An exposition of the Symbol of the ApostlesAn exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles

To what end sitting at the right hand of God the Father almighty is added to his ascension into heaven.

To what end sitting at the right hand of God the Father almightie is added to his ascension into heauen.

What the sitting at the right hand of God the Father is.

That same sitting at the right hand of God the Father is the exaltation of Christ in his kingdom and priesthood: to wit, that now he administereth his kingly and priestly office, not as before in infirmity and misery, but in a manifest & heavenly majesty & glory. ⟨p. 209⟩Therefore then thou doest truly believe in Christ his sitting at the right hand of God the father almighty, when thou believest that he doth entreat for thee in heaven in high glory, and that he doth govern his kingdom with a mighty power, so that he doth hear thee, doth more effectually endue and defend thee with the spirit of consolation and wisdom, then if he were yet in the earth, and should speak with thee. Act. 5.31. Him hath God lifted up with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins: And Ephe. 1. He hath raised him up from the dead, and set him at his right hand in the heavens far above all principality, and power, and might, and domination, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come: and hath made all things subject under his feet, and hath appointed him head to the Church it self over all things, which is his body, even the fullness of him which filleth all in all things. Also to the Hebrews 8. verse 4. 1. Peter 3. verse 22. By these places it is plain that the Scripture nameth the sitting at the right hand of God, not that same administration of the kingdom and priesthood; which for the voluntary abasing of Christ was weaker and more obscure: but that same perfect government, honour, and glory of Christ, which was free from all infirmities openly manifested and declared: into which then the first entrance was, when he arose again from death, ascended into heaven, and there in an unspeakable glory, declared himself to be Lord of all creatures in the sight of all holy Angels and men.

THat same sitting at the right hand of God the Father is the exaltation of Christe in his kingdome and priesthoode: to wit, that nowe he administreth his kingly and priestly office, not as before in infirmitie and miserie, but in a manifest & heauenlie maiestie & glory. ⟨p. 209⟩

What fruit the faithful receive by that same sitting of Christ at the right hand of God, or rather by that exaltation of Christ in his kingdom and priesthood.

What fruite the faithfull receiue by that same sitting of Christ at the right hande of God, or rather by that exaltation of Christe in his kingdome and priesthood.

First concerning that same exaltation of Christ in the priesthood, those that are in league with God, do reap from thence this consolation: that they know that this covenant of grace by the intercession of this mediator kept and maintained everlastingly, as it appeareth, Hebr. 8. verses 6. and 12. the which intercession is the showing of him self before the face of the father, that the efficacy and strength of that sacrifice once offered up for all, might continually be in force: and this same perpetual will of keeping it, in this Mediator, is agreeable with the will of the Father, accepting that same sacrifice once offered up for an everlasting reconciliation, and approving this endeavour in the mediator of maintaining it according to the oath: Psalm 110. The Lord hath sworn, and it shall not repent him, thou art a priest• for ever after the order of Melchizedek: or that I may speak a little more largely: First all the confederates do reap this fruit in the exaltation of Christ in the priesthood, that they know that the Mediator of this everlasting covenant is entered into that same sanctuary not made with hands, the very heaven it self and is exalted to the right hand of God, that continually and without any interruption, and that every moment he may appear an intercessor before ⟨p. 211⟩the father for us: and so may maintain that same covenant once established for ever, and may confirm it by his intercession in the heavenly throne of his Majesty.

FIrst concerning that same exaltation of Christ in the priesthood, those that are in league with God, doe reape from thence this consolation: that they knowe that this couenant of grace by the intercession of this mediator kept and maintained euerlastingly, as it appeareth, Hebr. 8. verses 6. and 12. the which intercession is the shewing of him selfe before the face of the father, that the efficacie and strength of that sacrifice once offered vp for all, might continually be in force: and this same perpetuall will of keeping it, in this Mediator, is agreeable with the will of the Father, accepting that same sacrifice once offred vp for an euerlasting reconciliation, and approuing this endeuor in the mediator of maintaining it according to the oathe:

I. The testimonies of the everlasting conservation of this free covenant, appear in the eight to the Hebrews, verse 6. But now our high priest hath obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the intercessor of a more notable covenant, which is ratified by more excellent promises, &c. Also in the 7. to the Hebrews, And that not without an oath, for these are made priests without an oath: but this is made with an oath by him that said unto him, the Lord hath sworn, and it shall not repent him, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better Testament, for among these many were made priests by reason that death suffered them not to endure; but this man because that he endureth for ever, hath a perpetual priesthood. By which he is able also perfectly to save those which come to God through him, evermore living to make intercession for us.

