A Golden Chain

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.

Thus much of the first point: nowe followeth the second, and that is, howe this can be true which Salomon saith, that the day of death is better then the daie of birth. I make not this question to call the Scriptures into controuersie, which are the trueth it selfe, but I doe it for this ende, that wee might without wauering bee resolued of this which Salomon auoucheth. For there may be sundrie reasons brought to the contrarie. Therefore let vs handle the question: the reasons or obiections which may be alleadged to the contrarie, may all bee reduced to sixe heades. The first is taken from the opinion of wise men, who thinke it the best thing of all neuer to be borne, and the next best to die quickely. Nowe if it bee the best thing in the worlde not to bee borne at all, then it is the worst thing that can bee to die after a man is borne. Answere. There bee two sortes of men: one, that liue and die in their sinnes without repentance: the other, which vnfamedly repent and beleeue in Christ. Nowe this sentence may bee truely auouched of the first: of whome wee may say as Christ said of Iudas, It had beene good for him that hee had neuer beene borne. But the saying applied to the second sort of men is false. For to them that in this life turne to God by repentance, the best thing of all is to be borne; because their birth is a degree of preparation to happinesse: and the next best is to die quickly; because by death they enter into possession of the same their happinesse. For this cause Balaam desired to die the death of the righteous: & Salomon in this place preferres the daie of death before the day of birth, vnderstanding that death which is ioined with godly life, or the death of the righteou.