A09339:3895
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
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 our knowledge. Now follows the second point, how Christ is to be known. He must not be known barely as God, or as man, or as a Jew borne in the tribe of Judah, or as a terrible and just judge, but as he is our Redeemer and the very price of our redemption: and in this respect he must be considered as the common Treasury and storehouse of Gods Church, as Paul testifieth when he saith,1 In him are all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom hid: and again,2 Blessed be God, which hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. And S. John saith, that of his fullness we receive grace for grace. Here then let us mark that all the blessings of God, whether spiritual or temporal, all I say without exception are conveyed unto us from the Father by Christ: and so they must be received of us and no otherwise. That this point may be further cleared, the benefits which we receive from Christ are to be handled, and the manner of knowing of them. The benefits of Christ are three, his Merit, his Virtue, his Example.
Thus much of our knowledge. Now follows the second point, how Christ is to be knowne. He must not be knowne barely as God, or as man, or as a Iew borne in the tribe of Iudah, or as a terrible and iust iudge, but as he is our Redeemer and the very price of our redemption: and in this respect he must be considered as the common Treasurie and storehouse of Gods Church, as Paul testifieth when he saith,1 In him are all the treasures of knowledge and wisdome hid: and againe,2 Blessed be God, which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in Christ. And S. Iohn saith, that of his fulnesse we receiue grace for grace. Here then let vs marke that all the blessings of God, whether spirituall or temporall, all I say without exception are conuaied vnto vs from the Father by Christ: and so they must be receiued of vs and no otherwise. That this point may be further cleared, the benefits which we receiue from Christ are to be handled, and the manner of knowing of them. The benefits of Christ are three, his Merit, his Vertue, his Example.