A09353:140
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.
The fall was effected on this manner. First, God created his reasonable creatures good indeed, but withal changeable, as we have showed before. For to be unchangeably good, is proper to God alone. Secondly, God tried their obedience, in those things, about whi•h they were conversant. Deut. 13.13. Thou shalt not hearken to the words of the Prophet, or unto that dreamer of dreams: for the lord your God proveth you, to know whether you love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul. Thirdly, in this trial God doth not assist them with new grace to stand, but for just causes forsaketh them. Lastly, after God hath forsaken them, and left them to themselves, they fall quite from God: no otherwise, then when a man staying up a staff from the ground, it standeth upright, but if he never so little withdraw his hand, it falleth of it self.
The fall was effected on this manner. First, God created his reasonable creatures good indeede, but withall changeable, as we haue shewed before. For to be vnchangeably good, is proper to God alone. Secondly, God tryed their obedience, in those things, about whi•h they were conuersant. Deut. 13.13. Thou shalt not hearken to the wordes of the Prophet, or vnto that dreamer of dreames: for the lord your God prooueth you, to knowe whether you loue the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soule. Thirdly, in this tryall God dooth not assist them with new grace to stande, but for iust causes forsaketh them. Lastly, after God hath forsaken them, and left them to themselues, they fall quite from God: no otherwise, then when a man staying vp a staffe from the ground, it standeth vpright, but if he neuer so little withdrawe his hande, it falleth of it selfe.
The fall, is of men, and Angels.