A09339:1693
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.
The second event was, that Christ was mocked of all sorts of men. First, they set up the cause written why he was crucified,1 namely, This is the King of the Jews: then the people that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads at him, and said, Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save thy self, &c. Likewise the high Priest mocking him, with the Scribes and Pharisees & the Elders, said, He saved others, let him save himself. The same also did one of the thieves that was crucified with him, cast in his teeth. Behold here the wonderful strange dealing of the Jews: they see an innocent man thus pitifully and grievously racked, and nailed on the cross, and his blood distilling down from hands and feet: and yet are they without all pity and compassion, and do make but a mock and a scoff at him. And in this we may plainly see how dangerous and fearful their case is, who are wholly given up to the hardness of their own hearts: and we are further admonished to take heed how we give our selves to jesting or mocking of others. And if any man think it to be a light sin, let them consider what befell the Jews for mocking Christ. The hand of God was upon them within a while after, and so remaineth to this day.2 Little children wickedly brought up, when they saw Elisha the man of God coming, they mocked him, and said, Come up thou bald pate, come up thou bald pate: but Elisha looked back on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord, and two wild bears came out of the forrest and tare in pieces two and forty of them. Julian once a Christian Emperor, but after an Apostate, did nothing else but mock Christ and his doctrine, and made jests of sundry places of Scripture: but being in fight against the Persians, was wounded with a dart (no man knowing how) and died scoffing and blaspheming. And such like are the judgements of God, which ⟨p. 338⟩befall mockers and scorners. Let us therefore in the fear of God learn to eschew and avoid this sin.
The second euent was, that Christ was mocked of all sorts of men. First, they set vp the cause written why he was crucified,1