A09339:1900
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.
These are the signs that go before the coming of Christ, all which are almost past, and therefore the end can not be far off. Now follows the sign that is joined with the coming of Christ, called the sign of the son of man. What this sign is, we find not in the Scriptures. Some think it to be the sign of the cross; but that is frivolous: some, the glory and majesty of Christ, which shall be made manifest in his appearance: which seems to be otherwise by the very words of Christ.1 Then (saith he) shall appear the sign of the son of man, &c. and then they shall see him come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory: where he distinguisheth the one from the other. But I rather conjecture it to be the burning of heaven and earth with fire, at the very instant of Christs coming, mentioned by Peter. We must not here dispute whence this fire shall come, or how it shall be kindled, for that the word of God hath concealed: and where God hath not a mouth to speak, there we must not have an ear to hear.
These are the signes that goe before the comming of Christ, all which are almost past, and therefore the end can not be farre off. Now follows the signe that is ioyned with the comming of Christ, called the signe of the sonne of man. What this signe is, we finde not in the Scriptures. Some thinke it to be the signe of the crosse; but that is friuolous: some, the glorie and maiestie of Christ, which shall be made manifest in his appearance: which seemes to be otherwise by the very words of Christ.1 Then (saith he) shall appeare the signe of the sonne of man, &c. and then they shall see him come in the clouds of heauen with power and great glorie: where he distinguisheth the one from the other. But I rather coniecture it to be the burning of heauen and earth with fire, at the very instant of Christs comming, mentioned by Peter. We must not here dispute whence this fire shall come, or how it shall be kindled, for that the word of God hath concealed: and where God hath not a mouth to speake, there we must not haue an eare to heare.