A09339:708
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.
Answer. Holy parents are two ways to be considered. First, as they were the sons of the first Adam, and so are as yet partly carnal. In this estate they in like sort do beget their sons the children of wrath. For the father begetteth a son, not as he is a good man, but simply as a man; and therefore being impure, he must needs beget that which is impure. Secondly, we must consider the parents as they are the sons of God, engrafted into the second Adam. In this estate though they cannot derive faith unto their posterity, (for the sons of God are not made such by natural generation, but by the adoption of God the Father) yet may they believe both for themselves and others, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace: as Adam did sin both for himself and others: and as parents in bargains do covenant both for themselves and their heirs after them. Hence it is that Paul saith, that the parents are like unto the first fruits which do sanctify the whole lump. So then, the faith of the parents maketh those their sons to be accounted in the covenant, which by reason of their age do not yet actually believe.
Answer. Holy parents are two waies to be considered. First, as they were the sonnes of the first Adam, and so are as yet partly carnall. In this estate they in like sort doe beget their sonnes the children of wrath. For the father begetteth a sonne, not as he is a good man, but simply as a man; and therefore beeing impure, he must needes beget that which is impure. Secondly, we must consider the parents as they are the sonnes of God, engraffed into the second Adam. In this estate though they cannot deriue faith vnto their posteritie, (for the sonnes of God are not made such by naturall generation, but by the adoption of God the Father) yet may they beleeue both for themselues and others, according to the tenour of the couenant of grace: as Adam did sinne both for himselfe and others: and as parents in bargaines doe couenant both for themselues and their heires after them. Hence it is that Paul saith, that the parents are like vnto the first fruits which doe sanctifie the whole lumpe. So then, the faith of the parents maketh those their sonnes to be accounted in the couenant, which by reason of their age doe not yet actually beleeue.