A09339:4063
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.
Again, in six cases an oath binds nothing at all. I. If it be made of a thing ⟨p. 860⟩that is flat against the word of God. For all the power of binding which it hath is by the word of God: and therefore when it is against Gods will, it hath no power to constrain. And it is an old received rule, that an oath must not be a bond of iniquity. Hereupon David when he made a rash oath to kill Nabal and all his household, rejoiced when he had occasion offered by Abigail to break the same, 1. Sam. 23.32. And though he sware to Shemi, that he would save his life, 2. Sam. 19. 23. yet afterward upon better consideration (as it may seem) he commanded his son Solomon to put him to death, as one that had long ago deserved the same. 1. King. 2.9. And Herod was far deceived, that thought he was bound by his oath to give to the damsel John Baptists head in a platter, Matth. 14.7. II. If it be against the good and wholesome laws of any kingdom or country, whereof a man is a member, it binds not at all: because on the contrary Gods commandment binds us to keep the good laws of men. III. If it be made by such persons as want sufficient reason and discretion, as young children, fools, mad men. For the conscience can not indeed be bound where the understanding can not discern what is done. IV. If it be made of such as have no power to bind themselves, it binds not: because it is made against the law of nature, which is, thata he which is not in his own power can not bind himself. Hence it follows, that Papists err grossly when they teach, that a childb may enter into any rule or order of religion, yea bind himself thereto by oath, and the oath to be good, flat against his parents consent. Num. 30.4. If a woman vow unto the Lord, and bind her self by a hand, being in her fathers house in the time of her youth, &c. v. 6. If her father disallow her the same day that he heareth all her vows and bonds, they shall not be of value. And an ancient Council decreed that all children that upon pretence of Gods worship should depart from their parents,