A Golden Chain

Having thus found the nature and differences and kinds of death, it is more then manifest, that the text in hand is to be understood, not of the spiritual but of the bodily death: because it is opposed to the birth or nativity of man. The words then must carry this sense: The time of bodily death in which the body and soul of man are severed asunder, it is better then the time in which one is brought into the world.

Hauing thus found the nature and differences and kinds of death, it is more then manifest, that the text in hand is to be vnderstood, not of the spirituall but of the bodily death: because it is opposed to the birth or natiuitie of man. The words then must carrie this sense: The time of bodily death in which the bodie and soule of man are seuered asunder, it is better then the time in which one is brought into the world.

Thus much of the first point: now followeth the second, and that is, how this can be true which Solomon saith, that the day of death is better then the day of birth. I make not this question to call the Scriptures into controversy, which are the trueth it self, but I do it for this end, that we might without wavering be resolved of this which Solomon avoucheth. For there may be sundry reasons brought to the contrary. Therefore let us handle the question: the reasons or objections which may be alleged to the contrary, may all be reduced to six heads. The first is taken from the opinion of wise men, who think it the best thing of all never to be borne, and the next best to die quickly. Now if it be the best thing in the world not to be borne at all, then it is the worst thing that can be to die after a man is borne. Answer. There be two sorts of men: one, that live and die in their sins without repentance: the other, which unfeignedly repent and believe in Christ. Now this sentence may be truly avouched of the first: of whom we may say as Christ said of Judas, It had been good for him that he had never been borne. But the saying applied to the second sort of men is false. For to them that in this life turn to God by repentance, the best thing of all is to be borne; because their birth is a degree of preparation to happiness: and the next best is to die quickly; because by death they enter into possession of the same their happiness. For this cause Balaam desired to die the death of the righteous: & Solomon in this place prefers the day of death before the day of birth, understanding that death which is joined with godly life, or the death of the righteous.