A09339:3353
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 second way,1 by which God revealeth to every man his predestination, is by his word. I mean not any particular word, by which he doeth declare to any outwardly in private and special manner, and that in express words, his election: but the general word of the Gospel, by which Christ ⟨p. 698⟩calleth all them which believe in him, elect, both by himself and by his Apostles, as in the new Testament every where is most manifest. For although in particular propositions he say not to thee, or to him particularly, Thou art elect to eternal life: yet by means of general propositions, he doeth as well conclude in the heart of every one that believeth, that he is elected: as any man shall be able to conclude unto particular men, that every one of them is a living creature endued with reason by this general proposition: Every man is a reasonable creature endued with reason: the assumption being suppressed. Therefore after this manner dealeth God; He hath chosen all and every several man whom he was to indue with faith, to have the everlasting inheritance.
The second waie,1 by which God reuealeth to euery man his predestination, is by his word. I meane not any particular word, by which hee doeth declare to any outwardly in priuate and speciall manner, and that in expresse wordes, his election: but the generall word of the Gospell, by which Christ ⟨p. 698⟩calleth all them which beleeue in him, elect, both by himselfe and by his Apostles, as in the new Testament euery where is most manifest. For although in particular propositions he say not to thee, or to him particularly, Thou art elect to eternall life: yet by meanes of generall propositions, he doeth as well conclude in the heart of euery one that beleeueth, that hee is elected: as any man shall be able to conclude vnto particular men, that euery one of them is a liuing creature indued with reason by this generall proposition: Euery man is a reasonable creature indued with reason: the assumption beeing suppressed. Therefore after this manner dealeth God; He hath chosen all and euery seuerall man whome hee was to indue with faith, to haue the euerlasting inheritance.