A09339:1863
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 second point to be considered, is the manner of his intercession unto his father. We must not imagine, that Christ now in heaven kneels down on his knees, and utters words, and puts up a supplication for all the faithful to God the father; for that is not beseeming the majesty of him that sits at the right hand of God. But the manner of his intercession is thus to be conceived. When one is to speak to an earthly prince in the behalf of another; first of all he must come into the presence of the king, and secondly make his request: and both these, Christ performeth for us unto God. For the first, after his ascension he entered into heaven, where he did present unto his father, first of all his own person in two natures, and secondly the invaluable merits of his death and passion, in which he was well pleased. And we must further understand, that as on the cross he stood in our room, so in heaven he now appears as a public person in our stead, representing all the elect that shall believe in him, as the holy Ghost saith,1 Christ Jesus ascended up into heaven to appear in ⟨p. 410⟩the sight of God for us. And for the second, Christ makes request for us; in that he willeth according to both his natures, and desireth as he is man, that the father would accept his satisfaction in the behalf of all that are given unto him. And that he makes request on this manner I prove it thus. Look what was his request in our behalf when he was here upon earth, the same for substance it continues still in heaven: but here on earth the substance of his request was that he willed and desired that his father would be well pleased with us for his merits, as appears by his prayer in S. John, Father, 2I will that those which thou hast given me be with me even where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Therefore he still continues to make request for us by willing and desiring that his father would accept his merits in our behalf. If it be alleged that Christ in this solemn prayer used speech and prostration of his body, the answer is, that these actions were no essential parts of his prayer. The prostrating of his body served only as a token of submission to God, as Christ was a creature: and the speech which he used, served only to utter and express his request.