A09339:1478
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.
it is the very way to grace: none can be a lively member of Christ till his conscience condemn him, and make him quite out of heart in respect of himself. And the want of this is the cause why so few perceive any sweetness or comfort in the Gospel: and why it is so little loved and embraced now a days. Lastly, if all mankind be shut up under unbelief, the duty of every man is, to labour in using all good means whereby we may be delivered from this bondage, and to pray to God with David,1 Create in me a •l•an heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. And cry out with Paul,2 O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death? And we must never be at rest till we have some assurance in conscience that in Christ we have freedom from this bondage,3 and can with the Colossians give thanks that we are delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of Christ. This should be the affection of every man, because the spiritual thraldom under sin is of all miseries most loathsome and burdensome. And in this respect the day of death should be unto us most welcome, because it doth unloose us from this miserable estate, in which we do ⟨p. 259⟩almost nothing but displease God. For this is the greatest grief that can be to such as are indeed the children of God, by their sins to offend their merciful father. As for those which feel not the weight of their natural guiltiness and corruption, but lie slumbering in the security of their own hearts, they are therefore the more miserable, in that being plunged in the gulf of all misery, yet they feel no misery.
it is the very way to grace: none can be a liuely member of Christ till his conscience condemne him, and make him quite out of heart in respect of himselfe. And the want of this is the cause why so fewe perceiue any sweetnesse or comfort in the Gospell: and why it is so little loued and embraced now a daies. Lastly, if all mankind be shut vp vnder vnbeleefe, the dutie of euery man is, to labour in vsing all good meanes whereby we may be deliuered from this bondage, and to pray to God with Dauid,