A09339:3347
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.
Assertion. I.
Only the elect, and all of them: not only truly may be, but also are in that time which god hath appointed them in this life, indeed assured of their Election to eternal life in Christ: and this is done not one way, but many ways.
Onely the elect, and all of them: not onely truely may bee, but also are in that time which god hath appointed them in this life, indeed assured of their Election to eternal life in Christ: and this is done not one way, but many waies.
We say that the Elect alone may be, and indeed are made sure of their election: that so we may exclude the reprobate hypocrites: for considering they are not elected, they can never be truly persuaded that they are elected. I say truly: because it may come to pass that many in their own thinking shall be predestinate: yet in trueth they are not persuaded so: for they are deceived. We have an example in temporary Christians, who think of themselves that they believe in Christ, but truly do not believe:1 for their faith is in hypocrisy: and for a time only. Wherefore a true and certain persuasion of election can never befall any of the reprobates: because the true persuasion of heavenly matters, cometh of the holy Ghost; which never persuadeth any false matter. Wherefore how can reprobates be persuaded that they are elected? This considered, it is not amiss, that we attribute this persuasion (of which we now speak) to the elect alone. We add further, that all the elect, not only may be, but are indeed made sure of their Election: which must be demonstratively confirmed against School-men, and other our adversaries. We say, this is done in the time appointed; because the elect, before they be called to Christ, are never sure of their election: nay they never think of it; as appeareth in Paul before he was called, and in others. Again in like manner after they have been called; yet not presently are made sure of their election: but some sooner, some