A09339:1959
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 fruit of the spirit, is peace. Of this Paul speaketh most excellently, saying,1 If it be possible, as much as in you is have peace with all men. It is nothing else but concord which must be kept in an holy manner, with all men, both good and bad, so far forth as can be. Isai the Prophet speaking of the fruits of the Gospel saith,2 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard with the kid, &c. Where note, that in the kingdom of Christ, when a man is called into the state of grace, howsoever by nature he be as a wolf, as a leopard, as a lion, or as a bear; yet he shall then lay away his cruel nature, and become gentle, & live peaceably with all men. Now for the practising of this peace, there are three duties especially to be learned and performed: I. rather then peace should be broken, a man must yield of his own right. When Publicans came to our Saviour Christ for tribute, he had a lawful excuse: for how soever he lived in low estate among them, yet he was the right heir to the kingdom, and therefore was free: nevertheless he stood not on his privilege, but calleth Peter, saying,3 Least we offend them, go to the sea and cast in an angle, and take the first fish that cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of twenty pence: take it, and give it to them for thee and me. Here we see that our Saviour Christ, rather then he would break the common peace, yields of his own right; and so we must do if we will be good followers of him. Secondly, when any man shall sin either in word or indeed, specially if it be upon infirmity, we must avoid bitter invectives and mildly tell him of his fault, and in all meekness and love labour for his amendment. So Paul teacheth us, saying,4 If any man be fallen into any fault by occasion, restore such an one with the spirit of meekness, considering thy self, least thou be also tempted. &c. Bear ye one an others burden. Thirdly, every man within the compass of his calling, must be a peace-maker between them that are at variance. This is a special duty of godliness and christianity, and therefore our Saviour Christ doth highly commend such, and pronounceth this blessing upon them,