A09339:1388
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.
Again, the body is but a tabernacle wherein we must rest as it were for a night, as a stranger doth in an Inn, and so away: but the second house is eternal in the heavens, an everlasting seat of all felicity and happiness. And therefore our duty is above all things,1 to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, as Christ himself biddeth us. And if the Lord have there prepared such a place for us, then we must in this world use all good means, whereby we may be made worthy the fruition of it; and also fit and ready at the day of death to enter into it: which at the day of judgement we shall fully possess both in soul and body, and there reign eternally in all happiness with God Almighty our creator, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. But some may say, how shall a man so prepare himself, that he may be fit for that place? Answer. This the holy Ghost teacheth us: for speaking of this heavenly Jerusalem, he saith,2 There shall enter into it none unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or lies. The means then to make our selves fit is, to seek to be reconciled to God in Christ for our sins past, and withal to endeavour to have an assurance of the free remission and pardon of them all in the blood of Christ. And as touching that part of life which is to come, we must remember what Saint John saith,3 Every one that hath this hope purifieth himself, meaning, that he which hath hope to reign with Christ in heaven, useth the means whereby he may purify and keep himself from sin, as also he saith after,4 that he which is borne of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not. Signifying, that all such persons as are truly justified and sanctified, carry such a narrow and strait watch over the whole course of their lives and conversations that the devil can never give them deadly wounds, and wholly overcome them. Now the man that i• resolved in his conscience of the pardon of his sin for the time ⟨p. 230⟩past, and hath a steadfast purpose in his heart to keep himself upright, &continually to walk in righteousness and true holiness all the days of his life: this man, I say, is prepared and made fit to enter into the heavenly Jerusalem: come death when it will, he is ready.