A09339:1685
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.
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.
Thirdly, we must learne to imitate Christ: as he suffered himselfe to be nayled to the crosse for our sinnes, so answerably must euery one of vs learne to crucifie our flesh, and the corruption of our nature, and the wickednesse of our owne hearts, as Paul saith,1 They that are Christs, haue crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof. And this we shall doe, if for our sinnes past we waile and mourne with bitternesse, and preuent the sinnes to come into which we may fall by reason of the corruption of our natures, by vsing all good meanes, as praier 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 selues, but to kill and crucifie sinne that liueth in vs, and to mortifie the corruption of our nature that rebels against the spirit. Christianitie stands not in this, to heare the word of God, and outwardly to professe the same, and in the meane season still to liue in our sinnes, and to pamper our owne rebellious flesh; but it teacheth vs alwaies to haue in readines some speare or other to wound sinne,