A Golden Chain

Question. What difference is then between the godly and the wicked? Ans. The evil and ungodly man in the very middest of his bondage hath a merry heart: sin is no trouble to him, nay it is meat & drink to him. But the godly man is otherwise minded: who considering the power of the devil, and hi• craft in manifold fearful temptations; and seeing the proneness of his rebellious nature ever and anon to start away from God, is grieved and confounded in himself, and his heart bleeds within him that he doth offend so merciful a father.

Question. What difference is then betweene the godly and the wicked? Ans. The euill and vngodly man in the very middest of his bondage hath a merrie heart: sinne is no trouble to him, nay it is meat & drinke to him. But the godly man is otherwise minded: who considering the power of the deuill, and hi• craft in manifold fearefull temptations; and seeing the pronenesse of his rebellious nature euer and anon to start away from God, is grieued and confounded in himselfe, and his heart bleedes within him that he doth offend so mercifull a father.

Many men live in this world and that many years, and yet never feel this bondage under Satan & sin. Such undoubtedly cannot tell what this prayer means: but he that would have the right use of this petition, must be acquainted with his own estate, and be touched in his conscience, that the flesh and the devil bear such sway in him. As the poor captive is always creeping to the prison door, always labouring to get off his bolts and fetters, and to escape out of prison: so must we always cry to the Lord for his spirit to free us out of this bondage and prison of sin and corruption: and every day come nearer the prison door, looking when our blessed Saviour will unbind us of all the fetters of sin and Satan, and fully erect his kingdom in us.

Many men liue in this world and that many yeares, and yet neuer feele this bondage vnder Satan & sinne. Such vndoubtedly cannot tell what this praier meanes: but he that would haue the right vse of this petition, must be acquainted with his owne estate, and be touched in his conscience, that the flesh and the deuill beare such sway in him. As the poore captiue is alwaies creeping to the prison doore, alwaies labouring to get off his bolts and fetters, and to escape out of prison: so must we alwaies crie to the Lord for his spirit to free vs out of this bondage and prison of sinne and corruption: and euery day come nearer the prison doore, looking when our blessed Sauiour will vnbinde vs of all the fetters of sinne and Satan, and fully erect his kingdome in vs.