A09339:4559
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.
Reason II. To pray unto Saints departed, to bow the knee unto them while they are in heaven, is to ascribe that unto them which is proper to God himself: namely, to know the heart, with the inward desires and motions thereof: and to know the speeches and behaviours of all men in all places upon earth at all times. The Papists answer, that Saints in heaven see and hear all things upon earth, not by themselves (for that were to make them Gods) but in God, and in the glass of the Trinity, in which they see mens prayers revealed unto them. I answer first, that the Saints are still made more than creatures; because they are said, to know the thoughts and all the doings of all men at all times, which no created power can well comprehend at once. Secondly I answer, that this glass, in which all things are said to be seen, is but a forgery of mans brain: and I prove it thus. The angels themselves, who see further into God then men can do, never knew all things in God: which I confirm on this manner. In the temple under the law, upon the ark were placed two Cherubins, signifying the good angels of god: & they looked downward upon the mercy seat covering the ark, which was a figure of Christ; & their looking downward figured their desire to see into the mystery of Christs incarnation and our redemption by him; as Peter alluding, no doubt, to this type in the old Testament saith, 1 Pet. 1.12. which things the angels desired to behold: and Paul saith, Eph. 3.10. The manifold wisdom of God is revealed by the Church unto principalities and powers in heavenly places, that is, to the angels: but how and by what means? by the Church; and that two ways, first by the Church, as by an example, in which the angels saw the endless wisdom and mercy of God in the calling of the Gentiles. Secondly by the Church, as it was founded and honoured by the preaching of the Apostles. For it seems that the Apostolical ministry in the new testament revealed things touching Christ, which the angels never knew, before that time. Thus Chrysostom upon occasion of this text of Paul saith,1 that the angels learned some things by the preaching of John Baptist. Again, Christ saith, that they know not the hour of the last judgement, Math. 24. 23. much less do the Saints know all things in God.