A09339:2253
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.
Question. How and in what manner are we to pray for our enemies? Ans. We are to pray against their •innes, counsels, enterprises, but not against their persons. Thus prayed David against Ahithophel. 2. Sam. 15.31. Lord I pray thee bring the counsel of Ahithophel to foolishness. And thus did the Apostles pray against their persecutors, Act. 4.29. O Lord behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word.
Question. How and in what manner are wee to pray for our enemies? Ans. We are to praie against their •innes, counsels, enterprises, but not against their persons. Thus praied Dauid against Achitophel. 2. Sam. 15.31. Lord I pray thee bring the counsell of Achitophel to foolishnesse. And thus did the Apostles pray against their persecutors, Act. 4.29. O Lord behold their threatnings, and graunt vnto thy seruants with all boldnesse to speake thy word.
Question. David useth imprecations against his enemies, in which he prayeth for their utter confusion, as Psal. 59. & 109. &c. The like is done by Paul, Gal. 5.1. 2. Tim. 4.14. and Peter, Act. 8. 20. though afterwards he mitigates his execration. But how could they do it? Ans. 1. They were endued with an extraordinary measure of Gods spirit, and hereby they were enabled to discern of their enemies and certainly to judge that their wickedness and malice was incurable, and that they should never repent. And the like prayers did the Primitive church conceive against Julian the Apostate because they perceived him to be a malicious & desperate enemy. 2. Secondly, they were endued with a pure zeal, and not carried with desire of revenge against their enemies, intending nothing else but the glory of God. Now for us it is good that we should suspect our zeal, because sinister affections, as hatred, envy, emulation, desire of revenge, will easily mingle themselves therewith.