A09339:1621
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.
But some object, that in the parable of the field, the servants are commanded not to pluck up the tares from the wheat,1 but to suffer both to grow till harvest: and that therefore there must be no separation of heretics, and true Christians before the last day of judgement. Ans. The scope of that place is not to forbid the execution of heretics; but it speaks only of the final separation which must be in the end of the world. For there the master of the family doth signify God himself, and the field, the Church militant spread over the face of the whole earth: and by tares is meant not only heretics; but also all those that are forth of the church: the servants are Gods holy angels, and the harvest is the last judgement. Here further it may be demanded, who may use the sword? Ans. All m•n may use the sword to strike and to kill, into whose hands God putteth the sword. Now God putteth it into the hand first and principally of the public magistrate, who when just occasion serves may draw it out. And again it is put into a private mans hand sometime. A private man when he is assailed of his enemy may take the sword in way of his own defence, and may kill his enemy therewith (if there be no other help) not doing it upon malice, but because he can no otherwise escape, and save his own life: and so for want of a magistrate, he is a magistrate unto himself.
But some obiect, that in the parable of the fielde, the seruants are commanded not to pluck vp the tares from the wheat,1 but to suffer both to growe till haruest: and that therefore there must bee no separation of heretickes, and true Christians before the last day of iudgement. Ans. The scope of that place is not to forbidde the execution of heretiques; but it speakes only of the finall separation which must be in the ende of the world. For there the master of the familie doth signifie God himselfe, aud the fielde, the Church militant spread ouer the face of the whole earth: and by tares is meant not onely heretiques; but also all those that are forth of the church: the seruants are Gods holy angels, and the haruest is the last iudgement. Here further it may bee demaunded, who may vse the sword? Ans. All m•n may vse the sword to strike and to kil, into whose hands God putteth the sword. Nowe God putteth it into the hand first and principally of the publike magistrate, who when iust occasion serues may drawe it out. And againe it is put into a priuate mans hand sometime. A priuate man when he is assailed of his enemie may take the sworde in way of his owne defence, and may kill his enemie therewith (if there be no other helpe) not doing it vpon malice, but because he can no otherwise escape, and saue his own life: and so for want of a magistrate, he is a magistrate vnto himselfe.