A09339:3072
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
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.
Sinner. But this my trouble of mind, hath made me oftentimes fear least God would reject me, and utterly deprive me of the kingdom of heaven.
Sinner. But this my trouble of mind, hath made me oftentimes feare least God would reiect me, and vtterly depriue me of the kingdome of heauen.
Minister. But there is no cause why it should so do. For how should heaven ⟨p. 667⟩be your resting place, if on earth you were not troubled? how could god wipe away your tears from your eyes in heaven, if on earth you shed them not? You would be fre• from miseries, you look for heaven upon earth. But if you will go to heaven, the right way is to sail by hell.1 If you will sit at Christs table in his kingdom; you must be with him in his temptations. You are as Gods corn, you must therefore go under the f•aile, the fan, the millstone, and the oven, before you can be Gods bread. You are one of Christs Lambs, look therefore to be fleeced, and to have the bloody knife at your throat all the day long. If you were a market sheep bought to be sold, you should be stalled and kept in a fat pasture: but you are for Gods own occupying, therefore you must pasture on the bare common, abiding storms, tempests, Satan's snatches, the worlds wounds, contempt of conscience, and frets of the flesh. But in this your misery I will be a Simon unto you, to help you to carry your cross, so be it you will reveal your mind unto me.
Minister. But there is no cause why it should so doe. For how should heauen ⟨p. 667⟩bee your resting place, if on earth you were not troubled? how could god wipe away your teares from your eies in heauen, if on earth you shead them not? You would be fre from miseries, you looke for heauen vpon earth. But if you will go to heauen, the right waie is to saile by hel.