A09339:605
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 27 › The negative part.Chapter 27 › 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. To sell, or bargain for that which is not saleable. Of this kind, I. Is the gift of the holy Ghost, which cannot be bought with money. Act. 8.18. When Simon saw, that through laying on of the Apostles hands, the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 16, Saying, give me also this power, that on whom soever I lay the hands, he may receive the holy Ghost. 20. Then Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money. II. Church goods are not saleable. Therefore it is not to be allowed, for men to fell or alienate them from the Church. Prou. 20.25. It is destruction for a man to devour that which is sanctified, and after the vows to enquire. Malac. 3.8. Church goods are the possession of the Lord. III. Whatsoever is unprofitable either to the Church, or common-weal, must not be sold. II. All coloured forgery & deceit in bargaining. Luk. 19.8. Zaccheus stood forth, & said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor: and if I have taken ought from any man by forged cavillation, I restore it four fold. This deceit is used, I. when men sell that, which is counterfeit, for good: as copper for gold, and mingle any ways bad with good, making show only of the good. Amos 8.4,5,6. Hear this, ye that swallow up the poor, saying, when will the new month be gone, &c. that we may sell the refuse of the wheat. II. When men falsify measures & weights. Deut. 25.13. Thou shalt not have in thy bag two manner of weights, a great and a small. 14. But thou shalt have a right and a just weight: a perfect, and a just measure shalt thou have. Levit. 10.35. Ye shall not do unjustly in judgement, in line, in weight, or in measure. 36. Ye shall have just balances, true weights; a true Epha, and a true Hin. Amos 8.4. Hear this, ye that say, When will the Sabbath be gone, that we may sell corn, and make the Epha small, and the shekel great, and falsify the weights by deceit. III. When the buyer concealeth the goodness of the thing, or the seller the faults of it, and blindfoldeth the trueth with counterfeit speeches.