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.

Man not regenerated hath free-will to doe onely that which is euill, none to doe good. He beeing not already conuerted cannot so much as will to haue faith, and be conuerted. Reasons. I. Man is not said to be weake or sicke, but dead in sinnes. Ephe. 2.1. Col. 1.13. As he therefore that is corporally dead can not stirre vp himselfe, that he may performe such workes of viuification, no not then when others helpe him: so he that is spiritually dead, cannot mooue himselfe to liue vnto God. II. He is the seruant of Satan, and bondslaue of sinne. Eph. 2.2. Rom. 6.13. Nowe we knowe that a seruant standeth at the becke & pleasure of another, and can doe nothing els. III. That which no man can by himselfe knowe and beleeue, the same he cannot will: but no man can knowe & beleeue those things that appertaine to the kingdome of GOD. 1. Cor. 2. vers. 14. The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God. 2. Cor. 3. 5. We are not sufficient of our selues, to thinke any thing as of our selues. There∣fore no man can will by himselfe, those things that appertaine to Gods king∣dome. IV. That which is a deadly enemie to goodnes, and is directly repug∣nant thereunto the same desireth not that which is good; but the will is an e∣nemie & directly repugnant vnto goodnes. Rom. 8.7. The wisdome of the flesh is hatred against God: for it is not subiect to the lawe of God, neither indeed can bee.

Obiect. I. The word is neere vnto thee in thine heart, and in thy mouth, that thou maiest doe the same. Deut. 30. Answer. It is easie to performe the lawe legallie,

but not Euangelically: Now this is done, when as any man doth fulfill the law by a Mediatour, and from him receiuing the spirit of god, doth endeuour to performe new obedience.

Obiect. II. God giueth many precepts by which we are commanded to re∣pent, beleeue, obey God, &c. Therefore to doe these, we haue free-will. Answ. Such places doe not shew vs what we can doe, but what we should doe, & our weaknes what we cannot doe: neither doe they shew what men can doe, but what men should doe. II. They are instruments of the holy Ghost, whereby he doth renue and conuert such as shall be saued. They obiect againe. God in commanding these, doth not require things impossible. Ans. He doth not in∣deede to men in their innocencie, but now to all such as fell in Adam he doth, and that by their owne default, not Gods.

Obiect. III. Philip. 3. 12. Worke your saluation with feare and trembling.

Answer. Paul speaketh of such as are alreadie conuerted, which haue their wil in part freed.

Obiect. IV. If the will be a meere patient, it is constrained to doe that, which is good. Answ. The will both in it selfe, and of it selfe, is a meere patient in her first conuersion vnto God; but if it be considered as it is mooued by the spirit of God, it is an agent. For, being mooued, it mooueth. It is not therefore com∣pelled, but of a nilling will, is made a willing will.