A09339:2555
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
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 THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL AND MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND MASTER Valentine Knightly, Esquire, one of her Majesties Justices of peace in Northampton shire.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL AND MY CHISTIAN FRIEND MASTER Valentine Knightly, Esquire, one of her Maiesties Iustices of peace in Northampton shiere.
Sir, I pray you consider with me an especial point of Gods word, carefully to be weighed: it is this,a Many professors of Christ, in the day of grace, persuade themselves that they are in the estate of grace; and so the true Church esteemeth of them too: yet when the day of grace is past, they contrariwise shall find themselves to be in the estate of dā nation remediless. 2A doleful case, yet a most resolute trueth, and the reason is plain. Men that live in the Church are greatly annoyed with a fearful security and deadness of heart; by which it comes to pass that they think it enough to make a common protestation of the faith, not once in all their life times, examining themselves whether they be in the estate of grace before the eternal God or not.b And indeed it is a grace peculiar to the man Elect to try himself whether he be in the estate of grace or not.
SIr, I pray you consider with me an especiall point of Gods word, carefully to be waied: it is this,a Many professors of Christ, in the day of grace, perswade themselues that they are in the estate of grace; and so the true Church esteemeth of them too: yet when the day of grace is past, they contrariwise shall finde themselues to be in the estate of dā nation remedilesse.