A09339:3756
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.
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.
To come to the second point: the regenerate man can not doe the good which he would: because he can not doe it perfitly and soundly according to Gods will as he would. Paul saith,1 To will is present with me, but I finde no meanes (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) perfitly to doe 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 striues with all his heart to runne an hundred miles ⟨p. 770⟩in a day; but because he hath straight and waightie bolts on his legges, cannot for his life creepe past a mile or twaine, and that with chasing his flesh & tormenting himselfe. So the seruants of God doe heartily desire, and endeauour to obey God in all his commaundements: as it is saide of King Iosias,2