A Golden Chain

and Christ came to dissolve the works of the devil, namely, in his elect; for in the reprobate he leaveth them untouched, because they are not given him of the father to be purged, borne anew, and saved. Therefore seeing Christ was before ordained and predestinate to the doing of all these works, and that there is no good wrought in us, which was not provided for us in Christ from all eternity: it is a clear case, that the care also of doing good works, is an effect of predestination. And the Apostle plainly teacheth it when he saith,¹ that we were created in Christ to good works, which God hath prepared that we might walk in them. To this purpose serveth that which the Apostle delivereth of love unfeigned, ²to which he showeth, that we were elect; and of a good conscience: which he makes the inseparable companion of the faith of the elect. Lastly, of a pure heart, which he ascribeth to the elect, considering the unfaithful have nothing clean in them, and that their mind and conscience is defiled. Now that this care to do good works,³ is necessary in all the elect, Peter showeth it, when he bids us endeavour to make our election and calling sure by good works, as some copies have it. But to whom shall we make it sure? not unto God, (for it was sure unto him before the foundation of the world) but unto our selves, and to our neighbours. And this is one of the chiefest uses of good works, that by them, not as by causes, but as by effects of predestination and faith, both we, and also our neighbours are certified of our election, and of our salvation too. Furthermore, considering whiles we have a care to glorify God, to do good works, and we will not be conformable to the world in the wickedness of it, neither submit our selves to our flesh and Satan: the flesh, the world, and Satan, do perpetually war against us; and therewithal it cometh to pass, they being most valiant enemies, that either we are overcome, or at the least in fight are foiled.

and Christ came to dissolue the workes of the deuill, namely, in his elect; for in the reprobate he leaueth them vntouched, because they are not giuen him of the father to be purged, borne anew, and saued. Therefore seeing Christ was before ordained and predestinate to the doing of all these workes, and that there is no good wrought in vs, which was not prouided for vs in Christ from all eternitie: it is a cleare case, that the care also of doing good workes, is an effect of predestination. And the Apostle plainely teacheth it when he saith,