A09339:3583
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.
Again I say, that repentance is a turning from sin, because it doth not abolish or change the substance of body or soul, or any of the faculties thereof either in whole or part: but only rectify and amend them by removing the corruption. It turns the sadness of melancholy to godly sorrow, choler to good zeal, softness of nature to meekness of spirit, madness and lightness to Christian mirth: it reforms every man according to his natural constitution, not abolishing it, but redressing the fault of it.
Againe I say, that repentance is a turning from sinne, because it doth not abolish or change the substance of bodie or soule, or any of the faculties therof either in whole or part: but onely rectifie and amend them by remoouing the corruption. It turnes the sadnesse of melancholy to godly sorrow, choller to good zeale, softnesse of nature to meekenes of spirit, madnesse and lightn•sse to Christian mirth: it reformes euery man according to his naturall constitution, not abolishing it, but redressing the fault of it.
Further I put down, that repentance is a turning from all sin to God, that I may exclude many false turnings. The first, when a man turns from God to sin: as when one of a Protestant becomes a Papist, an Arian a •• milist. The second, when a man turns from one sin to an other. As when the riotous person leaves his prodigality, and gives himself to the practise of covetousness: this can be no repentance: because it is a going from one extreme to an other, whereas repentance is to leave the extremes & keep the mean. The third is, not when a man turns from sin, but sin turns from him and leaves him. As when the drunkard leaves drunkenness, because his stomach is decayed: the fornicator his uncleanness, because the strength of nature fails him: the quarreller his fighting, because he is maimed on leg or arm. The last is, when men turn from many sins, but will not turn from all. As Herod did many things at the advertisement of John Baptist, but could not be brought to leave incest, in having his brother Philips wife; This repentance is nothing. For as he which is truly regenerate, is wholly in body, soul, and spirit regenerate: so he which truly repents, turns from all sin, and turns wholly to God.