A09339:1428
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.
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, ⟨p. 243⟩but from them alone: who as they did at the first transgress the will of God, so they do what they can to turn all upside down. Now then confusion, & disorder is only in respect of the devil and his instruments: but in regard of God in the very middest of all confusion there is order to be found, because he can and doth dispose it to the glory of his own name, and to the good and salvation of his chosen, as also to the confusion of his enemies.
Against the prouidence of God sundrie things be alleadged. The first and speciall is, that prouidence and disorder, confusion and order can not stande together. Now in the world there is nothing but disorder and confusion in seditions, treasons, conspiracies, and subuersions of kingdomes: where also sinne and wickednesse preuailes. Ans. It is true indeede there hath bin confusion in the world euer since the fall of man and angels: and it ariseth not from God, ⟨p. 243⟩but from them alone: who as they did at the first transgresse the will of God, so they doe what they can to turne all vpside downe. Now then coufusion, & disorder is onely in respect of the deuill and his instruments: but in regard of God in the very middest of all confusion there is order to be founde, because he can and doth despose it to the glorie of his owne name, and to the good and saluation of his chosen, as also to the confusion of his enemies.
Again it may be objected, that with ungodly and wicked men all things go well, and contrariwise with the godly all things go hardly. For through the world, none are more molested and more under outward misery then they: but if there were any providence of God then it should be otherwise; the godly should flourish, and the wicked perish. Ans. The consideration of the outward estate of men in the world, was to David an occasion of a sore temptation. For when he saw the wicked to prosper alway, and their riches to increase, he brake forth and said,