A09339:1162
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. 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.
Obiect. V. God will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he repent and liue, Ezech. 18.23. Answer. Augustine in his 1. booke 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 mā, but as he is a sinner: neither wil he simply the death of any as he is a sinner, or as it is the ruine and destruction of his creature: but in that, by the detestation and reuenge of sinne with eternall death, his glorie is exceedingly aduanced. God therefore will the death of a sinner, but as it is a punishment, that is, as it is a meanes to declare and set out his diuine iustice: and therfore it is an vntruth for a man to say that God would haue 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 needes suffer violence, the which to affirme is great impietie: if with his will, God must needes change his sentence before set downe, but we must not presume to say so.