A09339:3916
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.
Thirdly, when thou art in any pain of body or sickness, think how light these are compared to the agony and bloody sweat, to the crown of thorns and nails of Christ. When thou art wronged in word or deed by any man, turn thine eye to the cross, consider how meekly he suffered all abuses for the most part in silence, & prayed for them that crucified him. When thou art tempted with pride or vain-glory, consider how for thy proper sins Christ was despised and mocked and condemned among thieves. When anger and desire of revenge inflame thine heart, think how Christ gave himself to death to save his enemies, even then when they did most cruelly entreat him, & shed his blood: and by these meditations, specially if they be mingled with faith, thy mind shall be eased.
Thirdly, when thou art in any paine of bodie or sickenes, thinke how light these are compared to the agonie and bloodie sweat, to the crown of thornes and nailes of Christ. When thou art wronged in worde or deede by any man, turne thine eie to the crosse, consider howe meekely he suffered all abuses for the most part in silence, & praied for them that crucified him. When thou art tempted with pride or vaine-glorie, consider how for thy proper sins Christ was despised and mocked and condemned among theeues. When anger and desire of reuenge inflame thine heart, think how Christ gaue himself to death to saue his enemies, euen then when they did most cruelly intreat him, & shed his blood: and by these meditations, specially if they be mingled with faith, thy minde shall be eased.
Thus we see how Christ crucified is to be known: and hence ariseth a threefold knowledge: one of God, the second of our neighbours, the third of our selves.
Thus we see how Christ crucified is to be known: and hence ariseth a threefold knowledge: one of God, the second of our neighbours, the third of our selues.