A09339:4099
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.
Good conscience is that which rightly according to Gods word, excuseth and comforteth. For the excellency, goodness, and dignity of conscience, stands not in accusing, but in excusing. And by doing any sin whatsoever to give an occasion to the conscience to accuse and condemn, is to wound it and to offend it. Thus Paul saith that the Corinthians wounded the consciences of their weak brethren, when they used their liberty as an occasion of offence to them, 1. Cor. 8,9, 12. Again, he calleth a good conscience, a conscience without offence, that is, which hath no stop or impediment to hinder it from excusing. Act. 24. 19.
Good conscience is that which rightly according to Gods word, excuseth and comforteth. For the excellency, goodnesse, and dignitie of conscience, standes not in accusing, but in excusing. And by doing any sinne whatsoeuer to giue an occasion to the conscience to accuse and condemne, is to wound it and to offend it. Thus Paul saith that the Corinthians wounded the consciences of their weake breathren, when they vsed their libertie as an occasion of offence to them, 1. Cor. 8,9, 12. Againe, hee calleth a good conscience, a conscience without offence, that is, which hath no stop or impedimēt to hinder it from excusing. Act. 24. 19.
Good conscience, is either good by creation or regeneration.
Good by creation was the conscience of Adam, which in the estate of innocency did only excuse and could not accuse him for any thing: though it may be, an aptness to accuse was not wanting, if afterward an occasion should be offered. And hence we have further direction to consider what a good con science is, namely such an one as by the order set down in the creation, excuseth