A09339:3681
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.
CHAP. X. Of the time of Repentance.
The time of repentance is the time present, without any delay at all: as the holy Ghost saith,1 To day if ye will hear his voice. And, Exhort one another daily, while it is called to day: least any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Reasons hereof are these. I. Life is uncertain: for no man knows at what hour or moment, and after what manner he shall go forth of this world.2 Be ye also prepared therefore, for the son of man will come at an hour when ye think not. This one thing should make a man to hasten his repentance; and the rather, because many are dead, who purposed with themselves to repent in time to come; but were prevented by death, and shall never repent. II. The longer a man lives in any sin, the greater danger: because by practise sin gets heart and strength. Custom is of such force, that that which men use to do in their life time, the same they do and speak when they are dying. One had three pounds owing him to be paid three several years, when he was dying nothing could be got of him but three years, three pounds. Again,3 by deferring repentance, men treasure up wrath against the day of wrath. If a malefactor for his punishment, should be appointed every day to carry a stick of wood to an heap to burn him twenty years after: it must needs be an exceeding great punishment and misery: and this is the case of every sinner: who neglecting repentance from day to day, doth thereby employ himself in heaping up the coals of Gods wrath to burn his soul in hell, when the day of death comes. III. The more the time is prolonged, the harder it is to repent: the longer a man goes in his sickness without physic, the harder is the recovery. And where the devil dwells long he will hardly be removed. The best way to kill a serpent is, to crush it in the head when it is young. IV. It is as meat and drink to the devil to see men live in their sins, deferring repentance: as on the contrary, there is great joy among the angels of God in heaven, when a sinner doth repent. V. Late repentance is seldom or never true repentance. For if a man repent when he can not sin as in former