A09339:1661
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.
Again, by this we see there is no reason why we should ascribe to any man or to ecumenical counsels themselves, absolute and sovereign power to determine and give judgement in matters of religion, considering they are in danger to be overtaken with notable slips and errors.1 And therefore the sovereignty of judgement is peculiar to the son of god, who is the only doctor and law-giver of the Church: and he puts the same in execution in and by the written word. As for the speech of the papists calling the Scriptures a dumb Judge, it is little to be regarded: for the Scriptures are, as it were, the letter of the living God sent from heaven to his Church upon earth: and therefore they speak as plainly and as sufficiently unto us of all matters of faith, as a man can speak unto his friend by letter, so be it, we have the gift of discerning. Yet do we not bar the Church of God from all judgement. For the ministerial power of giving judgement both publicly and privately is granted unto it of God: and that is to determine and give sentence of matters in question according to the word as the lawyer gives judgement, not according as he will, but according to the tenor of the law.
Againe, by this we see there is no reason why we should ascribe to any man or to oecumenicall counsels themselues, absolute and soueraigne power to determine and giue iudgement in matters of religion, considering they are in danger to be ouertaken with notable slippes and errours.1 And therefore the soueraignitie of iudgement is peculiar to the sonne of god, who is the only doctour and law-giuer of the Church: and he puts the same in execution in and by the written word. As for the speech of the papists calling the Scriptures a dumbe Iudge, it is little to be regarded: for the Scriptures are, as it were, the letter of the liuing God sent from heauen to his Church vpon earth: and therefore they speake as plainely and as sufficiently vnto vs of all matters of faith, as a man can speake vnto his friende by letter, so be it, we haue the gift of discerning. Yet doe we not barre the Church of God from all iudgement. For the ministeriall power of giuing iudgement both publikely and priuatly is graunted vnto it of God: and that is to determine and giue sentence of matters in question according to the word as the lawyer giues iudgement, not according as he will, but according to the tenour of the law.