A09339:3166
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
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 he that will believe in Christ must be annihilated, that is, he must be bruised and battered to a flat nothing, in regard of any liking or affection to himself, that he may in spirit mount up to heaven, where Christ sits as the right hand of the father, & as it were with both the hands of faith grasp him with all his blessed merits, ⟨p. 683⟩that he may be wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, life, good works,1 & whatsoever good thing he is, neither in, nor by, nor for himself; but every way forth of himself in Christ. Now, this blessed condition of a believing heart, by natural self-love and self-liking is greatly hindered. God therefore in great mercy to remedy this dangerous corruption, lets his elect servants fall into trouble of mind and conscience, & if they happily be of greater hardness of heart into some actual sin: and so declaring his wonderful mercy in saving them, he is fain against his mercy to bring them to his mercy, & by sin to save them from sin. By this means the Lord, who can bring light out of darkness, makes a remedy of sin to slay pride, that invincible monster of many heads, which would slay the soul.
for he that will beleeue in Christ must be annihilated, that is, he must be bruised and battered to a flat nothing, in regard of any liking or affection to himself, that he may in spirit mount vp to heauen, where Christ sits as the right hand of the father, & as it were with both the handes of faith graspe him with all his blessed merits, ⟨p. 683⟩that he may be wisdome, righteousnes, sanctification, redemption, life, good works,1 & whatsoeuer good thing he is, neither in, nor by, nor for himself; but euery way forth of himself in Christ. Now, this blessed cōditiō of a beleeuing heart, by naturall selfe-loue and self-liking is greatly hindered. God therefore in great mercy to remedie this dangerous corruption, lets his elect seruantes fall into trouble of mind and conscience, & if they happily be of greater hardnes of heart into some actuall sinne: and so declaring his wonderfull mercie in sauing them, he is faine against his mercie to bring them to his mercie, & by sinne to saue them from sinne. By this meanes the Lord, who can bring light out of darknes, makes a remedie of sinne to slay pride, that inuincible monster of many heads, which would slay the soule.