A09339:1543
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 Incarnation in general. Now follow the duties which arise of it. And first we are taught hereby to come to Christ by faith, and with all our hearts to cleave unto him. Great is the deadness and sluggishness of mans nature: for skarse one of a thousand care for him, or seek unto him for righteousness and life everlasting. But we should excite our selves every way to draw near to him as much as possibly we may: for when he was incarnate, he came near unto us by taking our nature upon him, that we again whatsoever we are, might come near unto him by taking unto us his divine nature. 1Again, when Christ was incarnate, he was made bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh; and therefore proportionally we must ⟨p. 282⟩labour to become bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh: which we shall be, when we are mystically united unto him by faith, and borne anew by his spirit. Moreover Christ by his incarnation came down from heaven to us, that we being partakers of his grace might ascend up to heaven by him. And thus we see how the meditation of Christs incarnation should be a spur to prick us forward still more and more to come to Christ.
Thus much of the Incarnation in generall. Nowe followe the duties which arise of it. And first we are taught hereby to come to Christ by faith, and with all our hearts to cleaue vnto him. Great is the deadnesse and sluggishnesse of mans nature: for skarse one of a thousand care for him, or seeke vnto him for righteousnesse and life euerlasting. But wee shoulde excite our selues euery way to drawe neare to him as much as possibly we may: for when he was incarnate, he came neere vnto vs by taking our nature vpon him, that wee againe whatsoeuer we are, might come neere vnto him by taking vnto vs his diuine nature. 1Againe, when Christ was incarnate, he was made bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh; and therefore proportionally wee must ⟨p. 282⟩labour to become bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh: which we shall bee, when we are mystically vnited vnto him by faith, and borne anewe by his spirit. Moreouer Christ by his incarnation came downe from heauen to vs, that we being partakers of his grace might ascend vp to heauen by him. And thus we see how the meditation of Christs incarnation should be a spurre to prick vs forward still more and more to come to Christ.