A09339:1744
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 third fruit of his conversion is, that he excuseth our Saviour Christ, and giveth testimony of his innocency, saying, But this man hath done nothing amiss. Mark here: Pilate condemned Christ, Herod mocked him, all the learned Scribes and Pharisees condemned him, and the people cry, away with him, let him be crucified: and among his own disciples Peter denied him, and the rest ran away: there remains only this poor silly wretch upon the cross to give testimony of Christs innocency: whereby we learn, that God chooseth the simple ones of this world, to overthrow the wisdom of the wise: ⟨p. 360⟩and therefore we must take heed that we be not offended at the Gospel of Christ, by reason that for the most part simple and mean men in the world embrace it. Nay mark further, this one thief being converted had a better judgement in matters concerning Gods kingdom, then the whole body of the Jews. And by this all students may learn, that if they desire to have in themselves upright judgement in matters of religion, first of all they must become repentant sinners: and though a man•have never so much learning, yet if he be carried away with his own blind affections and lusts, they will corrupt and darken his judgement. Men which work in mines and coal-pits under the earth, are troubled with nothing so much as with damps, which make their candle burn dark, and sometimes put it quite out. Now every mans sins are the damps of his heart, which when they take place, do dim the light of his judgement, and cast a mist over the mind, and darken the understanding and reason: and therefore a needful thing it is, that men in the first place should provide for their own conversion.
The third fruit of his conuersion is, that he excuseth our Sauiour Christ, and giueth testimonie of his innocencie, saying, But this man hath done nothing amisse. Marke here: Pilate condemned Christ, Herod mocked him, all the learned Scribes and Pharises condemned him, and the people crie, away with him, let him be crucified: and among his owne disciples Peter denied him, and the rest ranne away: there remaines onely this poore silly wretch vpon the crosse to giue testimonie of Christs innocencie: whereby we learne, that God chooseth the simple ones of this world, to ouerthrow the wisdom of the wise: ⟨p. 360⟩