A09339:1759
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, if Christ when he was most weak and base in the eyes of men, did most of all triumph upon the cross; then every one of us must learn to say with the Apostle Paul,1 God forbid that I should rejoice in any thing but in the cross of Christ Jesus our Lord. That we may say this truly, first of all we must labour to have the benefit of the cross of Christ not only in the remission but also in the mortification of our sins: secondly, we must not be discomforted, but rather rejoice and triumph therein. A Christian man can never have greater honour then to suffer for the Gospel of Christ when God calleth him thereunto:2 and therefore Saint Paul setteth forth another most glorious show which all those must make that suffer any thing for Gods cause. They must encounter with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and are placed as it were on a theatre: and in this conflict the beholders are men and angels; yea, the whole host of heaven and earth: the umpire or judge is God himself, who will give sentence of victory on their side, and so they shall overcome. We must not hereupon thrust our selves into danger: but when it shall please God to call us thereunto, we must think our selves highly honoured of him. As when God sendeth loss of friends, of substance, or good name, or any other calamity, we must not despair, or be over grieved, but rather rejoice and address our selves then with our Saviour Christ to make a triumph.
Thirdly, if Christ when he was most weake and base in the eyes of men, did most of all triumph vpon the crosse; then euery one of vs must learne to say with the Apostle Paul,1 God forbid that I should reioyce in any thing but in the crosse of Christ Iesus our Lord. That we may say this truly, first of all we must labour to haue the benefit of the crosse of Christ not onely in the remission but also in the mortification of our sinnes: secondly, we must not be discomforted, but rather reioyce and triumph therein. A Christian man can neuer haue greater honour then to suffer for the Gospel of Christ when God calleth him thereunto:2 and therefore Saint Paul setteth forth another most glorious shew which all those must make that suffer any thing for Gods cause. They must encounter with the world, the flesh, and the deuill, and are placed as it were on a theater: and in this conflict the beholders are men and angels; yea, the whole hoast of heauen and earth: the vmpire or iudge is God himselfe, who wil giue sentence of victorie on their side, and so they shall ouercome. We must not hereupon thrust our selues into danger: but when it shall please God to call vs thereunto, we must thinke our selues highly honoured of him. As when God sendeth losse of friends, of substance, or good name, or any other calamitie, we must not despaire, or be ouer grieued, but rather reioyce and addresse our selues then with our Sauiour Christ to make a triumph.