A09339:3667
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.
The misery on the right hand is prosperity and ease: which by reason of mans sins is an occasion of many judgements.1 In it men practised the horrible sins of Sodom: it puffs up the heart with devilish pride, so as men shall think themselves to be as God himself, as Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus, Alexander, Herod, Domitian did. It steals away mans heart from God, and quenches the sparks of grace. As the Lord complaineth of the Israelites,2 I spake unto thee when thou wast in prosperity: but thou saidest, I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy youth. It is like the Ivy that embraces the tree, and winds round about it, but yet draws out the juice and life of it. Hence is it, that many turn it to an occasion of their destruction. Solomon saith,3 Prosperity of fools destroyeth them. When the milt swells, the rest of the body pines away: and when the heart is puffed with pride, the whole man is in danger of destruction. The sheep that goes in the best pasture, soonest comes to the slaughter-house:4 and the ungodly man fats himself with continual prosperity, that he may the sooner come to his own damnation.
The miserie on the right hand is prosperitie and ease: which by reason of mans sinnes is an occasion of many iudgements.1 In it men practised the horrible sinnes of Sodome: it puffes vp the heart with deuillish pride, so as men shall thinke themselues to be as God himselfe, as Senacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus, Alexander, Herod, Domitian did. It steales away mans heart from God, and quenches the sparkes of grace. As the Lord complaineth of the Israelites,2 I spake vnto thee when thou wast in prosperitie: but thou saidest, I will not hear: this hath beene thy manner from thy youth. It is like the Iuie that embraces the tree, and windes round about it, but yet drawes out the iuice and life of it. Hence is it, that many turne it to an occasion of their destruction. Salomon saith,