A09339:1573
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, Christ was conceived and borne in bodily manner, that there might be a spiritual conception and birth of him in our hearts, as Paul saith,1 My little children of whom I travel till Christ he formed in you: and that is, when we are made new creatures by Christ, and perform obedience to our creator. When the people said to Christ that his mother and his brethren sought him, he answered,2 He that doth the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother. Therefore let us go with the shepherds to Bethlehem, and finding our blessed Saviour swaddled and lying in the cratch, let us bring him thence and make our own hearts to be his cradle: that we may be able to say that we live not, but Christ lives in us: and let us present unto him our selves, our bodies & souls as the best gold, myrrh, and frankincense that may be: and thus conceiving him by faith, he remaining without change, we shall be changed into him and made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. The world, I know, never so much as dreameth of this kind of conception and birth, for as David sayeth,3 Men travel with wickedness, conceive mischief, and bring forth a lie. And S. James saith,4 Men are drawn away by their own concupiscence, which when it hath conceived bringeth forth sin. And these are the ugly and monstrous births of these days. But let us, I pray you, contrariwise wail and mourn for the barrenness of our hearts that do so little conceive the grace of Christ in heart, and bring it forth in action. The mother of Christ undoubtedly was a blessed woman: but if she had not as well conceived Christ in her heart, as she did in her womb, she had not bin saved; and no more can we, unless do the same.
Secondly, Christ was conceiued and borne in bodily manner, that there might be a spirituall conception and birth of him in our hearts, as Paul saith,1 My little children of whome I trauell till Christ he formed in you: and that is, when we are made newe creatures by Christ, and performe obedience to our creatour. When the people said to Christ that his mother and his brethren sought him, he answered,