A09339:3872
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.
Thirdly, if the day of death be so excellent, yea a day of happiness, then it is lawful to desire death, and men do not always sin in wishing for death. Paul saith, I desire to be dissolved: and again, O miserable man, who shall deliver me from this body of death? Yet this desire must not be simple, but restrained with certain respects; which are these. First death must be desired so far forth as it is a means to free us from the corruption of our nature; secondly as it is a means to bring us to the immediate fellowship of Christ and God himself in heaven: thirdly death may be lawfully desired in respect of the troubles and miseries of this life, two caveats being observed; the first, that this desire must not be immoderate: the second, it must be joined with submission and subjection to the good pleasure of God. If either of these be wanting, the desire is faulty; and therefore Job, and Jeremiah, and Jonah failed herein, because they desired death being carried away with impatience.
Thirdly, if the day of death be so excellent, yea a day of happines, then it is lawfull to desire death, and men doe not alwaies sinne in wishing for death. Paul saith, I desire to be dissolued: and againe, O miserable man, who shall deliuer me from this bodie of death? Yet this desire must not be simple, but restrained with certaine respects; which are these. First death must be desired so far forth as it is a meanes to free vs from the corruption of our nature; secondly as it is a meanes to bring vs to the immediate fellowship of Christ and God himselfe in heauen: thirdly death may be lawfully desired in respect of the troubles and miseries of this life, two caueats beeing obserued; the first, that this desire must not be immoderate: the second, it must be ioyned with submission and subiection to the good pleasure of God. If either of these be wanting, the desire is faultie; and therefore Iob, and Ieremie, and Ionas failed herein, because they desired death beeing carried away with impatience.
On the contrary also a man may desire a continuance of life. Hezekiah prayed and desired to live,1 when he heard the message of present death, that he might do service to God. And Paul desired to live in regard of the Philippians, that he might further their faith though in regard of himself to die was advantage to him.