A09339:1439
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.
Thus having seen in what manner God governeth all things, let us now come to the means of government. Sometimes god worketh without means, thus he created all things in the beginning; and he made trees and plants to grow and flourish without the heat of the sun or rain: sometimes he governs according to the usual course and order of nature, as when he preserves our lives by meat and drink: yet so, as he can and doth most freely order all things by means either above nature or against nature, as it shall seem good unto him. As when he caused the sun to stand in the firmament, and to go back in Achas dial:1 when he caused the fire not to burn the three children: when he kept back dew and rain three years in Israel: when he made waters to flow out of the rock: when he caused Elijah cloak to divide the waters of Jordan: when he caused Iron to swim: when he preserved Jonah alive three days and three nights in the whales belly: when he cured diseases, by the strength of nature incurable, as the leprosy of Naaman, the issue of blood, and blindness, &c.
Thus hauing seene in what manner God gouerneth all things, let vs nowe come to the means of gouernment. Sometimes god worketh without means, thus he created all thinges in the beginning; and he made trees and plants to growe and flourish without the heate of the sunne or raine: sometimes hee gouernes according to the vsuall course and order of nature, as when he preserues our liues by meate and drinke: yet so, as he can and doth most freely order al things by meanes either aboue nature or against nature, as it shall seeme good vnto him. As when he caused the sunne to stand in the firmament, and to goe backe in Achas diall:1 when he caused the fire not to burne the three children: when he kept backe dewe and raine three yeres in Israel: when hee made waters to flowe out of the rocke: when he caused Elias cloake to deuide the waters of Iorden: when he caused Iron to swimme: when he preserued Ionas aliue three daies and three nights in the whalles bellie: when he cured diseases, by the strength of nature incureable, as the leprosie of Naaman, the issue of blood, and blindnesse, &c.
- 1Jos. 10.