A09339:1544
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, Christs incarnation must be a pattern unto us of a most wonderful and strange humility. For as Paul saith,1 Being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with God, made himself of no reputation, and took on him form of a servant: and humbled himself and became obedient to death, even to the death of the cross. Yea so far forth he abased himself, that (as David saith) he was a worm and no man. 2And this teacheth us to lay aside all self-love and pride of heart, and to practise the duties of humility, as the Apostle exhorts the Philippians in the same place: and that shall we do when we begin to cast off that high opinion which every man by nature conceiveth of himself, and become vile and base in our own eyes. Secure & drowsy protestants think themselves blessed, and say in their hearts as the Angel of the Church of Laodicea said,3 I am rich & increased with goods, and have need of nothing; whereas indeed they are most miserable and wretched, and poor, and naked, and blind. And the same fond opinion possesseth the minds of our ignorant people, who chant it in the very same tune, saying, that God loves them, and that they love God with all their hearts, and their neighbours as themselves: that they have perfect faith in Christ, and ever had, not once so much as doubting of their salvation: that all is well with them, and that they are past all danger whatsoever, in the matter of their salvation, and therefore need not take so much care for it. Thus ye may see how men are commonly carried away with vain and fond conceits of their own excellency. And truly so long as this overweening of our own righteousness reigns in our hearts, let preachers speak and say what they will, we can never become followers of Christ in the practise of humility. Some will say peradventure, that they never had any such opinion of their own righteousness; but I answer again; that there was never yet any man descending of Adam, save Christ; but he had this proud fantasy ruling and reigning in him, till such time as God gave grace to change & alter his heart: & this inward pride the less we discern it the more it is, and the more we discern it the less it is.
Secondly, Christs incarnation must be a patterne vnto vs of a most wonderfull and straunge humilitie. For as Paul saith,