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 Confutation.

We doe contrarily hold, that the materiall cause of mans iustification is, the obedience of Christ in suffering, & fulfilling the law for vs: but as for the for∣mall cause that must needes be Imputation, the which is an action of God the Father accepting the obedience of Christ for vs, as if it were our owne. Rea∣sons. I. Looke by what we are absolued from all our sinnes, and by which we obtaine eternall life, by that alone are we iustified: But by Christs perfect obe∣dience imputed vnto vs, we are absolued from all our sinnes, and through it we are accepted of God to eternall life; the which we cannot doe by inherent holinesse. Therefore by Christs perfect obedience imputed vnto vs, are we a∣lone iustified. This will appeare to be true in the exercises of inuocation on

Gods name, and also of repentance. For in tentation, and conflicts with sinne and Satan, faith doth not reason thus: Now I haue charitie and inherent grace, and for these God will accept of me: But faith doth more rightly behold the sonne of God, as he was made a sacrifice for vs, and sitteth at the right hand of his Father, there making intercession for vs: to him, I say, doth faith flie, and is assured that for this his sonne, God will forgiue vs all our sinnes, and will also be reconciled vnto vs, yea, and account vs iust in his sight, not by any qualitie inherent in vs, but rather by the merit of Iesus Christ. Rom. 5.19. II. As Christ is made a sinner, so by proportion such as beleeue are made iust: But Christ was by imputation onely made and accounted a sinner for vs. 2. Cor. 5. 21. For he became a suretie for vs, and a sacrifice for our sinnes, vpon which all both the guiltinesse of Gods wrath, and punishment for vs was to be laide. Hence is it that he is said to become (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) a curse for vs: Therfore we againe are made iust only by imputation. III. The contrarie to condemnation is re∣mission of sinnes, and iustification is the opposite of condemnation. Rom. 8. 33. It is God that iustifieth, who shall condemne? Therefore iustification is the re∣mission of sinnes. Now remission of sinnes dependeth onely vpon this impu∣tation of Christs merits. IV. Albeit infused and inherent iustice may haue his due place, his praise, and also deserts, yet as it is a worke of the holy Ghost, it is not in this life complete, and by reason of the flesh•• whereto it is vnited, it is both imperfect, and infected with the dregges of sinne. Esai 64. Therfore be∣fore Gods iudgement seate it cannot claime this prerogatiue, to absolue any from the sentence of condemnation.

Obiect. I. This imputation is nothing els but a vaine cogitation. Answ. I. Yes, it is a relation or diuine ordinance, whereby one relatiue is applied to his correlatiue, or as the Logitians say, is as the foundation to the Terminus. II. As the imputation of our sinnes vnto Christ, was indeede something: so the im∣putation of Christs iustice vnto vs, must not be thought a bare conceit. III. Againe, the Church of Rome doth her selfe maintaine imputatiue iustic••, namely, when as by Ecclesiasticall authoritie shee doth applie the merits and satisfactions of certain persons, vnto other members of that Church. Whence it is apparant, that euen the Popes indulgences they are imputatiue.

Obiect. II. Imputatiue iustice, is not euerlasting: but that iustice which the Messiah bringeth is euerlasting. Ans. Although after this life there is no par∣don of sinnes to be looked for, yet that which is giuen vs in this life, shall to our saluation continue in the life to come.

Obiect. III. If iustification be by imputation, he may before God be iust, who indeede is a very wicked man. Ans. Not so any waies: for he that is once by imputation iustified, he is also at that same instant sanctified.