A09339:1264
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.
In handling of the foresaid points for orders sake, is considered, 1. The meaning, or such points of doctrine as are necessary to be known thereof. 2. The duties to be learned thereby. 3. The comforts that Gods people may gather thence.
In handling of the foresaid points for orders sake, is considered, 1. The meaning, or such points of doctrine as are necessarie to bee knowne thereof. 2. The duties to be learned thereby. 3. The comforts that Gods pleople may gather thence.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
NO man justly can be offended at this, that I begin to treat of the doctrine of faith without a text; though some be of mind, that in Catechising the minister is to proceed as in the ordinary course of preaching, only by handling a set portion of scripture: & therefore that the handling of the Creed being no scripture, is not convenient. Indeed I grant, that other course to be commendable: yet I doubt not, but in Catechising the minister hath his liberty to follow or not to follow a certain text of scripture, as we do in the usual course of preaching. My reason is taken from the practise of the Primitive Church;1 whose Catechism (as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews showeth) was contained in six principles or grounds of religion, which were not taken out of any set text in the old Testament: but rather was a form of teaching gathered out of the most clear places thereof. Hence I reason thus: That which in this point was the use and manner of the Primitive Church, is lawful to be used of us now: but in the Primitive church it was the manner to catechize without handling any set text of scripture: and therefore the ministers of the Gospel at this time may with like liberty do the same: so be it they do confirm the doctrine which they teach with places of scripture afterward.