A09339:2562
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.
Good Reader it is a thing to be considered, that a man may seem both unto himself and to the Church of God to be a true professor of the Gospel, and yet indeed be none. All professors that be of this sort, are excellently described, Luk. 8. vers. 13. in thes• words. And they which are upon the stony ground are they, which when they shall hear, receive the word with joy: but having no root, believe for a time, & in the time of temptation go away. Where are to be noted three things. First, their faith, in that they are said to believe for a season. Secondly the fruits of that faith, in that they are said to receive the word preached with joy. Thirdly, their unsoundness in that they are compared to stony ground, and in the time of temptation go away.
GOod Reader it is a thing to be considered, that a man may seeme both vnto himselfe and to the Church of God to be a true professour of the Gospel, and yet indeede be none. All professors that be of this sort, are excellently described, Luk. 8. vers. 13. in thes• words. And they which are vpon the stony groūd are they, which when they shal heare, receiue the word with ioy: but hauing no roote, beleeue for a time, & in the time of temptation goe away. Where are to be noted three things. First, their faith, in that they are said to beleeue for a season. Secondly the fruits of that faith, in that they are said to receiue the word preached with ioy. Thirdly, their vnsoundnesse in that they are compared to stony ground, and in the time of temptation goe away.
Concerning their faith, whereas the spirit of God saith, that they do believe these things are to be considered. First, that they have the knowledge of the word of God. Secondly, that they both can and do g•ue assent unto the word of God, that it is most true. Thirdly, in more special manner they give assent unto the covenant of grace made in Christ, that it is most certain and sure: and they are persuaded in a general and confused manner, that God will verify the same covenant in the members of his Church. This is all their faith: which indeed proceedeth from the holy Ghost, but yet it is not sufficient to make them sound Professors. For albeit they do generally believe Gods promises, yet herein they deceive themselves, that they never apply and appropriate the same promises to their own souls. An example of this faith we have,