A09339:5140
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.
Sundry persons by the Evangelists are said to believe, which had only seen the miracles of Christ, and as yet had made no further proceedings but to acknowledge Christ to be the Messiah, & to submit themselves to him and his doctrine, which afterward should be taught. On this manner the woman of Samaria believed, and many of the Samaritans upon her report: & a certain ruler, by reason of a miracle, wrought upon his son, is said to believe, & all his household, Joh. 4.42.52. when our Saviour Christ commendeth the faith of the Apostles, terming it a rock against which the gates of hell should not prevail, it was not for the plentiful knowledge of the doctrine of salvation: ⟨p. 1054⟩for they were ignorant of many articles of faith, as namely, of the death, resurrection, ascension, and kingdom of Christ: but because they believed him to be the son of God, and the Saviour of mankind, and they had withal resolved themselves to cleave unto him, and the blessed doctrine of salvation which he taught, though as yet they were ignorant in many points. The holy Ghost commendeth the faith of Rahab when she received the spies. Now this her faith was indeed but a seed and beginning of lively faith: for then she had only heard of the miracles done in Egypt, and of the deliverance of the Israelites, and was thereupon smitten with a fear, and had conceived a resolution with her self, to join her self to the Israelites, and to worship the true God. Now these and the like are termed believers, upon just cause: for though they be ignorant as yet, yet their ignorance, shall be no continuing or lasting ignorance: and they have excellent seeds of grace, namely, a purpose of heart to cleave to Christ, and a care to profit in the doctrine of salvation.
SVndrie persons by the Euangelists are said to beleeue, which had onely seene the miracles of Christ, and as yet had made no further proceedings but to acknowledge Christ to be the Messias, & to submit themselues to him and his doctrine, which afterward should be taught. On this maner the woman of Samaria beleeued, and many of the Samaritans vpon her report: & a certaine ruler, by reason of a miracle, wrought vpon his son, is said to beleeue, & all his houshould,