A09339:2843
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.
Notwithstanding many tentations went over my heart, and the law as a right hangman tormented my conscience, and went nigh to persuade me that my father would thrust me away, and hang me if he catched me, so that I was like a great while to run away, rather then to return to my father again. Fear and dread of rebuke, and of loss of my fathers love, and of punishment, wrestled with the trust which I had in my fathers goodness, & as it were gave my faith a fall. But I rose again as soon as the rage of the first brunt was past, and my mind was more quiet. And the goodness of my father and his old kindness came unto my remembrance, either by mine own courage, or by the comfort of another. And I believed that my father would not put me away or destroy me: and he hoped that I would do no more so. And upon that I got me home again dismayed, but not altogether faithless: the old kindness would not let me despair, howbeit all the world could not set mine heart at rest, until the pain had been past, and until I had heard the voice of my father, that all is forgotten.
Notwithstanding many tentations went ouer my heart, and the law as a right hangman tormented my conscience, and went nie to perswade me that my father would thrust me away, and hang me if he catched me, so that I was like a great while to run away, rather then to returne to my father againe. Feare and dread of rebuke, and of losse of my fathers loue, and of punishment, wrastled with the trust which I had in my fathers goodnes, & as it were gaue my faith a fall. But I rose againe as soone as the rage of the first brunt was past, and my mind was more quiet. And the goodnesse of my father and his olde kindnesse came vnto my remembrance, either by mine owne courage, or by the comfort of another. And I beleeued that my father would not put me away or destroy me: and he hoped that I would doe no more so. And vpon that I gote me home againe dismayed, but not altogether faithlesse: the old kindnes would not let me despaire, howbeit all the world could not set mine heart at rest, vntill the paine had beene past, and vntill I had heard the voice of my father, that all is forgotten.
Timoth. Seeing that you have thus plainly and truly showed the weakness of yours, and consequently of all mens faith, show me I pray you how by the weakness of faith a Christian is not rather discomforted then comforted, and assured of his salvation.