A09339:3834
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.
Mark here how Joseph is arrived against impatience and grief and discontentment by the very consideration of Gods providence: and so in the same manner shall we be confirmed against all fears and sorrows, and say with David,1 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints: if this persuasion be once settled in our hearts, that all things in sickness and death come to pass unto us by the providence of God, who turns all things to the good of them that love him.
Marke here how Ioseph is ariued against impatience and griefe and discontentment by the very consideration of Gods prouidence: and so in the same manner shal we be confirmed against all feares and sorrowes, and say with Dauid,1 Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints: if this perswasion be once setled in our hearts, that all things in sicknes and death come to passe vnto vs by the prouidence of God, who turnes all things to the good of them that loue him.
The second meditation is to be borrowed from the excellent promise that God made to the death of the righteous: which is,1 Blessed are they that die in the Lord: for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them. The author of truth that can not lie hath spoken it. Now then let a man but throughly consider this, that death joined with reformed life hath a promise of blessedness adjoined unto it, and it alone will be a sufficient means to stay the rage of our affections, and all inordinate fear of death: and the rather, if we mark• wherein this blessedness consists. In death we are indeed thrust out of our old dwelling places, namely these houses of clay and earthly tabernacles of our bodies, wherein we have made long abode: but what is the end? surely that living and dying in Christ, we might have a building given of God, that is, an house not made with hands,