A09339:1629
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 in time of persecution, ⟨p. 313⟩for the safe•• and preservation of the Church of God, they may with good warrant pr••h privately:1 and indeed at such times the assemblies of the church make private places public. And hence we learn, that in time of peace, all those that are called to the office of the ministry, must (if it be possible) spend their labour publicly, so as they may do most good. Secondly whereas Christ saith, he preached in their synagogues and temple, which at that time were places full of disorder;2 in so much as he called the temple a den of thieves: and the Scribes and Pharisees had corrupted the doctrine of the Law,3 transgressing the commandments of God in their own traditions: and they taught justification by the works of the law, as Paul saith,4 they being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and going about to stablish their own righteousness which is by works, and not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. Besides all this, they were loose and wicked men in their lives and conversations: and therefore Christ commanded the people that they should observe, and do whatsoever the Scribes and Pharisees bid them, sitting in Moses chair:5 but after their works they must not do; because they say and do not. Now although these corruptions and deformities were in the Jewish Church, yet our Saviour Christ made no separation from it, but came and preached both in their temple and synagogues, where these seducers and false teachers were. And hence we gather, that the practise of all those men in our Church which separate themselves from all assemblies for the wants thereof, holding that our Church is no Church, that the grace which is wrought by the preaching of the word among us is nothing else but a satanical illusion; that our Sacraments are no Sacraments, I say, this their practise is condemned by our Saviour Christs conversing among the Jews. For if Christ should have followed their opinion, he ought to have fled from amongst the Jews, & not so much as once to have come into the temple, or taught in their Synagogues; but contrariwise he joined himself with them: and therefore we can not in good conscience disjoin our selves from the Church of England.