A09339:3133
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.
Christian. I have now opened unto you the chief things that troubled me: and your comfortable answers have much refreshed my troubled mind. The God of all mercy and consolation requite you accordingly.
Christian. I haue now opened vnto you the chiefe things that troubled me: and your comfortable answers haue much refreshed my troubled minde. The God of all mercie and consolation requite you accordingly.
Minister. I have spoken that which God out of his holy word hath opened unto me, if you find any help thereby, give God the praise therefore, & carry this with you for ever,1 that by many afflictions both in the body and the mind you must enter into the kingdom of heaven. Raw flesh is noisome to the stomach, & is no good nourishment before it be •odden:2 and unmortified men and women be no creatures fit for God: and therefore they are to be soaked and boiled in afflictions, that the fulsomeness and rankness of their corruption may be delayed, and that they may have in them some relish acceptable unto God. And to conclude, for the avoiding of all these temptations, use this sweet prayer following which that godly Saint Master Bradford made. Oh Lord God and deer father, what shall I say that feel all things to be (in manner) with me as in the wicked? Blind is my mind, crooked is my will, & perverse concupiscence is in me, as a spring of stinking puddle. O how faint is faith in me? how little is my love to thee or thy people? how great is my self love? how hard is my heart? by reason whereof I am moved to doubt of thy goodness towards me, whether thou art my merciful father, and whether I be thy child or no: indeed worthily might I doubt, if that the having of these were the cause, & not the fruit rather of thy children. The cause why thou art my father, is thy merciful goodness grace & trueth in Christ Jesus, which cannot but remain for ever. In respect whereof thou hast borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptism, and to accept me into the number of thy children, that I might be holy, faithful, obedient and innocent: and