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 vses.

1. HEre we learne in praier to abase our selues before God, and vtterly to denie all that is in vs. Kingdome, power, and glorie is all his, not ours: we are no better then rebels and traitours to him: if we haue any good thing, it is from him, euen the grace whereby we pray. And he that in prayer will not confesse this, shall no more be heard, then the insolent begger that will not ac∣knowledge his want.

2. Secondly, in prayer we learne, that we must be perswaded of two things, and build vpon them; Gods power, and will: his power, in that he is able; his will, in that he is carefull to performe our requests, as it was noted in the pre∣face: the first of these is signified by kingdome and power, the second is noted in that glorie is his. 2. Cor. 1.20. For all the promises of God in him, are yea, and A∣men, vnto the glorie of God.

3. Again, we gather that praier & thanksgiuing must go togither: for as in the sixe petitions we made request vnto God; so in these words we praise him,

& thereby giue him thankes. Phil. 4.6. But in all things let your requests be shew∣ed to god in praier and supplication with thankesgiuing. There is none but in want will be readie to praie: but when we haue receiued, wee are slacke in giuing of thankes: but he which will praie aright, must ioyne them both togither. And the summe of all gods praise stands in these three points. 1. That he is an abso∣lute King. 2. That he hath absolute power to rule all things. 3. That hauing power and a kingdome, he hath glorie also, which appeares in the holding of his kingdo••••, and the shewing of his power in gouerning of it.

4. Whatsoeuer wee aske, we must referre it to Gods glorie: this is the first thing which we are taught to craue, and the last wee are to performe, because it is noted both in the beginning, and in the end of the praier.

Thus much of the vse of these wordes altogither: nowe let vs make vse of them particularly. 1. Whereas we say, Thine is the kingdome. Magistrates & ru∣lers must knowe, that all the authoritie and rule which they haue is from the Lord, & therefore they must remember to order themselues as Gods vicege∣rents, vsing their power to bring men in subiection to Gods lawes; and refer∣ring all their callings to his glorie.

2. Where we say, Thine is the power, wee are admonished, when wee are to performe any worke, as to doe seruice to God, to keep our selues in the com∣passe of our callings, and that we haue no power of our selues: & for this cause we must aske power at gods hands, that we may be inabled to walke vpright∣ly before him, and doe our duties. 3. In saying, Thine is the glorie, we learne, that if we would haue a good report and praise among men, wee must aboue all things seeke Gods glorie, not regarding so much our owne. If hee giue thee praise among men, giue him thankes: if not, be content, because al glorie is his.