A09339:1990
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 second point is, that Gods election is unchangeable; so as they which are indeed chosen to salvation can not perish, but shall without fail attain to life everlasting. Paul takes it for a conclusion• that the purpose of God according to election must remain firm and sure;1 and again, that the gifts and calling of god are without repentance. And Samuel saith, The strength of Israel will not lie or repent. For he is not a man that he should repent. 2Such as Gods nature is, such is his will and counsel: but his nature is unchangeable, I am Jehovah, saith he,3 and I change not: therefore his will likewise and his counsels be unchangeable. And therefore whensoever the spirit of God shall testify unto our spirits, that we are justified in Christ, and chosen to salvation; it must be a means to comfort us, and to stablish our hearts in the love of God. As for the opinion of them that say, the elect may fall from grace and be damned, it is full of hellish discomfort, and no doubt from the devil. And the reasons commonly alleged for this purpose, are of no moment, as may appear by the scanning of them.4 First they object that the Churches of the Ephesians, Thessalonians, and the dispersed Jews are all called Elect by the Apostles themselves, yet sundry of them afterward fell away. Ans. I. There are two kinds of judgement to be given of men, the judgement of certainty, and the judgement of charity. By the first indeed, is given an infallible determination of any mans election; but it belongs unto God principally and properly: and to men but in part, namely so far forth as God shall reveal the estate of one man unto another. Now the judgement of charity belongs unto all men; and by it, leaving all secret judgements unto God, we are charitably to think, that all those, that live in the Church of God, professing themselves to be members of Christ, are indeed elect to salvation, till God make manifest otherwise. And on this manner, and not otherwise do the Apostles call whole Churches elect. II. they are called elect of the principal part, and not because every member thereof was indeed elect; as it is called an heap of corn though the bigger part be chaff.