A09339:1495
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.
And thus much of the duties: Now follow the consolations that Gods Church & people r•ape from this, that the son of god is our Saviour. When as all mankind was included under sin and condemnation, then the Lord had mercy upon us and gave unto man the covenant of grace in which he promised that his own son should be our redeemer. This is a great and unspeakable comfort, as may appear in that the angels so greatly rejoiced herein when Christ was born, Behold, say they, I bring you tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people, 1that is, that unto you is borne in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the lord. Now if they rejoice thus exceedingly at Christs birth, who was not their Saviour, because they stood not in need to be redeemed: then much ⟨p. 266⟩more ought the Church of God to rejoice herein whom it doth principally concern: and no marvel: for if we had wanted this blessed Saviour, it had bin better to have bin a brute beast or any other creature then a man; for the death of a beast is the end of his woe, but the death of a man without a Saviour is the beginning of endless misery. Satan and his angels are fallen and have no Saviour, but when man was fallen, God of his mercy dealt not so with him, but gave his own son to restore him to a better estate, whereas he might as justly have damned all men for the fall of our first parents, as he did the wicked angels for theirs; for God is not bound to any creature: behold then a matter of unspeakable joy: let us therefore receive and embrace Christ our Saviour, fly to him for the pardon of all sins, and praise his name therefore.
And thus much of the duties: Now followe the consolations that Gods Church & people r•ape from this, that the sonne of god is our Sauiour. Whē as all mankind was included vnder sin and condemnation, then the Lord had mercy vpon vs and gaue vnto man the couenant of grace in which he promised that his owne sonne should be our redeemer. This is a great and vnspeakable comfort, as may appeare in that the angels so greatly reioiced herein whē Christ was born, Behold, say they, I bring you tidings of great ioy that shall be to all the people, 1