A09339:3357
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 third way by which God revealeth to every one of us his Predestination,1 is by the effects of predestination, as well inward in us, as outward: by which, as by certain marks imprinted in us, he doth seal us to himself in Christ: and doth so seal us, that if we shall give diligent heed, we may thereby evidently perceive, that we are set apart from the common sort of men, which is often called by the name of the world: that we are foreknown for his sons, and loved in Christ, and predestinated to eternal life; yea, and that we appertain no longer to the world, but to that city which is above, that hath his foundation as the Apostle saith.2 And we have a twofold reason of this argument: one, because these effects (of which we speak, and which we will afterward handle) God worketh not in any, but in his elect: as also afterward we will show. Therefore by right a man may, by a true feeling and experience of these effects in himself, be assured of his particular election and predestination,3 to have fellowship with Christ in all his graces. For if predestination (as Augustine witnesseth) be a preparation to the blessings of God, by which most certainly they are made free, whosoever are made free; therefore whosoever feeleth himself freed through these graces of God, may be assured and certified of his predestination. The other reason is, that ⟨p. 700⟩these effects are not only the effects simply of predestination, but also such effects they are, that may also be seals of it: namely in printing in us a lively form and image of GOD, foreknowing us, loving us, electing us. And therefore, albeit we cannot see the purpose, the foreknowledge, the election and predestination of God as concerning our selves, in God himself foreknowing, willing, and electing us: yet we may behold in our selves some sure representations of all these imprinted, and even stamped in us by the word: and so by the beholding of these forms and impressions in our selves, we shall easily be brought to the knowledge of those patterns, (as it were) which are in the Lord himself. The matter (by reason it is very good and comfortable) may be declared by a similitude: God is like unto the sun in regard of us: