A09339:4022
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.
Argum. 11. Councils of ancient fathers when they command or forbid any thing, do it with threatening of a curse to the offenders. Ans. The Church in former time used to annex unto her Canons the curse anathema, because things decreed by them were indeed, or at the le•st thought to be the will & word of God: and they had respect in the saying of Paul, If any teach otherwise though he be an angel from heaven, let him be accursed. Therefore Councils in this action were no more but instruments of God to accurse those, whom he first had accursed.
Argum. 11. Councels of auncient fathers when they commaund or forbid any thing, doe it with threatning of a curse to the offenders. Ans. The Church in former time vsed to annexe vnto her Canons the curse anathema, because things decreed by them were indeede, or at the le•st thought to be the will & worde of God: and they had respect in the saying of Paul, If any teach otherwise though hee bee an angel from heauen, let him bee accursed. Therefore Councels in this action were no more but instruments of God to accurse those, whome he first had accursed.
Argum. 12. An act indifferent if i• be commanded, is made necessary: and the keeping of it is the practise of virtue, therefore every law binds conscience ⟨p. 850⟩to a sin. Ans. An act in it self indifferent being commanded by mans law, it is not made simply necessary, for that is as much as Gods law doeth or can do, but only in some part, that is, so far forth as the said act or action tends to maintain and preserve the good end for which the law is made. And though the action be in this regard necessary; yet doeth it still remain indifferent, as it is considered in it self out of the end of the law: so as if peace, the common good, and comely order may be maintained and all offence avoided by any other means, the act may be done or not done without sin before God. For whereas God himself hath given liberty and freedom in the use of things indifferent, the law of man doeth not take away the same but only moderate and order the overcommon use of it for the common good.