A09339:4064
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.
because children under government and tuition of parents, can not give themselves. V. It binds not if it be made of a thing that is out of a mans power, as if a man swear to his friend to give him an other mans goods. VI. If at the first it were lawful, and afterward by some means become either impossible or unlawful, it binds not conscience. For when it becomes impossible, then we may safely think that God from heaven frees a man from his oath. And when it begins to be unlawful, then it ceaseth to bind, because the binding virtue is only in and from the word of God. For example: A king binds himself by oath to a foreign Christian Prince to find him men and money to defend his people against all enemies. This oath is lawful. Well, afterward the Prince becomes a professed enemy to him, his religion, and people: and then the kings oath becomes unlawful & binds him not: because the word forbids that there should be any league of amity with Gods enemies: though there may be leagues of concord with them.
because children vnder gouernment and tuition of parents, can not giue themselues. V. It bindes not if it be made of a thing that is out of a mans power, as if a man sweare to his friend to giue him an other mans goods. VI. If at the first it were lawfull, and afterward by some meanes become either impossible or vnlawfull, it binds not conscience. For when it becomes impossible, then we may safely thinke that God from heauen frees a man from his oath. And when it begins to be vnlawfull, then it ceaseth to bind, because the binding vertue is onely in and from the word of God. For example: A king bindes himselfe by oath to a forraine Christian Prince to find him men and money to defend his people against all enemies. This oath is lawfull. Well, afterward the Prince becomes a professed enemie to him, his religion, and people: and then the kings oath becomes vnlawful & binds him not: because the word forbids that there should be any league of amitie with Gods enemies: though there may be leagues of concord with thē.
Seeing a lawful oath must bind conscience, though a man be deceived & great losses follow, it shows in how great reverence we should have Gods name, and with what care and consideration take an oath. And by this we