A09339:4056

A Golden Chain

Name: A Golden Chain
Author: William Perkins

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.

William Perkins 1558–1602Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600

[8], 184, [14], 185-524, [4], 525-570, [2], 571-684, [2], 685-711, [3], 713-771, [3], 773-830, [4], 831-906, [4], 907-1057, [1] p., [6] tables (some folded) · 648k words · STC 19646 · ESTC S114458

Title page: Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy, digitized by the Internet Archive (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

OF CONSCIENCE. › Chapter 2: Of the duties of Conscience.

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.

[ Earlier:4053–4068 of 5,152

:4053p. 858§2

This being so, a question may be made, whether the oaths of Infidels bind conscience, and by what virtue, considering they neither know the Scriptures nor the true God. Ans. They^a do bind in conscience. For example: Jacob and Laban make a covenant confirmed by oath. Jacob swears by the true God, Laban by the gods of Nachor, that is, by his idols. Now Jacob, though he approve not the form of this oath, yet he accepts it for a civill bond of the covenant: and no doubt, though Laban believed not Gods word revealed to the Patriarchs, yet he was bound in conscience to keep this oath even by the law of nature: and though he knew not the true God, yet he reputed the false god of Nachor to be the true God. Gen. 31.53.

This beeing so, a question may be made, whether the oathes of Infidels bind conscience, and by what vertue, cōsidering they neither know the Scriptures nor the true God. Ans. They^a doe bind in conscience. For example: Iacob and Laban make a couenant confirmed by oath. Iacob sweares by the true God, Laban by the gods of Nachor, that is, by his idols. Now Iacob, though he approoue not the forme of this oath, yet he accepts it for a ciuill bond of the couenant: and no doubt, though Laban beleeued not Gods word reuealed to the Patriarkes, yet he was bound in conscience to keepe this oath euen by the law of nature: and though he knew not the true God, yet he reputed the false god of Nachor to be the true God. Gen. 31.53.

aThus saith August. epist. 154. ad Publicolam. & Lumb. sent. l. 3. dist. 93.

:4054p. 858–859§2

Again, if a lawful oath by virtue of Gods commandments bind conscience, then it must needs be that the Roman Church hath long erred, in that she teacheth and maintaineth that governors,

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The book

Title as printed

Author

William Perkins 1558–1602

Place

Cambridge

Printer

John LegatIohn Legat

Year

1600

Size

[8], 184, [14], 185-524, [4], 525-570, [2], 571-684, [2], 685-711, [3], 713-771, [3], 773-830, [4], 831-906, [4], 907-1057, [1] p., [6] tables (some folded)

Words

647,713

Catalogue

STC 19646 · ESTC S114458

Text

EEBO-TCP A09339

Passages

5,152

Sections

619

Title page

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Transcription key