A09339:4308
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.
Our doctrine touching the justification of a sinner, I propound in 4 rules.
Our doctrine touching the iustificatiō of a sinner, I propound in 4 rules.
Rule I. That, justification is an action of God, whereby he absolveth a sinner, & accepteth him to life everlasting for the righteousness & merit of Christ.
Rule I. That, iustification is an action of God, whereby he absolueth a sinner, & accepteth him to life euerlasting for the righteousnes & merit of Christ.
Rule II. That, justification stands in two things: first in the remission of sins by the merit of Christ his death: secondly in the imputation of Christ his righteousness; which is an other action of God whereby he accounteth & esteemeth that righteousness which is in Christ, as the righteousness of that sinner which believeth in him. By Christ his righteousness we are to understand two things: first his sufferings specially in his death and passion, secondly his obedience in fulfilling the law: both which go together: for Christ in suffering obeyed, and obeying suffered. And the very shedding of his blood to which our salvation is ascribed, must not only be considered as it is passive, that is a suffering, but also as it is active, that is, an obedience, in which he showed his exceeding love both to his father and us, and thus fulfilled the law for us. This point if some had well thought on, they would not have placed all justification in remission of sins as they do.
Rule II. That, iustification stands in two things: first in the remission of sinnes by the merit of Christ his death: secondly in the imputation of Christ his righteousnes; which is an other action of God whereby he accounteth & esteemeth that righteousnes which is in Christ, as the righteousnes of that sinner which beleeueth in him. By Christ his righteousnes we are to vnderstand two things: first his sufferings specially in his death and passion, secondly his obedience in fulfilling the law: both which go togither: for Christ in suffering obeied, and obeying suffered. And the very shedding of his blood to which our saluation is ascribed, must not onely be considered as it is passiue, that is a suffering, but also as it is actiue, that is, an obedience, in which he shewed his exceeding loue both to his father and vs, and thus fulfilled the law for vs. This point if some had well thought on, they would not haue placed all iustification in remission of sinnes as they doe.