A09339:1751
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.
yet if we make no conscience to obey the word of God, & if we have no love of Christ and his members, God will at length remove his candlestick from us, and utterly deprive us of this ornament of the Gospel, and make our land as odious unto all the world, as the land of the Jews is at this day. Let us therefore with all care and diligence show forth our love both to Christ himself and to his members, and adorn the gospel which we profess by bringing forth fruits worthy of it.
yet if we make no conscience to obey the word of God, & if we haue no loue of Christ and his members, God wil at length remooue his candlesticke from vs, and vtterly depriue vs of this ornament of the Gospell, and make our land as odious vnto all the world, as the land of the Iewes is at this day. Let vs therfore with all care and diligence shewe forth our loue both to Christ himselfe and to his members, and adorne the gospell which wee professe by bringing forth fruits worthy of it.
The fifth sign is the earthquake, whereby hard rocks were cloven a sunder. And it serves very fitly to signify further unto us, that the sin of the Jews in putting Christ to death was so heavy a burden, that the earth could not bear it,1 but trembled thereat, though the Jews themselves made no bones of it. And it is a thing to be wondered at: that the earth doeth not often in these days, tremble and quake at the monstrous blasphemies and fearful oaths by the wounds and blood and heart of Christ, whereby his members are rent asunder, and he traitorously crucified again. Secondly, the earthquake shows unto us the exceeding and wonderful hardness of the hearts of the Jews, and ours also: they crucified Christ and were not touched with any remorse; and we can talk and hear of his death, yea we can say he was crucified for our sins: and yet are we nothing affected therewith, our hearts will not rend when as hard rocks cleave asunder. Thirdly, the moving of the earth, and the rending of the rocks asunder, may be a sign unto us of the virtue of the doctrine of the gospel of Christ: which is nothing else but the publishing of the passion of his death: which being preached, shall shake heaven and earth, sea and land. It shall move the earthen, hard, and rocky hearts of men;