A09339:2350
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.
BR•ad] By bread in this place many of the ancient fathers, as also the Papists at this day understand the element of bread in the Sacrament, & the body of Christ which is the bread of life. But that cannot be: for S. Luke calls it bread for the day, that is, bread sufficient to preserve us for the present day; and by this he makes it manifest, that the words of this petition must be understood not of spiritual, but of bodily food: and the bread of life is more directly asked in the second or fourth petition. As for the opinion of Erasmus, who thinks that in this so heavenly a prayer made to God the Father, there should be no mention made of bread, that is, of earthly things, which even the Gentiles bestow on their children; it is vain and frivolous. For it is Gods will, that we should not cast the care of heavenly things only, but all our care upon him. 1. Pet. 5. 7. And he hath elsewhere commanded that earthly things should be asked at his hand, 1. King 8.35. and the same hath been asked in prayer of Jacob, Gen. 28.10. and Solomon, Prou• 20.7. And whereas the Lords prayer is a perfect platform of prayer, temporal blessing must have some place there, unless we will ascribe the having and enjoying of them to our own industry, as though they were no gifts of God: which to think were great impiety.
BR•ad] By bread in this place many of the ancient fathers, as also the Papists at this day vnderstand the element of bread in the Sacrament, & the bodie of Christ which is the bread of life. But that cannot be: for S. Luke calls it bread for the day, that is, bread sufficient to preserue vs for the present day; and by this he makes it manifest, that the words of this petition must be vnderstood not of spirituall, but of bodily foode: and the bread of life is more directly asked in the second or fourth petition. As for the opinion of Erasmus, who thinkes that in this so heauenly a prayer made to God the Father, there should be no mention made of bread, that is, of earthly things, which euen the Gentiles bestow on their children; it is vaine and friuolous. For it is Gods will, that we should not cast the care of heauenly things onely, but all our care vpon him.