A09339:3861
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.
Quest. What must we think if in the time of death such speeches be wanting; and in the stead thereof idle talk be used. Ans. We must consider the kind of sickness whereof men die, whether it be more easy or violent: for violent sickness is usually accompanied with frenzies, and with unseemly motions and gestures, which we are to take in good part even in this regard, because we our selves may be in the like case.
Quest. What must we thinke if in the time of death such speeches be wanting; and in the stead thereof idle talke be vsed. Ans. Wee must consider the kind of sicknes whereof men die, whether it be more easie or violent: for violent sicknes is vsually accompanied with frensies, and with vnseemely motions and gestures, which wee are to take in good part euen in this regard, because we our selues may be in the like case.
Thus much of the first duty which is to die in faith: the second is to die in obedience: otherwise our death cannot be acceptable to God, because we seem to come unto God of fear and constraint as slaves to a master, & not of love as children to a father. Now to die in obedience is, when a man willing and ready and desirous to go out of this world whensoever God shall call him, and that without murmuring or repining, at what time, where, and when it shall please god.1 Whether we live or die, saith Paul, we do it not to our selves but unto God; and therefore mans duty is to be obedient to God in death as in life. Christ is our example in this case, who in his agony prayed, Father, let this cup pass from me, yet with a submission, not my will but thy will be done: teaching us in the very pangs of death to resign our selves to the good pleasure of God. When the prophet told king Hezekiah of death, presently without all manner of grudging or repining he addressed himself to prayer. We are commanded to present our selves unto God as free-will offerings, without any limitation of time, and therefore as well in death as in life. I conclude then that we are to make as much conscience in performing obedience to God in suffering death, as we do of any conscience in the course of our lives.