A09339:3900
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.
The third benefit is, that all crosses, afflictions, and judgements whatsoever, cease to be curses and punishments to them that are in Christ, and are only means of correction or trial, because his death hath taken away not some few ⟨p. 821⟩parts, but, all and every part of the curse of the whole law. Now in all crosses, Christ is to be known of us on this manner. We must judge of our afflictions as chastisements or trials, proceeding not from a revenging judge, but from the hand of a bountiful and loving father; and therefore they must be conceived in and with the merit of Christ; and if we do otherwise regard them, we take them as curses and punishments of sin. And hence it follows that subjection to Gods hand in all crosses, is a mark and badge of the true Church.
The third benefit is, that al crosses, afflictions, and iudgements whatsoeuer, cease to be curses and punishments to them that are in Christ, and are onely meanes of correction or triall, because his death hath taken away not some few ⟨p. 821⟩parts, but, all and euery part of the curse of the whole lawe. Nowe in all crosses, Christ is to be known of vs on this manner. We must iudge of our afflictions as chastisements or trials, proceeding not from a reuenging iudge, but from the hand of a bountiful and louing father; and therefore they must be conceiued in and with the merit of Christ; and if we doe otherwise regard them, we take them as curses and punishments of sinne. And hence it followes that subiection to Gods hand in all crosses, is a marke and badge of the true Church.
The last benefit is, that death is properly no death, but a rest or sleep. Death therefore must be known and considered not as it is set forth in the law but as it is altered and changed by the death of Christ: and when death comes, we must then look upon it through Christs death, as through a glass: and thus it will appear to be but a passage from this life to everlasting life.