A09339:4386
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.
Reason II. Exod. 20. •. And show mercy upon thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments. Hence I reason thus: where reward is given upon mercy, there is no merit: but reward is given of mercy to them that fulfil the law: therefore no merit. What can we any way deserve, when our full recompense must be of mercy? And this appears further by Adam: if he had stood to this day, he could not by his continual and perfect obedience, have procured a further increase of favour at Gods hand, but should only have continued that happy estate in which he was first created.
Reason II. Exod. 20. •. And shew mercie vpon thousands in them that loue me, and keepe my commandements. Hence I reason thus: where reward is giuen vpon mercie, there is no merit: but reward is giuen of mercie to them that fulfill the law: therefore no merit. What can we any way deserue, when our full recompence must be of mercie? And this appeares further by Adam: if he had stood to this day, he could not by his continuall and perfect obedience, haue procured a further increase of fauour at Gods hand, but should onely haue continued that happie estate in which he was first created.
Reason III. Scripture directly condemneth merit of works. Rom. 6.23: The wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The proportion of the argument required that S. Paul should have said: The reward of good works is eternal life, if life everlasting could be deserved, which cannot; because it is a free gift. Again, Tit. 3.5. We are saved not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. And