A09339:2293
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.
2. The meaning.
Thy] This word doth put us in mind that there is two kingdoms: one Gods, and that is the kingdom of heaven: the other the devils, called the kingdom of darkness, Coloss. 1.13. For when all had sinned in Adam, God laid this punishment on all, that seeing they could not be content to obey their Creator, they should be in bondage under satan: so that by nature we are all the children of wrath, and the devil holds up the sceptre of his kingdom in the hearts of men. This kingdom is spiritual, and the pillars of it are ignorance, error, impiety, and all disobedience to God, in which the devil wholly delights; which also are as it were the laws of his kingdom. Blind ignorant ⟨p. 542⟩people can not abide this doctrine that the devil should rule in their hearts: they spit at the naming of him, and say that they defy him with all their hearts: but whereas they live in sin, and practise it as occasion is offered, though they cannot discern of themselves, yet they make plain proof, that they live in the kingdom of sin and darkness, and are flat vassals of Satan, and shall so continue till Christ the strong man come and bind him, and cast him out. And this is the estate of all the children of Adam in themselves. Wherefore our Saviour in this petition teacheth us to consider our natural estate, and to pray that he would give us his spirit to set us at liberty in the kingdom of his own son.
Thy] This word doth put vs in minde that there is two kingdomes: one Gods, and that is the kingdome of heauen: the other the deuils, called the kingdome of darknesse, Coloss. 1.13. For when all had sinned in Adam, God laide this punishment on all, that seeing they could not be content to obey their Creator, they should be in bondage vnder satan: so that by nature we are all the children of wrath, and the deuill holds vp the scepter of his kingdome in the hearts of men. This kingdome is spirituall, and the pillars of it are ignorance, errour, impietie, and all disobedience to God, in which the deuill wholly delights; which also are as it were the lawes of his kingdome. Blind ignorant