A09339:1330
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
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.
all their minds are set on the things of this life, when as Christ saith, First seek the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be ministered unto you. If you should see a young man provide for himself, and no man else for him, we would presently say, surely his father is dead: even so, when a mans care is set wholly both day and night for the things of this life, it argues that God hath either cast him off, or else that he takes him for no father of his. Fifthly, if God be our father, then we must learn to bear any cross patiently that he shall lay upon us, either in body or in mind, and always look for deliverance from him: for whom the Lord loveth, them he chastiseth: and if ye endure chastising (saith the Apostle) God offereth himself unto you as unto children: 1which may appear more plainly by this comparison. If two children should fight, and a man coming by, should part them, and after beat the one, and let the other go free: every man that seeth this will say, that that child which he beats is his own son. Even so, when God chastiseth us, he showeth himself unto us as a father, if we submit our selves. Now if our earthly fathers corrected us and we gave them reverence, taking it patiently: should we not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits that we may live. Therefore the conclusion is this: if we displease God, be ye sure, he will correct us; and when his hand is upon us we must not murmur against him, but bear it with a mild spirit: and furthermore when we are under the cross, we must always look for deliverance from this our father only. If a son when he is beaten should flee to his fathers enemies for help and counsel; it would argue that he were but a graceless child. Sundry ⟨p. 208⟩and divers calamities and crosses befall men in this life, which they can not brook: and therefore it is a common practise of many among us in th•se days, when Gods hand is upon them, to go for help to the devil; they seek for counsel at witches and wise men (as I have said) but let them look unto it, for that is the right way to double their misery, and to show themselves lewd children. Lastly, if we confess and believe God to be the father of Christ, and in him our father also; then in regard of our conversation, we must not frame our selves like unto the world: