A09339:2220
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.
Consider also that prayer is a worthy means of defence, not only to us, but also to the Church & them that are absent. By it Moses stood in the breach, which Gods wrath had made into the people of Israel, and stayed the same, Psal. 106. 23. By this, Christian men fight as valiant champions against their own corruptions, and all other spiritual enemies, Eph. 6. 18. Infinite were it to show how many blessings the Lord had bestowed on his servants by prayer. In a word, Luther, whom it pleased God to use as a worthy instrument for the restoring of the gospel, testifieth of himself, that having this grace given him to call upon the name of the Lord, he had more revealed unto him of gods truth by prayer, then by reading and study.
Consider also that praier is a worthy meanes of defence, not only to vs, but also to the Church & thē that are absent. By it Moses stood in the breach, which Gods wrath had made into the people of Israel, and staied the same, Psal. 106. 23. By this, Christian men fight as valiant champions against their owne corruptions, and all other spirituall enemies, Eph. 6. 18. Infinite were it to shewe how many blessings the Lord had bestowed on his seruants by praier. In a word, Luther, whom it pleased God to vse as a worthie instrument for the restoring of the gospel, testifieth of himselfe, that hauing this grace giuen him to call vpon the name of the Lord, he had more reuealed vnto him of gods truth by praier, then by reading and studie.
The second point of the commandment, is to pray after the manner propounded in the Lords prayer. Where it is to be noted, that the Lords prayer is a direction, and as it were a sampler to teach us how and in what manner we ought to pray. None is to imagine that we are bound to use these words only, & none other. For the meaning of Christ is not to bind us to the word, but to the matter and to the manner, and to the like affections in praying. If this were not so, the prayers of Gods servants set down in the books of the old and new Testament, should all be faulty, because they are not set down in the very same words with the Lords prayer, nay this prayer is not set down in the same words altogether by Matthew and Luke.