A09339:2875
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.
Timoth. We are all baptized, belike then we shall all understand the Scripture.
Timoth. We are all baptized, belike then we shall all vnderstand the Scripture.
Euseb. But alas very few there be that are taught and feel their ingrafting into Christ, their justification, their inward dying unto sin and living unto righteousness, which is the meaning of their Baptism. And therefore we remain all blind generally, as well the great Rabbins which brag of their learning, as the poor unlearned lay man. And the scripture is become so dark unto them, that they grope for the door and can find no way in, and it is become a maze unto them in which they wander as a mist, or as (as we say) led by Robbin goodfellow. And their darkness cannot comprehend the light of the Scriptures, but they read them as men do tales of Robbin hood, as riddles, or as old Priests read their Ladies Matins which they understood not. And until a man be taught his Baptism, that his heart feel the sweetness of it, the scriptures are shut up from him, and so dark that he could not understand ⟨p. 636⟩it, though Peter, Paul, or Christ himself did expound it unto him, no more then a man stark blind can see though thou set a candle before him, or show him the sun, or point with thy finger unto that thou wouldst have him look upon. As for heresy there is no danger if a man come to the scripture with a meek spirit, seeking there to fashion himself like unto Christ, according to the profession and vow of his baptism: but contrariwise he shall there find the mighty power of God to alter and change him in the inner man by little and little, till in process he be full shapen after the image of our Saviour in knowledge and love of all trueth, and power to work thereafter. Heresies spring not of Scripture, no more then darkness of the Sun, but are dark clouds which spring out of the blind hearts of hypocrites given to pride and singularity, and do cover the face of the Scripture, and blind their eyes that they cannot behold the bright beams of the scripture.