A09339:2094
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 Antichrist is said to sit in the Church, not as a member thereof, but as an usurper, or as the pirate in the ship of the merchant: and hence it can not be proved, that the assemblies of Papists are Churches, but that in them and with them there is mingled an other hidden Church in the middest whereof Antichrist the Pope ruleth, though himself hath no part therein. Lastly, whereas some, being no Papists, think their churches to be like a body diseased and full of sores and wounds from the head to the foot, and the throat also cut, yet so as life is still remaining; we may better think, (their foul errors considered and their worship of God, which is nothing else but a mixture of Judaism and Paganism) that it is a rotten and dead corps void of spiritual life. And therefore we have severed our selves from the Church of Rome upon just cause: neither are we schismatics in so doing, but they rather; because the ground and the proper cause of the schism is in them.
And Antichrist is said to sit in the Church, not as a member thereof, but as an vsurper, or as the pyrate in the shippe of the marchant: and hence it can not be prooued, that the assemblies of Papists are Churches, but that in them and with them there is mingled an other hidden Church in the middest whereof Antichrist the Pope ruleth, though himselfe hath no part therein. Lastly, whereas some, beeing no Papists, thinke their churches to be like a bodie diseased and full of sores and woundes from the head to the foote, and the throat also cut, yet so as life is still remaining; wee may better thinke, (their foule errours considered and their worship of God, which is nothing els but a mixture of Iudaisme and Paganisme) that it is a rotten and dead corpes voide of spirituall life. And therefore we haue seuered our selues from the Church of Rome vpon iust cause: neither are we schismaticks in so doing, but they rather; because the ground and the proper cause of the schisme is in them.
As for the assemblies of Anabaptists, Libertines, Antinomies, Tritheists, Arians, Samosate•••ns, they are no churches of God, but conspiracies of mom strous heretics judlly condemned in the primitive Church, and again by the malice of Satan ued and revived in this age. The same we are to think and say of the Family of love.