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.

Amen.

1. The meaning.

VVEe haue heard the preface, and the petitions what they are: now fol∣loweth the third part, which is the assent or testification of faith re∣quired in praier in this word Amen. And it containes more then men at the first would imagine: It signifies, certainly, so be it, or it shall be so. 2. Cor. 1.20. It is often taken for a bare assent of the people, saying Amen to the minister: but in this place it containes more; for euery point in this praier is not onely a di∣rection for publike praier, but for priuate also, and must be said as well of the minister as of the people. Now then, there being two principal things in prai∣er: the first a desire of grace: the second faith, whereby wee beleeue that God will grant things desired. The first is expressed in the sixe petitions: the latter is set forth in this word Amen, carrying this sense in effect. As we haue craued these things at thy hands, O Lord: so we doe beleeue that for Christs ••ake, in thy good time thou wilt grant them to vs. Therefore this part is more excel∣lent then the former, by how much our faith is more excellent thē our desire. For in this word is contained the testification of our faith, whereas the petiti∣ons are only testifications of our desires. And as it is in the end, so also it is the seale of our praiers to make them authenticall, and it is to be vsed (as men cō∣monly take it) not onely for this end to answer the minister, praying in the cō∣gregation, but also to testifie our faith for the thing desired.

2. Graces to be desired.

HEreby we are taught, what grace we are to shewe in praier. Wee must la∣bour to giue assent to Gods promises when wee pray, and striue against doubting and vnbeleefe. Mat 9.11. Lord, I beleeue, Lord help mine vnbeleefe. Psal. 42.11. Why art thou cast downe my soule? and why art thou disquieted in me? waite on God.

Many there are that will stand vpon the strength of their faith, & plead for themselues that they neuer doubted, but they are farre wide; for true faith bee∣ing imperfect, is alwaies accompanied with doubting more or lesse. Where∣fore the heart that neuer felt doubting, is not filled with faith, but with presūp∣tion. As for them which are molested with doubtings, and complaine of thē, they haue lesse cause to feare: for as fire and water doeth neuer striue till they meete; no more doth doubting and faith, till faith be wrought in the heart.

To conclude, we see what an excellent worke praier is: in which two most excellent graces of a Christian man be shewed forth, hungring after mercie, & faith, wherby we beleeue the obtaining of it. This might mooue men to learn to praie, praier being the exercise of grace.