A09339:3844
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 rule is, that when we have prepared our selves, and are about to use physic, we must sanctify it by the word of God and prayer, as we do our meat and drink. For by the word we must have our warrant, that the medicines prescribed are lawful and good; and by prayer we must entreat the Lord for a blessing upon them,1 in restoring of health, if it be the good will of God.
The second rule is, that when we haue prepared our selues, and are about to vse physicke, we must sanctifie it by the word of God and praier, as we doe our meate and drinke. For by the word we must haue our warrant, that the medicines prescribed are lawfull and good; and by praier we must intreat the Lord for a blessing vpon them,1 in restoring of health, if it be the good will of God.
The third rule is, that we must carry in mind the right and proper end of physic, least we deceive our selves. We must not therefore think that physic serves to prevent old age or death it self. For that is not possible, because God hath set down that all men shall die and be changed. And life consists in a temperature and proportion of natural heat and radical moisture; which moisture being once consumed by the former heat, is by art unrepairable; and therefore death must needs follow. But the true end of physic is to continue and lengthen the life of man to his natural period; which is when nature, that hath been long preserved by all possible means, is now wholly spent. Now this period, though it can not be lengthened by any skill of man, yet may it easily be shortened, by intemperance in diet, bya drunkenness, and by violent diseases. But care must be had to avoid all such evils, that the little lamp of corporal life may burn till it go out of it self. For this very space of time is the very day of grace and salvation: and whereas God in justice might have cut us off and have utterly destroyed us, yet in great mercy he gives us thus much time, that we might prepare our selves to his kingdom: which time when it is once spent, if a man would redeem it with the price of ten thousand worlds, he can not have it.