A09339:3827
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.
And touching help in this case, sundry duties are to be performed. Saint James sets down four, two whereof concern the sick patient, and other two such as be helpers. The first duty of the sick man is to send for help: where two circumstances must be considered: who must be sent for, and when. For the first Saint James saith,1 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the Church. Whereby are meant not only Apostles and all ministers of the gospel, but others also (as I take it) which were men ancient for years endued with the spirit of understanding and prayer, and had withal, the gift of working miracles and of healing the sick.2 For in the primitive Church this gift was for a time so plentifully bestowed on them that believed in Christ, that soldiers cast out devils, and parents wrought miracles on their children. Hence we may learn, that howsoever it be the duty of the ministers of the word principally to visit and comfort the sick, yet is it not their duty alone, for it belongs to them also which have knowledge of Gods word, & the gift of prayer. Exhort one another (saith the holy Ghost) while it is called to day. And again,3 Admonish them that are disordered, and comfort those that are weak. And indeed in equity it should be the duty of every Christian man to comfort his brother in sickness. Here we must needs take knowledge of the common fault of men and women when they come to visit their neighbours and friends they can not speak a work of instruction and comfort, but spend the time in silence, gazing, and looking on: or in uttering words to little or no purpose, saying to the sick party, that they are very sorry to see him in that case, that they would have him to be of good comfort, but wherein & by what means they cannot tell; that they doubt not but that he shall recover his health and live with them still, and be merry as in former time: that they will pray for him; whereas all their prayers are nothing else but the Apostles creed, or the ten commandments, and the Lords prayer uttered without understanding. And this is the common comfort that sick men get at the hands of their neighbours when they come unto them: and all his comes either because men live in ignorance of Gods word, or because they falsely think that the whole burden of this duty lies upon the shoulders of the minister.