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

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: Psalme 110. The Lorde hath sworne, and it shall not repent him, thou art a priest• for euer after ye order of Melchizedek: or that I may speake a little more largely: First all the confederates doe reape this fruite in the exaltation of Christ in the priesthode, that they know that the Mediator of this euerlasting couenant is entred into that same sanctuarie not made with handes, the verie heauen it selfe and is exalted to the right hand of God, that continuallie and without any interruption, and that euery moment he may appeare an intercessour before ⟨p. 211⟩the father for vs: and so may maintein that same couenant once established for euer, and may confirme it by his intercession in the heauenly throne of his Maiestie.

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.

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.

Forasmuch as the faithful are members of Christ making intercession for them in high glory, he doth not only through his intercession make their sufferings holy, but also glorious in the sight of God, Psal. 116. verse 15. Precious in the sight of God is the death of his meek ones. Also in the Psal. 56. verse 9. and Philip. 2. verse 17. Yea and though I be offered up upon the the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also be ye glad and rejoice with me. Therefore the sufferings of the Church are wonderfully sanctified and made glorious, through this high Bishop making intercession in glory. To be short, what soever things were plainly and magnificently instituted of God, concerning the priesthood of the old Testament, and the sacrifices, and were done according to that spiritual pattern that was showed to Moses in the mount, we have the full truth and perfect fruit to everlasting consolation in the priesthood of Christ: not only as he administered it in humility, with so great power, that by one oblation he made perfect for ever those ⟨p. 216⟩that were sanctified: but also in that he liveth always to this end, to make intercession for us, and so bringeth to pass, that we always enjoy the fruit of his sacrifice, and the trueth of all those things which were promised of God by the figures of the old Testament. Therefore when we read the Scriptures of the old Testament, we ought to lift up our minds hither: I say to this priest, performing that unto us every moment in high glory, that God had promised by the mouth of the prophets, and by those visible ceremonies. For what so ever things are written, they are written for our learning, Rom. 15.4. For example sake, Exod. 39. that the high priest did bear upon his shoulders the names of the tribes, and did bear those twelve precious stones before his breast entering into the sanctuary, in remembrance of those twelve tribes of Israel, that Christ executeth at this day with great glory: He hath us the true Israel always in his breast and fresh memory before the sight of God as precious stones. To be short we shall know and perceive the full fruit of the exaltation of Christ in his Priesthood in everlasting life with wonderful admiration, when in presence we shall behold that same exaltation of our high priest in glory:

even as the high priest himself prayed Joh. 17. Father, those that thou hast given unto me, I will that they be with me where I am, that they may behold that same glory which thou hast given unto me.

euen as the high priest himselfe prayed Ioh. 17. Father, those that thou hast giuē vnto me, I wil yt they be with me where I am, that they may beholde that same glorie which thou hast giuen vnto me.

What the exaltation of Christ is in his kingdom, which is the other part of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God.

What the exaltation of Christ is in his kingdome, which is the other part of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God.

THE kingdom of God is the restoring of salvation through the word and spirit in the elect, descended from a most wise and mighty head Christ, and a defence against the enemies. This kingdom when it was in this world, began in humility, as he saith, repent & amend, for the kingdom of God is at hand. The exaltation therefore in this kingdom is that same placing in highest degree of honour, to the end the son may show himself openly before the Angels, & blessed men in great light to be the king and head of all the elect, and by shedding his power even unto us with a greater efficacy then when he was in his body in the earth, he may restore and repair life and salvation by the word and spirit in his elect, and may defend them against all enemies. Eph. 1.21.22 The father hath placed Christ at his right hand in the heavens far above all power & principality, & might and dominion, & every name that is named not in this world only, but in that which is to come, and he hath made all things subject under his feet, and hath appointed him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body, and the fullness of him which fulfilleth all in all things: Joh. 16.7. I speak the truth unto you, it is expedient for you that I go away: for unless I go, that comforter shall not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And this ⟨p. 218⟩was because it was so appointed by God his decree, that Christ being exalted in his kingdom, should send him.

THE kingdome of God is the restoring of saluation through the worde and spirit in the elect, descended from a most wise and mightie heade Christ, and a defence against the enemies. This kingdome when it was in this worlde, beganne in humilitie, as he saith, repent & amend, for the kingdome of God is at hand. The exaltation therefore in this kingdome is that same placing in highest degree of honour, to the end the sonne may shew himself openly before the Angels, & blessed men in great light to be the king and heade of all the elect, and by shedding his power euen vnto vs with a greater efficacie then when he was in his body in the earth, he may restore and repare life and saluation by the worde and spirit in his electe, and may defend thē against al enemies. Eph. 1.21.22

What fruits, we are partakers of by the exaltation of Christ in his kingdom.

What fruits, we are partakers of by the exaltation of Christ in his kingdome.

Like as Christ was borne and died for us: so also he sitteth at the right hand of God for us. Now the first fruit is, that only Christians do rightly know God, call upon him, and praise him. For therefore the father placed Christ at his right hand, that he might be acknowledged, worshipped and praised, both of Angels and men, as their only God and Lord. And contrariwise God doeth abhor all other worships which are not directed unto Christ, in whom only he will be acknowledged, called upon, and praised. Peter inferreth, Acts 2. of the sending of the holy Ghost; out of the testimony of David concerning the sitting of the Messiah at the right hand of God: Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus I say, whom ye have crucified: And Phil. 2.9.10.11. Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord unto the glory of God the father. And Psa. 97. ver. 7. Apo. 5. ver. 7.9.12.13. 1. Cor. 1. ver. 2. Act. 7. ver. 59. & cap. 9. ver. 14.

LIke as Christ was borne and died for vs: so also he sitteth at the right hande of God for vs. Nowe the first fruite is, that onely Christians doe rightly knowe God, call vppon him, and praise him. For therefore the father placed Christ at his right hande, that hee might be acknowledged, worshipped and praised, both of Angels and men, as their onely God and Lorde. And contrariwise God doeth abhorre all other worshippes which are not directed vnto Christ, in whome onely hee will bee acknowledged, called vppon, and praysed. Peter inferreth, Acts 2. of the sending of the holy Ghost; out of the testimony of Dauid concerning the sitting of the Messias at the right hand of God: Therefore let all the house of Israel knowe for a suretie that God hath made him both Lorde and Christ, this Iesus I say, whome ye haue crucified: And