A09339:3402
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.
The way to get a pure heart is this. First, thou must seriously examine thy life and thy conscience, for all thy sins past: then with a heavy and bleeding heart confess them to God, utterly condemning thy self. Thirdly, with deep sighs and groans of spirit cry unto heaven to God the father, in the name of Christ for pardon, I say, for pardon of the same sins, as it were for life and death, and that, day and night, till the Lord send down from heaven a sweet certificate into thy perplexed conscience by his holy spirit, that all thy sins are done away. Now at the same instant in which pardon shall be granted, God likewise will once again stretch forth that mighty hand of his, whereby he made thee when thou wast not, to make thee a new creature, to create a new heart in thee, to renew a right spirit in thee, and to stablish thee by his free spirit. For whom he justifieth, them also at the same time he sanctifieth.
The way to get a pure heart is this. First, thou must seriously examine thy life and thy conscience, for all thy sinnes past: then with a heauie and bleeding heart confesse them to God, vtterly condemning thy selfe. Thirdly, with deepe sighes and groanes of spirit crie vnto heauen to God the father, in the name of Christ for pardon, I say, for pardon of the same sinnes, as it were for life and death, and that, day and night, till the Lord send downe from heauen a sweete certificate into thy perplexed conscience by his holy spirit, that all thy sinnes are done away. Now at the same instant in which pardon shall be graunted, God likewise will once againe stretch forth that mightie hand of his, whereby he made thee when thou wast not, to make thee a new creature, to create a new heart in thee, to renue a right spirit in thee, and to stablish thee by his free spirit. For whome he iustifieth, them also at the same time he sanctifieth.
The purified heart appeareth by these signs. I. If thou feel thy self to be displeased at thine own infirmities and corruptions, and to droop under them as men do under bodily sickness. II. If thou begin to hate and to fly thine own personal sins. III. If thou feel a grief and sorrow after thou hast offended God. IV. If thou heartily desire to abstain from all manner of sin. V. If thou be careful to avoid all occasions and enticements to evil. VI. If thou travel and do thine endeavour in every good thing. VII. If thou desire and pray to God to wash and rinse thine heart in the blood of Christ.