A09339:1867
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.
Secondly Christs intercession serves to preserve all repentant sinners in the estate of grace: that being once justified and sanctified, they may so continue to the end. For when any servant of God is overtaken by the corruption of his own nature, and falls into any particular sin, then Christs intercession is made as a blessed hand to apply the salve of his death to that particular sore. For he continually appears before God, and shows himself to be willing that God the father should accept his one only sacrifice for the daily and particular sins of this or that particular man: and this is done, that a man being justified before God may not fall away quite from grace, but for every particular sin may be humbled and receive pardon. If this were not so, our estate should be most miserable, considering that for every sin committed by us after our repentance, we deserve to be cast out of the favour of God.
Secondly Christs intercession serues to preserue al repentant sinners in the estate of grace: that being once iustified and sanctified, they may so continue to the ende. For when any seruant of God is ouertaken by the corruption of his owne nature, and falls into any particular sinne, then Christs intercession is made as a blessed hand to apply the salue of his death to that particular sore. For he continually appeares before God, and shewes himselfe to be willing that God the father should accept his one only sacrifice for the daily and particular sinnes of this or that particular man: and this is done, that a man beeing iustified before God may not fall away quite from grace, but for euery particular sinne may be humbled and receiue pardon. If this were not so, our estate should be most miserable, considering that for euery sinne committed by vs after our repentance, we deserue to be cast out of the fauour of God.
Thirdly Christs intercession serveth to make our good works acceptable to God. For even in the best works that a man can do, there are two wants. First they are good only in part: secondly they are mingled with sin. For as a man is partly spirit or grace and partly flesh: so are his works partly gracious and partly fleshly. And because grace is only begun in this life, therefore all the works of grace in this life are sinful and imperfect. Now by Christs intercession