I. The testimonies of the euerlasting conseruation of this free couenant, appeare in the eight to the Hebrues, verse 6. But now our high priest hath obteined a more excellent ministerie, in asmuch as he is the intercessor of a more notable couenant, which is ratified by more excellent promises, &c. Also in the 7. to the Hebrues, And that not without an oath, for these are made priestes without an oath: but this is made wtth an oath by him that saide vnto him, the Lorde hath sworne, and it shal not repent him, thou art a priest for euer after the order of Melchisedech. By so muche is Iesus made a suretie of a better Testament, for among these many were made priestes by reason that death suffred them not to endure; but this man because that he endureth for euer, hath a perpetuall priesthod. By which he is able also perfectly to saue those which come to God through him, euermore liuing to make intercessiō for vs.

II. Concerning the appearing of Christ in •he sight of God for us, and the perpetual ver•ue of the sacrifice of Christ once offered up, it is written Hebru. 9. verse 24. Christ entered in •nto a sanctuary not made with hands, which •s a pattern answering unto the true sanctuary; but into heaven it self, that he may appear now in the sight of God for us. And Heb. 10. ver. 22. This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, sitteth without any interruption, that […] for ever, at the right hand of the Father.

II. Concerning the appearing of Christe in •he sight of God for vs, and the perpetuall ver•ue of the sacrifice of Christ once offered vp, it is written Hebru. 9. verse 24. Christe entered in •nto a sanctuarie not made with handes, which •s a patterne aunswering vnto the true sanctu•rie; but into heauen it selfe, that he may ap•eare nowe in the sight of God for vs. And Heb. 10. ver. 22. This man, after he had offered one •acrifice for sinnes, sitteth without any interruption, that 〈…〉 for euer, at the right hand of the Father.

III. As touching the will in the son of maintaining it, and of the Fathers will in accepting of it, the oath doth witness, whereof God will not repent him: and consequently neither will it repent the son of receiving the office of being an everlasting Saviour, Psal. 110. Rom. 8. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God his chosen? It is God that justifieth, who shall condemn? It is Christ which is dead: yea rather which is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God: who also maketh request for us. Out of which words that same constant will in the son of keeping us before the sight of the Father, which Paul comprehendeth in intercession, is understood: and which answereth unto the will of God, whereof he spake before, It is God who justifieth. Therefore the faithful, they cannot doubt of that everlasting reconciliation with God, aswell because that same everlasting office of reconciling is laid upon Christ: as also because Christ executeth the same with most high power and glory, preserving it fully and perfectly every moment, without any or the least interruption that may be; so that worthily enjoying such a patron, we may undoubtedly trust that none can come forth which either dare accuse or condemn the faithful, that we may trust I say, that the least accusation that may be, can not be admitted before that same high priest in so great glory making intercession for us, whether it be of Satan, of the conscience or of sin: so that that same glorious intercession of Christ ⟨p. 213⟩doth truly perform unto us that God hath promised by Isaiah the Prophet: I have taken away thine iniquities as a cloud, and thy sins as a little cloud: turn unto me because I have redeemed thee. Also Chapter 60. verse. 1.

III. As touching the will in the sonne of mainteining it, and of the Fathers will in accepting of it, the oath doth witnesse, whereof God will not repent him: and consequently neither will it repent the sonne of receiuing the office of being an euerlasting Sauiour, Psal. 110. Rom. 8. Who shal laie any thing to the charge of God his chosen? It is God that iustifieth, who shal condemne? It is Christ which is dead: yea rather which is risen againe, who is also at the right hand of God: who also maketh request for vs. Out of which wordes that same constant will in the sonne of keeping vs before the sight of the Father, which Paul comprehendeth in intercession, is vnderstoode: and which answereth vnto the will of God, whereof he spake before, It is God who iustifieth. Therfore the faithful, they cannot doubt of that euerlasting reconciliation with God, aswell because that same euerlasting office of reconciling is laide vpon Christ: as also because Christ executeth the same with moste highe power and glorie, preseruing it fully and perfectly euerie moment, without any or the least interruption that may bee; so that worthily enioying such a patrone, we maie vndoutedly trust that none can come foorth which either dare accuse or condemne the faithfull, that we may trust I say, that the least accusation that may be, can not be admitted before that same high priest in so great glorie making intercession for vs, whether it be of Sathan, of the conscience or of sinne: so that that same glorious intercession of Christe

The second fruit whereof we be partakers by this exaltation of Christ in the priesthood.

