A09339:3373
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.
Let us now see in the second place, what are those means, by which the ⟨p. 706⟩elect are brought unto this end: and therefore to which means we hold, that all are predestinate whosoever are predestinate to the end.1 And they are of two sorts, some of them are so necessary unto all, that without them no man simply can attain unto eternal life and glory: and they are Christ, as he is mediator and high priest, and his obedience and justice (for without Christ no man can be saved:) also our effectual calling to Christ by the holy Ghost: and that which followeth this, is our justification, yea and our regeneration too. For these four, predestination, vocation, justification, and glorification, are so linked together, that it is not possible to sever the one from the other. And therefore no man can be glorified, which is not justified, and no man can be justified, which is not effectually called, as also no man can be effectually called which is not predestinate: therefore without these, not so much as children and infants can be brought to this end of eternal glory. And therefore even all the elect infants are inwardly, in a certain peculiar manner, by the holy Ghost, called, and justified, and glorified. Now there are some certain means annexed unto these, which albeit they have no place in infants, by reason of their age, yet they belong to all other elect, howsoever they are found in some more plenteous & lively, and in other some more slender & weak. As namely, a lively faith, the hearing of the word, a detestation of sin, the love of righteousness, patience in adversity, a care to do good works (and such like) all which the Apostle comprehendeth under the name of good works; when he saith, that we are created, that is, borne a new in Christ,2 unto good works, which God hath prepared, that we might walk in them, that is, that we might lead our lives in them, and so walking at length might come to eternal life: for without them, we cannot come to eternal glory; but by them God traileth us thither. Therefore we say, that all which are elect to that end, are also predestinate to the same means. For predestination is not only of the end, but also of the means which concern the end: and all, as well the end as the means are the effects of predestination. And therefore it is very true which Augustine saith: