A09339:4077
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.
The second passion is sadness and sorrow: which is commonly thought to be nothing else but melancholy: but between them twain, there is great difference. Sorrow, that comes by melancholy, ariseth only of that humour annoying the body: but this other sorrow ariseth of a mans sins, for which his con science accuseth him. Melancholy may be cured by physic: this sorrow can not be cured by any thing but by the blood of Christ.
The second passion is sadnes and sorrowe: which is commonly thought to be nothing else but melancholie: but betweene them twaine, there is great difference. Sorrow, that comes by melancholy, ariseth only of that humour annoying the bodie: but this other sorrow ariseth of a mans sinnes, for which his cō science accuseth him. Melancholly may be cured by physicke: this sorrow can not be cured by any thing but by the blood of Christ.
The third is fear: in causing whereof conscience is very forcible. If a man had all the delights and pleasures that heart can wish, they can not do him any good, if conscience be guilty. Belshazzar when he was in the middest of all his delights, and saw the hand writing upon the wall, his countenance changed, his thoughts troubled him, his joints loosed, and his knees smote together, Dan. 5.9. Yea the guilty conscience will make a man afraid, if he see but a worm peep out of the ground: or a silly creature to go cross his way: or if he see but his own shadow on a sudden: or if he do but forecast an evil with himself. Prou. 28.1. The wicked flieth when no man pursueth him.
The third is feare: in causing whereof conscience is very forcible. If a man had all the delights and pleasures that heart can wish, they can not doe him any good, if conscience be guiltie. Belshazzar when hee was in the middest of all his delights, and sawe the hand writing vpon the wall, his countenance changed, his thoughts troubled him, his ioynts loosed, and his knees smote togither,