A09339:1109
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.
Object. I. Works have attributed unto them reward. Answer. Reward is not so much attributed to the work, as to the worker, and to him not for himself, but for Christs merits apprehended by faith. Therefore not our merit, or personal merit, but Christs merit, and our reward are correlatives.
Obiect. I. Works haue attributed vnto them reward. Answer. Reward is not so much attributed to the work, as to the worker, and to him not for himselfe, but for Christs merits apprehended by faith. Therefore not our merit, or personall merit, but Christs merit, and our reward are correlatiues.
Object. II. 2. Thess. 1.6. It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulations, &c. Ans. It is righteous, not because God ought so to do of duty, but because he promised: now for God to stand to his word. it is a part of justice.
Obiect. II. 2. Thess. 1.6. It is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulations, &c. Ans. It is righteous, not because God ought so to doe of duty, but because he promised: now for God to stand to his word. it is a part of iustice.
Object. III. Christ hath merited, that works might merit. Ans. I. This taketh quite away the intercession of Christ. II. It is against the nature of a legal work, to merit (ex condigno) condignly: because both the law of nature and creation do bind man to perform legal works unto God. And further, all works are very imperfect, and mixed with sin. III. This doctrine concerning works, doth obscure and darken the merit of Christ: because that the obtaining of eternal life is withdrawn from his death and obedience, & attributed unto works. For they say thus, that Christ by his passion did merit indeed for the sinner justification: but a sinner once justified, doth for himself by his own merits even condignly merit eternal life.