A09339:3813
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.
The third duty in our general preparation, is in this life to enter into the first degree of life eternal. For as I have said, there be three degrees of life everlasting, and the first of them is in this present life. For he that would live in eternal happiness for ever, must begin in this world to rise out of the grave of his own sins, in which by nature he lies buried, and live in newness of life, as it is said in the Revelation,1 He that will escape the second death, must be made partaker of the first resurrection. And Paul saith to the Colossians, that they were in this life delivered from the power of darkness,2 and translated into the kingdom of Christ. And Christ saith to the Church of the Jews, the kingdom of heaven is amongst you. Now this first degree of life is, when a man can say with Paul, I live not, but Christ lives in me: that is, I find partly by the testimony of my sanctified conscience, and partly by experience, that Christ my redeemer by his spirit guideth and governeth my thoughts, will, affections• & all the powers of body and soul, according to the blessed direction of his holy will. Now that we might be able to say this, we must have three gifts & graces of God, wherein especially this first degree of life consists. The first is, saving knowledge, whereby we do truly resolve our selves that God the father of Christ is our father• Christ his son our redeemer, and the holy ghost our comforter. That this knowledge is one part of life eternal, it appears by the saying of Christ in John.3 This is life eternal, that is, the beginning and entrance into life eternal, to know thee the only God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ. The second grace, is peace of conscience which passeth all understanding: and therefore Paul saith,4 that the kingdom of heaven is righteousness, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost. The horror of a guilty conscience is the beginning of death & destruction: therefore peace of conscience derived from the death of Christ, is life and happiness. The third is the regiment of the spirit, whereby the heart and life of man is ordered according to the word of God. For Paul saith, that they that are the children of god are led by the spirit of Christ.