A09339:1674
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.
Hence may all Christians learn to know their own estate and condition: first, in this world they must look to be accounted the offscouring of the earth, and the filth of the word, 1as the Apostle saith, and we must all prepare our selves to bear this estate. They that will be Gods children must not look to be better accepted of in the world then Christ was. Secondly by this every one of us must learn to be content to use this world, as strangers and pilgrims; being every day and hour and ready to leave the same. For if Christ the son of God himself was brought out of Jerusalem, as not being worthy to have his abode there, then must every christian man look much more for the like extremity. And therefore it is not good for us to have our hearts tied to the world, and to seek always to be approved of the same: for that argueth that we are not like to Christ: but we must rather do as poor pilgrims in strange countries; and that is only to look for safe conduct thorough the miseries in this world, having in the mean season our hearts, wills, and affections set on the kingdom which is in heaven. The second thing is, that Christ was made to bear his own cross: for so it seems the manner of the Romans was to deal with malefactors. And this must put us in mind of that notable lesson which Christ himself taught his disciples; namely, that if any man will be his disciple, he must deny himself, take up his own cross d•ily, and follow him: 2where by the cross we must understand, that portion of affliction, which god hath allotted to every one of his children: for there is no child of God to whom he hath not measured out as it were some bitter cup of misery in this life. And therefore Paul saith, Now rejoice I in my suffering for you, and fulfil the rest of the sufferings of Christ in my fle••. 3By Christs sufferings he meaneth not the passion of Christ, but the sufferings of the body of Christ, that is, the Church whereof Christ is the head. Moreover we must suffer as he did, & that daily: because as one day followeth another, so one cross comes in the neck of another. And whereas Christ bears the cross that was laid on him by the hands of the soldiers, it must teach us not to pull crosses upon our selves, but wait till God lay them on us;