A09339:1441
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.
On this manner must all the places of Scripture be understood, in which it is said,1 that God gave the wives of David to Absalom: that God moved David to number the people; that he commanded Shimei to rail on David; that the Medes and Persians are his sanctified ones: that the revolt of the ten tribes was done by God, &c. By all these examples it appears, that we must not sever Gods permission from his will or decree, and that we must put difference between the evil work of man, and the good work of God which he doth by man: & the whole matter may yet be more clearly perceived by this comparison. A thief at the day of assize is condemned, & the magistrate appoints him to be executed; the hangman owing a grudge to the malefactor, useth him hardly & prolongeth his punishment longer then he should. Now the magistrate and the hangman do both one and the same work: yet the hangman for his part is a murderer, the magistrate in the mean season no murderer, but a just judge putting justice in execution by the hangman: so god though he use evil instruments, yet is he free from the evil of the instruments.
On this manner must all the places of Scripture be vnderstood, in which it is said,1 that God gaue the wiues of Dauid to Absalom: that God mooued Dauid to number the people; that he commanded Shemei to raile on Dauid; that the Medes and Persians are his sanctified ones: that the reuolt of the tenne tribes was done by God, &c. By all these examples it appeares, that wee must not seuer Gods permission from his wil or decree, and that we must put difference betweene the euill work of man, and the good worke of God which he doth by man: & the whole matter may yet be more clearely perceiued by this comparison. A theefe at the day of assise is condemned, & the magistrate appoints him to be executed; the hangman owing a grudge to the malefactour, vseth him hardly & prolongeth his punishment longer then he should. Now the magistrate and the hangman doe both one and the same worke: yet the hangman for his part is a murderer, the magistrate in the meane season no murderer, but a iust iudge putting iustice in executiō by the hangman: so god though he vse euil instruments, yet is he free from the euil of the instrumēts.