A09339:2036
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 uses which concern our affections are these. First the doctrine of predestination ministers to all the people of God matter of endless consolation. For considering Gods election is unchangeable, therefore they which are predestinate to salvation can not perish: though the gates of hell prevail against them so as they be hardly saved, yet shall they certainly be saved; therefore our Saviour Christ saith, that in the latter days shall arise false Christs and false prophets, which shall show great signs and wonders,1 so that if it were possible they should deceive the very elect. In which words he takes it for granted, that the elect of God can never finally fall away. And hereupon he saith to his disciples when they rejoiced that the devils were subject to them,2 rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven. And S. Paul speaking of Hymeneus and Alexander, which had fallen away from the faith, least the church would be discouraged by their fall, because they were thought to be worthy men and pillars of the Church; he doth comfort them from the very ground of elect•on, saying,3 The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seal: The Lo•d k•••eth who are his. Where Gods election is compared to the foundation of an house, the building whereof may be shaken, but the groundwork standeth fast: and therefore Paul saith further,4 Who shall lay any thing to the cha•ge of Gods elect? Now then that we may have comfort in distress, and some thing to stay upon in all our troubles: we in this world are as strangers in a far country: our passage homeward is over the sea of this world: the ship wherein we sail is the Church: and Satan stirs up many blasts of troubles and temptations• and his purpose is to sink the ship, or to drive it on the rock; but we must take the anchor of hope and fasten it in heaven upon the foundation of Gods election: which being done, we shall pass in safety and rejoice in the midst of all storms and tempests. Secondly whereas God refuseth some men and leaves them to themselves, it serves to strike a fear into every one of us whatsoever: we lie, as S. Paul saith in the like cae, the