A09353:1132
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.
Gods decree, whereby he would that all men should be saved in Christ. The fall of Adam, not preordained of God, but only foreknown Predestination, whereby God purposed with himself to justify, and pertually to glorify certain of Adams posterity, freely of his own mercy, not by their faith or works, which he fore saw. Gods foreknowledge of mans incredulity, and contumacy, whereby the rest of Adams posterity refuse that grace which is offered in the Gospel. The decree of reprobation, whereby God foreknowing their contumacy, adjudgeth them to eternal damnation.
Gods decree, wherby he would that all men should be saued in Christ. The fall of Adam, not preordeined of God, but only foreknowen Predestination, wherby God purposed with himselfe to iustifie, and pertually to glorify certain of Adams posteritye, freelye of his owne mercye, not by their faith or workes, which he fore saw. Gods foreknowledg of mans incredulitie, and cōtumacie, wherby the rest of Adams posteritie refuse that grace which is offered in the Gospell. The decree of reprobation, whereby God foreknowing their cō tumacye, adiudgeth them to eternall damnation.
An universal vocation, whereby grace & salvation is offered to all men without exception.
An vniuersall vocation, wherby grace & saluation is offred to al men without exception.
But this description halteth right down, as may be proved by many reasons. First, it is untrue, that God would have all men saved in christ. For no man can be said to be elected, if God will that all men should be elected in christ. For election is a singling out of some from others: and he that electeth or chooseth, cannot be said to receive all: neither can he that taketh all, be said to make choice of a few. Wherefore, as all men agree that there is a decree of election: so by the law of contraries we must conclude, that there is in like order and place, the decree of reprobation opposite unto it.