A09339:3835
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 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,2 but eternal in heavens, which is unspeakable and immortal glory. If a poor man should be commanded by a Prince to put off his torn and beggarly garments, and in stead thereof to put on royal and costly robes, it would be a great rejoicing to his heart: oh then what joyful news must this he unto all repentant and sorrowful sinners, when the King of heaven and earth comes unto them by death and bids them lay down their bodies as ragged and patched garments, and prepare themselves to put on the princely robe if immortality? No tongue can be able to express the excellency of this most blessed and happy estate.
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 workes follow them. The author of truth that can not lie hath spoken it. Now then let a man but throughly consider this, that death ioyned with reformed life hath a promise of blessednes adioyned vnto it, and it alone will be a sufficient meanes to stay the rage of our affections, and all inordinate feare of death: and the rather, if we mark• wherein this blessednes 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 haue made long aboad: but what is the end? surely that liuing and dying in Christ, we might haue a building giuen of God, that is, an house not made with hands,