A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.

The Exposition.

SVndrie persons by the Euangelists are said to beleeue, which had onely seene the miracles of Christ, and as yet had made no further proceedings but to acknowledge Christ to be the Messias, & to submit themselues to him and his doctrine, which afterward should be taught. On this maner the wo∣man of Samaria beleeued, and many of the Samaritans vpon her report: & a certaine ruler, by reason of a miracle, wrought vpon his son, is said to beleeue, & all his houshould, Ioh. 4.42.52. when our Sauiour Christ commendeth the faith of the Apostles, tearming it a rock against which the gates of hel should not preuaile, it was not for the plētiful knowledge of the doctrine of saluatiō:

for they were ignorant of many articles of faith, as namely, of the death, resur∣rection, ascension, and kingdome of Christ: but because they beleeued him to be the sonne of God, and the Sauiour of mankind, and they had withall re∣solued themselues to cleaue vnto him, and the blessed doctrine of saluation which he taught, though as yet they were ignorant in many points. The ho∣ly Ghost commendeth the faith of Rahab when shee receiued the spies. Now this her faith was indeede but a seede and beginning of liuely faith: for then shee had onely heard of the miracles done in Egypt, and of the deliue∣rance of the Israelites, and was thereupon smitten with a feare, and had con∣ceiued a resolution with her selfe, to ioyne her selfe to the Israelites, and to worship the true God. Now these and the like are tearmed beleeuers, vpon iust cause: for though they be ignorant as yet, yet their ignorance, shall be no continuing or lasting ignorance: and they haue excellent seedes of grace, namely, a purpose of heart to cleaue to Christ, and a care to profit in the do∣ctrine of saluation.