A09339:3809
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.
The second thing which we are to practise that we may come to a serious meditation of our own ends, is, to make prayer unto God that we might be enabled to resolve our selves of death continually. Thus David prayed,1 Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, let me know how long I have to live. And Moses,2 Lord teach me to number my days, that I may apply mine heart unto wisdom. I may be said, What need men pray to God that they might be able to number their days? cannot they of themselves reckon a few years and days that are able by art to measure the globe of the earth, and the spheres of heaven, and the quantities of the stars, with their longitudes, latitudes, altitudes, motions, and distances from the earth? No verily. For howsoever by a general speculation we think something of our ends, yet unless the spirit of God be our schoolmaster to teach us our duty, we shall never be able soundly to resolve our selves of the presence and speediness of death. And therefore let us pray with David and Moses that God would enlighten our minds with knowledge, and fill our hearts with his grace, that we might rightly consider of death, and esteem of it every day and hour as if it were the day and hour of death.
The second thing which we are to practise that we may come to a serious meditation of our owne endes, is, to make praier vnto God that we might bee inabled to resolue our selues of death continually. Thus Dauid praied,1 Lord make me to know mine ende, and the measure of my daies, let me knowe howe long I haue to liue. And Moses,2 Lord teach me to number my daies, that I may apply mine heart vnto wisdome. I may bee said, What neede men pray to God that they might be able to number their daies? cannot they of themselues recken a fewe yeares and daies that are able by art to measure the globe of the earth, and the spheres of heauen, and the quantities of the starres, with their longitudes, latitudes, altitudes, motions, and distances from the earth? No verely. For howsoeuer by a generall speculation we thinke something of our endes, yet vnles the spirit of God be our schoolemaster to teach vs our dutie, we shall neuer be able soundly to resolue our selues of the presence and speedines of death. And therefore let vs pray with Dauid and Moses that God would inlighten our minds with knowledge, and fil our hearts with his grace, that we might rightly consider of death, and esteeme of it euerie daie and houre as if it were the day and houre of death.