A golden chain, or the description of theologyA golden chaine, or the description of theologie

Now because that external vocation, is not proper only to the elect (for many are called, but few are chosen) but such a vocation as is effectual, that is, whereby the understanding is not only enlightened, with the saving knowledge of God, but in the will also there is created, a true, though not a perfect hatred of sin, from whence ariseth an abhorring of sin, and love of that which is good, or rather a desire to will, and do that which is right. Therefore when we see one thus dangerously tempted, we apply unto his afflicted conscience, that true Nepenthes, and comfortable & restorative medicine, which is taken from Gods effectual vocation, as it were out of an Apothecaries box.

Now because that externall vocation, is not proper onely to the elect (for many are called, but few are chosen) but such a vocation as is effectuall, that is, whereby the vnderstāding is not onely enlightned, with the sauing knowledge of God, but in the will also there is created, a true, though not a perfect hatred of sinne, from whence ariseth an abhorring of sinne, and loue of that which is good, or rather a desire to will, and doe that which is right. Therefore when we see one thus dangerouslie tempted, wee applie vnto his afflicted conscience, that true Nepenthes, and comfortable & restoratiue medicine, which is taken from Gods effectuall vocation, as it were out of an Apothecaries boxe.

If therefore I have to do with such an one, ⟨image 167⟩[…] •ed by the preaching of the Gospel, or if he were called, yet seemeth both to himself & others never to have regarded him that called: and hence concludeth that he is not in the number of them whom God hath purposed to take pity upon: I forthwith tell him, that Satan playeth the Sophister, in teaching him thus to conclude: for this his reason is as untrue, as if a man looking at midnight, & seeing that the sun is not then risen, should therefore affirm that it would never rise. And this is that which when I objected to D. Andreas. pag. 482. He very boldly corrupting my meaning, printed this as mine assertion, Say unto a man that is afflicted, the sun is risen, although as yet it be not risen. But I teach not lies, howsoever this depravation of my words came from D. Andr. printers, or himself. And whereas D. Andr. excepted, that this consolation were to no purpose, because he that was afflicted might doubt, whether this sun would ever rise or not: I answered to him, that which the printers have quite left out, and which I will now therefore more fully repeat. I was wont therefore to tell the party thus troubled, after he had forsaken his false and devilish position: that although an external vocation were not of force enough to appease an afflicted conscience, yet it was of sufficient force and efficacy against the devil. For I tell him that they which never had external nor internal calling, they (if we regard an ordinary calling) must needs perish: but whosoever is once called, he hath set as it were his foot in the first entry into the kingdom of heaven: