A09339:1301
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.
Now howsoever this faith be strong, yet is it always imperfect, as also our knowledge is; and shall so long as we live in this world be mingled with contrary unbelief and sundry doubtings more or less. A great part of men amongest us, blinded with gross ignorance, say they have faith, and yet indeed have not. For ask them what faith they have, they will answer, they believe that God is their father, and the Son their redeemer, &c. ask them how long they have had this faith, they will answer, ever since they could remember: ask them whether they ever doubt of Gods favour? they will say, they would not once doubt for all the world. But the case of these men is to be pitied: for howsoever they may persuade themselves, yet true it is, that they have no sound faith at all: for even strong faith is assaulted with temptations and doubtings: and God will not have men perfect in this life, that they may always go out of themselves, and depend wholly on the merit of Christ.
Now howesoeuer this faith be strong, yet is it alwaies imperfect, as also our knoweledge is; and shall so long as wee liue in this worlde be mingled with contrarie vnbeleefe and sundry doubtings more or lesse. A great part of men amongest vs, blinded with grosse ignorance, say they haue faith, and yet indeede haue not. For aske them what faith they haue, they will answere, they beleeue that God is their father, and the Sonne their redeemer, &c. aske them how long they haue had this faith, they will answer, euer since they could remember: aske them whether they euer doubt of Gods fauour? they will say, they would not once doubt for all the world. But the case of these men is to bee pitied: for howesoeuer they may perswade themselues, yet true it is, that they haue no sound faith at all: for euen strong faith is assaulted with temptations and doubtings: and God will not haue men perfect in this life, that they may alwaies goe out of themselues, and depend wholly on the merite of Christ.
And thus much of these two degrees of faith. Now in whom soever it is, whether it be a weak faith, or a strong, it bringeth forth some fruit, as a tree doth in the time of summer. And a special fruit of faith, is this confession of faith,1