A09339:1849
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.
Fourthly, if Christ have prepared a place for us in heaven, then we are in this world as pilgrims and strangers, and therefore must learn the counsel of Saint Peter: As strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul. He that doth esteem himself as pilgrim, is not to entangle ⟨p. 404⟩himself with the affairs of this world, nor put in practise the behaviour thereof, but to behave himself as a freeman of heaven, as strangers use to live in foreign countries, according to the fashion of their own. And therefore in thought, word, and deed, in life and conversation, he must so carry himself, as thereby he may appear to all the world of what country he is. An ancient divine speaking of such as had curled and embroidered hair,1 biddeth them consider, whether they must go to heaven with such hair or no: and whereas they adorned themselves with winckles made of other women's hair, he asks them whether it may not be the hair of a damned person or no. If it may be, he further demandeth how it may beseem them to wear it which profess themselves to be the sons and daughters of God. The like may be said of all other sins: they that be of Gods house must behave themselves as freemen there. And when God hath made us free, it doth not beseem us to make our selves bondmen of sin and Satan and of this world.
Fourthly, if Christ haue prepared a place for vs in heauen, then we are in this world as pilgrimes and straungers, and therefore must learne the counsell of Saint Peter: As straungers and pilstrimes abstaine from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soule. He that doth esteeme himselfe as pilgrime, is not to intangle ⟨p. 404⟩himselfe with the affaires of this worlde, nor put in practise the behauiour thereof, but to behaue himselfe as a freeman of heauen, as straungers vse to liue in forraine countries, according to the fashion of their owne. And therefore in thought, word, and deede, in life and conuersation, hee must so carrie himselfe, as thereby he may appeare to al the world of what countrie he is. An ancient diuine speaking of such as had curled and embrodered haire,1