A09339:1656
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.
and least he should escape their hands, they plunge themselves deeper yet preferring a wretched murderer, even seditious Barabbas before him. This must teach every one of us to take heed of the beginnings even of the least sins; for the devil is cunning, he will not plunge a man into the greatest sins at the first: but this manner is, by little and little to creep into the heart: and having once possession thereof, by steppes to bring men to the height of sin, and that with speed. We must therefore in the ⟨p. 324⟩fear of God prevent sin betimes, and at the first motion cut off all occasions hereof:1 that which Paul saith of heresy, comparing it to a canker or gangrene, may be •aid of all sin. The nature of the gangrene is to run from one joint to another, from the toe to the foot, from the foot to the leg, from the leg to the thigh, till it have wasted and destroyed the life of the body: so give any sin but an entrance, and it will soon overspread the whole man: and if the devil may be suffered but to put one talent into thy heart, he will presently wind himself into thee, his head, his body and all. The Psalmist saith,2 that he is blessed that taketh the children of the Babylonians and dasheth them against the stones; and as truly it may be said, blessed is the man that dasheth the head of his sins against the ground while they are young, before they get strength to overmaster him.
and least he should escape their handes, they plunge themselues deeper yet preferring a wretched murtherer, euē seditious Barrabas before him. This must teach euery one of vs to take heede of the beginnings euen of the least sinnes; for the deuill is cunning, he will not plunge a man into the greatest sinnes at the first: but this manner is, by little and little to creepe into the heart: and hauing once possession thereof, by steppes to bring men to the height of sinne, and that with speede. We must therefore in the ⟨p. 324⟩feare of God preuent sinne betimes, and at the first motion cut off all occasions hereof: