A09339:4049
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.
Ecclesiastical laws, are certain necessary and profitable determinations of circumstances of the commandments of the first table. I say here circumstances, because all doctrines pertaining to the foundation and good estate of the Church, as also the whole worship of God, are set down and commanded in the written word of God, and can not be prescribed and concluded otherwise by all the Churches in the world. As for the Creeds and Conf•ssions of particular Churches, they are in substance Gods word, and they bind not in conscience by any power the Church hath, but because they are the word of God.
Ecclesiasticall lawes, are certaine necessarie and profitable determinations of circumstances of the commandements of the first table. I say here circumstances, because all doctrines pertaining to the foundation and good estate of the Church, as also the whole worship of God, are set downe and commaunded in the written word of God, and can not be prescribed and concluded otherwise by all the Churches in the world. As for the Creedes and Conf•ssions of particular Churches, they are in substance Gods word, and they bind not in conscience by any power the Church hath, but because they are the word of God.
The laws then which the Church in proper speech is said to make, are decrees concerning outward order and comeliness in the administration of the word and Sacraments, in the meetings of the congregation, &c. and such laws made according to the general rules of Gods word, (which requires that all things be done to edification, in comeliness, for the avoiding of offence) are necessary to be observed, and the word of God binds all men to them so far forth as the keeping of them maintains decent order, and prevents open offence. Yet if a law concerning some external ri•e or thing indifferent, be at sometime or upon some occasion omitted; no offence given, nor contempt showed to Ecclesiastical authority, there is no breach made in the conscience: and that appears by the example before handled. The Apostles guided by the holy Ghost, made a decree for the avoiding of offence, necessary to be observed, namely that the Gentiles should abstain from strangled & blood & Idolithytes: and yet Paul out of the case of scandal and contempt, permits the Corinthians to do otherwise,