A09339:1427
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.
yet shall he have his own conscience to accuse, upbraid, and condemn him, yea even to fright him out of his wit, and to give him no more rest then he can find upon the rack or gibbet. Now this accusation and terror of conscience, is nothing else but the forerunner of an other most terrible judgement of God, who is Lord of all creatures and judge of all men. And this also proves the providence of God. For if the conscience can find a man out, and lay his faults to his charge, how much more shall God himself the creator of the conscience see and consider all his doings. The fourth and last argument is this. The prophesies of things to come should be uncertain or false, if God governed not the world. But now •••sidering things many years ago foretold, come to pass in the same manner as they were foretold by the Prophets and Apostles: hereby we must certainly conclude that there is a providence of God whereby all and everything is governed.
yet shall he haue his owne conscience to accuse, vpbraid, and condemne him, yea euen to fright him out of his witte, and to giue him no more rest then he can find vpon the racke or gibbet. Now this accusation and terrour of conscience, is nothing els but the forerunner of an other most terrible iudgement of God, who is Lord of all creatures and iudge of all men. And this also prooues the prouidence of God. For if the conscience can finde a man out, and lay his faults to his charge, how much more shall God himselfe the creator of the conscience see and consider all his doings. The fourth and last argument is this. The prophesies of things to come should be vncerten or false, if God gouerned not the world. But now •••sidering things many yeares agoe foretold, come to passe in the same maner as they were foretold by the Prophets and Apostles: hereby we must certenly conclude that there is a prouidence of God whereby all and euerything is gouerned.
Against the providence of God sundry things be alleged. The first and special is, that providence and disorder, confusion and order can not stand together. Now in the world there is nothing but disorder and confusion in seditions, treasons, conspiracies, and subversions of kingdoms: where also sin and wickedness prevails. Ans. It is true indeed there hath bin confusion in the world ever since the fall of man and angels: and it ariseth not from God,