A09339:1458
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 much of sin in general: now we come to the parts of it. The first sin of all that ever was in man,1 is the sin of Adam, which was his disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit. In handling whereof sundry points are to be opened, but let us begin with the causes thereof.
Thus much of sin in generall: nowe we come to the parts of it. The first sin of all that euer was in man,1 is the sinne of Adam, which was his disobedience in eating the forbidden fruite. In handling whereof sundrie points are to bee opened, but let vs begin with the causes thereof.
- 1Rom. 5.5.
The outward efficient cause was the devil. And though he be not named by Moses in the history of the fall, yet that is not to trouble us: for we must not conceive otherwise of the serpent, then of the instrument and mouth of the devil. For it is not likely that it being a brute creature should be able to reason and determine of good and evil, of trueth and falsehood. Now in this temptation the devil shows his malice and his fraud. His malice, in that, whereas he cannot overturn God himself, yet he labours to disturb the order which he hath set down in the creation, and especially the image of God in the most excellent creatures on earth, that they may be in the same miserable condition with himself. His fraud, first in that he begins his temptation with the woman being the weaker person, & not with the man, which course he still continues: as may appear by this, that(a) more women are entangled with witchcraft and sorcery then men. Secondly he shows his fraud, in that he proceeds very slyly and entangles Eve by certain steppes and degrees. For first by moving a question, he draws her to listen unto him, and to reason with him of Gods commandment. Secondly, he brings her to look upon the tree, and wishly to view the beauty of the fruit. Thirdly, he makes her to doubt of the absolute truth of Gods word and promise, and to believe his contrary lies. Fourthly, having blinded her mind with his false persuasions, she desires and lusts after the forbidden fruit, and thereupon takes it, eats it and gives it to her husband.