A09339:3765
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.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND VIRTUOUS Lady the Lady Lucy, Countess of Bedford.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND VERTVOVS LAdie the Ladie Lucie, Countesse of Bedford.
The death of the righteous, that is, of every believing and repentant sinner, is a most excellent blessing of God, and brings with it many worthy benefits: which thing I prove on this manner. I. God both in the beginning and in the continuance of his grace, doeth greater things unto his servants then they do commonly ask or think, and because he hath promised aide and strength unto them, therefore in wonderful wisdom he casteth upon them this heavy burden of death, that they might make experience what is the exceeding might & power of his grace in their weakness. II. Judgement begins at gods house: & the righteous are laden with afflictions & temptations in this life, & therefore in this world they have their deaths and hells, that in death they might not feel the torments of hell and death. III. When Lazarus was dead Christ said, He is not dead but sleepeth: hence it followeth that the christian man can say, My grave is my bed, my death is my sleep: in death I die not, but only sleep. It is thought that of all terrible things death is most terrible: but it is false to them that be in Christ, to whom many things happen far more heavy and bitter then death. IV. Death at the first brought forth sin, but death in the righteous by means of Christs death, abolisheth sin, because it is the accomplishment of mortification. And death is so far from destroying such as are in Christ, that there can be no better refuge for them against death: for presently after the death of the body, follows the perfect freedom of the spirit, and the resurrection of the body. V. Lastly, death is a means of a Christian mans perfection, as Christ in his own example showeth, saying,1 Behold, I will cast out devils, and will heal still to day and to morrow, and the third I will be perfected. Now this perfection in the members of Christ is nothing else but the blessing of God the author of peace, sanctifying them throughout, that their whole spirits and souls, and bodies, may be preserved without blame to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.