A09339:4661
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.
Hitherto I have handled and proved by induction of sundry particulars, that we are to make a separation from the present Church of Rome, in respect of the foundation and substance of true religion. Many more things might be added to this very purpose, but here I conclude this first point: adding only this one caveat, that we make separation from the Roman religion without hatred of the persons that are maintainers of it. Nay we join in affection more with them, then they with us. They die with us not for their religion (a though they deserve it) but for the treasons which they intend and enterprise: we are ready to do the duties of love unto them enjoined us in the word: we reverence the good gifts in many of them; we pray for them, wishing their repentance and eternal salvation.
Hitherto I haue handled and prooued by induction of sundrie particulars, that we are to make a separation from the present Church of Rome, in respect of the foundation and substance of true religion. Many more things might be added to this very purpose, but here I conclude this first point: adding onely this one caueat, that we make separation from the Romane religion without hatred of the persons that are maintainers of it. Nay we ioyne in affection more with them, then they with vs. They die with vs not for their religion (a though they deserue it) but for the treasons which they intend and enterprise: we are readie to doe the duties of loue vnto them inioyned vs in the word: we reuerence the good gifts in many of them; we pray for them, wishing their repentance and eternall saluation.
Now I mean to proceed, and to touch briefly other points of doctrine contained in this portion of Scripture, which I have now in hand. In the second place therefore out of this commandment, Go out of her my people, I gather that the true Church of God is and hath been in the present Roman Church, as corn in the heap of chaff. Though Popery reigned and overspread the face of the earth for many hundred years; yet in the middest thereof, God reserved a people unto himself, that truly worshipped him: and to this effect the holy Ghost saith that the Dragon, which is the devil caused the woman, that is, the Church to fly into the wilderness, where he sought to destroy her but could not,