A09339:1593
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 use of the passion followeth. It is the manner of Friars and Jesuits in the Church of Rome to use the consideration of the passion of Christ,1 as a means to stir up compassion in themselves, partly towards Christ, who suffered grievous torments, and partly towards the virgin Mary, who for the torments of her deer son was exceedingly troubled: and withal to kindle in their hearts an indignation towards the Jews, that put Christ to death. But indeed this kind of use is mere humane, and may in like manner be made by reading of any humane history. But the proper and the special use of the passion indeed is this: first of all we must set it before our eyes as a looking glass, in which we may clearly behold the horribleness of our sins, that could not be pardoned without the passion of the son of God: and the ⟨p. 298⟩unspeakable love of Christ, that died for us, and therefore loved his own enemies more then his own self: and lastly our endless peace with God and happiness: in that, considering the person of our redeemer, who suffered the pangs of hell, we may after a sort find our paradise even in the middest of hell.
The vse of the passion followeth. It is the manner of Friers and Iesuits in the Church of Rome to vse the consideration of the passion of Christ,1 as a meanes to stirre vp compassion in themselues, partly towards Christ, who suffered grieuous torments, and partly towards the virgin Marie, who for the torments of her deere sonne was exceedingly troubled: and withall to kindle in their hearts an indignation towards the Iewes, that put Christ to death. But indeede this kind of vse is meere humane, and may in like manner be made by reading of any humane historie. But the proper and the speciall vse of the passion indeede is this: first of all we must set it before our eies as a looking glasse, in which we may clearely beholde the horriblenesse of our sinnes, that could not be pardoned without the passion of the sonne of God: and the ⟨p. 298⟩vnspeakable loue of Christ, that died for vs, and therefore loued his own enemies more then his owne selfe: and lastly our endlesse peace with God and happinesse: in that, considering the person of our redeemer, who suffered the pangs of hell, wee may after a sort finde our paradise euen in the middest of hell.