A09353:99
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 6: Of Gods works and his decree.Chapter 6: Of Gods workes and his decree.
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.
That which is evil hath some respect of goodness with God.
That which is euill hath some respect of goodnes with God.
First, in that it is the punishment of sin, and punishment is accounted a moral good; in that, it is the part of a just judge to punish sin.
First, in that it is the punishment of sinne, and punishment is accounted a morrall good; in that, it is the parte of a iust iudge to punish sinne.
Secondly, as it is a mere action or act.
Secondly, as it is a meere action oract.
Thirdly, as it is a chastisement, a trial of ones faith, martyrdom, propitiation for sin, as the death and passion of Christ. Act. 2.23. & 4.28. And if we observe these caveats, God is not only a bare permissive agent in an evil work, but a powerful effect or of the same, yet so, as he neither instilleth an aberration into the action, nor yet supporteth, or intendeth the same, but that he most freely suffereth evil, and best disposeth of it to his own glory. The like we may see in this similitude. Let a man spur forward a lame horse; In that he moveth forward the rider is the cause, but that he halteth, he himself is the cause. And again, we see the Sun beams gathering themselves into a Sun glass, they burn such things as they light upon: now, that they burn, the cause is not in the Sun, but in the glass. The like may be said of Gods action in an evil subject.