A09339:4041
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.
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.
If the case fall out otherwise, as commonly it doeth, that humane lawes bee not inacted of things indifferēt, but of things that be good in themselues, that is, commanded by God, then are they not humane properly but diuine lawes. Mens lawes intreating of things that are morally good, and the parts of Gods worship, are the same with Gods lawes: and therefore bind conscience, not because they were inacted by men, but because they were first made by God: mē beeing no more but instruments and ministers in his name to reuiue, renewe, and to put in exequution such precepts and lawes as prescribe the worship of God, standing in the practise of true religion and vertue. Of this kinde are all positiue lawes touching articles of faith, and the duties of the morall law. And the man that breakes such lawes sinnes two waies, first because he breaks that which is in conscience a lawe of God, secondly because in disobeying his lawfull Magistrate, he disobeyes the generall commandement of God touching magistracie.
But if it shall fall out that mens laws be made of things that are evil and forbidden by God, then is there no bond of conscience at all; but contrariwise men are bound in conscience not to obey,