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.
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Title
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.
Author
Perkins, William, 1558-1602.
Publication
[Cambridge] :: Printed by Iohn Legat, printer to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge,
1600.
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Subject terms
Theology, Doctrinal -- Early works to 1800.
Salvation -- Early works to 1800.
Predestination -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A09339.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 2, 2024.
Pages
VII.
Although both elect and reprobate may be enlightned to know the word of God: yet the elect in this thing goe farre beyond all reprobates: for it is spe∣cially said of them, that God is their schoole-master, that he sofeteneth their sto∣ny hearts, and maketh them pliable, that hee draweth them, that hee openeth their senses, hearts, eares, vnderstandings: that the holy ghost is their annointmēt,
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and their eie-salue, to cleare the eies of their minde, to conceiue the my∣steries of Gods worde. And the difference of illumination in them is three∣folde.
I. First, the knowledge which the reprobate hath concerning the kingdōe of heauen, is only a generall and confused knowledge: but the knowledge of the elect is pure, certaine, sure, distinct, and particular: for a it is ioyned with a feeling and inward experience of the thing known: though indeed the minde of man is able to conceiue more then any Christian heart can feele: and this is to be seene in b Paul, who vseth not only to deliuer the points of Gods word in a generall manner, but also setteth them downe specially in his own experi∣ence. So that the enlightning of the reprobate may be compared to the sight of thec blind man, who saw men walking like vnto trees, that is in motion like men, but in forme like trees: and the elect are like the same blind man, who af∣terward saw men a farre off cleerely.
II. Secondly, the knowledge of the wicked d puffeth them vp: but the knoweledge of the godly humbleth them.
III. Lastly, the elect, besides the knowledge of Gods worde, haue e a free and franke heart to performe it in their liues and conuersations, which no re∣probate can haue: for their illumination is not ioyned with true and sincere o∣bedience. By this it is easie to discerne of the illumination of Anabaptistes, or Familists, and many other, which brag of the spirit.