A09339:1968
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 further, to persuade us hereunto, we must remember this, that when we pollute our souls and bodies with any manner of sin, we make them even stables and sties for our wretched enemy the devil to harbour in. For when Satan is once cast out, if afterward we fall again to our old sins & looseness of life, and so defile our bodies, they are then most clean and neat for them to dwell in: whereupon he will come and bring seven other devils worse then himself, & so a mans last end shall be worse then his beginning. Now what a fearful thing is this, that the body which should be a temple for the holy Ghost, by our sins should be made a stable for the devil.1 Furthermore S. Paul biddeth us, not to quench the spirit. The graces of the holy spirit in this life, are ⟨p. 450⟩like sparks of fire, which may soon be quenched with a little water. Now so oft as we sin, we cast water upon the grace of God, and as much as we can put out the same: therefore it stands us in hand to make conscience of every thing wherein we may offend and displease God. And we may assure our selves, that so long as we live and lie in our corruptions and sins, the holy Ghost will never come and dwell with us. He is a spirit most pure and chaste, and therefore must have an undefiled temple to dwell in.
And further, to perswade vs hereunto, we must remember this, that when we pollute our soules and bodies with any manner of sinne, we make them euen stables and styes for our wretched enemie the deuill to harbour in. For when Satan is once cast out, if afterward we fall againe to our old sinnes & loosenes of life, and so defile our bodies, they are then most cleane and neat for them to dwell in: whereupon he will come and bring seuen other deuills worse then himselfe, & so a mans last end shall be worse then his beginning. Now what a fearefull thing is this, that the bodie which should be a temple for the holy Ghost, by our sins should be made a stable for the deuil.1 Furthermore S. Paul biddeth vs, not to quench the spirit. The graces of the holy spirit in this life, are ⟨p. 450⟩like sparkes of fire, which may soone be quenched with a little water. Now so oft as we sinne, we cast water vpon the grace of God, and as much as we can put out the same: therefore it stands vs in hand to make conscience of euery thing wherein we may offend and displease God. And we may assure our selues, that so long as we liue and lie in our corruptions and sinnes, the holy Ghost will neuer come and dwell with vs. He is a spirit most pure and chast, and therefore must haue an vndefiled temple to dwell in.