A09339:2029
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.
It may be demanded, what we are to judge of them that as yet are enemies of God. Ans. Our duty is, to suspend our judgement concerning their final estate: for we know not whether God will call them or no: and therefore we must rather pray for their conversion then for their confusion.
It may be demanded, what we are to iudge of them that as yet are enemies of God. Ans. Our dutie is, to suspend our iudgement concerning their finall estate: for we knowe not whether God will call them or no: and therefore we must rather pray for their conuersion then for their confusion.
Again, it may be demanded, what is to be thought of all our ancestors and forefathers that lived and died in the times when popery took place. Ans. We may well hope the best and think that they were saved: for though the Papacy be not the Church of God, and though the doctrine of Popery raze the foundation, yet nevertheless in the very midst of the Roman Papacy, God hath always had a remnant which have in some measure truly served him. In the old testament when open Idolatry took place in all Israel, God said to Elijah, I have reserved seven thousand to my self that never bowed knee to Baal: 1and the like is and hath been in the general apostasy under Antichrist. Saint John saith, that when the woman fled into the wilderness for a time,2 even then there was a remnant of her seed which kept the commandments of God, and had the testimony of Jesus Christ. And again, when ordinary means of salvation fail, then God can and doth make a supply by means extraordinary, and therefore there is no cause why we should say, that they were condemned.
Againe, it may be demaunded, what is to be thought of all our ancetours and forefathers that liued and died in the times when poperie tooke place. Ans. We may well hope the best and thinke that they were saued: for though the Papacie be not the Church of God, and though the doctrine of Poperie rase the foundation, yet neuerthelesse in the verie midst of the Romane Papacie, God hath alwaies had a remnant which haue in some measure truely serued him. In the olde testament when open Idolatrie tooke place in all Israel, God said to Eliah, I haue rserued seuen thousand to my selfe that neuer bowed knee to Baal: