A09339:2162
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.
The degrees of life are three. The first is in this life, when men being justified and sanctified, have peace with God. Many imagine, that there is no eternal life till after death: but they are deceived, for it begins in this world: as our Saviour Christ testifieth, saying, Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my words, and believeth him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed from death to life. 1This being so, we are hence to learn a good lesson. Considering we look for life everlasting after this life, we must not deceive our selves, lingering and deferring the time till the last gasp; but we must lay the foundation of life eternal in our selves in this world, and have the earnest thereof laid up in our hearts against the day of death. But how is that done? we must repent us heartily of all our sins, and seek to be assured in conscience that God the father of Christ is our father, God the son our redeemer, and God the holy Ghost our comforter. For as Christ saith, this is life eternal to know thee the only God, and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ.2 And we must go further yet, endeavouring to say with Paul,3 that we live not, but that Christ liveth in us: which when we can say, we have in us the very seed of eternal life. The second degree is in the end of this life, when the body freed from all diseases, pains, and miseries, is laid to rest in the earth, and the soul is received into heaven. The third is after the day of judgement, when body and soul reunited shall both be advanced to eternal glory.
The degrees of life are three. The first is in this life, when men beeing iustified and sanctified, haue peace with God. Many imagine, that there is no eternall life till after death: but they are deceiued, for it beginnes in this world: as our Sauiour Christ testifieth, saying, Verily, verily I say vnto you, he that heareth my wordes, and beleeueth him that sent me, hath euerlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed from death to life. 1This being so, we are hence to learne a good lesson. Considering we looke for life euerlasting after this life, we must not deceiue our selues, lingring and deferring the time till the last gaspe; but we must lay the foundation of life eternall in our selues in this world, and haue the earnest thereof laide vp in our hearts against the day of death. But how is that done? we must repent vs heartily of all our sinnes, and seeke to be assured in conscience that God the father of Christ is our father, God the sonne our redeemer, and God the holy Ghost our comforter. For as Christ saith, this is life eternall to know thee the onely God, and whome thou hast sent Iesus Christ.