A09339:2264
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.
1. The Coherence.
Thus much of the preface: now follow the petitions. They be six in number, the three first concern God, the three last our selves. The three former petitions are again divided into two parts: the first concerns Gods glory it self; the other two, the means whereby Gods glory is manifested and enlarged among men. For Gods name is glorified among men when his kingdom doth come, and his will is done.
THus much of the preface: now follow the petitions. They be sixe in number, the three first concerne God, the three last our selues. The three former petitions are again deuided into two parts: the first concernes Gods glorie it selfe; the other two, the meanes whereby Gods glorie is manifested and inlarged among men. For Gods name is glorified among men when his kingdome doth come, and his will is done.
Quest. Why is this petition, Hallowed be thy name, set in the first place? Ans. Because Gods glory must be preferred before all things, because it is the end of all creatures and of all the counsels of God. Prov. 16.4. The Lord hath made all things for his own sake: yea even the wicked for the day of evil. And from the order of the petitions here ariseth a worthy instruction, namely, that every one in all things they take in hand, are to propound to themselves and to intend the glory of God. The reason is this: The end which God hath appointed to all our doings, we are to propound to our selves: but God hath appointed that the highest end of all his doings should be his glory: therefore our hearts must be set to seek it first of all. That God will have his name glorified by us, appeareth in this; that he punisheth those which of obstinacy set themselves to dishonour him, or by negligence did not sanctify him, when they should have done so. Herod sitting in his royalty, made such an oration, that the people cried, The voice of a god, and not of a man: and immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not glory to God,