A09339:3661
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
Chapter 8: Of legal motives to Repentance.Chapter 8: Of legall motiues to Repentance.
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.
His misery (that I may express it to the conceit of the simplest) is seven-fold.
His miserie (that I may expresse it to the conceit of the simplest) is seuen-fold.
1. within him. 2. before him. 3. behind him. 4. on his right hand. 5. on his left hand. 6. over his head. 7. under his feet.
1. within him. 2. before him. 3. behind him. 4. on his right hand. 5. on his left hand. 6. ouer his head. 7. vnder his feete.
His misery within him is two-fold. The first is a guilty conscience: which is a very hell unto the ungodly man. For he is like a silly prisoner, & the conscience like a gayler which follows him at the heels, and dogs him whither soever he goes, to the end he may see and observe all his sayings and doings. It is like a register, that sits always with the pen in his hand, to record and enrol all his wickedness for everlasting memory. It is a little judge, that fits in the middle of a man, even in his very heart, to arraign him in this life for his sins, as he shall be arraigned at the last judgement. Therefore the pangs, terrors, and fears of all impenitent persons, are as it were, certain flashings of the flames of hell fire. The guilty conscience makes a man like him which lies on a bed that is too strait, and the covering too short;1 who would with all his heart sleep, but can not. Belshazzar when he was in the midst of his mirth, seeing the hand writing on the wall, was smitten with great fear, so as his countenance changed, and his knees smote together.
His miserie within him is two-fold. The first is a guiltie conscience: which is a very hel vnto the vngodly man. For he is like a silly prisoner, & the conscience like a gayler which followes him at the heeles, and dogges him whither soeuer he goes, to the end he may see and obserue all his sayings and doings. It is like a register, that sits alwaies with the pen in his hand, to record and inroll all his wickednes for euerlasting memorie. It is a little iudge, that fittes in the middle of a man, euen in his very heart, to arraigne him in this life for his sins, as he shall be arraigned at the last iudgement. Therefore the pangs, terrours, and feares of all impenitent persons, are as it were, certaine flashings of the flames of hell fire. The guiltie conscience makes a man like him which lies on a bedde that is too strait, and the couering too short;