A Golden Chain

by William Perkins, Greg Fox (Editor)

William Perkins (1558–1602) was a Cambridge theologian and an influential leader of the early Puritan movement in England.

This theological classic is organized as follows:

To the Christian Reader
I. Of the Body of Scripture, and Theology
II. Of God, and the Nature of God
III. Of the Life of God
IV. Of God’s Glory, and Blessedness
V. Concerning the Persons of the Godhead
VI. Of God’s Works, and His Decree
VII. Of Predestination and Creation
VIII. Of Angels
IX. Of Man, and the Estate of Innocency
X. Of Sin, and the Fall of Angels
XI. Of Mans Fall and Disobedience
XII. Of Original Sin
XIII. Of Actual Sin
XIV. Of the Common Punishment of Sin
XV. Of Election, and of Jesus Christ the Foundation Thereof
XVI. Of the Union of the Two Natures in Christ
XVII. Of the Distinction of Both Natures
XVIII. Of Christs Nativity and Office
XIX. Concerning the Outward Means of Executing the Decree of Election, and of the Decalogue
XX. Of the First Commandment
XXI. Of the Second Commandment
XXII. Of the Third Commandment
XXIII. Of the Fourth Commandment
XXIV. Of the Fifth Commandment
XXV. Concerning the Sixth Commandment
XXVI. Of the Seventh Commandment
XXVII. Of the Eighth Commandment
XXVIII. Concerning the Ninth Commandment
XXIX. Of the Tenth Commandment
XXX. Of the Use of the Law
XXXI. Of the Covenant of Grace
XXXII. Of the Sacraments
XXXIII. Of Baptism
XXXIV. Of the Lords Supper
XXXV. Of the Degrees of Executing God’s Decree of Election
XXXVI. Concerning the First Degree of the Declaration of God’s Love
XXXVII. Concerning the Second Degree of the Declaration of God’s Love
XXXVIII. Concerning the Third Degree of the Declaration of God’s Love
XXXIX. Of Repentance and the Fruits Thereof
XL. Of Christian Warfare
XLI. Of the First Assault
XLII. Of the Second Assault
XLIII. Of the Third Assault
XLIV. Of the Patient Bearing of the Cross
XLV. Of the Calling Upon God
XLVI. Of Christian Apology, and Martyrdom
XLVII. Of Edification, and Almes Among the Faithful
XLVIII. Of the Fourth Degree, of the Declaration of God’s Love: And of the Estate of the Elect After This Life
XLIX. Of the Estate of the Elect at the Last Day of Judgement
L. Of the Estate of the Elect After Judgement
LI. Concerning the Order of the Causes of Salvation, According to the Doctrine of the Church of Rome
LII. Concerning the Decree of Reprobation
LIII. Concerning the Execution of the Decree of Reprobation
LIV. Concerning a New Devised Doctrine of Predestination, Taught by Some New and Late Divines
LV. Of the State and Condition of the Reprobates When They Are Dead
LVI. Of the Condemnation of the Reprobates at the Last Judgement
LVII. Of the Estate of the Reprobates in Hell
LVIII. Of the Application of Predestination

Genres: Theology

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1600

About the author

William Perkins (1558–1602) was an influential English cleric and Cambridge theologian, receiving both a B.A. and M.A. from the university in 1581 and 1584 respectively, and also one of the foremost leaders of the Puritan movement in the Church of England during the Elizabethan era. Although not entirely accepting of the Church of England's ecclesiastical practices, Perkins conformed to many of the policies and procedures imposed by the Elizabethan Settlement. He did remain, however, sympathetic to the non-conformist puritans and even faced disciplinary action for his support.

Perkins was a prolific author who penned over forty works, many of which were published posthumously. In addition to writing, he also served as a fellow at Christ's College and as a lecturer at St Andrew's Church in Cambridge. He was a firm proponent of Reformed theology, particularly the supralapsarian theology of Theodore Beza and John Calvin. In addition, he was a staunch defender of Protestant ideals, specifically the five solae with a particular emphasis on solus Christus and sola Scriptura.

Reviews

[Matthew Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a co-editor of this edition.

Perkins' work is immensely readable and useful. It is of great importance to early-modern English Reformed theology, Tudor Anglicanism, and early Puritanism.

For more discussion and the accompanying charts:
http://stretchtheology.com/why-its-wo...

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood texts in the history of Reformed theology. While most secondary sources assume it is a rationalistic deduction of election from unbiblical premises, these assertions have no basis in fact. Instead, it is actually a succinct summary of the entire Christian faith, moving from the doctrine of God to the final judgment with an emphasis on the role all of theology plays in the life of the believer. Any Christian looking to find a robust biblical defense of Calvinism or gain a correct understanding of the Puritans would benefit from reading this work.

[wyclif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent moderate Puritan/Anglican reprint; smyth sewn in a cloth binding. Essential "high Calvinist" work on the ordo salutis and union with Christ for those interested in historical theology. Highly recommended.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic systematic theology from one of the greatest theologians to ever live. The objections and rebuttals at the end of the book to reformed soteriology are worth their weight in gold, but before you get there Mr.Perkins covers a thorough variety of subjects regarding the Christian faith and saturates the reader in biblical citations and exposition. This should be on the top shelf of every pastor's library, and since there are many copies of it available for free in e-format there is no excuse for it not to be. Get it! Read it! Live it!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high quality reprint of an important Puritan work.

[Lu Tsun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very impressed by the clarity and simplicity of William Perkin's dogmatics. It seems to me a great companion for sermon development.