A09339:1861
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
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.
The benefits which redound unto us by Christs sitting at the right hand of God are two, one concerns his priesthood, the other his kingly office. The benefit rising from his priesthood is his Intercession for us: for this is one of the ends why Christ is now exalted in glory, and sits at the right hand of his father; namely to make request in the behalf of all that come unto him, as Paul saith,1 Christ is risen again, and sitteth at the right hand of God, and maketh request for us. Now that we may rightly understand what his intercession is, we are to consider these points. First to whom it is made: secondly, in what manner: thirdly, whether it be made by Christ alone or no: fourthly, what be the fruits ⟨p. 409⟩and benefits thereof: fifthly, the duties whereunto we are moved thereby. For the first, Intercession is, to make suite, request, or entreaty in some ones behalf to another: and this is done by Christ for us unto God,2 as Paul saith, there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ Jesus. Here at the very first ariseth a difficulty: for in every intercession there be three parties: the person offended; the person offending; the intercessor, distinct from them both. Now if Christ the son of God, make intercession to God for man, then he maketh intercession to himself, because he is true God, which cannot be: how then shall Christ be mediator? Ans. This point hath so troubled the Church of Rome, that for the resolving of it, they have devised an error, avouching that Christ is mediator only as he is man, not as he is God, which is untrue. For as both natures do concur in the work of satisfaction, so likewise they do both concur in the work of intercession: and therefore a more meet and convenient answer is this: Christ Jesus God-man in both natures, is directly our mediator to the first person the father, as S. John saith,3 If any man sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the just. And thus we have three persons in the work of intercession really distinguished. The party offended is God the Father; the party offending is man: & thirdly the intercessor distinct from them both is Christ the second person in Trinity. For howsoever in Godhead he & the Father be one, yet in person they are really distinguished, and he is as it were in the middle between the father and us: