onely in and by his flesh or manhood. Yet must we not here thinke that life proceedeth frō the māhood it selfe, as from a cause efficient: for the flesh quickeneth not by any vertue frō it selfe, but by the Word to which it is personally vnited; it beeing as it were a pipe eternally to conuey life from the godhead vnto vs.
The second point is, in what thing this communion consisteth? Ans. Saint Paul openeth this point to the very full, when he saith, that after Christ hath subdued all things unto him,1 then God shall be all in all, that is, God himself immediately shall be all good things that heart can wish to all the elect. But some men may say, What? is not God all in all unto us even in this life? for whatsoever good things we have, they are all from him. Ans. It is true indeed God is all in all even in this life: but how? not immediately but by outward means; and that also in small measure. For he conveys his goodness and mercy