A09339:2165
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 of life it self: now follows the continuance thereof, which the Scriptures have noted in calling it eternal or everlasting. And to this end Paul saith, that Christ hath abolished death, and brought not only life, but also immortality to light by the Gospel. 1And this very circumstance serves greatly to commend the happiness of the godly: in that, after they have made an entrance into it, they shall never see term of time or end. Suppose the whole world were a sea, and that every thousand years expired, a bird must carry away, or drink up one only drop of it: in process of time it will come to pass that this sea though very huge, shall be dried up: but yet many thousand millions of years must be passed before this can be done. Now if a man should enjoy happiness in heaven only for the space of time in which the sea is in drying up, he would think his case most happy and blessed: but behold the Elect shall enjoy the kingdom of heaven not only for that time, but when it is ended, they shall enjoy it as long again: and when all is done, they shall be as far from the ending of this their joy, as they were at the beginning.
Thus much of life it selfe: now followes the continuance thereof, which the Scriptures haue noted in calling it eternall or euerlasting. And to this end Paul saith, that Christ hath abolished death, and brought not onely life, but also immortalitie to light by the Gospell. 1And this very circumstance serues greatly to commend the happines of the godly: in that, after they haue made an entrance into it, they shall neuer see tearme of time or end. Suppose the whole world were a sea, and that euery thousand yeares expired, a bird must carrie away, or drinke vp one onely droppe of it: in processe of time it will come to passe that this sea though very huge, shall be dried vp: but yet many thousand millions of yeares must be passed before this can be done. Now if a man should enioy happinesse in heauen onely for the space of time in which the sea is in drying vp, he would thinke his case most happie and blessed: but behold the Elect shall enioy the kingdome of heauen not onely for that time, but when it is ended, they shall enioy it as long againe: and when all is done, they shall be as farre from the ending of this their ioy, as they were at the beginning.