A09339:2943
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.
Images in the Church of Rome came from infidelity, because men in reason could not persuade themselves that God was present, unless that were made manifest by some sign and image. Which thing the Israelites declared when they said to Aaron in the wilderness in Moses absence,1 Make us gods to go before us. XIII. Satisfactions for sin are natural: for wicked emen when they have offended God, they have always used some ceremonies to pacify God with, which when they have performed, then they think they have done enough. XIV. The church of Rome saith, that the Scriptures are dark & obscure: the blind man findeth fault with the darkness of the sun: If the Scriptures appear to any to be obscure, the fault is not in the Scriptures, but in the blindness of the mind of him which readeth and heareth them. XV. Lastly, pardons open a gap to all licentiousness: therefore they agree to mans corrupt nature: for who almost will not sin, when he may get a pardon for his sins, for a little piece of money, as twenty shillings or four nobles? And what is it but cozenage to sell pardons which shall be in force many years after the end of the world as the Pope doth.
Images in the Church of Rome came from infidelitie, because men in reason could not perswade themselues that God was present, vnlesse that were made manifest by some signe and image. Which thing the Israelites declared when they said to Aaron in the wildernes in Moses absence,1 Make vs gods to goe before vs. XIII. Satisfactions for sinne are naturall: for wicked emen when they haue offended God, they haue alwaies vsed some ceremonies to pacifie God with, which when they haue performed, then they thinke they haue done enough. XIV. The church of Rome saith, that the Scriptures are darke & obscure: the blind man findeth fault with the darknes of the sunne: If the Scriptures appeare to any to be obscure, the fault is not in the Scriptures, but in the blindnes of the minde of him which readeth and heareth them. XV. Lastly, pardons open a gap to all licentiousnes: therefore they agree to mans corrupt nature: for who almost will not sinne, when he may get a pardon for his sinnes, for a little peece of money, as twentie shillings or foure nobles? And what is it but cosonage to sell pardons which shall be in force many yeares after the ende of the world as the Pope doth.