A09339:799
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.
The lowest degree of faith, is called [Greek or Hebrew], a little or weak faith, like a grain of mustard seed, or smoking flax, which can neither give out heat nor flame, but only smoke. Math. 8.25. His Disciples awaked him, saying, Save, master, we perish. 26. And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith. Math. 7.20. If ye have faith as much as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto the mountain, Move, and it shall remove. Isaiah 42.3. The smoking flax shall he not quench.
The lowest degree of faith, is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a little or weake faith, like a graine of mustard seede, or smoking flaxe, which can neither giue out heate nor flame, but onely smoke. Math. 8.25. His Disciples awaked him, saying, Saue, master, we perish. 26. And he said vnto them, Why are ye fearefull, O ye of little faith. Math. 7.20. If ye haue faith as much as a graine of mustard seede, ye shall say vnto the mountaine, Mooue, and it shall remooue. Esay 42.3. The smoking flaxe shall he not quench.
Faith is then said to be weak and feeble, when as, of those five degrees above mentioned, either the first, which is knowledge, or the fifth, which is, application of the promises, is very feeble, the rest remaining strong. Rom. 14.2. One believeth that he may eat all things, and another which is weak, eateth herbs. 3. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not: and let not him which eateth not, judge him which eateth: for God hath received him. The Apostles although they believed, that Christ was the Son of the living God: yet they were ignorant of his death and his resurrection.