A09339:3352
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.
as though he should say, this testimony of the spirit is altogether so sure, by which he beareth us record that we are the sons of God: that presently without doubting, we can call upon God, and cry, Abba, Father. And all the elect have this testimony, being made the sons of God by faith, and being renewed by the holy ghost:1 and engrafted into Christ. For so the Apostle speaketh, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is not his: therefore, whosoever is Christs, and is engrafted into Christ, it is necessary he should have the spirit of God. And whosoever have received and do enjoy the spirit of Christ; to their minds the same spirit beareth record, that they are the sons of God, and maketh them to cry Abba, Father. And it is certain, that no man is renewed by the holy Ghost, which is not persuaded that God is his most merciful and most loving father: and therefore can call upon him as a father. Therefore although all men in that they are assured by the certainty of f•ith, that God is their Father, and they are his sons, do not thereby argue and conclude that they are elected to eternal life; yet all men indeed have thereby a sure testimony of their election to glory: because if they be the sons of God, they are also heirs of eternal life. This testimony I will briefly comprise within this Demonstration: Whosoever call upon god and in their hearts cry Abba, Father, they are the sons of God: and it is certain that they thus cry by the spirit of God. And they which are the sons of God, are also heirs of eternal life, and they have been predestinate to adoption: therefore it must needs be, that all they which are persuaded, that they are the sons of God by the holy ghost, are predestinate to eternal life, and must be persuaded of it. This is the first testimony and the first way, by which God revealeth to every Elect man his predestination: namely, by the holy ghost within our hearts, bearing record unto us, that we are the sons of God in Christ, and by Christ. And let this be the first argument, also serving to confirm our assertion.
as though he should say, this testimonie of the spirit is altogither so sure, by which he beareth vs record that we are the sonnes of God: that presently without doubting, we can call vpon God, and crie, Abba, Father. And all the elect haue this testimonie, being made the sonnes of God by faith, and being renued by the holy ghost:1