A09339:4045
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.
Hence it followeth that a man may do any thing beside humane laws and constitutions without breach of conscience. For if we shall omit the doing of any law, I. without hindrance of the end and particular considerations, for which the law was made: II. without offence giving, as much as in us lieth: III. without contempt of him that made the law, we are not to be accused of sin. Example. In time of war, the magistrate of a city commands that no man shall open the gates: the end is, that the city & every member thereof may be in safety. Now it falls out that certain citizens, being upon occasion without the city, are pursued by the enemy and in danger of their lives. Hereupon some man without any more ado openeth the gate to rescue them. The question is, whether he have sinned or no. And the truth is, he hath not: because he did not hinder the end of the law, but rather further it, and that without scandal to men, or contempt to the magistrate.
Hence it followeth that a man may doe any thing beside humane lawes and constitutions without breach of conscience. For if we shall omit the doing of any law, I. without hinderence of the ende and particular considerations, for which the lawe was made: II. without offence giuing, as much as in vs lieth: III. without contempt of him that made the lawe, wee are not to be accused of sinne. Example. In time of warre, the magistrate of a cittie commands that no man shall open the gates: the ende is, that the cittie & euery member thereof may be in safetie. Now it falls out that certaine cittizens, beeing vpon occasion without the cittie, are pursued by the enemie and in danger of their liues. Hereupon some man without any more adoe openeth the gate to reskue thē. The question is, whether he haue sinned or no. And the truth is, he hath not: because he did not hinder the ende of the lawe, but rather further it, and that without scandal to men, or contempt to the magistrate.
And this stands even by the equity of Gods word. God made a law, that the priests only should eat of the shewbread: now David being no priest, did upon urgent occasion eat of it without sin. If this be true in Gods law, then it may also be true in the laws of men, that they may in some cases be omitted without sin against God.