A09339:1653
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.
Secondly, in our proceedings we must keep an upright, pure, and unblameable conscience, as Paul exhorteth Timothy to have the mystery of faith in a pure conscience;1 giving us thereby to understand, that a good conscience is at it were a chest or cupboard, in which we are to keep and lock up our religion, and all other graces of God, as the most precious jewels that can be: and that if we suffer this chest to be broken up, all our riches and jewels are gone.
Secondly, in our proceedings we must keepe an vpr•ght, pure, and vnblameable conscience, as Paul exhorteth Timothie to haue the mysterie of faith in a pure conscience;1 giuing vs thereby to vnderstand, that a good conscience is at it were a chest or cupboard, in which we are to keepe and locke vp our religion, and all other graces of God, as the most pretious iewells that can be: and that if we suffer this chest to be broken vp, all our riches and iewels are gone.
- 1[…].〈…〉.
But let us yet view the dealing of Pilate more particularly: he whips Christ, puts on him a purple garment, puts a reed in his hand, sets a crown of thorns upon his head, and causes the soldiers to mock him, and spit in his face. Now in this that Christ standing in our room, was thus shamefully abused, we must consider what was due unto every one of us for our sins, namely shame & reproach in this life, & in the life to come endless confusion. And we see the confession of Christ to be true which he made to Pilate, that his kingdom was not of this world; for if it had been so, they would have put a crown of gold upon his head, and not a crown of thorns, which nothing at all beseemed an earthly king: and in stead of a reed they would have put a sceptre into his hand: and in stead of buffeting and spitting on him, they would have adored him, and fallen down before him. Again, whereas