A09339:3664
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
Chapter 8: Of legal motives to Repentance.Chapter 8: Of legall motiues to Repentance.
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 second evil within man is the fearful slavery and bondage under the power of Satan the prince of darkness: in that his mind, will, and affections are so knit and glued to the will of the devil, that he can do nothing but obey him, and rebel against God.1 And hence Satan is called the prince of this world: which keeps the hold of the heart as an armed captain keeps a skonse or castle with watch and ward.
The second euill within man is the fearefull slauerie and bondage vnder the power of Satan the prince of darknesse: in that his minde, will, and affectictions are so knit and glued to the will of the deuill, that he can doe nothing but obey him, and rebell against God.1 And hence Satan is called the prince of this world: which keepes the hold of the heart as an armed captaine keepes a skonse or castle with watch and ward.
The misery before man, is a dangerous snare which the devil lays for the destruction of the soul. I say it is dangerous: because he is in setting of it twenty or forty years, before he strikes: when as (God knows) men do little think of it. It is made of three cords: with the first, he brings men into his snare: and that he doth by covering the misery and the poison of sin: and by painting out to the eye of the mind, the deceitful profits and pleasures thereof. With the second, he hopples and ensnares them: for after that a man is ⟨p. 753⟩drawn into this or that sin, the devil hath so sugared it over with fine delights, that he cannot but needs must live and lie in it. By the third, he draws the snare, and endeavours with all his might to break the neck of the soul. For when he seeth a fit opportunity, especially in grievous calamities; and in the hour of death, he takes away the visor of sin, and shows the face of it in the true form, as ugly as himself: then withal he begins (as we say) to show his horns; then he rageth in terrifying and accusing, that the soul of man may be swallowed up of the gulf of final despair.