A09339:4134
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.
Arg. 1. That which the spirit of God doth first of all testify in the heart and conscience of any man, and then afterward fully confirm; is to be believed of the same man as unfallibly certain: but the spirit of God first of all doth testify to some men, namely true believers, that they are the sons of God: and afterward confirms the same unto them. Therefore men are unfallibly to believe their own adoption. Now that the Spirit of God doth give this testimony to the conscience of man, the Scripture is more then plain, Rom. 8. 15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God. Answer is made, that this testimony of the Spirit is given only by an experiment or feeling of an inward delight or peace, which breeds in us not an infallible but a conjectural certainty. And I answer again that this exposition is flat against the text. For the Spirit of adoption is said here not to make us to think or speak, but to cry Abba, Father: and crying to God as to a father argues courage, confidence, and boldness. Again the same Spirit of adoption ⟨p. 873⟩is opposed to the spirit of bondage causing fear: and therefore it must needs be a Spirit giving assurance of liberty, and by that means driving away distrustful fears. And the end, no doubt, why the holy Ghost comes into the heart as a witness of adoption is, that the truth in this case hidden & therefore doubtful, might be cleared and made manifest. If God himself have appointed that a doubtful truth among men, shall be confirmed and put out of doubt by the mouth of two or three witnesses, it is absurd to think that the testimony of God himself knowing all things and taking upon him to be a witness, should be conjectural. Saint Bernard had learned better divinity, when he said,1 Who is just, but he that being loved of God, returns love to him again? which is not done but by the Spirit of God arevealing by faith unto man the eternal purpose of God concerning his salvation in time to come: which revelation undoubtedly is nothing else but an infusion of spiritual grace: by which, whilst the deeds of the flesh are mortified, the man is prepared to the kingdom of God, receiving withal that whereby he may presume that he is loved, and love again.