A09339:796
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.
This persuasion is, & ought to be in every one, even before he have any experience of Gods mercies. Mat. 15.22. A woman, a Canaanite, came out of the same coasts, and cried, saying unto him, Have mercy on me, O Lord, the son of David, my daughter is miserably vexed with a devil, &c. 23,24,25,26,27. Joh. 20.29. Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou believest: blessed are they which have not seen, and have believed. Hebr. 11. 1. Faith is the ground of things hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen. In philosophy we first see a thing true by experience, and afterward give our assent unto it: as in natural philosophy; I am persuaded that such a water is hot, because when I put mine hand into it, I perceive by experience an hot quality.
This perswasiō is, & ought to be in euery one, euē before he haue any experiēce of Gods mercies. Mat. 15.22. A womā, a Canaanite, came out of the same coasts, and cried, saying vnto him, Haue mercie on me, O Lord, the sonne of Dauid, my daughter is miserably vexed with a deuill, &c. 23,24,25,26,27. Ioh. 20.29. Iesus said vnto him, Thomas, because thou hast seene me, thou beleeuest: blessed are they which haue not seene, and haue beleeued. Hebr. 11. 1. Faith is the ground of things hoped for, and the euidence of things which are not seene. In philosophy wee first see a thing true by experience, and afterward giue our assent vnto it: as in naturall philosophy; I am perswaded that such a water is hot, because when I put mine hand into it, I perceiue by experience an hot qualitie.
But in the practise of faith it is quite contrary. For first, we must consent to the word of God, resisting all doubt and diffidence, and afterward will an experience, and feeling of comfort follow.