A09339:1814
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 second appearance of Christ was to seven of the disciples as they went on fishing,1 in which he gives three testimonies of his godhead, and that by death his power was nothing diminished. The first, that when the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing, afterward by his direction they catch fish in abundance, and that presently. This teacheth us, that Christ is a sovereign Lord over all creatures, and hath the disposing of them in his own hands: and that if good success follow not when men are painful in their callings, it is because God will prepare and make them fit for a further blessing. Christ comes in the morning and gives his disciples a great draught of fish: yet before this can be, they must labour all night in vain. Joseph must be made ruler over all Egypt, but first he must be cast into a dungeon where he can see no sun nor light, to prepare him to that honour. And David must be King over Israel, but the Lord will first prepare him hereunto by raising up Saul to persecute him. Therefore when God s•ndeth any hinderances unto us in our callings, we must not despair nor be discouraged, for they are the means whereby God maketh us fit to receive greater blessings at his hands either in this life or in the life to come. The second is, that the net was unbroke though it had in it great fishes to the number of an hundred fifty three. The third, that when the disciples came to land, they saw hot coals and fish laid thereon and bread. Now some may ask, whence was this food? Answ. The same Lord that was able to provide a Whale to swallow up Jonah, and so to save him: and he that was able to provide a fish for Peters angle with a piece of twenty pence in the mouth: and to make a little bread and a few fishes to feed so many thousands in the wilderness: the same also doeth of himself provide bread and fishes for his disciples. This teacheth us, that not not only the blessing, but also the very having of meat, drink, apparel ⟨p. 390⟩is from Christ: and hereupon all states of men, even the kings of the earth are taught to pray that God would give them their daily bread. Again, when we sit down to eat and drink, this must put us in mind that we are the guests of Christ himself: our food which we have comes of his mere gift; and he it is that entertains us, if we could see it.