A09339:4296
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
Section 3 › Our reasons to the contrary.Section 3 › Our reasons to the contrarie.
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.
Now as the property of apprehending & applying of Christ belongeth to faith, so it agreeth not to hope, love, confidence, or any other gift or grace of God. But first by faith we must apprehend Christ, & apply him to our selves before we can have any hope or confidence in him. And this applying seems not to be done by any affection of the will, but by a supernatural act of the mind, which is to acknowledge, set down, and believe that remission of sins, and life everlasting by the merit of Christ, belong to us particularly. To this which I have said agreeth Augustine. Tract. 25. on Joh. Why preparest thou teeth and belly: believe and thou hast eaten: and Tract. 50. How shall I reach my hand into heaven, that I may hold him sitting there? Send up thy faith, and thou layest hold on him. And Bernard saith, homil. in Cant. 76. Where he is thou canst not come now—: yet go to follow him and seek him—; believe and thou hast ⟨p. 922⟩found him: for to believe is to find. Chrysost. on Mark. Homil. 10. Let us believe and we see Jesus present before us. Ambr. on Luk. lib. 6. c. 8. By faith Christ is touched, by faith Christ is seene. Tertul. de resur. car. He must be chewed by understanding, and be digested by faith.
Now as the propertie of apprehending & applying of Christ belōgeth to faith, so it agreeth not to hope, loue, confidence, or any other gift or grace of God. But first by faith we must apprehend Christ, & apply him to our selues before we can haue any hope or confidence in him. And this applying seems not to be done by any affection of the will, but by a supernaturall act of the mind, which is to acknowledge, set downe, and beleeue that remission of sins, and life euerlasting by the merit of Christ, belong to vs particularly. To this which I haue said agreeth Augustine. Tract. 25. on Ioh. Why preparest thou teeth and belly: beleeue and thou hast eaten: and Tract. 50. How shall I reach my hand into heauen, that I may hold him sitting there? Send vp thy faith, and thou laiest hold on him. And Bernard saith, homil. in Cant. 76. Where hee is thou canst not come nowe—: yet goe to followe him and seeke him—; beleeue and thou hast ⟨p. 922⟩found him: for to beleeue is to finde. Chrysost. on Mark. Homil. 10. Let vs beleeue and wee see Iesus present before vs. Ambr. on Luk. lib. 6. c. 8. By faith Christ is touched, by faith Christ is seene. Tertul. de resur. car. Hee must be chewed by vnderstanding, and be digested by faith.