A09339:1018
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.
This is manifestly false. For I. Infants, who so sonne as they are borne, depart this life, seeing for want of time they cannot in this life use the means of salvation, albeit they may have life eternal, yet obtain they it not by using the means unto the same. II. That which the Lord indeed actually doth, the very same hath he determined to do. For he doth nothing either unadvisedly, or unwillingly: but he actually forsaketh a very great part of mankind, the which being shut up under contumacy, he doth leave to it self. Act. 14.16. Who in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walk in their own ways. Hence also is it, that Eph. 2. all the Gentiles are said to be [Greek or Hebrew], without God in the world. Therefore God decreed to forsake some men in this life, and consequently he ordained not all men to the obtaining of eternal life. Nay, if God once but would in his secret will, that all men should be saved, it were unpossible for any to perish: because Gods willing, is his doing of it: and if he that was ordained to salvation perish, then must God now needs have left off to will that, which he would from all eternity, or else begin to will that, which before he would not, the which cannot be said of God, without blasphemy. III. Paul 2. Thes. 2.10. saith, that there be certain men, [Greek or Hebrew], which perish, and them he distinguisheth from the elect. v. 13. Rom. 9.21,22. Hath not the potter power, &c. Where there is not only mention made of vessels of glory, and mercy, but also of certain made, and fashioned in Gods eternal counsel, as vessels of wrath. Now look whom God hath made to wrath and destruction, them he never disposed to obtain eternal life.