A09339:1402
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 duties. Now follow the consolations that arise from this, that God hath given his glorious angels to serve for the protection ⟨p. 235⟩and safeguard of his church and people. If mens spiritual eyes were open, they should see the devil and his angels, and all the wicked of this world to fight against them: & if there were no means of comfort in this case, then our estate were most miserable. But mark; as Gods servant hath all these wicked ones to be his enemies: so he hath garrisons of angels that pitch their tents about him and defend him from them all. So David saith,1 He shall give his Angels charge over thee, & they shall keep thee in all thy ways, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone: where the angels of God are compared to nurses, which carry little children in their arms, feed them, and are always ready at hand, to save them from falls and many other dangers. When the king of Syria sent his horses &chariots to take Elisha the Lords prophet, because he revealed his counsel to the king of Israel: his servant saw them round about Dothan where he was, and he cried, Alas, master, what shall we do? then Elisha answered, Fear not: for they that be with us, are more then they that be with them:2 & he besought the Lord to open his servants eyes, that he might see: and the Lord opened his eyes, and he looked and behold, the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. So likewise not many years ago, our land was preserved from the invasion of the Spaniards, whose huge Navy lay upon our sea coasts; but how were we delivered from them? surely by no strength nor power, nor cunning of man; but it was the Lord, no doubt, by his Angels that did keep our coasts, and did scatter our enemies, and drown them. Let enemies rage, and let them do what they will, if a man keep himself in the ways which God prescribeth, he hath Gods Angels to guide and preserve him: which thing must move men to love and embrace the true religion, and to conform themselves in all good conscience to the rule of Gods word. For when a man doeth not so, all the Angels of God are his enemies, and at all times ready to execute Gods vengeance upon him:
And thus much of the duties. Nowe followe the consolations that arise from this, that God hath giuen his glorious angels to serue for the protection