A09339:1545
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.
Therefore though as yet thou see it not in thy self, yet labour both to see it & to feel it, & to strive against it, casting down thy self for thy own misery after Christs own example, who being God abased himself to the condition of a miserable man. For thou shalt never be filled with the good things of god, till thou be emptied of self-love and self-liking. For this cause let us purge and empty our selves of all conceit of our own righteousness that god may fill our hearts with his grace.
Therefore though as yet thou see it not in thy selfe, yet labour both to see it & to feele it, & to striue against it, casting down thy selfe for thy own miserie after Christs own example, who being God abased himselfe to the condition of a miserable man. For thou shalt neuer be filled with the good things of god, till thou be emptied of selfe-loue and selfe-liking. For this cause let vs purge and emptie our selues of all conceit of our own righteousnes that god may fil our hearts with his grace.
Furthermore, the incarnation of Christ is the ground and foundation of all our comfort, as the names of Christ serving to express the same do testify.1 Jacob in his last Testament saith,2 that the sceptre shall not depart from Judah in Shiloh, that is, the Messiah come. Now the name Shiloh signifieth the tunicle or skin that lappeth the infant in the mothers womb, called by the Physicians ⟨p. 283⟩the secundine: and by a kind of figure it is put for the Son of God in the womb of the virgin, made man. And Job to comfort himself in his affliction saith,3 I know that my redeemer liveth. Now the word which he useth to signify his redeemer by, is very emphatical, for it signifieth a kinsman near allied unto him of his own flesh that will restore him to life. And the Lord by the prophet Isaiah calleth Christ Immanuel, that is, God with us: which name importeth very much, namely, that whereas by nature we have lost our fellowship with God, because our sins are a wall of partition severing us from him: