A Golden Chain

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