A09339:1421
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.
Thirdly, mans body by creation, was made a temple framed by Gods own hands for himself to dwell in;1 therefore our duty is to keep our bodies pure and clean, and not to suffer them to be instruments whereby to practise the sin of the heart. If a man had a fair house wherein he must entertain a prince, and should make hereof a swinesty, or a stable, would not all men say, that he did greatly abuse both the house and the prince: even so mans body being at the first made a palace for the everliving God; if a man shall abuse it by drunkenness, swearing, lying, fornication, or any uncleanness, he doth make it in stead of a temple for the holy Ghost, to be a sty or stable for the devil. For the more filthy a mans body is, the more fit it is to be a dwelling place for sin and Satan.
Thirdly, mans bodie by creation, was made a temple framed by Gods owne hands for himselfe to dwell in;1 therefore our dutie is to keepe our bodies pure and cleane, and not to suffer them to be instruments wherby to practise the sinne of the heart. If a man had a faire house wherein he must entertaine a prince, and should make hereof a swinestie, or a stable, would not all men say, that he did greatly abuse both the house and the prince: euen so mans bodie beeing at the first made a pallace for the euerliuing God; if a man shall abuse it by drunkennesse, swearing, lying, fornication, or any vncleannesse, he doth make it in stead of a temple for the holy Ghost, to be a stie or stable for the deuill. For the more filthie a mans bodie is, the more fit it is to be a dwelling place for sinne and Sathan.
- 1•. Cor. 6.15.
Fourthly, man by creation was made a goodly creature in the blessed image of God: but by Adams fall men lost the same, and are now become the deformed children of wrath: our duty therefore is, to labour to get again our first image, and endeavour our selves to become new creatures. If a noble man