A09339:1160
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. III. Many places of Scripture there are which affirm this, that the benefit of Christs death doth appertain unto all. Rom. •1. God hath shut up all under sin, that he might have mercy upon all. 1. Tim. 2.4. God would have all men to be saved. 2. Pet. •.9. God would not have any to perish, but all come to repentance. Answer. I. You must understand all that believe, as it is Math. 11.28. All that are weary and heavy laden. Joh. 3.6. All that believe. Gal. 3.23. The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus ⟨p. 170⟩Christ, should be given to them which believe. Act. 10.43. All which believe. And surely there is as well a generality of them that believe, as of the whole world. II. We may understand by [all] of all sorts some, not every singular person of all sorts. So, Revel. 5.9. Christ is said to have redeemed some out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. And Gal. 3.28. There is neither Jew nor Grecian, neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Matth. 4. Christ is said to have healed every disease, that is, every kind of disease. And Augustine to this purpose hath a fit rule. All is often used for many, as Rom. 5.18,19. Augustine in his Manuel to Laur. chap. 103. It is thus said (saith Augustine) God would have all to be saved, not because there was no man which he would have damned, who therefore would not do miracles amongst them, which would as he saith, have repented, if he had done miracles, but that by all men we should understand all sorts of men, howsoever distinguished, whether Kings, private persons, &c. And in his book de Corrept. & gratia, chap. 14. It is said, he would have all to be saved, so as we must understand all such as are predestinate to be saved, because amongst them there are all sorts of men, as he said to the Pharisees, You tithe every herb. III. These two, to be willing to save man, and that he should come to the saving knowledge of the truth, are inseparably united together.