A09339:3733
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.
By reason of this fight, when natural blindness prevails, the child of god truly enlightened with knowledge to life everlasting, may err not only in lighter points, but even in the very foundation of religion, as the Corinthians and the Galatians did. And as one man may err, so an hundred men may also; yea a whole particular Church; and as one Church may err, so an hundred more may. For in respect of this combat, the estate and condition of all men is alike. Whence it appears that the Church militant upon earth is subject to error. But yet as the diseases of the body be of two sorts: some curable, and some incurable which are to death; so likewise errors are. And the Church though it be subject to sundry falls, yet it cannot err in foundation to death: the errors of Gods children be curable. Some may here say, If all men and Churches be subject to error, then it shall not be good to join with any of them, but to separate from them all. I answer, though they may and do err, yet we must not separate from them, so long as they do not separate from Christ.
By reason of this fight, when naturall blindnesse preuailes, the child of god truely inlightned with knowledge to life euerlasting, may erre not onely in lighter points, but euen in the verie foundation of religion, as the Corinthians and the Galathians did. And as one man may erre, so an hundred men may also; yea a whole particular Church; and as one Church may erre, so an hundred more may. For in respect of this combate, the estate and condition of all men is alike. Whence it appeares that the Church militant vpon earth is subiect to errour. But yet as the diseases of the bodie be of two sortes: some curable, and some incurable which are to death; so likewise errours are. And the Church though it be subiect to sundrie falls, yet it cannot erre in foundation to death: the errours of Gods children be curable. Some may here say, If all men and Churches be subiect to errour, then it shall not be good to ioyne with any of them, but to separate from them all. I answere, though they may and doe erre, yet wee must not separate from them, so long as they doe not separate from Christ.
The second combat in the mind, is between faith and unbelief. For faith is imperfect, and mixed with the contrary, unbelief, presuming, doubting, &c. As the man in the gospel saith, Lord, I believe, help mine unbelief.