A09339:3822
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.
As for the Anointing of the sick, that is, the anointing of the body, specially the organs or instruments of the senses, that the party may obtain the remission of his sins, and comfort against all temptations of the devil in the ⟨p. 793⟩hour of death; and strength more easily to bear the pangs of sickness and the pangs of death, and be again restored to his corporal health, if it be expedient for the salvation of his soul; it is but a dotage of mans brain, & hath not so much as a show of reason to justify it. The fifth of James is commonly alleged to this purpose, but the anointing there mentioned is not of the same kind with this greasy sacrament of the Papists. For that anointing of the body was a ceremony used by the Apostles and others, when they put in practise this miraculous gift of healing, which gift is now ceased. Secondly,1 that anointing had a promise that the party should recover his health: but this popish anointing hath no such promise, because for the most part the persons thus anointed die afterward without recovery; whereas those which were anointed in the primitive Church always recovered. Thirdly, the ancient anointing served only for the procuring of health, but this tends further to the procuring of remission of sins, and strength in temptation.
As for the Annoiling of the sicke, that is, the annointing of the bodie, specially the organes or instruments of the senses, that the partie may obtaine the remission of his sinnes, and comfort against all temptations of the deuill in the ⟨p. 793⟩houre of death; and strength more easily to beare the pangs of sickenesse and the pangs of death, and be againe restored to his corporall health, if it bee expedient for the saluation of his soule; it is but a dotage of mans braine, & hath not so much as a shewe of reason to iustifie it. The fifth of Iames is commonly alleadged to this purpose, but the annointing there mentioned is not of the same kinde with this greasie sacrament of the Papists. For that annointing of the bodie was a ceremonie vsed by the Apostles and others, when they put in practise this miraculous gift of healing, which gift is nowe ceased. Secondly,1