A09339:4040
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.
Now such kind of laws have no virtue or power in themselves to constrain conscience, but they bind only by virtue of an higher commandment. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, Rom. 13.1. or, Honour father and mother, Exod. 20. which commandments binds us in conscience to perform obedience to the good laws of men. As S. Peter saith, Submit your selves to every humane ordinance for the Lord. 1. Pet. 2.13. that is, for conscience of God, as he sayeth afterward, v. 19. whereby he signifieth two things: first that God hath ordained the authority of governors, secondly that he hath appointed in his word, and thereby bound men in conscience to obey their governors lawful commandments.
Now such kind of laws haue no vertue or power in thēselues to constraine conscience, but they binde onely by vertue of an higher commandement. Let euery soule be subiect to the higher powers, Rom. 13.1. or, Honour father and mother, Exod. 20. which commandements binds vs in conscience to performe obedience to the goodlawes of men. As S. Peter saith, Submit your selues to euery humane ordinance for the Lord. 1. Pet. 2.13. that is, for conscience of God, as he sayeth afterward, v. 19. whereby he signifieth two things: first that God hath ordained the authoritie of gouernours, secondly that he hath appointed in his word, and thereby bound men in conscience to obey their gouernours lawful commandements.
If the case fall out otherwise, as commonly it doeth, that humane laws be not enacted of things indifferent, but of things that be good in themselves, that is, commanded by God, then are they not humane properly but divine laws. Mens laws entreating of things that are morally good, and the parts of Gods worship, are the same with Gods laws: and therefore bind conscience, not because they were enacted by men, but because they were first made by God: men being no more but instruments and ministers in his name to revive, renew, and to put in execution such precepts and laws as prescribe the worship of God, standing in the practise of true religion and virtue. Of this kind are all positive laws touching articles of faith, and the duties of the moral law. And the man that breaks such laws sins two ways, first because he breaks that which is in conscience a law of God, secondly because in disobeying his lawful Magistrate, he disobeys the general commandment of God touching magistracy.