A09339:990
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 first is faith, which is a knowledge and an assent, whereby men agree that those things are true which are delivered concerning God, and his will, revealed in the word of God.
The first is faith, which is a knowledge and an assent, whereby men agree that those things are true which are deliuered concerning God, and his will, reuealed in the word of God.
This is the foundation of justification, and prepareth the heart: because it stirreth up free-will that it may affect the heart, with those motions by which it is prepared to justification.
This is the foundation of iustification, and prepareth the heart: because it stirreth vp free-will that it may affect the heart, with those motions by which it is prepared to iustification.
I. The act of faith is, to apprehend the ugliness of sin & the wages thereof. II. After this, followeth a fear of Gods anger, and of hell fire. III. Then begin men to dislike, and in some sort to detest sin. From these ariseth a certain disposition, which hath annexed unto it, the merit of congruity, yet not immediate nor sufficient, but imperfect. IV. At the length, faith returneth to the contemplation of Gods mercies, & believeth that God is ready to forgive sins by the infusion of charity into those, which are before sufficiently prepared and disposed. V. Out of this contemplation proceedeth the act of hope, whereby faith beginneth to desire and to wait on God, as the chiefest good. VI. Out of this act of hope ariseth love, whereby God is loved above all things in the world. VII. After this love followeth a new dislike, and detestation of sin, not so much in regard of fear of the punishment in hell fire, as in regard of the offence of God who is simply loved more then all other things. VIII. After all these, followeth a purpose of amendment of life: and here comes in the merit of congruity, that is, sufficient: or else, the immediate, sufficient, and last disposition before the infusion of grace.