A09339:1812
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.
1In Christs dealing with Thomas we may consider three actions. The first, that he speaks to Thomas alone, & answers him according to the very words which he had spoken of him in his absence, and that word for word. And by this he laboured to overthrow his unbelief, and to convince him, that being absent he knew what he spake. And by this we learn, that though we want the bodily presence of Christ he being now in heaven, yet he knoweth well what we say, and if need were could repeat all our sayings word by word: and if it were not so, how could it be true that we must give an account of every idle word. Now this must teach us to look that our speech be gracious according to the rule of Gods holy word. Secondly this must make us willing and ready to direct our prayers to Christ, considering he knoweth what we pray for, and heareth every word we speak. The second action is, that Christ condescends to Thomas, and gives him liberty to feel the print of the nails, and to put his finger into his side. He might have rejected Thomas for his wilfulness, yet to help his unbelief, he yieldeth unto his weakness. This showeth, that Christ is most compassionate to all those that unfeignedly repent them of their sins and cleave unto him, although they do it laden with manifold wants.2 David saith, that the Lord hath compassion on all them that fear ⟨p. 389⟩him, as a father hath compassion on his children: and he adds the reason, For he knoweth of what we are made. And the prophet Isaiah,3 He will not break the bruised reed, and smoking flax he will not quench. When a child is very sick, in so much that it casteth up all the meat which it taketh, the mother will not be offended thereat, but rather pity it. Now our Saviour Christ is ten thousand times more merciful to them that believe in him, then any mother is or can be. The third action is, that when Thomas had seen & felt the wounds, Christ revived his faith, whereupon he brake forth and said,4 My Lord, and my God. In which words he doth most notably bewail his blindness and unbelief; and as a fire that hath been smothered, so doth his faith burst forth and show it self. And in this example of Thomas we may see the state of Gods people in this life.