A09339:917
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.
Bridles, or external remedies, are these: I. In this we shall imitate the clemency of the Lord, who for a very great season doth often tolerate the wicked. Learn of me, for I am humble and meek. II. There must be a pausing and time of delay, betwixt our anger and the execution of the same. Athenodorus counselled Augustus that he, being angry, should repeat all the letters of the Alphabet, or A B C, before he, against another, did either speak or do any thing. III. To depart out of those places where those are, with whom we are angry. IV. To avoid contention, both in word and in deed. Do nothing through contention.
Bridles, or externall remedies, are these: I. In this we shall imitate the clemencie of the Lord, who for a very great season doth often tollerate the wicked. Learne of me, for I am humble and meeke. II. There must be a pausing and time of delay, betwixt our anger and the execution of the same. Athenodorus counselled Augustus that he, beeing angrie, should repeat all the letters of the Alphabet, or A B C, before he, against another, did either speake or doe any thing. III. To depart out of those places where those are, with whom we are angrie. IV. To auoide contention, both in worde and in deede. Doe nothing through contention.
Remedies against those bad desires of riches, and honour, I. God doth even in famine quicken and revive them, which fear him. Psal. 33.18, 19. The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, to deliver their souls from death, and to preserve them from famine. II. Godliness is great gain, if the mind of man can be therewith content. 1. Tim. 6.6. III. We do wait & look for the resurrection of the body, and eternal life: therefore we should not take such carking care for this present mortal life. IV. We are servants in our fathers house, therefore look what is convenient for us, that will he lovingly bestow upon us. V. The palpable blindness of an ambitious mind, desireth to be set aloft, that he may have the greater down-fall: and he feareth to be humbled, least he should not be exalted. VI. Adam when he would needs be check-mate with God, did bring both himself and his posterity headlong to destruction. VII. He is a very ambitious rob-God, which desireth to take that commendation to himself, which is appropriate only to the Lord.