A Golden Chain

It may be and is objected, that if every man be bound in conscience to believe his own Election and salvation by Christ, then some men are bound to believe that which is false, because some there be even in the middest of the Church, which in the counsel of God were never chosen to salvation. I answer, that this reason were good, if men were bound absolutely to believe their salvation without further respect or condition: but the bond is conditional, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace: for we are bound to believe in Christ, if we would come to life everlasting, or if we would be in the favour of God, or if we would be good disciples and members of Christ. I answer again, that whatsoever a man is bound to believe, is true: yet not always in the event, but true in the intention of God that bindeth. Now the commandment of believing and applying the Gospel is by God given to all within the Church; but not in the same manner to all. It is given to the Elect, that by believing they might indeed be saved; God enabling them to do that which he commands. To the rest, whom God in justice will refuse, the same commandment is given not for the same cause, but to another end, that they might see how they could not believe, and by this means be bereft of all excuse in the day of judgement. God doth not always give commandments simply that they might be done, but sometimes for other respects, that they might be means of trial, as the commandment given to Abraham of killing Isaac: again that they might serve to keep men at the least in outward obedience in this life, and stop their mouths before the tribunal seat of God.

It may be and is obiected, that if euery man be bound in conscience to beleeue his owne Election and saluation by Christ, then some men are bound to beleeue that which is false, because some there be euen in the middest of the Church, which in the counsell of God were neuer chosen to saluation. I answer, that this reason were good, if men were bound absolutely to beleeue their saluation without further respect or condition: but the bond is conditionall, according to the tenour of the couenant of grace: for we are bound to beleeue in Christ, if we would come to life euerlasting, or if we would be in the fauour of God, or if we would be good disciples and members of Christ. I answer againe, that whatsoeuer a man is bound to beleeue, is true: yet not alwaies in the euent, but true in the intention of God that bindeth. Now the commaundement of beleeuing and applying the Gospell is by God giuen to all within the Church; but not in the same manner to all. It is giuen to the Elect, that by beleeuing they might indeede be saued; God inabling them to doe that which he commands. To the rest, whome God in iustice will refuse, the same commandement is giuen not for the same cause, but to another end, that they might see how they could not beleeue, and by this meanes be bereft of all excuse in the day of iudgement. God doth not alwaies giue commandements simply that they might be done, but sometimes for other respects, that they might be meanes of triall, as the commaundement giuen to Abraham of killing Isaac: againe that they might serue to keepe men at the least in outward obedience in this life, and stop their mouthes before the tribunall seat of God.