A09339:1219
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.
If thou feelest not as yet inwardly thy self to be stirred forward, pray that thou mayest be-know this for a most sure truth, that this desire in thee is a pledge of God• fatherly good will towards thee. He ⟨p. 183⟩neither can, nor will be wanting to this which he hath stirred up in thee. After these exhortations, I show him, how some are called at the eleventh hour, how the Gentiles after many thousand years were called to be Gods people, how the thief was saved upon the cross: these and other remedies I used, whereof, I never remember, that it repented me.
If thou feelest not as yet inwardly thy selfe to be stirred forward, pray that thou maist be-know this for a most sure truth, that this desire in thee is a pledge of God• fatherly good will towards thee. He ⟨p. 183⟩neither can, nor will be wanting to this which he hath stirred vp in thee. After these exhortations, I shewe him, howe some are called at the eleuenth houre, how the Gentiles after many thousand yeares were called to be Gods people, how the theefe was saued vpon the crosse: these and other remedies I vsed, whereof, I neuer remember, that it repented me.
But if I deal with such as have before obeyed the Lords calling, and either by reason of some grievous sin into which they have fallen, or because they have absented themselves from the Church of GOD, or in that they, refusing public and private admonitions, have been offensive to the Church, or which in mine experience, hath befallen many very good and godly persons, whilst they satisfy not themselves they are so altogether busily conversant in reprehending and judging themselves that they for a while forget the mercy of God: with these, to omit such as for some natural infirmities, are, if they procure not speedy help of some expert Minister, most dangerously tempted, with these I say, I use this order.