A09339:4249
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.
For first the mind must approve and give assent, before the will can choose or will: and when the mind hath not power to conceive or give assent, there the will hath no power to will.
For first the minde must approoue and giue assent, before the will can choose or wil: and when the mind hath not power to conceiue or giue assent, there the will hath no power to will.
Reason III. Thirdly the holy Ghost avoucheth, Eph. •.1. Coloss. 2. 13. that all men by nature are dead in sins and trespasses: not as the Papists say, weak, sick, or half dead. Hence I gather, that man wanteth natural power not to will simply, but freely and frankly to will that which is truly good. A dead man in his grave can not stir the least finger, because he wants the very power of life, sense, & motion: no more can he that is dead in sin, will the least good: nay if he could either will or do any good, he could not be dead in sin. And as a dead man in the grave, cannot rise but by the power of god; no more can he that is dead in sin rise, but by the power of Gods grace alone, without any power of his own.
Reason III. Thirdly the holy Ghost auoucheth, Eph. •.1. Coloss. 2. 13. that all men by nature are dead in sinnes and trespasses: not as the Papists say, weake, sicke, or halfe dead. Hence I gather, that man wanteth naturall power not to will simply, but freely and frankly to will that which is truly good. A dead man in his graue can not stirre the least finger, because he wants the very power of life, sense, & motion: no more can he that is dead in sinne, will the least good: nay if he could either wil or do any good, he could not be dead in sinne. And as a dead man in the graue, cannot rise but by the power of god; no more can he that is dead in sinne rise, but by the power of Gods grace alone, without any power of his owne.