A09339:4231
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.
Again, The beast spoken of in the Apocalypse to which a mouth is given to speak blasphemies, and to make war with the Saints of God, is now gotten into Peters chair, as a lion prepared to his pray. It will be said, that Bernard speaks these latter words of one that came to the Popedom by intrusion or usurpation. It is true indeed: but wherefore was he an usurper? He rendereth a reason thereof in the same place: because the Antipope called Innocentius was chosen by the kings of Almain, France, England, Scotland, Spain, Jerusalem, with consent of the whole Clergy and people in these nations, and the other was not. And thus Bernard hath given his verdict, that not only this usurper, but all the Popes for this many years are the beast in the Apocalypse: because now they are only chosen by the college of Cardinals. To this agreeth the decree of Pope Nicolas the second,1 an. 1059. that the Pope shall afterward be created by the suffrages of the Cardinal Bishops of Rome, with the consent of the rest of the clergy and people, and the Emperor himself: and all Popes are excommunicate and accursed as Antichrists, 2that enter otherwise, as all now do. Joachimus Abbas saith, Antichrist was long since borne in Rome, & shall be yet advanced higher in the Apostolic See. Petrarch saith, Once Rome, now Babylon. And Ireneus book 5. chap. last, said before all these, that Antichrist should be Lateinus, a Roman.
Againe, The beast spoken of in the Apocalyps to which a mouth is giuen to speake blasphemies, and to make warre with the Saints of God, is now gotten into Peters chaire, as a lyon prepared to his pray. It will be said, that Bernard speakes these latter words of one that came to the Popedome by intrusion or vsurpation. It is true indeede: but wherefore was he an vsurper? He rendreth a reason thereof in the same place: because the Antipope called Innocentius was chosen by the kings of Almaine, France, England, Scotland, Spaine, Hierusalem, with consent of the whole Cleargie and people in these nations, and the other was not. And thus Bernard hath giuen his verdict, that not onely this vsurper, but all the Popes for this many yeares are the beast in the Apocalyps: because now they are onely chosen by the colledge of Cardinalls. To this agreeth the decree of Pope Nicolas the second,1