A09339:2966
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.
For who can truly call GOD father, unless he have the spirit of adoption,1 and be assured that he is the child of God? For if a man shall call god father, & yet in his heart doubt whether he be his father or not, he playeth the dissembling hypocrite: wherefore to doubt of salvation, and to say Our father, &c. in truth are contrary. VI. The Church of Rome maketh prayer to be one of the chief means to satisfy for sins.2 But prayer indeed is an asking of pardon for sin: Now asking of pardon & satisfaction for sin are contrary: therefore by the judgement of the Papists,3 prayer which is a satisfaction is no satisfaction. And indeed let us consider what madness is contained in this popish divinity: the poor beggar cometh very hungry to the rich mans door to crave his alms:4 and straightways by his begging he will merit and deserve it. The same doeth the papist, he prayeth very poorly for the thing which he wanteth, yet he looketh very proudly to merit no less then the kingdom of heaven by it. VII. Doubting of salvation & hope cannot agree together, for hope maketh a man not to be ashamed, that is, it never disappointeth him of the thing which he looketh for. And therefore it is called the anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast, which entereth into that which is within the veil. 5So that true hope and the certain assurance of salvation go together. VIII. True prayer and justification by works cannot stand together. For he which prayeth truly must be touched inwardly with a lively feeling of his own misery, and of the want of that grace, whereof he stands in need. Now this cannot be in the heart of that man that looketh to merit the kingdom of heaven by his works: for he that can do this may justly conceive somewhat of his own excellency. IX. Papists teach, that it is great boldness to come immediately unto God without the intercession of Saints: and therefore they use to apray to Mary, that she would pray to Christ to help them: yet on the contrary, when they have so done, they pray to God immediately, that he would receive the intercession of Mary for them. And thus they are become intercessors between Mary and God.