A09339:5134
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.
IV. Conclusion.
To see and feel in our selves the want of any grace, and to be grieved therefore, is the grace it self.
To see and feele in our selues the want of any grace, and to be grieued therefore, is the grace it selfe.
The Exposition.
Understand this conclusion as the former, namely, that grief of heart for the want of any grace necessary to salvation, is as much with God as the grace it self. When being in distress, we cannot pray as we ought, God accepts the very groans, sobs, and sighs of the perplexed heart, as the prayer it self. Rom. 8. 26. When we are grieved, because we cannot be grieved for our sins, it is a degree and measure of godly sorrow before God.1 Augustine saith well: Sometimes our prayer is luke-warm, or rather cold and almost no prayer: nay sometime it is altogether no prayer at all, and yet we cannot with grief perceive this in our selves: for if we can but grieve, because we cannot pray, we now pray indeed. Hierome saith,2