A09339:450
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.
As for example, that it is unlucky for one in the morning to put on his shoe awry, or to put the left shoe on the right foot, to sneeze in drawing on his shoes, to have salt fall toward him, to have an hare cross him, to bleed some few drops of blood, to burn on the right ear. Again, that it is contrarily good luck to find old iron, to have drink spilled on him, for the left ear to burn, to pare our nails on some one day of the week, to dream of some certain things. The like superstition, is to surmise that beasts may be tamed by verses, prayers, or the like; that the repetition of the creed or the Lords prayer, can infuse into herbs a faculty of healing diseases. Deut. 18.11. Here also is Palmistry condemned, when by the inspection of the hand, our fortune is foretold. These and such like, albeit they have true events, yet are we not to give credence unto them: for God permitteth them to have such success, that they which see and hear such things• may be tried, and it may appear what confidence they have in God. Deut. •3. XI. Astrology, whether it be in casting of nativities, or making of Prognostications. This counterfeit art is nothing else, but a mere abuse of the heavens, and of the stars 1. The twelve houses, which are the ground of all figures, are made of the feigned signs of a supposed Zodiac, in the highest sphere commonly called the first Movable: and therefore to these houses a man cannot truly ascribe any influence or virtue. 2. This art ariseth not from experience, because it never happeneth that the same position of all stars is twice together observed: and if it were, yet could there not certain ground arise from thence, in that the efficacy & influence of the stars is confusedly mixed both in the air and in the earth, as if all herbs were mingled together in one vessel. 3. This art withdraweth mens minds from the contemplation of Gods providence, when as they hear, that all things fall out by the motion, and disposition of the stars. 4. Stars were not ordained to foretell things to come, but to distinguish days, months, and years. Gen. 1. 14. Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to separate the day from the night: and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years. Isaiah. 47.13. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: