A09353:518
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
Chapter 22 › The affirmative part.Chapter 22 › The affirmitiue parte.
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.
A private oath is, which two or more take privately. This, so that it be sparingly, & warily used is lawful. For in serious affairs & matters of great importance, ⟨image 61⟩it be lawful in private to admit God as a Judge, why should he not as well be called to witness? Again, the examples of holy men show the practise of private oaths, as not unlawful. Jacob and Laban confirmed their covenant one with an other by a private oath: the like did Boaz in his contract with Ruth.
A priuate othe is, which two or more take priuately. This, so that it be sparingly, & warily vsed is lawful. For in serious affaires & matters of great importance, ⟨image 61⟩it be lawfull in priuate to admit God as a Iudge, why should he not as well be called to witnesse? Againe, the examples of holy men shewe the practise of priuate othes, as not vnlawful. Iacob and Laban confirmed their couenant one with an other by a priuate othe: the like did Booz in his contract with Ruth.
To this place may be added an asseveration, the which albeit it be like an oath, yet in deed is none: and is nothing else, but a constant assertion of our mind, interserting sometimes the name of a creature. Such was Christs assertion, Verily, verily, I say unto you. And Pauls, I call God to record in my spirit. Where is both an oath and an asseveration. 1. Cor. 15.31. By your rejoicing which I have in Jesus Christ, I die daily. 1. Sam. 20.3. In deed, as the Lord liveth, and as my soul liveth, there is but a steppe between me and death. And truly in such a kind of asseveration there is great equity: for albeit it be unlawful to swear by creatures, least Gods honour and power should be attributed unto them: yet thus far may we use them in an oath, as to make them pledges, and as it were cognisances of Gods glory.