A09339:1570
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.
This serves to teach us to be content to bear any mean condition that the Lord shall send upon us: for this is the very estate of the son of God himself. And if for our cause he did not refuse the basest condition that ever was, why should we murmur at the same: for what is the best of us but miserable sinners, and therefore utterly unworthy either to go or lie upon the bare earth? and though we fare and lie better then our Lord himself, yet such is our daintiness, we are not pleased therewith: whereas he for his part disdained not the manger of the Ox. And if the Lord of heaven and earth coming into the world find so little entertainment or favour, we for our parts being his members, should willingly prepare our selves to take as hard measure at the hands of men.
This serues to teach vs to be content to beare any meane condition that the Lord shall send vpon vs: for this is the very estate of the sonne of God himselfe. And if for our cause he did not refuse the basest condition that euer was, why should we murmure at the same: for what is the best of vs but miserable sinners, and therfore vtterly vnworthie either to go or lie vpon the bare earth? and though we fare and lie better then our Lord himselfe, yet such is our daintinesse, we are not pleased therewith: whereas he for his part disdained not the manger of the Oxe. And if the Lord of heauen and earth comming into the world finde so little entertainment or fauour, we for our parts beeing his members, should willingly prepare our selues to take as hard measure at the hands of men.
1The last point is the manifestation of Christs birth that it might be known to the world. Where consider two circumstances, the first, to whom? namely to poor shepherds tending their flocks by night, and not to great or mighty men, lovers of this world, nor to the priests at Jerusalem contemners of Gods grace; and that for two causes: one, because the shepherds were the fittest persons to publish the same at Bethlehem: the other, it was Gods pleasure to manifest that in the birth of Christ which Paul saith,