A09339:4032
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. 5. Men in making laws are subject to ignorance and error: and therefore when they have made a law (as near as possibly they can) agreeable to the equity of Gods law, yet can they not assure themselves and others that they have failed in no point or circumstance. Therefore it is against reason that humane laws being subject to defects, faults, errors, and manifold imperfections, should truly bind conscience, as Gods laws do, which are the rule of righteousness. All governors in the world, (by reason that to their old laws, they are constrained to put restrictions, ampliations, and modifications of all kinds, with new readings and interpretations) upon their daily experience see and acknowledge this to be true which I say, saving the Bishop of Rome (so falsely termed) which persuades himself to have when he is in his consistory, such an infallible assistance of the spirit, that he cannot possibly err in judgement.
Argum. 5. Men in making lawes are subiect to ignorance and errour: and therefore when they haue made a lawe (as neere as possibly they can) agreeable to the equitie of Gods lawe, yet can they not assure themselues and others that they haue failed in no point or circumstance. Therefore it is against reason that humane lawes beeing subiect to defects, faults, errours, and manifold imperfections, should truely bind conscience, as Gods lawes doe, which are the rule of righteousnes. All gouernours in the world, (by reason that to their old lawes, they are constrained to put restrictions, ampliations, and modifications of all kinds, with new readings and interpretations) vpon their daily experience see and acknowledge this to bee true which I say, sauing the Bishop of Rome (so falsly tearmed) which perswades himselfe to haue when he is in his consistorie, such an infallible assistance of the spirit, that he cannot possibly erre in iudgement.
Argum. 6. If mens laws by inward virtue binds conscience properly as Gods laws, then our duty is to learn, study, and remember them as well as Gods laws, yea ministers must be diligent to preach them, as they are diligent in preaching the doctrine of the gospel: because every one of them binds to mortal sin, as the Papists teach. But that they should be taught and learned as Gods laws, it is most absurd in the judgement of all men, Papists themselves not excepted.