A09339:1456
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 third thing which followeth sin is punishment, and that is death. So Paul saith,1 The stipend of sin is death: where, by death we must understand a double death, both of body and soul. The death of the body is a separation of the body from the soul. The second death is a separation of the whole man, but especially of the soul from the glorious presence of God. I say not simply from the presence of God, for God is every where: but only from the joyful presence of Gods glory. Now these two deaths are the stipends or allowance of sin: and the least sin which a man committeth, doth deserve these two punishments. For in every sin the infinite justice of God is violated: for which cause there must needs be inflicted an infinite punishment, that there may be a proportion between the punishment and the offence. And therefore that distinction of sin which Papists make, namely, that some are in themselves venial, and some mortal is false, and hereby confuted: otherwise in respect of the divers estate and condition of men, sins are either venial or mortal. Venial they are to the elect, whose sins are pardonable in Christ: but to the reprobate all sins are mortal.
The third thing which followeth sinne is punishment, and that is death. So Paul saith,1 The stipend of sinne is death: where, by death wee must vnderstand a double death, both of bodie and soule. The death of the bodie is a separation of the bodie from the soule. The second death is a separation of the whole man, but especially of the soule from the glorious presence of God. I say not simplie from the presence of God, for God is euery where: but only from the ioyfull presence of Gods glorie. Now these two deaths are the stipends or allowance of sinne: and the least sinne which a man committeth, doth deserue these two punishments. For in euery sinne the infinite iustice of God is violated: for which cause there must needes be inflicted an infinite punishment, that there may be a proportion betweene the punishment and the offence. And therefore that distinction of sinne which Papists make, namely, that some are in themselues veniall, and some mortall is false, and hereby confuted: otherwise in respect of the diuers estate and condition of men, sinnes are either veniall or mortall. Veniall they are to the elect, whose sinnes are pardonable in Christ: but to the reprobate all sinnes are mortall.