A09339:3753
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.
And first he can not do the evil which he would for two causes. First, because he can not commit sin at what time soever he would. Saint John saith, He that is borne of God sinneth not, neither can he sin, because he is borne of God, 1that is, he can not sin at his pleasure or when he will. Joseph when he was assaulted by Potiphar's wife to adultery; because the grace of God abounded in him, whereby he answered her, saying, Shall I do this, and sin against God, he could not then sin. Lot because his righteous heart was grieved in seeing and hearing the abominations of Sodom, could not then sin as they of Sodom did. Hence it appears, that such persons as live in the daily practise of sin against their own consciences, (though they be professors of the true religion of Christ) have no soundness of grace in them.
And first he can not doe the euill which he would for two causes. First, because he can not commit sinne at what time soeuer he would. Saint Iohn saith, He that is borne of God sinneth not, neither can he sinne, because he is borne of God, 1that is, he can not sinne at his pleasure or when he will. Ioseph when he was assaulted by Putiphars wife to adulterie; because the grace of God abounded in him, whereby he answered her, saying, Shall I doe this, and sinne against God, he could not then sinne. Lot because his righteous heart was grieued in seeing and hearing the abominations of Sodom, could not then sinne as they of Sodom did. Hence it appeares, that such persons as liue in the daily practise of sinne against their own consciences, (though they be professours of the true religion of Christ) haue no soundnes of grace in them.