A09339:4137
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.
Touching the second part of my reason, that faith is a particular persuasion applying things believed: I prove it thus. The property of faith is to receive the promise, Gal. 3.14. and the thing promised which is Christ with his spirit, Joh. 1.12. Now Christ is received by a particular application, as will appear if we do but mark the end and use of the ministry of the word, and of the Sacraments, For when God gives any blessing to man, it is to be received by man as God giveth it. Now God gives Christ or at the least offereth him ⟨p. 874⟩not generally to mankind, but to the several and particular members of the Church. In the Lords Supper, as in every sacrament, there is a relation or analogy between the outward signs and the things signified. The action of the minister giving the bread and wine to the hands of particular communicants, representeth Gods action in giving Christ with his benefits to the same particular communicants. Again the action of receiving the bread and wine particularly, representeth an other spiritual action of the believing heart which applieth Christ unto it self for the pardon of sin and life everlasting. Papists yield not to this: yet if they refuse to maintain this analogy, they overturn the sacrament and dissent from antiquity. Augustine saith,1 The body of Christ is ascended into heaven: some may answer and say, How shall I hold him being absent? how shall I reach up mine hand to heaven that I may lay hold of him sitting there? Send up thy faith, and thou hast laid hold of him. And what is more common then an other saying of his: What meanest thou to prepare thy belly and teeth, Believe and thou hast eaten. Again Eph. 3.12. Paul saith, By Christ we have boldness and entrance with confidence by faith in him. In which words are set down two notable effects and fruits of faith: boldness and confidence. Boldness is, when a poor sinner dare come into the presence of God, not being terrified with the threatenings of the law, nor with the consideration of his own unworthiness, nor with the manifold assaults of the devil: and it is more then certainty of Gods favour. Now whereas Papists answer that this liberty or boldness in coming unto God, proceeds of a general faith, they are far wide.