A09339:409
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
Chapter 21 › The negative part.Chapter 21 › The negatiue part.
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 government whereof, is an express image of the old Roman Empire, whether we consider the regiment it self, or the place of the Empire, or the large circuit of that government. Revel. 13.15. And it was permitted to him, to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak, and should cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed. IX. A religious reverence of the creature, as when we attribute more unto it, then we ought. Revel. 22.8. When I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel, which showed me these things. But he said unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant. Act. 10. 25. As Peter came in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up, for even I my self am a man. If then it be so heinous a thing, to reverence the creature much more to pray unto it, whether it be Saint or Angel. Rom. 10.14. How shall they call upon ⟨p. 49⟩him, in whom they have not believed. Matth. 4.10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Neither may we pray unto Christ, as he is only man, but as he is God and man: for we direct not our prayers unto the humanity, but to the deity, to which the humanity is knit by an hypostatical union. This teacheth us plainly, that invocation of any creature is unlawful: for we must pray to them, that are able to know the secrets of the heart, and discern the wisdom of the spirit: now none is able to do that, but such a nature as is omnipotent. Rom. 8.27. He that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the meaning of the spirit: for he maketh request for the Saints, according to the will of God. Nevertheless such as are Saints indeed, are to be honoured by an approbation of Gods gifts in them, and by an honourable mention of them, and also by imitation of their manners and lives, being as patterns for us to walk after. X. Worship of devils: I. Magic, which is a mischievous art, accomplishing wonders by Satan's assistance. For it is appropriate to God to do miracles; for he alone both beyond, and against the course of nature, doeth wonderful things. Now the instruments which God useth in producing miracles, are only they, who do in the true Church of God, make profession of the faith.