A09339:3433
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.
Now he that would have his speech to be wise, must first of all himself become a wise man. And the wise man of whom the holy scriptures speak, is a godly man, and such an one as feareth God: because this fear of God is the beginning and head of wisdom: 1as on the contrary, the fool, whereof the scripture often speaketh, is the ungodly person, that maketh no conscience of any sin. And indeed such an one is the most senseless fool of all. He that shall ever and anon be casting himself into the fire and water, and run upon dangerous places to break his legs, arms, neck: and further shall take pleasure in doing all this, is either a fool or a mad man. Now the ungodly man as oft as he sinneth, he endeavoureth as much as in him lieth to pitch his soul into hell, and whereas he taketh pleasure in sin, he sports himself with his own destruction.
Now he that would haue his speech to be wise, must first of al himselfe become a wise man. And the wise man of whome the holy scriptures speake, is a godly man, and such an one as feareth God: because this feare of God is the beginning and head of wisdome: 1as on the contrarie, the foole, whereof the scripture often speaketh, is the vngodly person, that maketh no conscience of any sinne. And indeede such an one is the most sensles foole of all. He that shall euer and anon be casting himselfe into the fire and water, and run vpon dangerous places to breake his legges, armes, necke: and further shal take pleasure in doing all this, is either a foole or a mad man. Now the vngodly man as oft as he sinneth, he endeuoureth as much as in him lieth to pitch his soule into hell, and whereas he taketh pleasure in sinne, he sports himselfe with his owne destruction.