A09339:1588
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.
The order of these two estates must be marked. First is the estate of humiliation, and then in the second place follows the estate of exaltation. As Christ saith of himself,1 O fools, & slow of heart to believe, &c. ought not Christ to have ⟨p. 295⟩suffered these things and to enter into his glory. And here we for our parts must learn a lesson. The same which was true in Christ the head, must be verified in all his members; they must all have their two-fold estate: first in this life the estate of humiliation: secondly after this life the estate of glory. And as Christ first entered into the state of his humiliation, and then into glory: so it is with his members, first they must be abased in this life, and secondly exalted in the world to come. He that will reign with Christ and be exalted, must first suffer with him, and be humbled: he that will wear the crown of glory, must wear first a crown of thorns:2 they that will have all tears wiped from their eyes, must here first in this life shed them. And the children of God before they can sing the song of Moses, and of the servants of God, and of the lamb, must first swim through the sea of burning glass: whereby it is signified, that those which after this life would sing songs of praises to Christ, must in this life be cast into a sea of misery. And if this be true, then we may hear learn, that it is a wretched case for a man in this life to have perpetual ease, rest, and quietness both in body & soul, goods, & good name: for we see by Christs example, that through adversity we must come to happiness: and if a man would have rest and peace in the life to come, then in this life he must look for trouble, persecution, and sorrow. Indeed in the judgement of the world, they are blessed that always live at rest; but before God they are most miserable, and (as oxen which are made fat in the best pasture) ready for the slaughterhouse every day. Secondly, here is an excellent consolation for those which profess the Gospel of Christ; in the time of trouble and persecution they must rejoice, because the state of humiliation in this life is a sign that they are in the plain and right way to salvation and glory. A man is to take his journey into a far country, and inquiring for the way, it is told him that there are many plain ways;