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.

A Song gathered out of the Psalmes, containing the sobbes and sighs of all repentant sinners.

* 1.1LOrd heare my prayer, hearke the plaint that I doe make to thee: Lord in thy natiue truth, and in thy iustice answer mee.

* 1.2Regard, O Lord, for I complaine, and make my suit to thee: Let not my words returne in vaine, but giue an eare to mee.

Behold, in wickednes my kind, and shape I did receiue:2 1.3 And lo, my sinfull mother eke, in sinne did me conceiue:

And I with euills many one, am sore beset about:* 1.4 My sinnes increase, and so come on, I cannot spie them out.

For why, in number they exceede the haires vpon my head:* 1.5 My heart doth faint for very feare, that I am almost dead.

Thus in me in perplexitie, is mine accombred spright:* 1.6 And in me in my troubled heart, amazed and afflight.

The wicked workes that I haue wrought, thou setst before thine eye:* 1.7 My secret faults, yea eke my thoughts, thy countenance doth espie.

O Lord my God, if thou shalt weigh my sinnes, and them peruse:* 1.8 What one shall then escape and say, I can my selfe excuse?

In iudgement with thy seruant, Lord, oh enter not at all:* 1.9 For iustified in thy sight, not one that liueth shall.3 1.10

And for thy pitie plentifull, O Lord, I thee intreat: To grant me pardon for my sinne, for it is wondrous great.* 1.11

O Lord, what earthly man doth know, the errours of this life? Then clense me from my secret sinnes, which are in me most rife.* 1.12

And keepe me, that presumptuous sinnes preuaile not ouer me:* 1.13 And then I shall be innocent, and great offences flee.

To thee, O Lord my God, loe I doe stretch my crauing hands:* 1.14 My soule desireth after thee, as doth the thirstie lands.4 1.15

As handmaids watch their mistris hands, some grace for to atchiue:* 1.16 So I behold thee, Lord my God, till thou doe me forgiue.

Lord turne thee to thy wonted grace, my silly soule vptake:* 1.17 O saue me not for my deserts, but for thy mercie sake.

My soule why dost thou faint and quaile? so sore with paine opprest:* 1.18 With thoughts why dost thy selfe assaile? so sore within my brest.5 1.19

Trust in the Lord thy God alway, and thou the time shalt see:* 1.20 To giue him thankes with laud and praise, for health restorde to thee.

For why? his anger but a space doth last, and slacke againe:* 1.21

But in his fauour and his grace, alway doth life remaine.

* 1.22Though gripes of griefe and pangs full sore, doe lodge with thee all night: The Lord to ioy shall thee restore, before the day be light.

The Lord is kind and mercifull, when sinners doe him grieue: * 1.23The slowest to conceiue a wrath, and readiest to forgiue.

And looke what pitie parents deare, vnto their children beare: * 1.24Like pitie beares the Lord to such, as worship him in feare.

The Lord that made me knowes my shape, my mould and fashion iust: * 1.25How weake and fraile my nature is, and how I am but dust.

6 1.26O God create in me an heart, vnspotted in thy sight: And eke within my bowels, Lord, renue a stable spright.

With thy free spirit confirme thou me, and I will teach therefore * 1.27Sinners thy waies, and wicked shall be turned to thy lore.

7 1.28My soule is rauisht with desire, and neuer is at rest: But seekes to know thy iudgements hie, and what may please thee best.

* 1.29O would to God it might thee please, my waies so to addresse: That I might both in heart and voyce, thy lawes keepe and confesse.

* 1.30In righteousnes I doe intend, my time and daies to serue: Haue mercie Lord and me defend, so that I doe not swerue.

8 1.31And with thy sauing health, O Lord, vouchsafe to visit me: * 1.32That I the great felicitie, of thine elect may see.

* 1.33And with thy peoples ioy I may, a ioyfull minde possesse: And may with thine inheritance, a glorying heart expresse.

9 1.34The Lord the God of Israel, be blest for euermore: * 1.35Let all the people say Amen, praise ye the Lord therefore.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A preface to preparation of prayer.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 143.1. Psal. 61.1.
• 2 1.3

  A confession of sin with sor∣row of heart.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 51.5. Psal. 40.14.
• * 1.5

  vers. 16.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 143.4.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 90. 8.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 130.3.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 143.2.
• 3 1.10

  Prayer for par∣don of sinnes knowne and vn∣knowne.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 25.10.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 19. 12.
• * 1.13

  vers. 13.
• * 1.14

  Psal. 143.6.
• 4 1.15

  Faith sh••wing it selfe in desire of reconciliation with God.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 125.2.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 6.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 42.
• 5 1.19

  Faith fighteth with di••••rust, and I laboureth to o∣uercome it.
• * 1.20

  vers. 12.
• * 1.21

  Psal. 30.6.
• * 1.22

  vers. 7.
• * 1.23

  Psal. 103.8.
• * 1.24

  vers. 13.
• * 1.25

  vers. 14.
• 6 1.26

  ••rayer for re∣generation and Gods holy spirit.
• * 1.27

  Psal. 51.10. vers. 12.
• 7 1.28

  Prayer for o∣bedi••nce to God in our liues and calling.
• * 1.29

  Ps. 119.20. vers. 5.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 20.11.
• 8 1.31

  Prayer for life ••uerlasting.
• * 1.32

  Psal. 106.5.
• * 1.33

  vers. 6.
• 9 1.34

  A conclusion with praising of God.
• * 1.35

  vers. 46.