A09339:3837
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 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: 1when thou walkest ⟨p. 799⟩through the very fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Now the Lord doth manifest his presence three ways: the first is by moderating and lessening the pains and torments of sickness and death, as the very words of the former promise doth plainly import. Hence it comes to pass that to many men the sorrows and pangs of death, are nothing so grievous and troublesome, as the afflictions and crosses which are laid on them in the course of their lives. The second way of Gods presence is by an inward and unspeakable comfort of the spirit, as Paul saith,2 We rejoice in tribulation, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience, &c. but why is this rejoicing? because (saith he in the next words) the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost. Again,3 Paul having in some grievous sickness received the sentence of death, saith of himself, that, as the sufferings of Christ did abound in him, so his consolation did abound through Christ. Here then we see, that when earthly comforts fail, the Lord himself draws near the bed of the sick, as it were, visiting them in his own person, and ministering unto them refreshing for their souls:4 With his right hand he holds up their heads, and with his left hand he embraceth them. The third means of Gods presence is the ministry of his good Angels, whom the Lord hath appointed as keepers and nurses unto his servants to hold them up and to bear them in their arms as nurses do young children, and to be as a guard unto them against the devil and his angels.5 And all this is verified specially in sickness, at which time the holy Angels are not only present with such as fear God, but ready also to receive and to carry their souls into heaven, as appears by the example of Lazarus.