A09339:3819
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.
Therefore to urge sick men unto it lying at the point of death, is to lay more burdens on them, then ever God appointed.
Therefore to vrge sicke men vnto it lying at the point of death, is to lay more burdens on them, then euer God appointed.
And whereas they make it a necessary thing to receive the Eucharist in the time of sickness toward death, and that privately of the sick party alone, they have no warrant for their practise and opinion. For in the want of the sacrament there is no danger, but in the contempt: and the very contempt it self is a sin which may be pardoned, if we repent. And there is no reason why we should think that sick men should be deprived of the comfort of the Lords supper, if they receive it not in death; because the fruit and efficacy of the Sacrament once received, is not to be restrained to the time of receiving, but it extends it self to the whole time of mans life afterward. Again the supper of the Lord is no private action, but merely Ecclesiastical: and therefore to be celebrated in the meeting and assembly of Gods people; as our Saviour Christ prescribeth, when he saith,1 Do ye this: and Paul in saying, When ye come together. But it is alleged that the Israelites did eat the Paschal lamb in their houses when they were in Egypt. Answ. The Israelites had then no liberty to make any public meeting for that end: & god commanded that the Paschal lamb should be eaten in all the houses of the Israelites at one & the same instant; and that in effect was as much as if it had been public. Again, they allege a Canon of the Council of Nice; which decreeth that men being about to die, must receive the Eucharist, & not be adeprived of the provision of food necessary for their journey. Ans. The Council made no decree touching the administration of the Sacrament to all them that die, but to such only as fall away from the faith in persecution, or fell into any other notorious crime, and were thereupon excommunicate, and so remained till death: & either then or somewhat before testified their repentance for their offences. And the Canon was made for this end, that such persons might be assured that they were again received into the Church, and by this means depart with more comfort. Thirdly, it is objected, that in the primitive Church, part of the Eucharist was carried by a lad to Serapion an aged man,