A09339:2931
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.
Again, sthis religion teacheth, that a man must doubt of his salvation as §IIlong as he is in this life: behold a Rack or gibbet erected by the Church of Rome, for the tormenting of tender consciences: for when a man doubteth of his salvation, he also doubteth of Gods love and mercy to him: and he which doubteth of Gods love, cannot love God again: for how can any man love him of whose good will he doubteth: and when a man hath not the love of God in him, he hath no grace in him, and therefore his conscience must needs be defiled, and void of true peace, yea he must needs be a wicked man, and that tsaying of Solomon must needs agree to him: The wicked flieth when no man pursueth (by reason of the guiltiness of his conscience) but the godly is bold as a Lyon. Again, uBlessed is the man (saith David) whose sins are pardoned: where he maketh remission of sins to be true felicity: now there is no true felicity but that which is enjoyed, and felicity can not be enjoyed, unless it be felt, and it cannot be felt unless a man know himself to be in possession of it, and a man cannot know himself to be in possession of it, if he doubt whether he hath it or not: and therefore this doubting of the remission of sins is contrary to true felicity, and is nothing else but a torment of the ⟨p. 646⟩conscience. For a man cannot doubt whether his sins be pardoned or not, but strait way (if his conscience be not feared with an hot iron) the very thought of his sin will strike a great fear into him: for the fear of eternal death, and the horror of Gods judgements will come to his remembrance, the consideration of which is most terrible. Undoubtedly, this religion must needs be comfortless. Alas poor souls, we are no better then passengers in this world, our way it is in the middle of the sea,4 where we can have no sure footing at all, and which way soever we cast our eyes, we see nothing but water, even opening it self to devour us quick: the devil and our rebellious flesh raise up against us infinite thousands of tempests & storms to overthrow us: but behold, God of his great & endless mercy hath brought us to Christ, as to a sure anchor-hold: he biddeth us to undo our gables, & fling up our anchors within the veil, and fasten them in Christ: