A09339:4668
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 spoken of the commandment: now followeth the reason thereof drawn from the end, that they be not partakers of her sins: and that they receive not of her plagues. Here I might stand long to show what be the sins of the church of Rome: but I will only name the principal. The first sin is Atheism: & and that I prove on this manner. Atheism is twofold, open, coloured. Open Atheism is, when men both in word and deed deny God and his word. Coloured Atheism is not so manifest: and it hath two degrees. The first is, when men acknowledge God the creator and governor of heaven and earth, and yet deny the father, son and holy Ghost. Thus the Ephesians before they received the gospel,1 are said to be without God whom in their natural judgement they acknowledged: because they denied Christ, and consequently worshipped an idol of their own brain, in that they worshipped God out of Christ. And in this respect though the Samaritans worshipped the God of Abraham, yet our Saviour Christ saith,2 they worshipped they knew not what. And the Psalmist saith of all the Gentiles that their Gods are Idols. In this degree of Atheism are placed Turks and Jews at this day: the Anti-Trinitarians, and Arians, and all that conceive and worship God out of the Trinity. The 2. degree is, when men do rightly acknowledge ⟨p. 1014⟩the unity of the godhead in the Trinity of persons: yet so, as by other necessary consequents partly of their doctrine, and partly of the service of God they overturn that which they have well maintained. And thus I say, that the very religion of the Church of Rome is a kind of Atheism. For whereas it makes the merit of the works of men to concur with the grace of god, it overthrows the grace of God. Rom. 11. In word they acknowledge the infinite justice and mercy of God: but by consequent both are denied. How can that be infinite justice, which may any way be appeased by humane satisfactions? And how shall Gods mercy be infinite, when we by our satisfactions must add a supply to the satisfaction of Christ? Again, He that hath not the son, hath not the father: 3and he that hath neither father nor son, denies God. Now the present Roman religion hath not the son, that is, Jesus Christ, God and man, the Mediator of mankind: but hath transformed him into a feigned Christ. And I show it thus.