A09339:4155
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.
Who of all the company of the faithful, as long as he lives in this mortal condition, can presume, that he is of the number of the predestinate? And, de bona persever. cap. 22. No man can be secure touching eternal life, •ill this life be ended. Bernard. epist. 107. Having now received the knowledge of himself in part, he may rejoice in hope, but not in security as yet. Hieron. Dan. 4. Let no man boldly promise to another the pardon of sins. III. Some places avouch that a man cannot be sure of perseverance to the end without falls and decays in grace: all which we grant. August. de civit. dei. lib. 11. cap. 12. Although the Saints be acertain of the reward of their perseverance, yet they are found to be uncertain of the perseverance it self: for what man can know that he shall persevere in the practise and increase of righteousness unto the end, except he be assured of it by some revelation. IV. Some places must be understood of experimental certainty, when the event is accomplished. Hieron• book 2. against Pelagians. Call no man blessed before his end, for as long as we live here we are in the fight, and as long as we are in the fight, we have no certain victory. V. Some places speaks ⟨p. 883⟩of the uncertainty of other mens salvation, which we grant. The author of the book de vocat. Gent. 1. clast. saith, We can pronounce of no man before his end that he shall be in the glory of the elect. August. lib. de persever. cap. 13. Men are not with any certain asseveration to avouch that others belong to this calling. VI. Some speak of that certainty which comes by revelation without the word. Greg. lib. 6. epist. 22. to Gregoria. Whereas you add in your epistles that you will be earnest with me till I write, that it hath been made known unto me that your sins are forgiven: you have required a hard and unprofitable thing. Hard, because I am unworthy to whom a revelation should be made. Unprofitable, because you must not be made sure touching your sins, unless it be in the last day of your life, for then you should not be able to bewail the same sins. VII. Some places deny unto man that certainty which is proper to God, which is, to discern in himself all things to come plainly, as they shall come to pass without help of testimony and outward signs. Bernard. erm. 1. de Septuages. Who can say, I am of the Elect?