A09353:1202
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.
Know this for a most sure trueth, that this desire in thee is a pledge of Gods fatherly good will towards thee. He neither can, nor will be wanting to this which he hath stirred up in thee. After these exhortations, I show him, how some are called at the eleventh hour, how the Gentiles, after many thousand years were called to be Gods people, how the thief was saved upon the cross: these and many other remedies I used, whereof, I never remember that I repented me.
Know this for a most sure trueth, that this desire in thee is a pledge of Gods fatherlye good will towards thee. He neither can, nor will be wanting to this which he hath stirred vp in thee. After these exhortations, I shew him, how some are called at the eleuenth houre, how the Gentiles, after many thousand yeeres were called to be Gods people, how the theefe was saued vpon the crosse: these and many other remedies I vsed, whereof, I neuer remember that I repented me.
But If I deal with such as have before obeyed the Lords calling, and either by reason of some grievous sin into which they have fallen, or because they have absented themselves from the Church of God, or in that they, refusing public and private admonitions, have been offensive to the Church, ⟨image 168⟩or, which in mine experience, hath befallen many very good and godly persons, whilst they satisfy not themselves, they are so altogether busily conversant in reprehending and judging themselves, that they for a while forget the mercy of God, with these, to omit such as for some natural infirmities, are, if they procure not speedy help of some expert Minister most dangerously tempted, with these (I say) I use this order.
But If I deale with such as haue before obeyed the Lords calling, and either by reason of some greuous sinne into which they haue fallen, or because they haue absented themselues from the Church of God, or in that they, refusing publike and priuate admonitions, haue bene offenciue to the Church, ⟨image 168⟩