A09339:1079
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.
In this place the Apostle speaketh of them, not which did openly resist Christ, and the Gospel, but of such as did with the merit of Christ mingle together the works of the Law; as though some part of our salvation consisted in them. Exception. This place doth only exclude such moral works of the flesh, as do go before faith, or the works of the law of Moses. Ans. This is untrue. For even of Abraham being already regenerated, and of those his works which were done when he was justified, Paul speaketh thus, To him, not which worketh, but which believeth is faith imputed. Those works which God hath prepared that the regenerate should walk in them, are moral works, and works of grace; but these are excluded from justification, and working mans salvation. Eph. 2.10. And Paul being regenerate saith thus of himself, I am not guilty unto my self of any thing, yet am, I not thereby justified. VI. The cause of the cause is the cause of the thing caused; but grace without works is the cause of mans predestination, the which is the cause of his justification: and therefore grace without works shall much more be said to be the cause of justification.
In this place the Apostle speaketh of them, not which did openly resist Christ, and the Gospel, but of such as did with the merit of Christ mingle together the workes of the Law; as though some part of our saluation consisted in them. Exception. This place doth onely exclude such morall works of the flesh, as doe goe before faith, or the workes of the law of Moses. Ans. This is vntrue. For euen of Abraham being already regenerated, and of those his works which were done when he was iustified, Paul speaketh thus, To him, not which worketh, but which beleeueth is faith imputed. Those works which God hath prepared that the regenerate should walke in them, are morall works, and workes of grace; but these are excluded from iustification, and working mans saluation. Eph. 2.10. And Paul beeing regenerate saith thus of himselfe, I am not guiltie vnto my selfe of any thing, yet am, I not thereby iustified. VI. The cause of the cause is the cause of the thing caused; but grace without works is the cause of mans predestination, the which is the cause of his iustification: and therefore grace without workes shall much more be saide to be the cause of iustification.