A09339:1273
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
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.
There be two kind of writings in which the doctrine of the Church is handled, and they are either divine or Ecclesiastical. Divine, are the books of the old and new Testament penned either by Prophets or Apostles. And these are not only the pure word of God, but also the scripture of God: because not only the matter of them but the whole disposition thereof with the style and the phrase was set down by the immediate inspiration of the holy ghost. And the authority of these books is divine, that is, absolute and sovereign, and they are of sufficient credit in and by themselves needing not the testimony ⟨p. 187⟩of any creature, not subject to the censure either of men or Angels, binding the consciences of all men at all times, and being the only foundation of faith, and the rule and canon of all trueth.
There bee two kinde of writings in which the doctrine of the Church is handled, and they are either diuine or Ecclesiasticall. Diuine, are the bookes of the olde and newe Testament penned either by Prophets or Apostles. And these are not onely the pure word of God, but also the scripture of God: because not onely the matter of them but the whole disposition thereof with the style and the phrase was set downe by the immediate inspiration of the holy ghost. And the authoritie of these bookes is diuine, that is, absolute and soueraigne, and they are of sufficient credit in and by themselues needing not the testimonie ⟨p. 187⟩of any creature, not subiect to the censure either of men or Angels, binding the consciences of all men at all times, and beeing the only foundation of faith, and the rule and canon of all trueth.
Ecclesiastical writings are all other ordinary writings of the Church consenting with Scriptures. These may be called the word or trueth of God, so far forth as their matter or substance is consenting with the written word of god: but they cannot be called the scripture of God because the style and phrase of them was set down according to the pleasure of man, and therefore they are in such sort the word of God, as that also they are the word of men. And their authority in defining of trueth and falsehood in matters of religion is not sovereign, but subordinate to the former: and it doth not stand in the authority and pleasures of men &councils, but in the consent which they have with the scriptures.