A09353:1155
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
Chapter 53: Concerning the execution of the decree of Reprobation.
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 third degree is, a temporary faith, whereby the reprobate doth confusedly believe the promises of God, made in Christ, I say, confusedly, because he believeth that some shall be saved, but he believeth not that he himself particularly shall be saved, because he being content with a general faith, doth never apply the promises of God to himself: neither doth he so much as conceive any purpose, desire, or endeavour to apply the same, or any wrestling or striving against security or carelessness and distrust. Jam. 2.19. Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well: the devils also believe it, and tremble. Matth. 13.20. And he that received seed in the stony ground, is he which heareth the word, and incontinently with joy receiveth it. 21. Yet hath he no root in himself, ⟨image 159⟩and dureth but a season. Joh. 2.23. Now when he was at Jerusalem at the Passover in the feast, many believed in his name, when they saw his miracles which he did. v. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew them all.
The third degree is, a temporarie faith, wherby the reprobate doth confusedly beleeue the promises of God, made in Christ, I saye, confusedlye, because he beleeueth that some shall be saued, but he beleeueth not that he himselfe particularly shalbe saued, because he being content with a generall faith, doth neuer apply the promises of God to himselfe: neither doth he so much as conceiue any purpose, desire, or endeauour to apply the same, or any wrestling or striuing against securirie or carelesnes and distrust. Iam. 2.19. Thou beleuest that there is one God, thou doest well: the deuils also beleeue it, and tremble. Matth. 13.20. And he that receiued seede in the stonye ground, is he which heareth the woord, and incontinentlye with ioy receiueth it. 21. Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, ⟨image 159⟩and dureth but a season.