A09339:983
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.
I. The Predestination, and Reprobation of God, do not constrain or enforce any necessity upon the will of man. II. God hath predestinated all men, that is, he hath appointed and disposed all men, so as they might obtain eternal salvation. III. Man is neither by necessity nor chance saved or condemned, but voluntarily. IV. God hath predestinated some, other hath he rejected. V. Those whom God hath predestinated by his absolute predestination, which can not be lost they shall infallibly die in grace: but they which are predestinate, by that predestination which being according to pre•ent justice, may be lost by some mortal sin which followeth, are not infallibly saved, but oftentimes such are condemned, and loose their crown and glory. Hence ariseth that position of theirs, that he which is justified may be a reprobate, & perish eternally. Torrensis Aug. Confess. 2. book. 4. chap. 20. Sect. Therefore predestination is not certain, seeing it may be lost. VI. God alone doth know the certain and set number of them which are predestinate. VII. There is one set number of them which are predestinate, or reproved, and that can neither be increased nor diminished.
I. The Predestination, and Reprobation of God, do not constraine or inforce any necessitie vpon the will of man. II. God hath predestinated all men, that is, he hath appointed and disposed all men, so as they might obtaine eternall saluation. III. Man is neither by necessitie nor chance saued or condemned, but voluntarily. IV. God hath predestinated some, other hath he reiected. V. Those whome God hath predestinated by his absolute predestination, which can not be lost they shall infallibly die in grace: but they which are predestinate, by that predestination which beeing according to pre•ent iustice, may be lost by some mortall sinne which followeth, are not infallibly saued, but oftentimes such are condemned, and loose their crowne and glory. Hence ariseth that position of theirs, that he which is iustified may be a reprobate, & perish eternally. Torrensis Aug. Confess. 2. booke. 4. chap. 20. Sect. Therfore predestination is not certaine, seeing it may be lost. VI. God alone doth know the certaine and set number of them which are predestinate. VII. There is one set number of them which are predestinate, or reprooued, and that can neither be increased nor diminished.