A09339:2139
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.
Thus much for the doctrines touching the Resurrection: now follow the uses. First it serveth wonderfully for the comfort of all Christian hearts. David speaking not only of Christ, but also of himself, saith most notably:1 Mine heart is glad, my tongue rejoiceth, and my flesh also doth rest in hope. Why so? For (saith he) thou shalt not leave my soul in grave, neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Though the days of this life be days of woe and misery, yet the day of the resurrection shall be unto all the children of God a time of rejoicing and felicity, & as Peter saith, it is the time of refreshing. Whosoever is now an hungered,2 shall then eat and be filled with the fruit of the ⟨p. 513⟩tree of life: and whosoever is now naked, shall be then clothed with the white garments dipped in the blood of the Lamb: and awhosoever is now lame, shall have all his members restored perfectly. And as this day is joyful to the godly, so on the contrary it is a day of woe and misery to the ungodly: as S. John saith,4 they that have done evil shall come forth to the resurrection of condemnation. If they might cease to live after this life, and die as the beast doth, O then it would be well with them; for then they might have an end of their misery: but the wicked must after this life rise again to condemnation, which is the accomplishment of their eternal woe and wretchedness; a rueful and doleful case to consider, and yet is it the state of all unbelieving and unrepentant sinners. If a man were bidden to go to bed, that after he had slept and was risen again he might go to execution, it would make his heart to ache within him: yet this, yea a thousand fold worse is the state of all impenitent sinners: they must sleep in the grave for a while, & then rise again, that a second death may be inflicted upon them in body & soul, which is the suffering of the full wrath of God both in body & soul eternally.5