A Golden Chain

And to these two may very well be referred all other, which we receive in this life by Christ, with the effectual, we join a sound hearing of the word of God, and the understanding of it, accompanied with great and constant delight and joy: faith also and a true knowledge of the deity, humanity, and office of Christ. Unto justification, we refer a persuasion of the remission of our sins by Christ (for by this we are justified:) and regeneration too, or sanctification, and renovation of life, a good conscience, love not feigned, a pure heart and clean, patience in adversity, and boasting in tribulation, all good works and fruits of the spirit: add hereunto the cross it self, which we bear for the trueth of the gospel; wherefore, whosoever feeleth that he is effectually called, that he doth willingly hear the word, that he doth believe the gospel, that he is sure of the remission of his sins, that he burneth with true love to his neighbour, that he is bent to every good work: he cannot ⟨p. 703⟩but must needs be persuaded of his election: for God only doeth communicate these unto the elect. Therefore it is plain, that the elect are confirmed in the assurance of their election, by the effects of Predestination, and that there is a threefold way, by which God revealeth to every man his Predestination.

And to these two may verie well be referred all other, which we receiue in this life by Christ, with the effectuall, we ioyne a sound hearing of the word of God, and the vnderstanding of it, accompanied with great and constant delight and ioie: faith also and a true knowledge of the deitie, humanitie, and office of Christ. Vnto iustification, we referre a perswasion of the remission of our sinnes by Christ (for by this we are iustified:) and regeneration too, or sanctification, and renouation of life, a good conscience, loue not faigned, a pure heart and cleane, patience in aduersitie, and boasting in tribulation, all good works and fruits of the spirit: adde herevnto the crosse it selfe, which we beare for the trueth of the gospel; wherefore, whosoeuer feeleth that hee is effectually called, that hee doth willingly heare the word, that hee doth beleeue the gospell, that he is sure of the remission of his sinnes, that hee burneth with true loue to his neighbour, that hee is bent to euery good worke: hee cannot ⟨p. 703⟩but must needes bee perswaded of his election: for God onely doeth communicate these vnto the elect. Therefore it is plaine, that the elect are confirmed in the assurance of their election, by the effects of Predestination, and that there is a threefold waie, by which God reuealeth to euery man his Predestination.