A09339:1941
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.
The second gift common to all,1 is Illumination, whereby a man is enabled to understand the will of God in his word. The Jews in the reading of the old testament had a veil over their hearts: and the like have all men by nature, to whom the word of God is foolishness. Paul at his conversion was smitten blind, & scales were upon his eyes: the like also be over the eyes of our minds, and they must fall away, before we can understand the will of God. Now it is the work of the holy Ghost to remove these scales and films from our eyes.2 And for this very cause he is called the anointing and eye-salve: for as it doth clear the eyes, and take away the dimness from them; so doth the holy Ghost take away blindness from our minds, that we may see into the truth of Gods word. This being a common gift, and received both of good and bad, it standeth us in hand not to content our selves with the bare knowledge of the word, but therewithal we must join obedience, and make conscience thereof, or else that will befall us which Christ foretold, that he which knoweth his masters will and doth it not,3 shall be beaten with many stripes.
The second gift common to all,1 is Illumination, whereby a man is inabled to vnderstand the will of God in his word. The Iewes in the reading of the old testament had a vaile ouer their hearts: and the like haue all men by nature, to whome the word of God is foolishnes. Paul at his conuersion was smitten blind, & skales were vpon his eyes: the like also be ouer the eyes of our mindes, and they must fall away, before we can vnderstand the will of God. Now it is the worke of the holy Ghost to remooue these skales and filmes from our eyes.2 And for this very cause he is called the annointing and eye-salue: for as it doth cleare the eyes, and take away the dimmenes from them; so doth the holy Ghost take away blindnes from our mindes, that we may see into the truth of Gods word. This beeing a common gift, and receiued both of good and bad, it standeth vs in hand not to content our selues with the bare knowledge of the word, but therewithall we must ioyne obedience, and make conscience thereof, or else that will besall vs which Christ foretold, that he which knoweth his masters will and doth it not,