A09339:1790
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 thing is, that Christ rose again with an earthquake. And this serveth to prove that he lost nothing of his power by death, but still remained the absolute Lord and King of heaven and earth, to whom therefore the earth under his feet trembling doth him homage. This also proveth unto us that Christ which lay dead in the grave did raise himself again by his own almighty power. Lastly it serveth to convince the keepers of the grave, the women which came to embalm him, and the disciples which came to the sepulchre, and would not yet believe that he was risen again. But how came this earthquake? Ans. Saint Matthew saith, there was a great earthquake.1 For the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, &c. This shows that the power of angels is great, in that they can move and stir the earth. Three angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.2 An angel destroyed the first borne of Egypt in one night. In the host of Sennacherib one angel slue in one night an hundred fourscore and five thousand men. Of like power is the devil himself to shake the earth, and to destroy us all, but that God of his goodness limits and restrains him of his liberty. Well, if one angel be able to shake the earth, what then will Christ himself do when he shall come to judgement the second time, with many thousand thousands of angels? oh how terrible and fearful will his coming be! Not without cause, saith the holy Ghost, that the wicked at that day shall cry out, wishing the hills to fall upon them, and the mountains to cover them for fear of that great and terrible day of the Lord.
The third thing is, that Christ rose againe with an earthquake. And this serueth to prooue that he lost nothing of his power by death, but still remained the absolute Lord and King of heauen and earth, to whome therefore the earth vnder his feete trembling doth him homage. This also prooueth vnto vs that Christ which lay dead in the graue did raise himselfe againe by his owne almightie power. Lastly it serueth to conuince the keepers of the graue, the women which came to embalme him, and the disciples which came to the sepulchre, and would not yet beleeue that he was risen againe. But how came this earthquake? Ans. Saint Matthew saith, there was a great earthquake.1