A09339:1967
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.
Fourthly, if we believe in the holy Ghost, and thereupon do persuade our selves, that he will dwell in us: we must daily labour as we are commanded to keep our vessels in holiness and honour unto the Lord: 1and the reason is good. If a man be to entertain but an earthly prince or some man of state, he would be sure to have his house in a readiness, and all matters in order against his coming, so as every thing might be pleasing unto so worthy a guest: well now, behold, we put our confidence and affiance in the holy Ghost, and do believe that he will come unto us, and sanctify us, and lodge in our hearts. He is higher then all states in the world whatsoever; and therefore we must look that our bodies and souls be kept in an honourable and holy manner, so as they may be fit temples for him to dwell in. S. Paul biddeth us• not to grieve the holy spirit, 2where the holy Ghost is compared to a guest, and ou• bodies and souls unto Inns: and as men use their guests friendly and courteously, showing unto them all service and duty: so must we do to Gods spirit which is come to dwell and abide in us, doing nothing in any case, which may disquiet or molest him. Now there is nothing so grievous unto him as our sins, and therefore we must make conscience of all manner of sin, least by abusing of our selves, we do cause the holy Ghost (as it were) with grief to depart from us. When the ark of the covenant which was a sign of the presence of God, was in the house of Obed Edom, the text saith, that the Lord blessed him and all his house: but when the holy Ghost dwells in a mans heart,3 there is more then the ark of the Lord present, even God himself: and therefore may we look for a greater blessing. Now then shall we grieve the holy Ghost by sinning, seeing we reap such benefit by his abode? It is said that our Saviour Christ was angry when he came into the temple at Jerusalem, and saw the abuses therein. Now shall he be angry for the abuses that are done in a temple of stone, and seeing the temples of our bodies which are not made of stone, but are spiritual, figured by that earthly temple, seeing them (I say) abused by sin, will he not be much more angry? Yea we may assure our selves, he can not abide that. And therefore if we believe in the holy Ghost, we must hereupon be moved to keep our bodies and souls pure and clean.