A09339:3150
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.
Thus much of those desertions which befall the devil and his angels and all reprobates: now follow those wherewith God exerciseth even his own elect children: for the blessings that God bestoweth on them are of two sorts, either positive or privative: positive, are real graces wrought in the heart, by the spirit of God:1 privative are such means whereby God preserves men from falling into sin: as crosses, desertions. And these in number exceed the first, as long as men live in this world.
Thus much of those desertions which befall the deuill and his angels and all reprobates: now follow those wherewith God exerciseth euen his owne elect children: for the blessings that God bestoweth on them are of two sorts, either positiue or priuatiue: positiue, are reall graces wrought in the heart, by the spirit of God:1 priuatiue are such meanes whereby God preserues men from falling into sinne: as crosses, desertions. And these in number exceed the first, as long as men liue in this world.
- 1Privativa gratiae sunt plures quam positiva.
Before it can be declared, what these desertions are, this conclusion is to be, laid down: He which is once in the estate of grace shall be in the same for ever. This appeareth in the 8. of the Rom. 30. where Paul sets down the golden chain of the causes of salvation that can never be broken; so that he which is predestinate shall be called, justified, glorified. And a little after he saith, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? and, Who shall sever us from the love of Christ? and, I am persuaded that no creature shall be able to sever us from the love of Christ: which he would not have said, if men being in the estate of grace, might fall quite from grace. And how should they which are justified have peace with God, if they were not sure to persevere righteous before God to the end? And how shall it be said, that hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God (wherewith Gods loves his elect) is shed abroad in their hearts, by the holy Ghost which is given them, if any may utterly fall from that love? How should the testimony of the spirit, which testifieth to the elect, that they are the children of God, be true and certain, if it may be quite extinguished? Lastly, how shall that of John be true, They went out of us, because they were not of us: if they had been of us, they should have remained with us, if a man may wholly fall from Christ which hath once bin made a true member of him? Our Saviour Christ saith,