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.

CHAP. 14. Of the punishment of sinne. (Book 14)

HItherto we haue intreated of sinne, wherewithall all mankind is infected: in the next place succeedeth the punishmēt of sinne, which is threefold. The first is in this life, and that diuerse waies. The first concerneth the bodie, either in the prouision with trouble for the things of this life, Gen. 3. 17. or a pronenesse to disease, Matth. 9.2. Sonne be of good comfort, thy sinnes be forgiuen thee. Ioh. 5. 14. Behold, thou art made whole, sinne no more, least a worse thing fall vpon thee. Deut. 28.21,22. The Lord shall make the pestilence cleaue vnto thee, vn∣till he hath consumed thee from the land, &c. Or shame of nakednesse, Gen. 3.7. Or in womens paines in childbirth. Gen. 3. 16. Vnto the woman he said, I will greatly encrease thy sorrowes, and conceptions: in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children.

II. The soule is punished with trembling of conscience, care, trouble, hardnesse of heart, and madnesse. Deut. 28.28. The Lord shall smite thee with

madnesse, and with blindnesse, and with astonying of heart.

III. The whole man is punished, 1. with fearefull subiection to the regi∣ment of Satan. Col. 1.13. Which freed vs from the power of darknesse, and transla∣ted vs into the kingdome of his beloued Sonne. Heb. 2. 14. He also himself tooke part with them, that he might destroy through death, him that had power of death, that is, the diuell. 2. A separation from the fellowship of God, and trembling at his presence. Eph. 4. 18. Hauing their cogitation darkned, and beeing straungers from the life of God. Gen. 3. 10. I heard thy voice in the garden, and was afraid, be∣cause I was naked, therefore I hid my selfe. 3. Vpon a mans goods, diuers ca∣lamities and dammages. Deut. 28.29. Thou shalt euer be oppessed with wrong, and be pouled, and no man shall succour thee, &c. to the ende of the chapter. To this place may be referred distinction of Lordships: and of this commeth a care to enlarge them, and bargaining with all manner of ciuill seruitudes. 4. The losse of that Lordly authoritie, which man had ouer all creatures; also their va∣nitie, which is not onely a weakning, but also a corrupting of that excellencie of the vertues and powers which God at the first put into them. Rom. 8.20, 21. The creature is subiect to vanitie, not of it owne will, but by reason of him, which hath subdued it vnder hope, &c. 5. In a mans name, infamie and ignominie sometimes after his death. Ierem. 24.9.

The second, is at the last gaspe, namely death, or a change like vnto death, Rom. 6.23. The wages of sinne is death.

The third is, after this life, euen eternall destruction from Gods presence, and his exceeding glorie. 2. Thess. 1.9. Who shalbe punished with euerlasting per∣dition, from the presence of God, and the glorie of his power.