A09339:1279
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
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.
Faith is of two sorts: either common faith, or the faith of the Elect: as Paul saith,1 he is an Apostle according to the faith of Gods elect: which also is called faith without hypocrisy. The common faith is that, which both elect and reprobate have, and it is threefold. The first is historical faith, which is, when a man doth believe the outward letter and history of the word. It hath two parts; knowledge of Gods word, and an assent unto the same knowledge: and it is to be found in the devil and his angels.2 So Saint James saith, the devils believe and tremble. Some will say, what a faith have they? Ans. Such as thereby they understand both the Law and the Gospel: besides they give assent to it to be true: and they do more yet, in that they tremble and fear. And many a man hath not so much. For amongst us, there is many a one which hath no knowledge of God at all, more th•n he hath learned by the common talk of the world: as namely, that there is a God, and that he is merciful, &c. and yet this man will say, that he believeth with all his heart: but without knowledge it can not be that any should truly believe, and therefore he deceiveth himself. Quest. But whence have the devils historical faith? were they illuminated by the light of the spirit? Ans. No: but when the Gospel was preached, they did acknowledge it, and believed it to be true, and that by the virtue of the relics of Gods image, which remained in them since their fall. And therefore this their faith doth not arise from any special illumination by his spirit, but they attain to it even by the very light of nature, which ⟨image 114⟩was left in them from the beginning.
Faith is of two sorts: either common faith, or the faith of the Elect: as Paul saith,1 he is an Apostle according to the faith of Gods elect: which also is called faith without hypocrisie. The common faith is that, which both elect and reprobate haue, and it is threefold. The first is historicall faith, which is, when a man doth beleeue the outward letter and historie of the word. It hath two parts; knowledge of Gods word, and an assent vnto the same knowledge: and it is to be found in the deuill and his angels.