A09339:1387
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.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.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now follow the duties whereunto we are moved principally in consideration of the making of the third heaven. First, if God created it especially for the manifestation of his glory unto men, that at the end of this world, by the fruition of Gods most glorious presence, there they might have perfect joy and felicity: we have occasion here to consider the wonderful madness and forgetfulness that reigneth every where among men, which only have regard to the estate of this life, and cast all their care on this world, and never so much as once dream of the joyful and blessed estate which is prepared for Gods children in the highest heaven. If a man having two houses• one but a homely cottage, and the other a princely palace, should leave the better and take all the care and pains for the dressing up of the first, would not every ⟨p. 229⟩man say, he were a mad man? yes undoubtedly. And yet this is the spiritual madness that takes place every where among men: for God hath prepared for us two houses, one is this our body which we bear about us, which is an house of clay, as Job saith,1 We dwell in houses of clay whose foundation is dust, which shall be destroyed before the moth: & as Peter saith, a tabernacle or tent, 2which we must shortly take down; and wherein we abide but as pilgrims and strangers. 3Again, the same God of his wonderful goodness hath provided for us a second house in the third heaven, wherein we must not abide for a time and so depart: but for evermore enjoy the blessed felicity of his glorious presence. For all this mark a spiritual frenzy possessing the minds of men; for they employ all their care and industry for the maintaining of this house of clay, whose foundation is but dust: but for the blessed estate of the second house, which is prepared for them in the kingdom of heaven, they have little regard or care. They will both run and ride from place to place day and night, both by sea and land: but for what? Is it for the preparing of a mansion place in the heavenly Jerusalem? Nothing less, for they will scarce go forth of the door to use any means whereby they may come unto it: but all their study is to patch up the ruins and breaches of their earthly cabin. Now let all men judge in their own consciences, whether as I have said, this be not more then senseless madness?