A09339:4010
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.
Touching humane laws, the special point to be considered is, In what manner they bind.1 That this may in part be cleared, I will stand a while to examine and confute the opinion, that the very pillars of the Popish Church at this day maintain; namely, that Civill and Ecclesiastical jurisdiction have a coactive power in the conscience, and that the laws made thereby do as truly and properly bind (as they speak) to mortal and venial sin, as Gods law it self. The arguments which they commonly use are these.
Touching humane lawes, the speciall point to be considered is, In what manner they binde.1 That this may in part be cleared, I will stand a while to examine and confute the opinion, that the very pillars of the Popish Church at this day maintaine; namely, that Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction haue a coactiue power in the conscience, and that the lawes made thereby doe as truly and properly binde (as they speake) to mortall and veniall sinne, as Gods law it selfe. The arguments which they commonly vse are these.
- 1§8. Of humane laws binding.§8. Of humane lawes binding.
Argum. 1. Deut. 17. That man that will do presumptuously, and not obey the aauthority of the Priest, or Judge, shall die: and thou shalt take away evil from Israel. Here (say they) the precepts of the high Priest areb Imperia, not admonitions or exhortations, & they bind in conscience; otherwise the transgressors thereof should not have bin punished so severely. Ans. The intent of this law (as a very child may perceive) is to establish the authority and right of the highest appeals for all matters of controversy in the Synedrium or great court at Jerusalem. Therefore the words alleged, do not give unto the Priest a sovereign power of making laws, but a power of giving judgement of controversies, & that according to laws already made by God himself: from which judgement there might be no appeal. Now this power of determining doth not con strain conscience, but the outward man to maintain order & peace. For what reason is there, that, that sentence, which might be either a gainsaying of Gods law, or a mistaking of it, should bind the conscience to a sin Again, not every one that refused to subject themselves to the sentence of this court, were straightway guilty of sin,