A09339:2339
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 wants to be bewailed.
WE are here admonished to be displeased with our selves, for our slack and imperfect obedience to God, & for our hypocrisy, privy pride, presumption, deadness of spirit, and many other wants which break out when we are in doing Gods will. There is no servant of God, but hath wants in his best works, so we must understand Paul, when he saith, To will is present with me, but I find no means to perform that which is good. Rom. 7.18. Where he signifies thus much in effect, that he could begin good things, but not perfect them, and go through-stitch, as we say. When the godly do good works, as hear, speak gods word, pray, praise God, &c. they perform things acceptable to God: but in these actions they find matter of mourning: namely, the imperfection of the work: therefore David prayeth, Psal. 143.2. Enter not into judgement with thy servant. And here we may see how far wide the Church of Rome is, that holdeth good works to be any way meritorious, that be every way imperfect. If the men of that church had grace, they might see that the corruptions of the flesh were as gives and fetters about their legs, that when they would fain run the ways of Gods commandments, they are constrained to halt down right, and to trail their loins after them.
VVE are here admonished to bee displeased with our selues, for our slacke and imperfect obedience to God, & for our hypocrisie, priuie prid, presumption, deadnes of spirit, and many other wants which breake out when we are in doing Gods will. There is no seruant of God, but hath wants in his best workes, so we must vnderstand Paul, when he saith, To will is present with me, but I finde no meanes to performe that which is good. Rom. 7.18. Where he signifies thus much in effect, that hee could beginne good things, but not perfect them, and goe through-stitch, as we say. When the godly doe good workes, as heare, speake gods word, pray, praise God, &c. they perform things acceptable to God: but in these actions they finde matter of mourning: namely, the imperfection of the worke: therefore Dauid praieth,