A Golden Chain

The common protestant likewise cometh short herein for three causes. First whereas in word they acknowledge him to be their Saviour, that hath redeemed them from their evil conversation, yet indeed they make him a patron of their sins. The thief makes him the receiver, the murderer makes him his refuge, ^bthe adulterer (be it spoken with reverence unto his majesty) makes him the baud. For generally men walk on in their evil ways, some living in this sin, some in that, and yet for all this they persuade themselves that God is merciful, and that Christ hath freed them from death and damnation. Thus Christ that came to abolish sin, is made a maintainer thereof, and the common pack-horse of the world to bear every mans burden. Secondly, men are content to take knowledge of the merit of Christs passion for the remission of their sins, but in the mean season the virtue of Christs death in the mortifying of sin, and the blessed example of his passion, which ought to be followed and expressed in our lives & conversations, is little or nothing regarded. Thirdly, men usually content themselves generally and confusedly to know Christ to be their redeemer, never once seeking in every particular estate and condition of life, and in every particular blessing of God, to feel the benefit of his passion. What is the cause that almost all the world live in security, never almost touched for their horrible sins? surely the reason is, because they did never yet seriously consider that Christ in the garden lay grovelling upon the earth, sweating water & blood for their offences. Again, all such a by fraud and oppression, or any kind of hard dealing suck the blood of poor men, never yet knew that their sins drew out the heart blood of Christ. And proud men and women that are puffed up by reason of ⟨p. 827⟩their attire, which is the badge of their shame, and never cease hunting after strange fashions, do not consider that Christ was not crucified in gay attire, but naked, that he might bear the whole shame and curse of the law for us. These and such like whatsoever they say in word, if we respect the tenor of their lives, are flat enemies of the cross of Christ, and tread his precious blood under their feet.

The common protestant likewise commeth short herein for three causes. First whereas in word they acknowledge him to bee their Sauiour, that hath redeemed them from their euill conuersation, yet indeede they make him a patrone of their sinnes. The thiefe makes him the receiuer, the murderer makes him his refuge,