A09339:4180
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.
Such a conscience is to be taken heed of us, as being most dangerous. It is like a wild beast, which so long as he lies asleep, seems very tame and gentle, and hurts no man: but when he is roused, he then awakes and flies in a mans face, and offers to pull out his throat. And so it is the manner of dead conscience, to lie still and quiet even through the course of a mans life: and hereupon a man would think (as most do) that it were a good conscience indeed: but when sickness or death approacheth, it being awaked by the hand of God, begins to stand up on his legs, and shows his fierce eyes, and offers to rend out even the very throat of the soul. And heathen Poets knowing this right well, have compared evil conscience to Furies pursuing men with firebrands.
Such a conscience is to be taken heede of vs, as beeing most da•gerous. It is like a wild beast, which so long as he lies asleepe, seemes very tame and gentle, and hurts no man: but when he is roused, he then awakes and flies in a mans face, and offers to pull out his throate. And so it is the manner of dead conscience, to lie still and quiet euen through the course of a mans life: and hereupon a man would thinke (as most doe) that it were a good conscience indeede: but when sicknes or death approcheth, it beeing awaked by the hand of God, beginnes to stand vp on his legges, and shewes his fierce eyes, and offers to rend out euen the very throat of the soule. And heathen Poets knowing this right well, haue compared euill conscience to Furies pursuing men with firebrands.
1The seared conscience is that which doth not accuse for any sin; no not for great sins. It is compared by Paul, 1. Tim. 4.2. to the part of a mans body which is not only bereft of sense, life, and motion by the gangrene, but also is burnt with a searing iron: and therefore must needs be utterly past all feeling.