A09339:448
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 22 › The negative part.Chapter 22 › 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.
I. Perjury, when a man performeth not that, which he on his own accord sware to do. Math. 5. 33. Thou shalt not forswear thy self, but perform thine oath to the Lord. Perjury containeth in it four capital sins. 1. Lying. 2. False invocation on Gods name, because a forswearer calleth on God to confirm a lye. 3. Con tempt of Gods threatenings, that he will most grievously punish perjury. 4. A lye in his covenant with God, for the forswearer bindeth himself to God, and lieth unto God. ⟨p. 55⟩II. To swear that which is false. This is to make god and the devil both alike. Joh. 8.44. Ye are of your father the devil, &c. when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of himself, because he is a liar, and the father of lies. Zach. 5.4. It shall enter into the house of him, that sweareth falsely by my name. III. To swear in common talk. Matth. 5.37. Let your communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay: for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil. IV. To swear by that which is no God. Matth. 5. 34, 35. But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is Gods throne: neither by the earth, for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. 1. King. 19.2. Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, Thus do the gods, and so let them deal with me, if I by to morrow this time, make not thy life, as is the life of every one of them. Jere. 12.16. They taught my people to swear by Baal. Jere. 5.7. Thy sons forsake me, and swear by them which are no gods. This place condemneth that usual swearing by the mass, faith, and such like. Matth. 23.22. He that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by Gods throne, and him that sitteth thereon. But for a man to swear by Christs death, wounds, blood, & other parts of his, is most horrible: & is as much, as to crucify Christ again with the Jews, or account Christs members, as God himself. V. Blasphemy, which is a reproach against God; and the least speech, that savoureth of contempt to his majesty.