A Golden Chain

Christian. ¹I will put my trust in God for ever, and his former mercies shewmed me heretofore strengthen me now in this my weakness. 1 He created me when I was nothing. 2 He created me a man, when he might have made me an ugly toad. 3 He made me of comely body, and of good discretion, whereas he might have made me ugly, and deformed, frantic and mad. 4 I was borne in the days of knowledge, when I might have bin borne in the time of ignorance and superstition. 5 I was borne of Christian parents, but God might have given me either Turks or Jews, or some other savage people for my parents. 6 I might have perished in my mothers womb, but he hath preserved me, and provided for me by his providence even unto this hour. 7 Soon after my birth, God might have cast me into hell, but contrariwise I was baptized, and so received the seal of his blessed covenant. 8 I have had by Gods goodness some sorrow for my sins past, and have called on him, in hope and confidence that he would hear me. 9 God might have concealed his word from me, but I have heard the plentiful preaching of it: I understand it, and have received comfort by it. 10 Lastly, at this time God might pour his full wrath on me: which he doth not, but mercifully maketh me to feel mine own wants, that I might be humbled, and give all glory unto him for his blessings. Wherefore, there is no cause why I should be disquieted: but I will trust still in the Lord, and depend on him, as I have done.

Christian. ¹I will put my trust in God for euer, and his former mercies shewmed me heretofore strengthen me now in this my weaknes. 1 He created me when I was nothing. 2 He created me a man, when he might haue made me an vgly toad. 3 He made me of comely body, and of good discretion, whereas he might haue made me vgly, and deformed, franticke and madde. 4 I was borne in the daies of knowledge, when I might haue bin borne in the time of ignorance and superstition. 5 I was borne of Christian parents, but God might haue giuen me either Turkes or Iewes, or some other sauadge people for my parents. 6 I might haue perished in my mothers wombe, but he hath preserued me, and prouided for me by his prouidence euen vnto this houre. 7 Soone after my birth, God might haue cast me into hell, but contrariwise I was baptized, and so receiued the seale of his blessed couenant. 8 I haue had by Gods goodnes some sorrow for my sinnes past, and haue called on him, in hope and confidence that he would heare me. 9 God might haue concealed his word from me, but I haue heard the plē tifull preaching of it: I vnderstand it, and haue receiued comfort by it. 10 Lastly, at this time God might powre his full wrath on me: which he doth not, but mercifully maketh me to feele mine owne wants, that I might be humbled, and giue all glorie vnto him for his blessings. Wherefore, there is no cause why I should be disquieted: but I will trust still in the Lord, and depend on him, as I haue done.