A09339:1684
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.
for as Paul saith, the old man, that is, the corruption of our nature, and the body of sin that reigneth in us, shall be crucified with him: for when Christ was nailed on the cross, all our sins were laid upon him; therefore if thou dost unfeignedly believe, all thy sins are crucified with him, and the corruption of thy nature languisheth and dieth as he languished and died upon the cross.
for as Paul saith, the old man, that is, the corruption of our nature, and the bodie of sinne that raigneth in vs, shall be crucified with him: for when Christ was nailed on the crosse, all our sinnes were laid vpon him; therefore if thou dost vnfainedly beleeue, all thy sinnes are crucified with him, and the corruption of thy nature languisheth and dieth as he languished and died vpon the crosse.
Thirdly, we must learn to imitate Christ: as he suffered himself to be nailed to the cross for our sins, so answerably must every one of us learn to crucify our flesh, and the corruption of our nature, and the wickedness of our own hearts, as Paul saith,1 They that are Christs, have crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof. And this we shall do, if for our sins past we wail and mourn with bitterness, and prevent the sins to come into which we may fall by reason of the corruption of our natures, by using all good means, as prayer and fasting, and the word of God preached, and by flying all occasions of offence. We are not to destroy our bodies or to kill our selves, but to kill and crucify sin that liveth in us, and to mortify the corruption of our nature that rebels against the spirit. Christianity stands not in this, to hear the word of God, and outwardly to profess the same, and in the mean season still to live in our sins, and to pamper our own rebellious flesh; but it teacheth us always to have in readiness some spear or other to wound sin, ⟨p. 335⟩and the sword of the spirit to cut down corruption in us, that thereby we may show our selves to be lively followers of Christ indeed.