A09339:4609
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. All the Apostles in regard of power & authority were equal: for the commission apostolical both for right and execution was given equally to them all, as the very words import. Math. 28.19. Go teach all nations baptizing them, &c. and the promise, I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, is not private to Peter, but is made in his person to the rest, according as his confession was in the name of the rest. Thus saith Theophylact,1 They have the power of committing and binding that receive the gift of a bishop as Peter. And Ambr. saith, What is said to Peter, is said to the Apostles. 2Therefore Peter had no supremacy over the rest of the Apostles in respect of right to the commission: which they say belonged to him only, and the execution thereof to the rest. But let all be granted, that Peter was in commission above the rest, for the time of his life: yet hence may not any superiority be gathered for the Bishops of Rome: because the authority of the Apostles were personal, and consequently ceased with them: without being conveyed to any other: because the Lord did not vouchsafe the like honour to any after them. For first of all, it was the privilege of the Apostles to be called immediately, and to see the Lord Jesus. Secondly, they had power to give the gift of the holy Ghost by the imposition of hands. Thirdly, they had such a measure of the assistance of the spirit, that in their public sermons & in writing of the word, they could not err: and these writings were all denied to those that followed ⟨p. 999⟩after them. And that their authority ceased in their persons, it stands with reason also, because it was given in so a•ple a manner for the founding of the church of the new testament: which being once founded, it was needful only, that there should be pastors & teachers for the building of it up unto the end of the world.
Reason II. All the Apostles in regard of power & authoritie were equall: for the commission apostolicall both for right and exequution was giuen equally to them all, as the very words import.