A09353:1135
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.
If any man reason out of 1. Tim. 2.4. That God would that all men should be saved. He must know, that this sentence is not generally meant of all men, but indefinitely of some. And therefore it must not be understood of every singular and particular man, but of every singular estate and condition of man. Revel. 5.9. Christ redeemed his by his blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and nation, and people. And he is said Mat. 4.23. To have cured every disease, that is, every kind of disease▪ And Rom. 5.18. As by the offence of one, the fault came on all men to condemnation: so by the justifying of one, the benefit abounded toward all men, to the justification of life. 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, shall many also be made righteous. In this place we must note, that the words (all men) are indefinitely put for many. August. in Enchirid. ad Laurent. ⟨image 155⟩c. 103. The Scripture (saith he) that speaketh of God, that he would have all to be saved, not as though there were none whom he would have condemned, seeing he would not show his miracles to them, who if he had showed to them any, they would as he himself saith, have repented: But we must understand by all men all sorts of men, whether kings or subjects, or any other condition whatsoever, &c. And in his book de Corrept. & Gratia. c. 14. It is said, that he will have all to be saved, namely, such as are predestinate to salvation, because of all sorts of men some are predestinate, as it is spoken of the Pharisees, Ye •ithe every herb. Whereas Peter saith. 2. Pet. 3.9. God would have no man to perish, but all men to come to repentance, this must be understood of all the elect: because he speaketh of such as are faithful, & sanctified.