A09339:3457
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.
As truth is required in speech, so also reverence to God and man.
As truth is required in speech, so also reuerence to God and man.
Reverence to God is, when we so speak of God and use his titles, that we show reverence our selves, and more reverence in others.1 If thou wilt not keep (saith the Lord) and do all the words of this law (that are written in this book) and fear the glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD, then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful.
Reuerence to God is, when we so speake of God and vse his titles, that we shew reuerence our selues, and more reuerence in others.1 If thou wilt not keepe (saith the Lord) and doe all the wordes of this law (that are written in this booke) and feare the glorious and fearefull name, THE LORD THY GOD, then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderfull.
Here take heed of all manner of blaspheming, which is, when men use such speeches of God, as do either detract any thing from his Majesty, or ascribe any thing to him, not beseeming him: a sin of all other to be detested. Reasons. I. A blasphemer is viler then the rest of the creatures: for they praise God in their kind, and show forth his power, goodness, and wisdom: but he dishonoureth God in his wretched speech. II. He is as the mad dog that flieth in his masters face, who keepeth him and giveth him bread. III. Custom in blasphemies showeth a man to be the child of the devil, and no child of God as yet. A father lying on his death bed, called the three children to him which he kept, and told them that one only of them was his own son, and that the rest were only brought up by him: therefore unto him he gave all his goods: but which of these was his natural son he would not in any wise declare. When he was dead, every one of the three children pleaded that he was the son, and therefore that the goods were his. The matter being brought before a Judge could not be ended: but the Judge was constrained to take this course: he caused the dead corps of the father to be set up against a tree, and commanded the three sons to take bows and arrows, and to shoot against their father, and to see who could come nearest the heart. The first and second did shoot at their father and did hie him, the third was angry with both the other through natural affection of a child to a father, and refused to shoot. This done, the Judge gave sentence that the two first were no sons, but the third only, and that he should have the goods. The like trial may be used to know who be Gods children.