A09339:2048
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 third fault is, that they ascribe unto God a conditional Purpose or counsel, whereby he decrees that all men shall be saved, so be it they will believe. For it is every way as much against common sense, as if it had bin said, that God decreed nothing at all concerning man. A conditional sentence determines nothing simply but conditionally, and therefore uncertainly: and when we speak of God, to determine uncertainly, is as much as if he had determined nothing at all, specially when the thing determined is in the power of mans will, and in respect of God, the decree may come to pass or not come to pass. Men, if they might always have their choice, desire to determine of all their affairs simply without condition: and when they do otherwise it is either because they know not the event of things, or because things to be don are not in their power. No reason therefore that we should burden God with that, whereof we would disburden our selves. Again, the majesty of God is disgraced in this kind of decree. God for his part would have all men to be saved: why then are they not? men will not keep the condition and believe. This is flat to hang Gods will upon mans will, to make every man an Emperor, and God his underling, and to change the order of nature by subordinating Gods will which is the first cause to the will of man, which is the second cause: whereas by the very law of nature, the first cause should order and dispose the second cause. But for the justifying of a conditional decree it is alleged, that there is no eternal and hidden decree of God beside the Gospel, which is Gods predestination revealed. Ans. It is an untruth. There be two wills in God,a one whereby he determineth what he will do unto us or in us: the other, bwhereby he determineth what we shall do to him: Now Predestination is the first: whereupon it is commonly defined to be the preparation of the blessing of God, whereby they are delivered which are delivered, and the Gospel is the second. Again, Predestination determines who they are, and how many which are to be saved, and hereupon Christ saith,3 I know whom I have chosen: but the Gospel rather determines what kind of ones and how they must be qualified which are to be saved. Lastly, Predestination is Gods decree it self: and the Gospel is an outward means of the execution of it: