A Golden Chain

If this be so, that a part of our rejoicing stands in the glorious nakedness of Christ crucified, there is no reason why we should be puffed up with the vanity of our apparel. It should rather be an occasion to make us ashamed, then to make us proud. The thief may as well brag of the brand in his hand, or of the fetters on his heels, as we may of our attire; because it is but the covering of our shame: and therefore should put us in mind of our sin and shameful nakedness.

If this be so, that a part of our reioycing stands in the glorious nakednes of Christ crucified, there is no reason why we should be puffed vp with the vanitie of our apparell. It should rather be an occasion to make vs ashamed, then to make vs proude. The theefe may as well bragge of the brand in his hand, or of the fetters on his heeles, as we may of our attire; because it is but the couering of our shame: and therefore should put vs in mind of our sinne and shamefull nekednesse.

¹The abode of Christ upon the cross, was about the space of six hours. For the death of the cross was no sudden but a ^alingering death. And in this space of time there fell out five notable events. The first, that the soldiers having stripped Christ of his garments, divided them into four parts, and cast lots for his coat, because it was woven without seam. And by this appears the great love of Christ to man, who was not only content to suffer, but also to loose all that ever he had, even to the garments on his back to redeem us; teaching us answerably that if it please god to call us to any trial hereafter, we must be content to part withal for his sake, that we may ⟨p. 337⟩win him. Again, in these soldiers we may behold a picture of this world: when they had nailed Christ to the cross, they will not loose so much as his garments, but they come and divide them and cast lots for them: as for Christ himself, the Saviour and redeemer of mankind, they regard him not. And thus fareth the world; it is a hard to find a man to accept of Christ, because he is Christ his redeemer: but, when gain comes by Christ, then he is welcome. Esau that esteemed nothing of his fathers blessing, made great account of his brothers pottage. The Gadarenes made more account of their swine, then of Christ: for when they heard that they were drowned, they beseech him to depart out of their coasts. Nay so bad is this age, that such as will be taken to be the special members of Christ, do not only with the soldiers strip Christ of his garments, but more then this, they bereave him of his natures and offices. The church of Rome by their transubstantiation strip him of his manhood: and by making other priests after the same order with him, which do properly forgive sins, strip him of his priesthood: and of his kingly office, by joining with him a Vicar on earth, & head of the Catholic church, and that in his presence: whereas all deputiships and commissions cease in the presence of the principal. And when they have done all this, then they further load him with a number of beggarly ceremonies; and so do nothing else but make a