A09339:1161
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. IV. In many places of Scripture Christ is said to redeem the world, as 1. Joh. 2.2. He is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Ans. This word world, signifieth, I. the frame of heaven and earth. II. All men both good and bad together. III. The company of unbelievers, and malignant haters of Christ. IV. The congregation of the Elect, dispersed over the face of the whole earth, and to be gathered out of the same. In this fourth signification we must understand such places as are above mentioned. Abraham is called the heir of the world, Rom. 4.13. that is, of many nations. Gen. 17.45.
Obiect. IV. In many places of Scripture Christ is said to redeeme the world, as 1. Ioh. 2.2. He is a propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world. Ans. This word world, signifieth, I. the frame of heauen and earth. II. All men both good and bad together. III. The companie of vnbeleeuers, and malignant haters of Christ. IV. The congregation of the Elect, dispersed ouer the face of the whole earth, and to be gathered out of the same. In this fourth signification we must vnderstand such places as are aboue mentioned. Abraham is called the heire of the world, Rom. 4.13. that is, of many nations. Gen. 17.45.
Object. V. God will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he repent and live, Ezech. 18.23. Answer. Augustine in his 1. book to Simplicius, 2. quest. answereth this question. You must, saith he, distinguish betwixt man, as he is borne man, and man, as he is a sinner. For God is not delighted with the destruction of man, as he is man, but as he is a sinner: neither will he simply the death of any as he is a sinner, or as it is the ruin and destruction of his creature: but in that, by the detestation and revenge of sin with eternal death, his glory is exceedingly advanced. God therefore will the death of a sinner, but as it is a punishment, that is, as it is a means to declare and set out his divine justice: and therefore it is an untruth for a man to say that God would have none condemned. For whereas men are once condemned, it must be either with Gods will, or without it: if without it, then the will of God must needs suffer violence, the which to affirm is great impiety: if with his will, God must needs change his sentence before set down, but we must not presume to say so.