A09339:5118
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 exposition.
THE beginnings of conversion must be distinguished, some are beginnings of preparations, some beginnings of composition. Beginnings of preparation, are such as bring under, tame, and subdue the stubbornness of mans nature, without making any change at all: of this sort are the accusations of the conscience by the ministry of the law, fears and terrors arising thence, compunction of heart, which is the apprehension of gods anger against sin. Now these and the like I exclude in the conclusion, for though they go before to prepare a sinner to his conversion following• yet are they no graces of God, but fruits of the law, that is, the ministry of death, & of an accusing conscience. Beginnings of composition, I term all those inward motions and inclinations of Gods spirit, that follow after the work of the law upon ⟨p. 1048⟩the conscience: and rise upon the meditation of the Gospel, that promiseth righteousness and life everlasting by Christ: out of which motions the conversion of a sinner ariseth, and of this it consisteth: what these are it shall afterward appear. Again, grace must be distinguished: it is twofold, restraining grace, or renewing grace. Restraining grace, I term certain common gifts of God, serving only to order, and frame the outward conversation of men to the law of God, or serving to bereave men of excuse in the day of judgement. By this kind of grace, heathen men have been liberal, just, sober, valiant. By it men living in the Church of God, have been enlightened, and having tasted of the good word of God, have rejoiced therein, and for a time outwardly conformed themselves thereto; renewing grace is not common to all men, but proper to the elect, and it is a gift of Gods spirit, whereby the corruption of sin is not only restrained, but also mortified, and the decayed Image of God restored. Now then, the conclusion must only be understood of the second, and not of the first: for though a man have never so much of this restraining grace, yet unless he have the spirit of Christ to create faith in the heart, and to sanctify him, he is as far from salvation as any other.