A09339:3755
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.
Hence it is manifest, that sins of infirmity are committed only of such as are regenerate. As for the man unregenerate he can not sin of infirmity whatsoever some falsely think. For he is not weak but stark dead in sin. And sins of infirmity are such only as rise of constraint, fear, hastiness, and such like sudden passions in the regenerate. And though they sin of weakness often by reason of this spiritual combat, yet they do not always: for they may sin against knowledge and conscience of presumption.
Hence it is manifest, that sinnes of infirmitie are committed onely of such as are regenerate. As for the man vnregenerate he can not sinne of infirmitie whatsoeuer some falsly thinke. For he is not weake but starke dead in sinne. And sinnes of infirmitie are such onely as rise of constraint, feare, hastinesse, and such like sudden passions in the regenerate. And though they sin of weaknes often by reason of this spirituall combat, yet they doe not alwaies: for they may sinne against knowledge and conscience of presumption.
To come to the second point: the regenerate man can not do the good which he would: because he can not do it perfectly and soundly according to Gods will as he would. Paul saith,1 To will is present with me, but I find no means ([Greek or Hebrew]) perfectly to do that which I would. In this point the godly man is like a prisoner that is gotten forth of the gayle, and that he might escape the hand of the keeper, desires and strives with all his heart to run an hundred miles ⟨p. 770⟩in a day; but because he hath straight and weighty bolts on his legs, cannot for his life creep past a mile or twain, and that with chasing his flesh & tormenting himself. So the servants of God do heartily desire, and endeavour to obey God in all his commandments: as it is said of King Josiah,2 That he turned to God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his might, according to all the laws of Moses, &c. yet because they are clogged with the bolts of the flesh, they perform obedience both slowly and weakly, with divers slips and falls.