A09339:1853
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.
Again, when crosses and calamities fall, the counsel of the minister is not sought for, but the help of such as are called cunning men and cunning women is, that is, of charmers, enchanters, and figure-casters: a bad practise. Christ at his ascension sent his holy spirit unto his Church and people, to be their guide and comforter in their calamities and miseries: and therefore when any man is in distress, he should have recourse to the right means of comfort, namely the word and Sacraments, and there he should find the assistance of the holy Ghost. Thus the prophet Isai informeth the Jews: when they shall say unto you: inquire at them which have a spirit of divination, and at the soothsayers which whisper and murmur:1 Should not a people inquire at their God from the living to the dead? to the law and to the testimony. Rebecca,2 when the two twins strove in her womb, what did she? the text saith, she sent to ask the Lord. Yet commonly the men of these days leave God & seek to the instruments of the devil. To go yet further, god useth for sundry causes most of all to afflict his dearest children. Judgement, saith Peter,3 begins at Gods house. S. Luke saith, that a certain woman was bound of Satan eighteen years, but what was she? a daughter of Abraham, that is, a child of God. When the like condition shall befall any of us, let us remember the end why Christ ascended up to heaven: and pray unto God that he will give us his spirit, that thereby we may be eased and delivered, or else enabled to persevere & continue in patience: and this is the true way and means to lighten & ease the ⟨p. 406⟩burden of all afflictions. And for this cause Paul prayeth that the Colossians might be strengthened with all might, through his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness. 4For to whomsoever God giveth grace to believe, to them also he gives power to suffer affliction by the inward work of his spirit. Secondly, if Christ have sent unto his church the holy spirit to be our comforter, our duty is, to prepare our bodies and souls to be fit temples and houses for so worthy a guest. If a man were certified that a prince would come to his house, he would dress it up and have all things in as good order as might be: