A09339:3963
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.
By this first duty of conscience, we are to learn three things. The first, that there is a god: and we may be led to the sight of this even by common reason. For conscience bears witness; Of what? Of thy particular doings. But against ⟨p. 834⟩whom or with whom doth it give testimony? thou mayest feel in thy heart that it doth it either with thee or against thee. And to whom is it a witness? to men or angels? that cannot be, for they cannot hear the voice of conscience, they cannot receive consciences testimony, nay they cannot see what is in the heart of man. It remains therefore that there is a spiritual substance, most wise, most holy, most mighty, that sees all things to whom conscience bears record; and that is God himself. Let Atheists bark against this as long as they will: they have that in them that will convince them of the trueth of the godhead, will they nill they, either in life or death.
By this first dutie of conscience, we are to learne three things. The first, that there is a god: and we may be led to the sight of this euen by common reason. For conscience beares witnes; Of what? Of thy particular doings. But against ⟨p. 834⟩whome or with whome doth it giue testimonie? thou maiest feele in thy heart that it doth it either with thee or against thee. And to whome is it a witnesse? to men or angels? that cannot be, for they cānot heare the voice of conscience, they cannot receiue consciences testimonie, nay they cannot see what is in the heart of man. It remaines therefore that there is a spirituall substance, most wise, most holy, most mightie, that sees all things to whome conscience beares record; and that is God himselfe. Let Atheists barke against this as long as they will: they haue that in them that will conuince them of the trueth of the godhead, will they nill they, either in life or death.
Secondly we learn, that God doth watch over all men by a special providence. The master of a prison is known by this to have care over his prisoners, if he send keepers with them to watch them and to bring them home again in time convenient: and so Gods care to man is manifest in this, that when he created man and placed him in the world, he gave him conscience to be his keeper to follow him always at his heels, and to dog him (as we say) & to pry into his actions, and to bear witness of them all.