A09339:2155
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 second is perfect knowledge of God. In this life the Church and all the servants of god know him but in part. Moses would have seen gods face, but he was permitted to see only his hinder parts; and as Paul saith,1 now we know in part, and darkly as through a glass. In this life we can no otherwise discern but as an old man through spectacles: & the creatures, but specially the ⟨p. 518⟩word of God and the Sacraments are the spectacles of our mind, wherein we behold his justice, mercy, love, &c. and without them we can discern little or nothing: yet after this life, when that which is perfect is come, and that which is imperfect is abolished; we shall see God as he is to be seen, not as through a glass, but face to face, and we shall know him as we are known of his majesty, so far forth as possibly a creature may. God indeed is infinite, and therefore the full knowledge of his majesty can no more be comprehended by the understanding of a creature, which is finite, then the sea by a spoon: yet nevertheless God shall be known every way of man, so far forth as a creature may know the Creator. Now upon this that the elect have such fullness of knowledge, it may be demanded, whether men shall know one another after this life or no. Ans. This question is oftener moved by such as are ignorant, then by them that have knowledge: and oftentimes it is tossed in the mouths of them that have little religion in their hearts: and therefore I answer first, men should rather have care to seek how they may come to heaven, then to dispute what they shall do when they are there: the common proverb is true, it is not good counting of chickens before they be hatched. Secondly, I say that men in heaven shall know each other: yea they shall know them which were never known or seen of them before in this life: which may be gathered by proportion, out of Gods word. Adam in his innocency knew Eve,2 whom he had never seen before, & gave her a fit name so soon as she was created. And when our Saviour Christ was transfigured in the mount,3 Peter knew Moses and Elijah, whom before he had never seen: and therefore it is like that the elect shall know each other in heaven, where their knowledge and their whole estate shall be fully perfected.