The second fruite whereof we be partakers by this exaltation of Christe in the priesthoode.

The second fruit is, that we dare both with a full faith, & as I may say, with a full mouth ask and look for from God all good and healthful things: forasmuch as we are members of that priest, who with so great power and glory maketh intercession for us, being surely persuaded, that his glorious intercession will swallow up all our unworthiness, and get unto us unspeakable grace: and so that we shall receive for and through this Bishop, all those good promises which we ask, Hebru. 10. verses 19.20. &c. Seeing therefore brethren that we have liberty to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he hath prepared for us through the vale, that is his flesh: and seeing we have an high priest governor over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, and with an undoubted persuasion of faith, our hearts being pure from an evil conscience: and our bodies being washed with pure water let us hold the confession of our hope not wavering, for he is faithful who hath promised. Also to the Philip. 4 verse 6. Be nothing careful, but in all things ⟨p. 214⟩let your request be showed unto God in prayer & supplication with giving of thanks, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall preserve your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We have therefore this plentiful fruit, that in all things which we have to do with God, we have such an overseer of the house of God, and such an intercessor, as in whose favour the Father will give us all things, and therefore he is called, Heb. 2. a faithful Bishop in those things which he hath to do with God: and in the third to the Heb. verse 2.5.6. & Heb. 4. verse 14.

THe second fruite is, that we dare both with a full faith, & as I may say, with a full mouth aske and looke for from God all good and healthful thinges: forasmuch as we are members of that priest, who with so great power and glorie maketh intercession for vs, beeing surely persuaded, that his glorious intercession will swallowe vp all our vnworthinesse, and get vnto vs vnspeakeable grace: and so that wee shall receaue for and through this Bishop, all those good promises which we aske, Hebru. 10. verses 19.20. &c. Seeing therefore brethren that we haue libertie to enter into the holie place by the bloud of Iesus, by the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale, that is his flesh: and seeing wee haue an high priest gouernour ouer the house of God, let vs draw neare with a true heart, and with an vndoubted perswasion of faith, our heartes beeing pure from an euil conscience: and our bodies being washed with pure water let vs holde the confession of our hope not wauering, for he is faithful who hath promised. Also to the

The third fruit.

The thirde fruite.

That we offer up our selves, and all good things which we receive for and by this high Bishop, for sweet and acceptable sacrifices to GOD, in all things giving thanks unto God by this Jesus Christ: and which by and for the Son he accepteth to his glory, and bringeth to pass that they serve for it, Apocalip. 5. verse 8. The four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, every one having harps and golden vials full of sweet odours, which are the prayers of Saints. And Rom. 12. I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye give up your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, &c. 1. Pet. 2. verse 5. Ye also as living souls, be ye builded up into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices unto God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the ⟨p. 215⟩scripture, Behold I put in Zion a chief corner stone, elect and precious: he that believeth therein, shall not be ashamed. And Hebru. 13. verses 15.16. also to the Philip. Cap. 1. verses 11. and 12. filled with the fruits of righteousness which are in you by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

THat we offer vp our selues, and all good thinges whiche wee receiue for and by this high Bishop, for sweete and acceptable sacrifices to GOD, in all thinges giuing thankes vnto God by this Iesus Christe: and which by and for the Sonne he accepteth to his glorie, and bringeth to passe that they serue for it, Apocalip. 5. verse 8. The foure and twenty elders fell downe before the Lambe, euery one hauing harps and golden vials full of sweete odours, which are the praiers of Saintes. And Rom. 12. I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice, holy and acceptable vnto God, &c. 1. Pet. 2. verse 5. Yee also as liuing soules, be ye builded vp into a spirituall house and holy priesthood, to offer vp spirituall sacrifices vnto God by Iesus Christ. Wherefore also it is conteined in the ⟨p. 215⟩scripture, Behold I put in Syon a chiefe corner stone, elect and pretious: he that beleeueth therein, shall not be ashamed. And Hebru. 13. verses 15.16. also to the Philip. Cap. 1. verses 11. and 12. filled with the fruites of righteousnesse which are in you by Iesus Christ to the glorie and praise of God.

The fourth fruit.

The fourth fruite.