A09339:3829
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.
The second duty of the sick party is to confess his sins, as James saith,1 Confess your sins one to another, and pray one for another. It will be said, that this is to bring in again Popish shrift. Ans. Confession of our sins, and that unto men was never denied of any: the question only is of the manner and order of making confession. And for this cause we must put a great difference between Popish shrift, and the confession of which S. James speaketh. For he requires only a confession of that or those sins which lie upon a mans conscience when he is sick: but the Popish doctrine requireth a particular enumeration of all mans sins. Again, S. James enjoins confession only as a thing necessary, meet, and convenient, but the Papists as a thing necessary to the remission of sins. Thirdly, S. James permits that confession be made to any man, and by one man to an other mutually; whereas Popish shrift is made only to the priest. The second duty then is, that the sick party troubled in mind with the memory and consideration of any of his sins past, or any manner of way tempted by the devil, shall freely of his own accord open his case to such as are both able and willing to help him, that he may receive comfort and die in peace of conscience.
The second dutie of the sick party is to confesse his sinnes, as Iames saith,1 Confesse your sinnes one to another, and pray one for another. It will be said, that this is to bring in againe Popish shrift. Ans. Confession of our sinnes, and that vnto men was neuer denied of any: the question onely is of the manner and order of making confession. And for this cause we must put a great difference betweene Popish shrift, and the confession of which S. Iames speaketh. For he requires onely a confession of that or those sinnes which lie vpon a mans conscience when he is sicke: but the Popish doctrine requireth a particular enumeration of all mans sinnes. Againe, S. Iames enioynes confession onely as a thing necessarie, meete, and conuenient, but the Papists as a thing necessarie to the remission of sinnes. Thirdly, S. Iames permits that confession be made to any man, and by one man to an other mutually; whereas Popish shrift is made onely to the priest. The second dutie then is, that the sicke partie troubled in mind with the memorie and consideration of any of his sinnes past, or any manner of way tempted by the deuill, shall freely of his owne accord open his case to such as are both able and willing to helpe him, that he may receiue comfort and die in peace of conscience.