A09339:2128
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.
Secondly, if we be here bound to believe the pardon of all our sins, then we must every day humble our selves before God, and seek pardon for our daily offences: for he gives grace to the humble or contrite; he fills the hungry with good things, when the rich are sent empty away. When Benhadad the King of Syria was discomfited and overcome by the king of Israel, by the counsel of his servants, who told him that the kings of Israel were merciful men,1 he sent them clothed in sackcloth with ropes about their necks to entreat for peace and favour. Now when the king saw their submission, he made covenant of peace with him. We by our sins most justly deserve hell, death, and condemnation every day, and therefore it standeth us in hand to come into the presence of God and to humble our selves before him in sackcloth and ashes, craving and entreating for nothing in the world so much as for pardon of our sins, and that day by day without ceasing till the Lord give this blessed answer to our consciences, that all our sins are put out of his remembrance. We must not think that God putteth grace into mens hearts when they lie snurting upon their elbows, and either not use or despise the means: but we must first use the means partly by making confession of our sins to God, and partly by crying to heaven for pardon: and then when by his grace we begin to desire grace, he gives further grace.
Secondly, if we be here bound to beleeue the pardon of all our sinnes, then we must euery day humble our selues before God, and seeke pardon for our daily offences: for he giues grace to the humble or contrite; he fills the hungrie with good things, when the rich are sent emptie away. When Benhadad the King of Syria was discomfited and ouercome by the king of Israel, by the counsell of his seruants, who told him that the kings of Israel were mercifull men,1 he sent them cloathed in sackcloath with ropes about their neckes to intreat for peace and fauour. Now when the king saw their submission, he made couenant of peace with him. We by our sinnes most iustly deserue hell, death, and condemnation euery day, and therefore it standeth vs in hand to come into the presence of God and to humble our selues before him in sackcloath and ashes, crauing and intreating for nothing in the world so much as for pardon of our sinnes, and that day by day without ceasing till the Lord giue this blessed answer to our consciences, that all our sinnes are put out of his remembrance. We must not thinke that God putteth grace into mens hearts when they lie snurting vpon their elbowes, and either not vse or despise the meanes: but we must first vse the meanes partly by making confession of our sinnes to God, and partly by crying to heauen for pardon: and then when by his grace we beginne to desire grace, he giues further grace.