A09339:1524
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.
Thus much of the meaning of the third title: now follow the comforts which may be gathered hence. Whereas Christ Jesus is the son of God, it serves as a means to make miserable and wretched sinners that are by nature the children of wrath and damnation, to be the sons of God by adoption: as S. John testifieth.1 Now what a benefit is this to be the child of God, no tongue can express. Christ saith, Blessed are the peacemakers: but why are they blessed? for, saith he,2 they shall be called the sons of God. Whereby he testifieth that the right of adoption is a most excellent privilege; & not without cause. For he which is the child of God, is spiritually allied to Christ, and to all the Saints and servants of God both in heaven and earth, having his own redeemer for his elder brother, and all his members as his brethren and sisters; yea if we be Gods adopted children, we are also heirs, even heirs of God, and heirs annexed with Christ.3 Well, how great soever this prerogative is, yet few there be that rightly way it &consider of it. Children of noble men & Princes heirs are had in account and reputation of all men, they are the very speech and wonder of the world. But it is a matter of no account to be the son of God and fellow-heir with Christ. The dearest servants of God have been esteemed but as the offscouring of the world. And no marvel, for they which are after the flesh, savour the things of the flesh. Few men have their understandings enlightened to discern of such spiritual things as these are, & therefore are they little or nothing regarded. A blind man never seeing the sun, is not brought to wonder at it: and earthly minded men neither seeing nor feeling what an excellent thing it is to be the child of God, cannot be brought to seek after it. But let all such as fear God enter into a serious consideration of the unspeakable goodness of God, comforting themselves in this, that God the father hath vouchsafed by his own son to make them of the vassals of satan, to be his own deer children.
Thus much of the meaning of the third title: nowe followe the comforts which may be gathered hence. Whereas Christ Iesus is the sonne of God, it serues as a meanes to make miserable and wretched sinners that are by nature the children of wrath and damnation, to be the sonnes of God by adoption: as S. Iohn testifieth.