A09339:1618
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.
Secondly, let us consider what moved Judas to betray his master: namely, the desire of wealth and gain: and this covetousness, which is an insatiable desire of money, is the root of all sin: not that all sins came of it, but because where it is,1 there all other sins are preserved, & do get strength. The desire of thirty pieces of silver caused Judas to make an agreement with the Jews to betray his master. Some man will haply say that this practise of Judas was very strange, and that no man now living would do the like for any money. Ans. Judas is dead indeed, but his practise is yet alive: ⟨p. 308⟩for in the high and weighty calling of the ministry, he that hath charge of souls, and either can not teach and feed his flock, or else will not though he betray not Christ in his own person, yet he betrays the members of Christ unto the devil. If a nurse should take a mans child to bring up, and yet seldom or never give it milk; in so much that the child pineth away for very hunger: is not she the very cause of the death of it? yes verily. And so it is with him that taketh upon him the charge of Gods people, and never feeds them with the milk of gods word, or else so seldom that their souls do famish: he is the murderer of them, and hath betrayed them into the hands of their enemy: and shall be condemned for them as a traitor unto God unless he repent. Besides, those that live by traffic in buying and selling, make gain by lying, swearing, and breaking the Lords Sabbath: & they are also very Judases: for they chop away their souls with the devil for a little gain. And more lamentable is their case, because it is hard to find one of an hundred in the world that makes conscience of a lie, or of any bad dealing; if any gain at all may come thereby. Men use to cry out on Judas for betraying Christ: and they do well; yet they themselves for a little worldly pelf betray their own souls. If such would not be counted Judases, they must leave off to sin & keep a good conscience in gods worship, & the works of their callings.
Secondly, let vs consider what mooued Iudas to betray his master: namely, the desire of wealth and gaine: and this couetousnes, which is an insatiable desire of money, is the roote of all sinne: not that all sinnes came of it, but because where it is,1