A09339:1620
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 third point to be handled in Christs apprehension is, that they lay hold on him: wherein we must consider two things. I. the resistance made by Christs disciples. II. their flight. For the first, Christs disciples resisted, and specially Peter drawing his sword, stroke one of the high priests servants, and cut off his ear. This fact our Saviour Christ reproves: and that for these causes. I. because his disciples were private men:1 and they that came to apprehend him were magistrates. Secondly, he was to work the work of mans redemption: ⟨p. 309⟩now Peter by this fact did what he could to hinder him. And from this practise of Peter we may learn, that nothing in the world is so hard to a man as to take up his cross and follow Christ. One would think it should be a hard matter for him to encounter with enemies, especially they being stronger then he: but Peter stoutly resisting makes nothing of it: whereas a little before when Christ told him and the rest concerning his passion, they were so heavy with grief that they could not hold up their heads: so hard a thing it is to bear the cross; and for this very cause afterward when Christ reproved him for striking, both he and all the rest of the disciples fled away. Secondly, Peter in all mans reason was to be commended, because he strake in the defence of his master: but Christ reproves him for it. Whence we learn, that if a man be zealous for Christ; he must be zealous within the compass of his calling: and not be zealous first, and then look for a calling, but first look for a calling, and then be zealous. Which thing if Peter had marked he had not dealt so rashly; for being without the compass of his calling he could not but do amiss. Here it may be demanded, whether Christ and his religion may not be maintained by the sword? I answer, that the magistrate, which is the vicegerent of the Lord, is the keeper of both tables: and therefore is to maintain religion with the sword: and so may put to death Atheists, which hold there is no God, of which sort there are many in these days: and heretics, which maliciously maintain, and hold any thing that overthrows the foundation of religion in the Churches whereof they were members.
The third point to bee handled in Christs apprehension is, that they lay hold on him: wherein we must consider two things. I. the resistance made by Christs disciples. II. their flight. For the first, Christs disciples resisted, and specially Peter drawing his sword, stroke one of the high priests seruants, and cut off his eare. This fact our Sauiour Christ reprooues: and that for these causes. I. because his disciples were priuate men: