A09339:3351
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.
The first testimony, by which God assureth us of our election, is the inward testimony of the spirit, of which the Apostle saith: The spirit (of God) testifieth unto our spirits, that we are the children of God. Now what is it to be the son of God, but first of all to be predestinated to be the child of God by adoption: and then to be made actually the son of God by faith: & lastly by the same spirit also to be regenerate as Gods children are, & to put on the nature of the son of God, or rather the son of God himself, as the Apostle speaketh. Therefore the holy Ghost, whilst he inwardly beareth record unto our spirits, that is, to our minds being enlightened by his light, that we are the sons of God, most plainly revealeth that we were predestinate from all eternity to adoption: for men are not made the sons of God by faith, nor regenerate to be the sons of God, nor put on Christ; except they be first of all predestinated to adoption. And there can be nothing more certain then this testimony: for who better knoweth the things o• god, his counsels & decrees, then the spirit of God,1 which searcheth all things, yea the deep things of god: therefore he can most truly reveal unto every one of us the certainty of our election.2 And he cannot deceive us in revealing it: for he is the spirit of trueth ⟨p. 697⟩which can neither deceive nor be deceived. If an angel from heaven should be sent to thee, as he was sent to Mary, and as he spake unto the fathers, & should tell thee in the name of God, that thou wert elected to life everlasting: wouldst not thou say that thou couldst not then doubt any longer of thy election? But so much the more certain is the testimony of the spirit, which beareth record to our spirit, that we are the sons of god: by how much the holy ghost doth more know the things of God then any angel: and can less deceive then an angel. And so much the more sure is this testimony, considering it is not kept in the bodily ears, where it might soon vanish away, but in our mind and spirit: because the spirit beareth record to our spirit. And further, that the holy Ghost never departeth from our spirit, but dwelleth in us, abideth in us, speaketh in us,3