A09339:1295
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.
The differences & degrees of faith are two: I. a weak faith: II. a strong faith. Concerning the first, this weak faith shows it self by this grace of God, namely an unfeigned desire, not only of salvation (for that the wicked and graceless man may have) but of reconciliation with God in Christ. This is a sure sign of faith in every touched and humbled heart, and it is peculiar to the elect: and they which have this, have in them also the ground and substance of true saving faith: which afterwards in time will grow up to greater strength. Reasons: I. Promise of life everlasting, is made to the desire of reconciliation, Psal. 10.17. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poor. Psal. 143. 6. My soul desireth after thee, as the thirsty land. Psal. 145. 19. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him. Matth. 5.6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Revelat. 21.6. I will give unto him which is a thirst, of the well of the water of life freely. II. The hungering desire after grace is a sanctified affection: where one affection is sanctified, all are sanctified: where all are sanctified, the whole man is sanctified: and he that is sanctified, is justified and believes. III. God accepts the will and desire to repent and believe, for repenting and believing indeed: wherefore this desire of reconciliation (if it be soundly wrought in the heart) is in acceptation with God as true faith indeed. But carnal men will say, If faith, yea true faith show it self by a desire of reconciliation with God in Christ for all our sins, then we are well enough, though we live in our sins: for we have very good desires. I answer, That there be many sundry fleeting motions and desires to do good things which grow to no issue or head, but in time vanish as they come. Now such passions have no soundness in them, and must be distinguished from the desire of reconciliation with God, that comes from a bruised heart• and brings always with it reformation of life: therefore such whatsoever they are that live after the course of this world, and think notwithstanding that they have desires that are good, deceive themselves.