A09339:3807
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.
Thirdly, this meditation seems to stir up contentation in every estate and condition of life that shall befall us. Righteous Job in the very midst of his afflictions, comforts himself with this consideration, Naked (saith he) came I forth of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return again, &c. blessed be the name of the Lord. And surely the often meditation of this, that a man of all his abundance can carry nothing with him but either a coffin or a winding sheet or both, should be a forcible means to repress the unsatiable desire of riches and the love of this world.
Thirdly, this meditation seemes to stirre vp contentation in euery estate and condition of life that shall befall vs. Righteous Iob in the very midst of his afflictions, comforts himselfe with this consideration, Naked (saith he) came I forth of my mothers wombe, and naked shal I returne againe, &c. blessed be the name of the Lord. And surely the often meditation of this, that a man of all his abundance can carrie nothing with him but either a coffin or a winding sheete or both, should be a forcible means to represse the vnsatiable desire of riches and the loue of this world.
Thus we see what an effectual means this meditation is to increase and further the grace of God in the hearts of men. Now I commend this first duty to your Christian considerations, desiring the practise of it in your lives: which practise that it may take place, two things must be performed. First, labour to pluck out of your hearts a wicked and erroneous imagination, whereby every man naturally blesseth himself and thinks highly of himself: and ⟨p. 787⟩though he had one foot in the grave, yet he persuades himself that he shall not die yet. There is no man almost so old but by the corruption of his heart he thinks that he shall live one year longer. Cruel and unmerciful death makes league with no man: & yet the Prophet Isaiah saith,1 that the wicked man makes a league with death. How can this be? there is no league made indeed, but only in the wicked imagination of man, who falsely thinks that death will not come near him, though all the world should be destroyed. See an example in the parable of the rich man, that having stored up abundance of wealth for many years, said unto his own soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, live at ease, eat, drink, & take thy pastime: