A09339:3578
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.
I call Repentance a work: because it seems not to be a quality, or virtue, or habit: but an action of a repentant sinner. Which appears by the sermons of the Prophets and Apostles, which run in this tenor, Repent, turn to God, amend your lives, &c. Whereby they intimate, that Repentance is a work to be done.
I call Repentance a worke: because it seemes not to be a qualitie, or vertue, or habit: but an action of a repentant sinner. Which appeares by the sermons of the Prophets and Apostles, which runne in this tenour, Repent, turne to God, amend your liues, &c. Whereby they intimate, that Repentance is a worke to be done.
Again, Repentance is not every kind of work, but a work of grace; because it can not be practised of any, but of such as be in the estate of grace. Reasons are these. I. No man can repent, unless he first hate sin, and love righteousness; and none can hate sin, unless he be sanctified; and he that is sanctified is justified: and he that is justified must needs have that faith which unites him to Christ, and makes him bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. Wherefore he that repents is justified and sanctified, and made a member of Christ by faith. II. He that turns to God, must first of all be turned of God: and after that we are turned, then we repent.1 Surely after I was converted I repented: and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Againe, Repentance is not euery kind of worke, but a worke of grace; because it can not be practised of any, but of such as be in the estate of grace. Reasons are these. I. No man can repent, vnlesse he first hate sinne, and loue righteousnes; and none can hate sinne, vnlesse he be sanctified; and he that is sanctified is iustified: and he that is iustified must needes haue that faith which vnites him to Christ, and makes him bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. Wherefore he that repents is iustified and sanctified, and made a member of Christ by faith. II. He that turnes to God, must first of all be turned of God: and after that we are turned, then we repent.