A09339:3923
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 fourth is, that all good works done of us, proceed from the virtue and merit of Christ crucified: he is the cause of them in us, and we are the causes of them in and by him. Without me (saith he) ye can do nothing: and, Every branch that beareth no fruit in me, mark well he saith, in me, he taketh away, Joh. 15.2.
The fourth is, that all good workes done of vs, proceede from the vertue and merit of Christ crucified: he is the cause of them in vs, and we are the causes of them in and by him. Without me (saith he) ye can do nothing: and, Euery branch that beareth no fruite in me, marke well he saith, in me, he taketh away, Ioh. 15.2.
The fifth point is, that we owe unto Christ an endless debt. For he was crucified only as our surety and pledge, & in the spectacle of his passion we must consider our selves as the chief debtors, and that the very discharge of our debt, that is, the sins which are inherent in us, were the proper cause of all the endless pains and torments that Christ endured, that he might set us most ⟨p. 826⟩miserable bankrupts at liberty from hell, death, and damnation. For this his unspeakable goodness, if we do but once think of it seriously, we must needs confess that we owe our selves, our souls, and bodies, and all that we have as a debt due unto him. And so soon as any man begins to know Christ crucified, he knows his own debt, and thinks of the payment of it.
The fift point is, that we owe vnto Christ an endles debt. For he was crucified onely as our suretie and pledge, & in the spectacle of his passion we must consider our selues as the chiefe debters, and that the very discharge of our debt, that is, the sinnes which are inherent in vs, were the proper cause of all the endles paines and torments that Christ endured, that he might set vs most ⟨p. 826⟩