A09339:1944
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 fifth grace and gift of the holy Ghost is, to hear and receive the word of God with joy. In the parable of the sower, one kind of bad ground are they,1 which when they have heard, receive the word with joy. And this is that, which the author of the Hebrews calls the the tasting of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come. We know that there is great difference between tasting of meat and eating of it. They that sit down at the table do both taste and eat, but they that dress the meat do only see and taste thereof: so it is at the Lords table. Many there be that have this gift; truly both to taste and eat of the body and blood of Christ offered in the word and Sacraments: and some again do only taste and feel the sweetness of them and rejoice therein, but yet are not indeed partakers thereof. Now if this be so, then all those which hear the word of God must take heed how they hear, and labour to find these two things in themselves by hearing: I. that in heart and conscience they be throughly touched and humbled for their sins: II. that they be certainly assured of the favour and love of God in Christ, and that the sweet promises of the Gospel do belong to them: and in consideration ⟨p. 441⟩hereof they must make conscience of all sin both in thought, word, and deed, through the whole course of their lives. And this kind of hearing bringeth that joy which vanisheth not away.
The fifth grace and gift of the holy Ghost is, to heare and receiue the word of God with ioy. In the parable of the sower, one kind of badde ground are they,1 which when they haue heard, receiue the worde with ioy. And this is that, which the authour of the Hebrues calls the the tasting of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come. We knowe that there is great difference betweene tasting of meate and eating of it. They that sit down at the table do both tast and eate, but they that dresse the meate do onely see and taste thereof: so it is at the Lords table. Many there be that haue this gift; truely both to tast and eate of the bodie and blood of Christ offered in the word and Sacraments: and some againe doe onely taste and feele the sweetnesse of them and reioice therein, but yet are not indeede partakers thereof. Nowe if this be so, then all those which heare the word of God must take heede how they heare, and labour to finde these two things in themselues by hearing: I. that in heart and conscience they be throughly touched and humbled for their sinnes: II. that they be certenly assured of the fauour and loue of God in Christ, and that the sweete promises of the Gospel doe belong to them: and in consideration