A09339:2211
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
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 second question is, what kind of action prayer is? Ans. It is no lip-labour, it is the putting up of a suite unto God, and this action is peculiar to the very heart of a man. Rom. 8.26. The spirit makes request for us. But how? with groans in the heart. Exod. •4.15. The Lord saith to Moses, Why criest thou? yet there is no mention made that Moses spake any word at all: the Lord no doubt, accepted the inward mourning and desire of his heart for a cry, Psal. 38.10. and 11.4.
The second question is, what kind of actiō praier is? Ans. It is no lip-labour, it is the putting vp of a suite vnto God, and this action is peculiar to the very heart of a man. Rom. 8.26. The spirit makes request for vs. But how? with grones in the heart. Exod. •4.15. The Lord saith to Moses, Why criest thou? yet there is no mention made that Moses spake any word at all: the Lord no doubt, accepted the inward mourning and desire of his heart for a crie, Psal. 38.10. and 11.4.
The third question is, what is the form or rule according to which we are to pray? Ans. It is the revealed will and word of God. A man in humbling his soul before God, is not to pray as his affections carry him, and for what he list: but all is to be done according to the express word. So as those things which God hath commanded us to ask, we are to ask, & those things which he hath not commanded us to ask, we are in no wise to pray for, 1. John 5.14. This is the assurance which we have of him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. This then is a special clause to be marked, that men must pray in knowledge, not in ignorance. Here weigh the case of poor ignorant people: they talk much of praying for themselves and others, they imagine that they pray very devoutly to God: but alas they do nothing less, because they know not what to ask according to gods will. They therefore must learn Gods word, and pray according to the same, else it will prove in the end that all their praying was nothing but as mocking, and flat dishonouring of God.