A09339:3836
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 third meditation is borrowed from the estate of all them that are in Christ, whether living or dying. He that dieth believing in Christ, dieth not forth of Christ but in him, having both his body and soul really coupled to Christ according to the tenor of the covenant of grace: and though after death body and soul be severed one from an other, yet neither of them are severed or disjoined from Christ. The conjunction which is once begun in this life remains eternally. And therefore though the soul go from the body, and the body it self rot in the grave, yet both are still in Christ, both in the covenant, both in the favour of God as before death, and both shall again be joined together; the body by the virtue of the former conjunction being raised to eternal life. Indeed if this union with Christ were dissolved as the conjunction of body and soul is, it might be some matter of discomfort and fear, but the foundation and substance of our mystical conjunction with Christ both in respect of our bodies and souls enduring for ever, must needs be a matter of exceeding joy and comfort.
The third meditation is borrowed from the estate of all them that are in Christ, whether liuing or dying. He that dieth beleeuing in Christ, dieth not forth of Christ but in him, hauing both his bodie and soule really coupled to Christ according to the tenour of the couenant of grace: and though after death bodie and soule be seuered one from an other, yet neither of them are seuered or disioyned from Christ. The coniunction which is once begun in this life remaines eternally. And therefore though the soule goe from the bodie, and the bodie it selfe rotte in the graue, yet both are still in Christ, both in the couenant, both in the fauour of God as before death, and both shal againe be ioyned togither; the bodie by the vertue of the former coniunction beeing raised to eternall life. Indeede if this vnion with Christ were dissolued as the coniunction of bodie and soule is, it might be some matter of discomfort and feare, but the foundation and substance of our mysticall coniunction with Christ both in respect of our bodies and soules enduring for euer, must needs be a matter of exceeding ioy and comfort.
The fourth meditation is, that God hath promised by his special, blessed, & comfortable presence unto his servants when they are sick of dying, or any way distressed. When thou passest through the water, I will be with thee (saith the Lord) and through the floods that they do not overflow thee: