A09339:2056
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.
To conclude this point; Universal redemption of all men, we grant: the Scripture saith so: and there is an universality among the elect and believers: but universal Redemption of all and every man as well the damned as the elect and that effectually, we renounce as having neither footing in the scripture, nor in the writings of any ancient and orthodox divine, for many hundred years after Christ, his words not depraved and mistaken.
To conclude this point; Vniuersall redemption of all men, we graunt: the Scripture saith so: and there is an vniuersalitie among the elect and beleeuers: but vniuersall Redemption of all and euery man as well the damned as the elect and that effectually, wee renounce as hauing neither footing in the scripture, nor in the writings of any ancient and orthodoxe diuine, for many hundred yeares after Christ, his wordes not depraued and mistaken.
As for Universal vocation, it is of the same kind with the former because it is slat against the word of God in which is fully set down a distinction of the whole world from the creation to the days of Christ, into two parts: one, the people of God being received into the covenant: the other, (being the greatest part of the world) No-people, and forth of the covenant. From the beginning of the world to the giving of the law, the Church was shut up in the families of the Patriarchs: and the covenant in the very family of Abraham was restrained to Isaac:1 and the members of these families, for this cause, were called the sons of God: the rest of the world beside being termed as they were indeed, the sons of men. From the giving of the law till Christ, the nation of the Jews was the Church of God, and the rest of the world beside, no people of God.2 And therefore Isaiah calls them prisoners and them that are in darkness: and Ose, Such as are without mercy and no people: and Zechariah, Such as are not joined to the Lord: and Paul. Such as are set to walk in their own ways, being without God and without Christ in the world. And this distinction