A09339:1584
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.
And withal, Christ being the lively pattern of true nobility, by his example men of blood are taught not to stand so much on their pedigree, and their ancestors, as though nobility stood in this, that man descends of man: but to labour with all that they may be the sons and daughters of God by regeneration in Christ. This indeed is the ornament of the blood, the best part in the noble mans scutcheon, and the finest flower in his garland. And though a man be never so noble or great an estate, yet if he be not a repentant sinner, he is base and vile, and his nobility stinks in the nostrils of god. Christ in his genealogy doth not so much as vouchsafe to name those his ancestors that ruled wickedly; and hereupon Saint Matthew omitteth three kings of Judah, Achaziah, Joas, and Amaziah: whereas nevertheless heinous offenders that repented are mentioned, as Ruth, & Tamar, and Bathsheba.
And withall, Christ beeing the liuely patterne of true nobilitie, by his example men of blood are taught not to stand so much on their pedigree, and their ancetours, as though nobilitie stood in this, that man descends of man: but to labour with all that they may be the sonnes and daughters of God by regeneration in Christ. This indeede is the ornament of the blood, the best part in the noble mans skutchin, and the finest flowre in his garland. And though a man bee neuer so noble or great an estate, yet if he be not a repentant sinner, he is base and vile, and his nobilitie stinkes in the nosthrils of god. Christ in his genealogie doth not so much as vouchsafe to name those his ancetours that ruled wickedly; and hereupon Saint Mathewe omitteth three kings of Iudah, Achaziah, Ioas, and Amaziah: whereas neuerthelesse hainous offendours that repented are mentioned, as Ruth, & Thamar, and Bathshabe.
Thus much of the incarnation of Christ: now followeth the third and last point which is to be considered in the description of Christ, namely, the estate of Christ after his birth, which is two-fold, the estate of humiliation, and the estate of exaltation.
Thus much of the incarnation of Christ: nowe followeth the third and last point which is to be considered in the description of Christ, namely, the estate of Christ after his birth, which is two-fold, the estate of humiliation, and the estate of exaltation.