A09339:3024
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.
Satan. Indeed, this is very true in the children of God: but thou art sold under sin and with great pleasure doest commit sin, and lovest it with thy whole heart: otherwise, thou wouldest not fall to sin again after repentance, and commit even one and the same sin, so often as thou doest. Thou hypocrite, this thy behaviour turneth all the favour of God from thee.
Sathan. Indeede, this is very true in the children of God: but thou art solde vnder sinne and with great pleasure doest commit sinne, and louest it with thy whole heart: otherwise, thou wouldest not fall to sinne againe after repentance, and commit euen one and the same sinne, so often as thou doest. Thou hypocrite, this thy behauiour turneth all the fauour of God from thee.
Christian. Indeed it is dangerous to fall again into the same sin after repentance: yet it is the order of the Prophets to call men to repentance which have fallen from the fear of God,1 and from the repentance which they professed: and God in thus calling them, putteth them in hope of obtaining mercy. And the law had sacrifices offered every day for the sins of all the people, and for particular men, both for their ignorances, and their voluntary sins: which signifieth, that God is ready to forgive the sins of his children though they sin often.2 Abraham twice lied and swore that Sarah was not his wife. Joseph sware twice by the life of Pharaoh. David committed adultery often, because he took unto him Bathsheba, Uriahs wife, and also kept six wives, and ten concubines. Gods will is, that men forgive till seventy seven times: and therefore he will have much more mercy. And for my part, so oft as I shall fall into the same sin, so oft I shall have Christ my advocate and intercessor to the Father for me, who will not damn me for the infirmity which he findeth in me, I will abstain from external iniquity, and I will not make my members servants unto sin: and so long I trust my imperfections shall have no power to damn me: for Christs perfection is reputed to be mine by faith, which I have in his blood: