A09339:1830
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.
Thirdly as Saint Paul saith,1 If we be risen with Christ, then we must seek the things that are above. But how and by what means can we rise with Christ, seeing we did not die with him? Ans. We rise with Christ thus. The burgess of a town in the parliament house beareth the person of the whole town, and whatsoever he saith, that the whole town saith, and whatsoever is done to him, is also done to all the town: so Christ upon the cross stood in our place, and bare our person; and what he suffered, we suffered; and when he died, all the faithful died in him: and so likewise as he is risen again, so are all the faithful risen in him. The consideration whereof doth teach us, that we must not have our hearts wedded to this world. We may use the things of this life, but yet so as though we used them not. For all our love and care must be for things above, and specially we must seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost. We must therefore sue for the pardon of sin, for reconciliation to God in Christ, and for sanctification. These are the precious pearls which we must seek, and when we have found them, we must sell all that we have to buy them; and having bought them, we must lay them up in the secret corners of our hearts, valuing and esteeming of them better then all things in the world beside.
Thirdly as Saint Paul saith,1 If wee be risen with Christ, then we must seeke the things that are aboue. But howe and by what meanes can wee rise with Christ, seeing we did not die with him? Ans. We rise with Christ thus. The burgesse of a towne in the parliament house beareth the person of the whole towne, and whatsoeuer he saith, that the whole towne saith, and whatsoeuer is done to him, is also done to all the towne: so Christ vpon the crosse stood in our place, and bare our person; and what he suffered, we suffered; and when he died, all the faithfull died in him: and so likewise as he is risen againe, so are all the faithfull risen in him. The consideration whereof doth teach vs, that we must not haue our hearts wedded to this world. We may vse the thinges of this life, but yet so as though we vsed them not. For all our loue and care must be for thinges aboue, and specially wee must seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse, peace of conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost. Wee must therefore sue for the pardon of sinne, for reconciliation to God in Christ, and for sanctification. These are the pretious pearles which we must seeke, and when we haue found them, we must sell all that we haue to buy them; and hauing bought them, wee must lay them vp in the secret corners of our hearts, valuing and esteeming of them better then all things in the world beside.