A Golden Chain

For thus Paul makes a special request, that he might know Christ, and the virtue of his resurrection, ¹that is, that he might feel in himself that power whereby Christ was raised from death to life, to raise him also from the bondage of his sins to a new life more and more. Furthermore, when Christ was upon the cross, and all the gates of hell were open against him, then did he vanquish Satan; he bruised the serpents head, and as Paul saith,² he spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in the cross: he overcame the devil and all his angels by the power of his almighty father, and by his own power as he is God. And even so must Christian men labour to find the same power in themselves of this ⟨p. 216⟩almighty father by which Christ did triumph over Satan: that by it they may tread him under their feet, which men can never do by any power in themselves. Again, Christ prayeth that that cup might pass from him: and yet he saith:³ Not my will, but thy will be fulfilled. For it was necessary that Christ should suffer. And this request was heard, not because he was freed from death, but because God his father Almighty gave him power and strength in his manhood to bear the brunt of his indignation. Now look as this power was effectual in Christ Jesus the head, to make him able and sufficient to bear the pangs of hell: so the same power of God, is in some measure effectual in all the members of Christ, to make them both patient, & of sufficient strength to bear any affliction, as Saint Paul saith:⁴ being strengthened with all might through his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness. And this is a notable point which every one ought to learn: that whereas they confess God to be their Almighty father, they should herewithall labour to feel and have experience in themselves, that he is almighty in the beginning and continuing of grace unto them, and in giving them power and patience to suffer afflictions.⁵