A09339:4344
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.
The II. difference touching faith in the act of justification, is this. The Papist saith, we are justified by faith, because it disposeth a sinner to his justification after this manner: By faith (saith he) the mind of man is enlightened in the knowledge of the law and gospel: knowledge stirs up a fear of hell with a ⟨p. 934⟩consideration of the promise of happiness, as also the love & fear of God, & hope of life eternal. Now when the heart is thus prepared, God infuseth the habit of charity & other virtues, whereby a sinner is justified before god. We say otherwise, that faith justifieth because it is a supernatural Instrument created by God in the heart of man at his conversion, whereby he apprehendeth and receiveth Christs righteousness for his justification.
The II. difference touching faith in the act of iustification, is this. The Papist saith, we are iustified by faith, because it disposeth a sinner to his iustification after this manner: By faith (saith he) the mind of man is inlightened in the knowledge of the lawe and gospell: knowledge stirs vp a feare of hell with a ⟨p. 934⟩consideration of the promise of happines, as also the loue & feare of God, & hope of life eternall. Now when the heart is thus prepared, God infuseth the habit of charitie & other vertues, wherby a sinner is iustified before god. We say otherwise, that faith iustifieth because it is a supernaturall Instrument created by God in the heart of man at his conuersion, whereby he apprehendeth and receiueth Christs righteousnes for his iustification.
In this their doctrine is a twofold error: I. that they make faith which justifieth, to go before justification it self, both •or order of nature, as also for time: whereas by the word of God, at the very instant, when any man believeth first, he is then justified and sanctified. For he that believeth, eateth and drinketh the body and blood of Christ, and is already passed from death to life.