A09339:2121
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.
Lastly, considering we are all knit into one mystical body, & have mutual fellowship in the same, our duty is both to redress the faults of our brethren and to cover them, as the hand in the body lays plaster upon the sore in the foot or in the leg, and withal covers it. Love covers the multitude of sins. And when men disgrace their brethren for their wants, and blaze them ⟨p. 506⟩to the world, they do not the duty of fellow members.
Lastly, considering we are all knit into one mystical body, & haue mutuall fellowship in the same, our dutie is both to redresse the faults of our brethren and to couer them, as the hand in the body laies plaister vpon the sore in the foot or in the legge, and withal couers it. Loue couers the multitude of sinnes. And when men disgrace their bretheren for their wants, and blase them ⟨p. 506⟩to the world, they doe not the dutie of fellow members.
Thus much for the first benefit bestowed on the Church: the second is, Forgiveness of sins: which may be thus described, Forgiveness of sins is a blessing of God upon his Church procured by the death and passion of Christ, whereby God esteems of sin as no sin, or, as not committed. In this description I have couched five points, which we are severally to consider. The first, who is the author of forgiveness of sins? Ans. God, whose blessing it is: for sin is only committed against God, & the violating of his laws and commandments are properly sins. And the offence done to any man or creature is no more in it self but an offence or injury: yea the breach of mans commandment is no sin, unless it do imply withal the breach of Gods commandment. Therefore it is a prerogative belonging to God alone to pardon sin: and when we are taught to say, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us, the meaning is not, that we forgive sins as they are sins, but only as trespasses, that is, losses, hurts, and damages done unto us by men. It may be further said, God hath given this power and commandment to his ministers to forgive sins, saying,