A09339:1764
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.
not in their own nature, but by reason of the corruption of mans heart, who makes of them his God. Saint John saith further, that Joseph was a disciple of Christ, but yet a close disciple for fear of the Jews. And this shows,1 that Christ is most ready to receive them that come unto him, though they come laden with manifold wants. I say not this, that any hereby should take boldness to live in their sins, but my meaning is, that though men be weak in the faith, yet are they not to be dismayed, but to come to Christ, who refuseth none that come to him.2 Draw near to God (saith S. James) and he will draw near to you. Christ doth not forsake any, till they forsake him first. Lastly the holy Ghost saith of him, that he waited for the kingdom of God, that is, he did believe in the Messiah to come, and therefore did wait daily till the time was come, when the Messiah by his death and passion should abolish the kingdom of sin and Satan, and establish his own kingdom throughout the whole world. The same is said of Simeon that he was a good man and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel. This was the most principal virtue of all that Joseph had, and the very root of all his goodness and righteousness, that he waited for the kingdom of God. For it is the property of faith whereby we have confidence in the Messiah to change our nature, and ⟨p. 369⟩to purify the heart, and to make it bring forth works of righteousness. There be many among us, that can talk of Christs kingdom, and of redemption by him, and yet make no conscience of sin, & have little care to live according to the Gospel which they profess: and all is, because they do not soundly believe in the Messiah, and they wait not for the kingdom of heaven, & therefore there is no change in them: but we for our parts must labour to have this affiance in the Messiah with Joseph, and to wait for the second appearance, that thereby we may be made new creatures, having the kingdom of Satan battered and beaten down in us, and the kingdom of God erected in our hearts.
not in their owne nature, but by reason of the corruption of mans heart, who makes of them his God. Saint Iohn saith further, that Ioseph was a disciple of Christ, but yet a close disciple for feare of the Iewes. And this shewes,