A09339:3089
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.
Minist. For the suppressing of doubtings, you are to use three meditations. The first, that it is gods commandment that you should believe in Christ: So S. John saith,1 This is his commandment that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Thou shalt not steal is Gods commandment, and you are loath to break it, least you should displease God & pull his curse upon your head. This also is Gods commandment, thou shall believe in Christ, and therefore you must take head of the breach of it: least by doubting and wavering you bring the curse upon you. Secondly, you must consider that the promises of salvation in Christ are general, or at the least indefinite excluding no particular man: as in one for all may appear. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Now then, so often as you shall doubt of Gods mercy, you exclude your own self from the promise of God, whereas he excludeth you not. And as when a prince gives a pardon to all thieves, every one can apply the same unto himself, though his name be not set down in the pardon: So the King of kings hath given a general pardon for free remission of sins, to them that will receive it Believe therefore that God is true in his promise, doubt not of your own salvation, challenge the pardon to your self. Indeed your name is not set down, or written in the promise of grace; yet let not any illusion of Satan, or the consideration of your own unworthiness exclude you from this ⟨p. 669⟩free mercy of God: which he also hath offered to you particularly, first in Baptism, then after in the Lords supper: and therefore you are not to waver in the applying of it to your self. Thirdly, you are to consider that by doubting and despairing you offend God as much almost as by any other sin. aYou do not above hope believe under hope […] you should do. Secondly, you rob God of his glory, in that you make his infinite mercy to be less then your sins. Thirdly, you make him a liar, who hath made such a promise unto you. And to these three meditations add this practise. When your heart is toiled with unbelief and doubtings, then in all hast draw your self into some secret place, humble your self before God, pour out your heart before him: