A09339:1526
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, whereas God the Father of Christ gave his only son to be our Saviour, as we must be thankful to God for all things, so especially for this great and unspeakable benefit. Common blessings of God, as meat, drink, health, wealth, and liberty, must at all times move us to be thankful; but this, that Christ Jesus the only son of God, redeemed us being utterly lost, this I say, must be the main point of all our thankfulness: but alas, mens hearts are so frozen in the dregs of their sins, that this duty comes little in practise now adays. When our Saviour Christ cleansed ten lepers, there was but one of them that returned to give him thanks: and this is as true in the leprosy of the soul, for though salvation by Christ be offered unto us daily by Gods ministers, yet not one of ten, nay scarce one of a thousand gives praise and thanks to God for it, because men take no delight in things which concern the kingdom of heaven, they think not that they have need of salvation, neither do they feel any want of a Saviour. But we for our parts must learn to say with David,1 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? yea we are to practise that which Solomon saith,2 My son give me thy heart: for we should give unto God both body and soul in token of our thankfulness for this wonderful blessing that he hath given his only son to be our Saviour; and we are to hold this for trueth, that they which are not thankful for it, let them say what they will, they have no soundness of grace or power of religion at the heart.
Secondly, whereas God the Father of Christ gaue his onley sonne to be our Sauiour, as we must be thankefull to God for all things, so especially for this great and vnspeakable benefit. Common blessings of God, as meat, drinke, health, wealth, and libertie, must at all times mooue vs to be thankeful; but this, that Christ Iesus the onely sonne of God, redeemed vs beeing vtterly lost, this I say, must be the maine point of all our thankfulnes: but alas, mens hearts are so frozen in the dreggs of their sinnes, that this dutie comes little in practise nowe adaies. When our Sauiour Christ clensed ten lepers, there was but one of them that returned to giue him thankes: and this is as true in the leprosie of the soule, for though saluation by Christ be offered vnto vs daily by Gods ministers, yet not one of tenne, nay scarse one of a thousand giues praise and thankes to God for it, because men take no delight in things which concerne the kingdome of heauen, they thinke not that they haue neede of saluation, neither do they feele any want of a Sauiour. But we for our parts must learne to say with Dauid,