A Golden Chain

Having thus seen what life everlasting is, let us now come to the use of the article. And first of all, if we believe that there is an eternal happiness, and that the same belongs unto us, then we must use this present world & all the things therein as though we used them not: and whatsoever we do in this world, yet the eyes of our minds must be always cast toward the blessed estate prepared for us in heaven. As a pilgrim in a strange land hath always his eyes toward his journeys end, and is then grieved when by any means he is out of the way: so must we always have our minds and hearts set on everlasting life, and be grieved when we are by any way hindered in the straight way, that leadeth thereunto: we have a notable pattern of this duty set out unto us in the Patriarch Abraham, who being called of God, obeyed to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive for inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he went: and by faith abode in the land of Canaan, as in a strange country and as one that dwelt in tents. Now the cause that moved him was life everlasting: for the text saith,¹ He looked for a city having a ⟨p. 522⟩foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And we ought every one of us for our parts to be little affected to the things of this life, never setting our hearts upon them, but using them as a pilgrim doth use his staff in the way: so long as it is an help and stay for him in his journey, he is content to carry it in his hand; but so soon as •t beginneth to trouble him, he casteth it away.

Hauing thus seene what life euerlasting is, let vs now come to the vse of the article. And first of all, if we beleeue that there is an eternall happines, and that the same belongs vnto vs, then we must vse this present world & all the things therein as though we vsed them not: and whatsoeuer we doe in this world, yet the eyes of our minds must be alwaies cast toward the blessed estate prepared for vs in heauen. As a pilgrime in a strange land hath alwaies his eyes toward his iournies end, and is then grieued when by any meanes he is out of the way: so must we alwaies haue our mindes and hearts set on euerlasting life, and be grieued when we are by any way hindered in the straight way, that leadeth thereunto: we haue a notable patterne of this dutie set out vnto vs in the Patriarke Abraham, who beeing called of God, obeyed to goe out into a place, which he should afterward receiue for inheritance, and he went out, not knowing whither he went: and by faith aboad in the land of Canaan, as in a strange countrey and as one that dwelt in tents. Now the cause that mooued him was life euerlasting: for the text saith,