A09339:1965
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 eight fruit of the spirit is meekness, which is a notable grace of God, when a man provoked by injuries doth neither intend nor enterprise the requital of the same. And it stands in three duties. The first is to interpret the sayings and doings of other men in better part as much as possibly may be. The second, when men mistake and misconstrue our sayings and doings, if the matter be of smaller moment, to be silent & patient as Christ was, when he was accused before the high priests & Pharisees: this being withal remembered, that if the matter be of weight and moment, we may defend our selves by soft and mild answers. The third, is not to contend in word or deed with any man, but when we are to deal with others, to speak our mind, and so an end.
The eight fruit of the spirit is meekenesse, which is a notable grace of God, when a man prouoked by iniuries doth neither intend nor enterprise the requitall of the same. And it stands in three duties. The first is to interpret the sayings and doings of other men in better part as much as possibly may be. The second, when men mistake and misconsture our sayings and doings, if the matter be of smaller moment, to be silent & patient as Christ was, when he was accused before the high priests & Pharises: this being withal remembred, that if the matter be of weight and moment, we may defend our selues by soft and mild answers. The third, is not to contend in word or deed with any man, but when we are to deale with others, to speake our minde, and so an ende.
The last fruit of the spirit is temperance, whereby a man bridleth his appetite or lust in meat, drink, and apparel. In bridling the lust, these rules must be observed. I. Eating and drinking must be joined with continual fasting, after this manner. We must not glut our selves, but rather abstain from that which nature desireth, and as some use to speak, leave our stomachs craving. II. A man must so eat and drink, as afterward he may the better be enabled for Gods worship. Creatures are abused when they make us unfit to serve God. The common fault is, on the Sabbath day men so pamper themselves, as that they are made unfit both to hear and learn Gods word, and fit for nothing but to slumber and sleep: but following this rule of temperance these faults shall be amended. III. This must be a caveat in our apparel, that we be attired according to our callings in holy comeliness. The Lord hath threatened to visit all those that are clothed in strange apparel. And holy comeliness is this, when the apparel is both for fashion and matter so made and worn,