A09339:4369
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 4 › Objections of Papists.Section 4 › Obiections of Papists.
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.
III. Object. When man confesseth his sins and humbleth himself by prayer and fasting, Gods wrath is pacified and stayed: therefore prayer and fasting are causes of justification before God. Answ. Indeed men that truly humble themselves by prayer and fasting, do appease the wrath of God: yet not properly by these actions, but by their faith expressed and testified in them, whereby they apprehend that which appeaseth Gods wrath, even the merits of Christ, in whom the Father is well pleased: and for whose sake alone he is well pleased with us.
III. Obiect. When man confesseth his sinnes and humbleth himselfe by praier and fasting, Gods wrath is pacified and staied: therefore praier and fasting are causes of iustification before God. Answ. Indeede men that truely humble themselues by praier and fasting, doe appease the wrath of God: yet not properly by these actions, but by their faith expressed and testified in thē, whereby they apprehend that which appeaseth Gods wrath, euen the merits of Christ, in whome the Father is well pleased: and for whose sake alone he is well pleased with vs.
IV. Object. Sundry persons in Scripture are commended for perfection• as Noah, and Abraham, Zechariah, and Elizabeth: and Christ biddeth us all be perfect: and where there is any perfection of works, there also works may justify. Ans. There be two kinds of perfection: perfection in parts, and perfection in degrees. Perfection in part is, when being regenerate, and having the seeds of all necessary virtues, we endeavour accordingly to obey God, not in some few, but in all and every part of the law: as Josiah turned unto God according to all the law of Moses. Perfection in degrees is, when a man keepeth every commandment of God, and that according to the rigour thereof, in the very highest degree. Now then whereas we are commanded to be perfected, and have examples of the same perfection in scripture: both commandments and examples must be understood of perfection in parts, and not of perfection in degrees, which can •ot be attained unto in this life; though we for our parts, must daily strive to come as near unto it, as possibly we can.