A09339:4026
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.
Arg. 14. Gods authority binds conscience: magistrates authority is Gods authority: therefore magistrates authority binds conscience properly. Ans. Gods authority may be taken two ways: first for that sovereign and absolute power which he useth over all his creatures: secondly for that finite and limited power which he hath ordained that men should exercise over men. If the minor, namely that magistrates authority is Gods authority, be taken in the first sense, it is false: for the sovereign power of God is incommunicable. If it be taken in the second sense, the proposition is false. For there be sundry authorities ordained of God, as the authority of the father over a child, of the master over the servant, the authority of the master over his scholar, which do bind in conscience as the authority of Gods laws doth.
Arg. 14. Gods authoritie binds conscience: magistrates authoritie is Gods authoritie: therefore magistrates authoritie binds conscience properly. Ans. Gods authority may be taken two waies: first for that soueraigne and absolute power which he vseth ouer all his creatures: secondly for that finit and limited power which he hath ordained that men should exercise ouer men. If the minor, namely that magistrates authoritie is Gods authoritie, be taken in the first sense, it is false: for the soueraigne power of God is incommunicable. If it be taken in the second sense, the proposition is false. For there be sundrie authorities ordained of God, as the authoritie of the father ouer a child, of the master ouer the seruant, the authority of the master ouer his scholler, which doe bind in conscience as the authoritie of Gods lawes doth.
By these arguments which I have now answered, and by many other being but lightly scanned, it will appear that necessary obedience is to be performed both to civill and Ecclesiastical jurisdiction: but that they have a constraining power to bind conscience and that properly as Gods laws do, it is not yet proved, neither can be; as I will make manifest by other arguments.
By these arguments which I haue now answered, and by many other beeing but lightly skanned, it will appeare that necessarie obedience is to be performed both to ciuill and Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction: but that they haue a constraining power to bind conscience and that properly as Gods laws doe, it is not yet prooued, neither can be; as I will make manifest by other arguments.