A09339:1707
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.
And great are the comforts which arise by the practise of this duty. When David was in great danger of his life, and his own people would have stoned him, because their hearts were vexed for their sons and daughters which the Amalekites had taken;1 it is said he comforted himself in the Lord his God. And the practise of Paul in this case is most excellent:2 for the which cause (saith he) I suffer those things, but I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to ke•pe that which I have committed ⟨p. 343⟩unto him against that day. This worthy servant of God had committed his life and soul into Gods hand: and therefore he saith, In all my sufferings I am not ashamed: where we see, that if a man have grace in his life-time to commit his soul into Gods hand, it will make him bold even at the point of death. And this must be a motive to cause every man daily and hourly to lay down his soul into the hands of God, although by the course of nature he may live twenty or forty years longer. But howsoever this duty be both necessary and comfortable, yet few there be that practise the same. Men that have children are very careful and diligent to bring them up under some mans tuition; & if they have cattle, sheep, or oxen, they provide keepers to tend them: but in the mean season for their own souls they have no care: they may sink or swim or do what they will. This shows the wonderful blindness or rather madness of men in the world, that have more care for their cattle, then for their own souls: but as Christ hath taught us by his example, so let every one of us in the fear of God, learn to commit our souls into the hand of God.
And great are the comforts which arise by the practise of this dutie. When Dauid was in great danger of his life, and his owne people would haue stoned him, because their hearts were vexed for their sonnes and daughters which the Amalekites had taken;1 it is said hee comforted himselfe in the Lord his God. And the practise of Paul in this case is most excellent: