A09353:1114
A golden chain, or the description of theologyA golden chaine, or the description of theologie
A golden chain, or the description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view of the order whereof, is to be seen in the table annexed. Written in Latin by William Perkins, and translated by an other. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting troubled consciences.A golden chaine, or the description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods woord. A view of the order wherof, is to be seene in the table annexed. Written in Latine by William Perkins, and translated by an other. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting troubled consciences.
London: printed by Edward Alde, 1591
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.
III. They teach, that God hath predestinate all to salvation: but Paul, 2. Thes. 2.10. faith plainly, that there are certain men ordained to destruction, whom he distinguisheth from the Elect, vers. 13.2. Tim. 2.20. In a great house, there are not only vessels of gold, and of silver, but also of wood & of earth, and some for honour, and some for dishonour. Math. 20.16. There are many called, but few chosen. And of so great a number of the Jews, a remnant only are saved. This also serveth to set out Gods goodness, in that his benefit is not common to all men. For we usually admire nothing, but that which is rare.
III. They teach, that God hath predestinate all to saluation: but Paul, 2. Thes. 2.10. faith plainely, that there are certaine men ordeined to destruction, whō he distinguisheth from the Elect, vers. 13.2. Tim. 2.20. In a great house, there are not onely vessels of gold, and of siluer, but also of wood & of earth, and some for honour, and some for dishonour. Math. 20.16. There are many called, but fewe chosen. And of so great a number of the Iewes, a remnant onely are saued. This also serueth to set out Gods goodnes, in that his benefit is not common to all men. For we vsually admire nothing, but that which is rare.
IIII. They teach, that predestination, in regard of the last effect thereof, hath his cause in man: namely, in his free will and works. For whom God hath foreseen, that they would willingly receive the grace of God offered them in Christ, & which would lead their lives according to the commandments, them did he predestinate: not by reason of their works, but of his free grace, yet so, as that he had an eye or respect unto the good works which