A09339:1912
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.
Furthermore, in this trial two things must be scanned: I. how all mens works shall be made manifest: II. by what means they shall be examined. Of the manifestation of every mans work, S. John speaketh,1 And I saw (saith he) the dead both great and small stand before God, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged of these things which were written in the books according to their works. God is said to have books not properly, but because all things are as certain and manifest to him, as if he had his Registers in heaven to keep rolls and records of them. His books are three; the book of Providence, the book of Judgement, the book of Life. The book of his providence is the knowledge of all particular things past, present, to come. Of this the Psalmist speaketh,2 Thine eyes did see me when I was without form: for in thy book were all things written which in continuance were fashioned, when there was none of them before. The book of judgement is that whereby he gives judgement: and it is twofold. The first is Gods knowledge or prescience, in which all the affairs of men, their thoughts, words, and deeds, are as certainly known and set down, as if they were put ⟨p. 429⟩in books of record. We may forget our sins, but God keeps them in a register; he knows them every one. The second book is every mans particular conscience, which also brings to remembrance and testifies what men have done, and what they have not done.3 The book of life is nothing else but the decree of Gods election, in which God hath set down who be ordained to life eternal.
Furthermore, in this triall two things must be skanned: I. how all mens workes shall be made manifest: II. by what meanes they shall be examined. Of the manifestation of euery mans worke, S. Iohn speaketh,1 And I saw (saith he) the dead both great and small stand before God, and the bookes were opened: and another booke was opened, which is the booke of life, and the dead were iudged of these things which were written in the bookes according to their workes. God is said to haue bookes not properly, but because all things are as certen and manifest to him, as if he had his Registers in heauen to keepe rolles and records of thē. His bookes are three; the booke of Prouidence, the booke of Iudgement, the booke of Life. The booke of his prouidence is the knowledge of all particular things past, present, to come. Of this the Psalmist speaketh,