A09339:3812
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.
And because the former duties are so necessary, as none can be more, I will use some reasons yet further to enforce them. Whatsoever a man would do when he is dying, the •ame he ought to do every day while he is living: now the most notorious and wicked person that ever was, when he is dying will pray and desire others to pray for him, and promise amendment of life, protesting that if he might live, he would become a practitioner in all the good duties of faith, repentance, and reformation of life. Oh therefore be careful to do this every day. Again, the saying is true, he that would live when he is dead, must die while he is alive, namely to his sins. Wouldest thou then live eternally? sue to heaven for thy pardon, and see that now in thy life time thou ⟨p. 789⟩die to thine own sins. Lastly wicked Balaam would fain die the death of the righteous: but, alas, it was to small purpose: for he would by no means live the life of the righteous. For his continual purpose and meaning was to follow his old ways in sorceries and covetousness. Now the life of a righteous man stands in the humbling of himself for his sins past, and in a careful reformation of life to come. Wouldest thou then die the death of the righteous, then look unto it, that thy life be the life of the righteous: if ye will needs live the life of the unrighteous, ye must look to die the death of the unrighteous. Remember this,1 and content not your selves to hear the word, but be doers of it: for ye learn no more indeed, what measure of knowledge soever ye have, then ye practise.
And because the former duties are so necessarie, as none can be more, I wil vse some reasons yet further to enforce them. Whatsoeuer a man would doe when he is dying, the •ame he ought to doe euerie daie while he is liuing: now the most notorious and wicked person that euer was, when hee is dying will praie and desire others to praie for him, and promise amendement of life, protesting that if he might liue, he would becom a practitioner in al the good duties of faith, repentance, and reformation of life. Oh therefore bee carefull to doe this euerie daie. Againe, the saying is true, hee that would liue when hee is dead, must die while he is aliue, namely to his sinnes. Wouldest thou then liue eternally? sue to heauen for thy pardon, and see that now in thy life time thou