A09339:1009
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.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.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
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.
The Confutation.
The name of Predestination, by a figure called Synecdoche, the whole for the part, is taken indeed sometimes in the good part, and spoken of the Elect, and faithful called, as Rom. 8.30. Whom he predestinated, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he justified, and whom he justified, them also he glorified. So are the Ephesians said to be predestinate into the adoption of the sons of God. Eph. 1.5. Yet may this word Predestination, nevertheless generally be extended unto the decree of God, whether it be that of predestination to eternal life, or the other unto eternal death. The reasons: I. Act. 4. 27,28. They gathered themselves together against thine holy son Jesus: to do whatsoever thine hand & thy counsel had determined (or foreordained, or predestinated [Greek or Hebrew]) before to be done. II. August. de Bono persev. chap. 17. he calleth Predestination the disposition of future works: and in his 15. book of the City of God, chap. 1. he divideth all mankind into two cities: whereof one is predestinate to reign with God eternally, the other predestinate to undergo eternal punishment with the devil. And in his Manuel to Laurentius, chap. 100. he saith, That God hath justly predestinated wicked men unto punishment, and mercifully predestinated the good unto grace. Thomas of Aquine 1. part. quest. 23. artic. 4. It mattereth not in regard of the name of predestination, whether a man be said to be predestinate to life eternal or not.
The name of Predestination, by a figure called Synecdoche, the whole for the part, is taken indeed sometimes in the good part, and spoken of the Elect, and faithfull called, as Rom. 8.30. Whome he predestinated, them also he called, and whome he called, them also he iustified, and whome he iustified, them also he glorified. So are the Ephesians saide to be predestinate into the adoption of the sonnes of God.