A09339:1616
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.
After that they are now come to Christ, we are to consider two things in their meeting: I. Christs communication with them. II. The treason of Judas. Concerning their conference, it is said,1 Jesus knowing all things that should come unto him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? they answered him; Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus answered, I am he. Now so soon as he had said, I am he, the stoutest of them fell to the ground, as being astonished at the majesty of his word. Where note, that the word of God is a word of power. The same power was in his word when he raised up Lazarus: for when he had lien in the grave, and had entered into some degrees of corruption, he did no more, but said, Lazarus come forth; and he that was dead came forth. And hence we may also mark what a wonderful might and power is in the word preached: for it is the very word of Christ, and therefore being preached by his ministers lawfully called by him thereunto; hath the same power & force in it which Christ himself showed when he spake on earth. It is the savour of life unto life to save those that hear it:2 or the savour of death unto death. It is like to a vapour or perfume in the air, which in some mens nostrils is savoury and pleasant, and doth revive them: and others again it striketh dead. And therefore every one that either now, or heretofore hath heard this word preached, shall find it to be unto them either a word of power to save their souls, or through their corruption the ministry of death and condemnation. Again, if a word spoken by Christ, being in a base or low estate, be able to overthrow his enemies, then at the last day when he shall come in his glory, ⟨p. 307⟩and power, and majesty to judge both the quick and the dead; what power shall his words have, Go you cursed of my father into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels? The consideration of this, that the word of Christ shall even be as powerful at that day, must be a motive to every one of us to cause us to come unto him: and while we have time in these days of grace and mercy to seek to be reconciled unto him for all our sins, least at the last day we hear that dreadful voice of Christ sounding against us, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire, &c.