A09339:4015
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.
Argum. 4. Joh. 21. Christ saith to Peter, ([Greek or Hebrew]) feed my sheep: that is, (as the word importeth) feed and rule my sheep. Ans. This feeding and ruling stands not in making new laws, but in teaching and governing the Church of god according to the doctrine which they had received from Christ. And this action of feeding is ascribed to all Christians Revel. 3.27. Who cannot thereupon challenge a power of making laws to the conscience.
Argum. 4. Ioh. 21. Christ saith to Peter, (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) feed my sheep: that is, (as the word importeth) feed and rule my sheepe. Ans. This feeding and ruling stands not in making newe lawes, but in teaching and gouerning the Church of god according to the doctrine which they had receiued from Christ. And this action of feeding is ascribed to all Christians Reuel. 3.27. Who cannot therevpon chalenge a power of making lawes to the conscience.
Argum. 5. Joh. 20. As my father sent me, so I send you: but Christ was sent of his father not only with power of preaching and ministering the Sacraments, but also with authority of commanding and giving judgement. Answ. If this kind of reasoning may stand, all the Apostles shall be made redeemers; for they were all sent as Christ was: and he was sent not only to preach the redemption of mankind, but also to effect and work the same. If this be absurd, then it is a flat abusing of Scripture to gather from this saying of Christ, that the Apostles had power of binding conscience because he had so. It is true indeed that there is a similitude or analogy between the calling of Christ and his Apostles; but it wholly stands in these points. Christ was ordained to his office before all worlds, and so were the Apostles: Christ was called of his father immediately, and so were they of Christ: Christ was sent to the whole world, and so were they: Christ received all power in heaven and earth as being necessary for a Mediator: and they received an extraordinary authority from him with such a plentiful measure of the spirit as was necessary for the Apostolical function. Lastly Christ was sent even as he was man to be a teacher of the Jews: and therefore he is called the minister of circumcision,