A09339:1401
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.
Fourthly, this must teach us modesty, and humility: for the angels of God are very notable and excellent creatures; and therefore they are called in the Psalms Elohim, 1gods: yet how excellent soever they be, they abase themselves to become guardians and keepers unto sinful men. Now if the Angels do so abase themselves; then much more ought every man to abase and humble himself in modestie• and humility before God; and whatsoever our calling is, we must not be puffed up but be content. This is a necessary duty for all, but especially for those which are in the schools of the Prophets; whatsoever their gifts or birth be, they must not think themselves too good for the calling of the ministry. And if god have called us thereunto, we must be content to become servants unto all in the matter of salvation: though the men whom we teach be never so base or simple; for no man doth so far excel the basest person in the world, as the glorious Angels of God do exceed the most excellent man that is; therefore seeing they vouchsafe to become servants unto us, we must not think our selves too good to serve our poor brethren.
Fourthly, this must teach vs modestie, and humility: for the angels of God are very notable and excellent creatures; and therefore they are called in the Psalmes Elohim, 1gods: yet how excellent soeuer they be, they abase themselues to become guardians and keepers vnto sinnefull men. Nowe if the Angels doe so abase themselues; then much more ought euery man to abase and humble himselfe in modestie• and humilitie before God; and whatsoeuer our calling is, we must not be puffed vp but be content. This is a necessarie dutie for all, but especially for those which are in the schooles of the Prophets; whatsoeuer their gifts or birth be, they must not thinke themselues too good for the calling of the ministerie. And if god haue called vs thereunto, we must be content to become seruants vnto all in the matter of saluation: though the men whom we teach be neuer so base or simple; for no man doth so farre excell the basest person in the world, as the glorious Angels of God doe exceed the most excellent man that is; therefore seeing they vouchsafe to become seruants vnto vs, we must not thinke our selues too good to serue our poore brethren.