A09339:1880
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.
Secondly, he defends his Church by limiting the power and rage of all enemies. And hence it is, that although the power of the Church of God on earth be weak and slender in it self, and contrariwise the power of the devil exceeding great, yet can he not so much as touch the people of God. And he more prevails by inward suggestions and temptations, then by outward violence. And if it were not that the power of Christ doth bridle his rage, there could be no abode for the Church of Christ in this world.
Secondly, he defends his Church by limiting the power and rage of all enemies. And hence it is, that although the power of the Church of God on earth be weake and slender in it selfe, and contrariwise the power of the deuill exceeding great, yet can he not so much as touch the people of God. And he more preuailes by inward suggestions and temptations, then by outward violence. And if it were not that the power of Christ doth bridle his rage, there could be no aboad for the Church of Christ in this world.
Thus we have seen what are the works of Christ in governing his church: and we for our parts that profess our selves to be members thereof, must show our selves to be so indeed, by an experience of these works of his in our own hearts. And we must suffer him to gather us under his own wing, and to guide us by his word and spirit, and we are to acquaint our selves with those spiritual exercises, whereby his good pleasure is to nurture us to all obedience. Lastly, we must depend on his aid and protection in all estates. And seeing we in this land, have had peace and rest with the Gospel of Christ among us a long time, by Gods especial goodness, we must now after these days of peace look for days of tribulation: we must not imagine that our ease and liberty will continue always. For look as the day and ⟨p. 417⟩night do one follow another; so likewise in the administration of the church here upon earth, Christ suffereth a continual intercourse between peace and persecution. Thus he hath done from the beginning hitherto, and we may resolve our selves that so it will continue till the end: and therefore it shall be good for us in these days of our peace, to prepare our selves for troubles and afflictions: and when troubles come; we must still remember the fourth work of Christ in the government of his church, namely that in all dangers he will defend us against the rage of our enemies, as well by giving us power and strength to bear with patience and joy whatsoever shall be laid upon us, as also bridle the rage of the world, the flesh, and the devil, so as they shall not be able to exercise their power and malice to the full against us.