A09339:1335
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.
Secondly, if a man do endeavour himself to walk according to Gods word, then the Lord of his mercy will bear with his wants:1 for as a father spareth his own son, so will God spare them that fear him. Now a father commands his child to write or to apply his book: though all things herein be not done according to his mind, yet if he find a readiness with a good endeavour, he is content, and falls to praise his child's writing or learning. So God giveth his commandment, and though his servants fail in obedience; yet if the Lord see their hearty endeavour, and their unfeigned willingness to obey his will, though with sundry wants, he hath made this promise and will perform it, that as a father spareth his son, so will he spare them. If a child be sick, will the father cast him off? nay, if through the grievousness of his sickness he can not take the meat that is given him, or if he take it, and for faintness pick it up again, will the father of the child thrust him out of doors? no: but he will rather pity him. And so when a man doth endeavour himself through the whole course of his life to keep Gods commandments, God will not cast him away though through weakness he fail in sundry things and displease God. This prerogative can none have, but he that is the child of God: as for others when they sin, they do nothing else but draw down Gods judgements upon them, for their deeper condemnation.
Secondly, if a man doe indeauour himselfe to walke according to Gods word, then the Lord of his mercie will beare with his wants:1 for as a father spareth his owne sonne, so will God spare them that feare him. Now a father commandes his childe to write or to applie his booke: though all things herein be not done according to his minde, yet if he finde a readinesse with a good indeauour, he is content, and falls to praise his childes writing or learning. So God giueth his commaundement, and though his seruants faile in obedience; yet if the Lord see their heartie indeauour, and their vnfained willingnesse to obey his will, though with sundrie wants, he hath made this promise and will performe it, that as a father spareth his sonne, so will he spare them. If a child be sicke, will the father cast him off? nay, if through the grieuousnes of his sicknesse he can not take the meate that is giuen him, or if he take it, and for faintnesse picke it vp againe, will the father of the childe thrust him out of doores? no: but he will rather pitie him. And so when a man doth indeauour himselfe through the whole course of his life to keepe Gods commandements, God will not cast him away though through weakenesse he faile in sundrie things and displease God. This prerogatiue can none haue, but he that is the childe of God: as for others when they sinne, they doe nothing els but draw downe Gods iudgements vpon them, for their deeper condemnation.