A09353:820
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.
Rebaptizing is at no hand to be admitted, for as in natural generation, man is once only borne; so must he be in the spiritual generation.
Rebaptizing is at no hand to be admitted, for as in naturall generation, man is once onely borne; so must he be in the spirituall generation.
Therefore they that are baptized of a minister, which is an heretic, not yet degraded from that calling, (if the external form of administration be observed) must not be baptized again of the Church of God: especially, if after baptism they have been made partakers of the Lords Supper: only they ought to be instructed in the true faith. Euseb. eccles. hist. 7. book 8. chapter, saith. There was in our Province an ancient professor of the faith, yea before I was created Bishop, nay before my predecessor Heraclas: who, when he was present at the baptism of some, and heard what questions they were asked, and what answer they returned, forthwith come weeping unto me, and humbling himself before me, confessed that he was baptized by an heretic: yet in regard of that administration which he saw in our church, he accounted that, no baptism, in that the confession there used, was fraught with blasphemies. This also be added, that he was for this offence so sore grieved, that he durst not so much as lift up his eyes unto heaven: wherefore he most earnestly besought me, that he might be cleansed and purified with the baptism of our Church, and so receive the gift of the holy Ghost. The which notwithstanding, I durst not presume to administer, but s• was sufficient for him, that he had been so long a professor amongest us, and that at the receipt of the Lords Supper, he answered. Amen. These things I told him were of force enough to purge him. And therefore ⟨image 115⟩I advised him, to rest himself in his former fa• and conscience already sufficiently purified, especially in that he so long was partaker with us in the Sacraments. Augustine book 3. chapter 2. contra Petiliani literas.