A09339:3986
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.
In the first, it did bind the conscience of the Jews, and the obedience of it was the true worship of God. But it did not then bind the consciences of the Gentiles: for it was the partition wall between them and the Jews. And it did continue to bind the Jews till the very death and ascension of Christ. For them the hand writing of ordinances which was against us was nailed on the cross and cancelled. And when Christ saith that the law and the Prophet endured till John, Luk. 16.16. his meaning is not, that the ceremonial law ended then: but that things foretold by the Prophets, & obscurely prefigured by the ceremonial law, began then more plainly to be preached and made manifest.
In the first, it did binde the conscience of the Iewes, and the obedience of it was the true worship of God. But it did not then bind the consciences of the Gentiles: for it was the partition wall between them and the Iewes. And it did continue to bind the Iewes till the very death and ascension of Christ. For thē the hand writing of ordinances which was against vs was nailed on the crosse and cancelled. And when Christ saith that the lawe and the Prophett indured til Iohn, Luk. 16.16. his meaning is not, that the ceremoniall law ended then: but that things foretold by the Prophets, & obscurely prefigured by the ceremoniall law, began then more plainely to be preached and made manifest.
The second time was from the ascension of Christ, till about the time of the destruction of the Temple and the City; in which, ceremonies ceased to bind conscience and remained indifferent. Hereupon Paul circumcised Timothy: the Apostles after Christs ascension, as occasion was offered were present in the Temple, Act. 3.1. And the Council of Jerusalem tendering the weakness of some believers, decreed that the Church for a time should abstain from strangled and blood. And there was good reason of this, because the ⟨p. 839⟩