A09339:4002
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.
In that we are bound in conscience on this manner to believe the promises of the Gospel, with an application of the benefits thereof to our selves, sundry necessary and profitable points of instruction may be learned. The first, that the Popish Doctors abolish a great part of the Gospel, when they teach that men are bound to believe the Gospel only by a Catholic faith, which they make to be nothing else but a gift of God, or illumination of the mind, whereby assent is given to the word of God that it is true; and more specially that Jesus is Christ, that is, an all-sufficient Saviour of mankind. All which the damned spirits believe: whereas the Gospel for the comfort and salvation of mens souls, hath a further reach, namely to enjoin men to believe that the promise of salvation is not only true in it self, but also true in the very person of the believer, as appears evidently by the Sacraments which are as it were a visible Gospel, in which Christ with all his benefits is offered and applied to the particular persons of men: to this end, no doubt, that they might believe the accomplishment of the promise in themselves.
In that we are bound in conscience on this manner to beleeue the promises of the Gospel, with an application of the benefits thereof to our selues, sundry necessarie and profitable points of instruction may be learned. The first, that the Popish Doctours abolish a great part of the Gospel, when they teach that men are bound to beleeue the Gospel onely by a Catholike faith, which they make to be nothing els but a gift of God, or illumination of the mind, whereby assent is giuen to the word of God that it is true; and more specially that Iesus is Christ, that is, an all-sufficient Sauiour of mankind. All which the damned spirits beleeue: whereas the Gospel for the comfort and saluation of mens soules, hath a further reach, namely to enioyne men to beleeue that the promise of saluation is not onely true in it selfe, but also true in the very person of the beleeuer, as appeares euidently by the Sacraments which are as it were a visible Gospel, in which Christ with all his benefits is offered and applied to the particular persons of men: to this ende, no doubt, that they might beleeue the accomplishment of the promise in themselues.