A09339:2037
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.
For what is the best of us, but a lump of clay? and howsoever in Gods counsel we are chosen to salvation, yet in our selves we are all shut up under unbelief, and are fit to make vessels of wrath. Our Saviour Christ calleth Judas a devil, and we know his lewd life and fearful end: now what are we better then Judas by nature? If we had bin in his stead, without the special blessing of God, we should have done as he did: he betrayed Christ; but if God leave us to our selves, we shall not only betray him, but by our sins even crucify him a thousand ways. Furthermore, let us bethink our selves of this, whether there be not already condemned in hell, who in their lives were not more grievous offenders then we. Isaiah calleth the people of his time a people of Sodom & Gomorrah; giving the Jews then living to understand,1 that they were as bad as the Sodomites, & as the people of Gomorrah, on whom the Lord had showed his judgements long before. If this be true, then let us with fear and trembling be thankful to his majesty that he hath preserved us hitherto from deserved damnation.
For what is the best of vs, but a lumpe of clay? and howsoeuer in Gods counsell we are chosen to saluation, yet in our selues we are all shut vp vnder vnbeleefe, and are fit to make vessels of wrath. Our Sauiour Christ calleth Iudas a deuill, and we know his leud life and fearefull end: now what are we better then Iudas by nature? If we had bin in his stead, without the speciall bles•ing of God, we should haue done as he did: he betraied Christ; but if God leaue vs to our selues, we shal not onely betray him, but by our sinnes euen crucifie him a thousand waies. Furthermore, let vs bethinke our selues of this, whether there be not already condemned in hell, who in their liues were not more grieuous of•endours then we. Esai calleth the people of his time a people of Sodom & Gomorrha; giuing the Iewes then liuing to vnderstand,1 that they were as bad as the Sodomites, & as the people of Gomorrha, on whome the Lord had shewed his iudgements long before. If this be true, then let vs with feare and trembling be thankfull to his maiestie that he hath preserued vs hitherto from deserued damnation.