A09339:1801
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.
Now after that the women are come to the disciples and make relation of Christs resurrection, the text saith, Their words seemed as feigned things unto them, neither believed they them. 1Hence we learn two things: the first, that men of themselves can not believe the doctrine of Christian religion: it is a hard matter for a man to believe sundry things in the work of creation. The temporal deliverance of the children of Israel seemed to them as a dream: and the resurrection of Christ even to Christs own disciples seemed a feigned thing. The second, that it is an hard thing truly and unfeignedly to believe the points of religion. Disciples brought up in the school of Christ, and often catechised in this very point of Christs resurrection, yet dull are they to believe it. This confuteth & condemneth our carnal gospellers, that make it the lightest and easiest thing that can be to believe in Christ: and therefore they say their faith is so strong, that they would not for all the world doubt of gods mercy: whereas indeed they are deceived and have no faith at all, but blind presumption.
Now after that the women are come to the disciples and make relation of Christs resurrection, the text saith, Their wordes seemed as fained things vnto them, neither beleeued they them. 1Hence we learne two things: the first, that men of themselues can not beleeue the doctrine of Christian religion: it is a hard matter for a man to beleeue sundrie things in the worke of creation. The temporall deliuerance of the children of Israel seemed to them as a dreame: and the resurrection of Christ euen to Christs owne disciples seemed a faigned thing. The second, that it is an hard thing truly and vnfainedly to beleeue the points of religion. Disciples brought vp in the schoole of Christ, and often catechised in this very point of Christs resurrection, yet dull are they to beleeue it. This confuteth & condemneth our carnall gospellers, that make it the lightest and easiest thing that can be to beleeue in Christ: and therefore they say their faith is so strong, that they would not for all the world doubt of gods mercie: whereas indeede they are deceiued and haue no faith at all, but blinde presumption.
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