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.

2. The meaning.

1. Quest. Whether is a man bound to forgiue all debts? Ans. The word debt, in this place is not vnderstood of debt that is ciuill, and comes by lawfull bargaining, but of hurts and dammages which are done vnto vs in our bodies, goods, or good name. As for the former ciuill debts, a man may exact them, so he doe it with shewing of mercie.

2. Quest. How may any man forgiue trespasses, seeing God onely forgiues sinne? Ans. In euery trespasse which any doe to their neighbours, there be two offences, one to God, another to man. In the first respect, as it is against God and his commaundement, it is called a sinne; and that God onely forgiues: in the other respect it is called an iniurie or dammage, and so man may forgiue it. When a man is robbed, the law is broken by stealing, & the iniurie that is done is against a man that hath his goods stolne. This iniury, as it is an iniury a man may forgiue; but as it is a sinne, he can not, but God onely.

3. Quest. Whether may a man lawfully pray this petition, and yet sue him at the law, who hath done him wrong? Ans. A man may in an holy manner sue another for an iniurie: and as a souldier in lawfull warre may kill his enemie, and yet loue him: so may a man forgiue an iniurie, and yet seeke in a Christi∣an manner the remedie: but in doing of this we must obserue fiue things. 1. We are to take heede of all priuate reuenge, and inward hatred; which if we conceiue, we doe not forgiue. 2. We must take heede of offence, and haue care that our doings be not scandalous to the Church. 3. Our suites must be taken in hand to maintaine godly peace: for if all iniuries were put vp, there would be no ciuill state or gouernment. 4. This must be, that the partie of∣fending may be chastised, & he brought to repentance for his fault: for if ma∣ny men were not repressed, they would grow worse. 5. Law must be the last remedie. As Physitians vse desperate remedies, when weaker will not serue: e∣uen so must we vse law, as the last meanes when all other ••aile. The dealing of

the world in this case is no example for vs to followe. For through rage and stomacke men will abide no priuate agreement, and therfore they vse the law in the first place, as the Corinthians did: but what saith Paul. 1. Cor. 6.7. It is vtterly a fault among you. But if the lawe bee vsed aright, a Christian man may sue his neighbour at law, and loue the partie sued: for there is difference be∣tweene dealing against a man before a magistrate, and the dealing of one pri∣uate man with another. For priuate dealing is commonly reuenge, and there∣fore vnlawfull.