A09339:1877
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 third work of Christ is, to exercise his Church unto spiritual obedience by manifold troubles, crosses, temptations, and afflictions in this world, as earthly kings use to train and exercise their subjects.1 When our Saviour Christ was with his disciples in a ship, there arose a great tempest upon the sea, so as the ship was almost covered with waves; but he was asleep; and his disciples came & awoke him, saying, Save us master, we perish. Behold here a lively picture of the dealing of Christ with his servants in this life. His manner is to place them upon the sea of this world, and to raise up against the• bleak storms and flaws of contrary winds by their enemies, the flesh, the devil, the world. And further in the middest of all these dangers he for his own part maketh as though he lay asleep for a time, that he may the better make trial of their patience, faith, and obedience. And the ends for which he useth this spiritual exercise are these. The first to make all his subjects to humble themselves, and as it were to go crooked and buckle under their offences committed against his majesty in times past. Thus Job after the Lord had long afflicted him, and laid his hand sore upon him, saith,2 Behold I am vile: and again, I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes. In the same manner we being his subjects and people, must look to be exercised with temptations and afflictions which shall make us bend and bow for our sins past, as the old man goeth crooked and doubles to the earth by reason of age. The second, is to prevent sins in the time to come. A father when he sees his child too bold and venturous about fire and water; takes it and holds it over the fire or over the water, as though he would burn or drown it, whereas his purpose indeed is nothing else but to prevent danger in time to come. In like manner Christs subjects are bold to sin by nature, and therefore to prevent a mischief ⟨p. 416⟩chief he doth exercise them with affliction, and seems for a season as though he would quite forsake his Church, but his meaning is only to prevent offences in times to come. The third end is, to continue his subjects in obedience unto his commandments: so the Lord saith, when he would bring his Church from idolatry: