A09339:1525
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.
Now follow the duties which are two. First, we believe that Jesus Christ who was to be the Saviour of mankind, must needs be God: what is the reason hereof? surely because no creature, no not all the creatures in heaven and earth were able to save one man: so vile, wretched, and miserable is our estate by Adams fall. And therefore the son of God himself pitied our estate, and being king of heaven and earth, was fain to come from heaven, and lay down his crown and become a servant, and taking upon him our nature, was also fain to take upon him our case and condition, and suffer death for our sins, which otherwise every one of us should have suffered ⟨p. 276⟩both in body and soul world without end. To make this more plain, let us suppose that some one hath committed an offence against a prince; and the trespass to be so grievous, that no man can appease the kings wrath, save only the kings only son; and which is more, the kings son himself cannot release him, unless he suffer the punishment for him in his own person, which is due unto the malefactor. Now what is to be thought of this mans estate? surely all men will say that he is in a most miserable taking, and that his trespass is notorious: and so it is with every one of us by nature, whatsoever we are. No man could save our souls, no not all the angels in heaven, unless the king of heaven and earth the only son of God had come down from heaven and suffered for us, bearing our punishment. Now the consideration of this must humble us and make us to cast down our selves under the hand of God for our sins, and pray continually that the Lord would send some Moses or other which might smite the rocks of our hearts, that some tears of sorrow and repentance might gush out for this our woeful misery.
Nowe followe the duties which are two. First, we beleeue that Iesus Christ who was to be the Sauiour of mankinde, must needs be God: what is the reason hereof? surely because no creature, no not all the creatures in heauen and earth were able to saue one man: so vile, wretched, and miserable is our estate by Adams fall. And therefore the sonne of God himselfe pitied our estate, and beeing king of heauen and earth, was faine to come from heauen, and lay downe his crowne and become a seruant, and taking vpon him our nature, was also faine to take vpon him our case and condition, and suffer death for our sinnes, which otherwise euery one of vs should haue suffered ⟨p. 276⟩