A09339:1311
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.
And thus much of the meaning of the first words, I believe in God, &c. Now follow the duties which may be gathered hence. First of all, if we are bound to believe in God, then we are also bound to take notice of our natural unbelief, whereby we distrust God, to check our selves for it, and to strive against it. Thus dealt the father of the child that had a dumb spirit, Lord (saith he) I believe, Lord help mine unbelief. 1And David, Why art thou cast down my soul? and w•y art thou so disquieted in me? wait on God. 2And that which our Saviour Christ said once to Peter, men should daily speak to themselves: O thou of little faith, why hast thou doubted? But some may say, wherein stands our unbelief? Answer. It stands in two things: I. In ⟨p. 199⟩distrusting the goodness of God, that is, in giving too little or no affiance to him; or in putting affiance in the creature. For the first, few men will abide to be told of their distrust in God: but indeed it is a common and ri•e corruption: and though they soothe themselves never so, yet their usual dealings proclaim their unbelief. Go through all places, it shall be found that scarce one of a thousand in his dealings makes conscience of a lie: a great part of men gets their wealth by fraud and oppression and all kind of unjust and unmerciful dealing. What is the cause that they can do so? Alas, alas, if there be any faith, it is pinned up in some by-corner of the heart, and unbelief bears sway as the lord of the house. Again, if a man had as much wealth as the world comes to, he could find in his heart to wish for an other; and if he had two worlds, he would be casting for the third, if it might be compassed: the reason hereof is, because men have not learned to make God their portion, and to stay their affections on him: which if they could do, a mean portion in temporal blessings would be enough. Indeed these and such like persons will in no wise •eelde that they do distrust the Lord, unless at some time they be touched in conscience with a sense and feeling of their sins, and be throughly humbled for the same: but the truth is, that distrust of Gods goodness is a general and a mother-sin, the ground of all other sins, and the very first and principal sin in Adams fall.