A09339:2590
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.
XI.
The reprobate hath oftentimes fear and terror of conscience: but this is only, because he considereth the wrath and vengeance of God, which is most terrible. When Paul preached before Felix, and by the majesty of Gods spirit, did (as it were) thunder from heaven against his sinnest doubtless he made his heart to ache, and every joint of him to tremble.n Ecebolius a Philosopher of Constantinople, in the days of Constantius, professed Christian religion, & went beyond all other in zeal for the same religion: yet afterward under Julian, he fell from that religion unto Gentilism. But after Julians death making means to be received into the Church again, overwhelmed with the horror of his own conscience for his wicked revolting, he cast himself down on the ground before the doors of the church crying aloud, Calcate me salē insipidum: ⟨p. 576⟩Trample on me unsavoury salt. And the devil believeth the word of God and at his own damnation he trembleth. These servile fears, though they harden the heart of the reprobate, as heat doth the iron, after it hath bin in the furnace: yet these fears in the children of God oare very good preparations, to make them fit to receive grace: like as we see the needle which soweth not the cloth, yet it maketh a passage and entrance for the thread, which serveth for this use, to sow cloth together.
The reprobate hath oftentimes feare and terrour of conscience: but this is onlie, because he considereth the wrath and vengeance of God, which is most terrible. When Paul preached before Foelix, and by the maiestie of Gods spirit, did (as it were) thunder from heauen against his sinnes doubtlesse he made his heart to ake, and euery ioynt of him to tremble.