A09339:1493
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.
Secondly, if Christ be a Saviour, then we must acknowledge him to be so. But how shall we do this? I answer, Thus: A man is taken to be a skilful Physician by this, that many patients come unto him, and seek for help at his hands. And so should it be with Christ. But alas, the case is otherwise. Every man can talk of Christ, but few acknowledge him to be a Saviour, by seeking to him for their salvation, because they judge themselves righteous, and feel not themselves to stand in need of the help of Christ. Nay which is more, If a man be known that can cure strange diseases, men will seek to him by sea and land, and sell both goods and lands to get help at his hands. Even so, if men were persuaded that Christ were a perfect Saviour, and that they were sick and utterly unable to be saved without him, they would never rest nor be in quiet but seek unto him for his help, and cry with David, ⟨p. 265⟩O Lord, say unto my soul that thou art my salvation. 1The woman that was diseased with an issue of blood, came behind our Saviour Christ, and when she had but touched him,2 she was healed. In the same manner, if we shall seek to come to Christ, and do but touch his precious body and blood by the hand of faith, the issues & the bleeding wounds of our souls shall be dried up. When a man that had been sick eight and thirty years was come to the pool of Bethesda, he was fain to lie there uncured;3 because when the angel troubled the water evermore some stepped before him: but if we will seek to Christ for the salvation of our souls, no man shall prevent us or steppe before us. And if we find our selves to be so laden with the burden of our sins that we can not draw near unto him, let us then do as the palsy man did:4 he got four men to carry him on their shoulders to the place where Christ was: and when they could not by reason of the press of people enter into the house, they opened the roof and let him down in his bed by cords to Christ, that he might be healed. And so let us use the help of such as be godly, that by their instructions and consolations they may as it were put to their shoulders, and by their prayers as with cords bring us to Christ, that we may receive eternal salvation, being otherwise dead in sin and subject to damnation.