A09353:1203
A golden chain, or the description of theologyA golden chaine, or the description of theologie
A golden chain, or the description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view of the order whereof, is to be seen in the table annexed. Written in Latin by William Perkins, and translated by an other. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting troubled consciences.A golden chaine, or the description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods woord. A view of the order wherof, is to be seene in the table annexed. Written in Latine by William Perkins, and translated by an other. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting troubled consciences.
London: printed by Edward Alde, 1591
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.
But If I deal with such as have before obeyed the Lords calling, and either by reason of some grievous sin into which they have fallen, or because they have absented themselves from the Church of God, or in that they, refusing public and private admonitions, have been offensive to the Church, ⟨image 168⟩or, which in mine experience, hath befallen many very good and godly persons, whilst they satisfy not themselves, they are so altogether busily conversant in reprehending and judging themselves, that they for a while forget the mercy of God, with these, to omit such as for some natural infirmities, are, if they procure not speedy help of some expert Minister most dangerously tempted, with these (I say) I use this order.
But If I deale with such as haue before obeyed the Lords calling, and either by reason of some greuous sinne into which they haue fallen, or because they haue absented themselues from the Church of God, or in that they, refusing publike and priuate admonitions, haue bene offenciue to the Church, ⟨image 168⟩or, which in mine experience, hath befallen many very good and godly persons, whilest they satisfie not themselues, they are so altogither busilie conuersant in reprehending and iudging themselues, that they for a while forget the mercy of God, with these, to omit such as for some naturall infirmities, are, if they procure not speedie helpe of some expert Minister most daungerouslye tempted, with these (I say) I vse this order.
First, I desired, that they intimate unto me, that which especially grieveth them, and as I understand both the thing, and measure thereof by them: I take especial care of this, that they being already overmuch cast down, that I then, by the severe denunciation of the Law, do not quite overturn them: yet so, as that I do not altogether withdraw them either from condemning their former sins, or the meditation of Gods Judgement: And so, as much as I can, I temper the words of consolation, as that I nothing cloak Gods anger against them for their sins.