A09339:1864
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.
Furthermore, a difference here must be marked between Christs passion and his intercession. The passion serves for the working and causing of a satisfaction to Gods justice for us; and it is, as it were, the tempering of the plaster: the intercession goes further: for it applies the satisfaction made, and lays the salve to the very sore. And therefore Christ makes request not only for the elect generally, but for particular men, as Paul, James, John, and that particularly, as he testifieth of himself, saying, I have prayed for thee Peter, that thy faith fail not. If any shall say, that Christs willing and desiring of a thing can not be a request or intercession, the answer is, that in virtue and efficacy it cou•teruailes all the prayers in the word. For whatsoever Christ willeth, the same also the father being well pleased with him, willeth; and therefore whatsoever Christ as a mediator willeth for us at the hands of his father, in effect or substance is a request or prayer.
Furthermore, a difference here must be marked between Christs passion and his intercession. The passion serues for the working and causing of a satisfaction to Gods iustice for vs; and it is, as it were, the tempering of the plaister: the intercession goes further: for it applies the satisfaction made, and laies the salue to the very sore. And therefore Christ makes request not onely for the elect generally, but for particular men, as Paul, Iames, Iohn, and that particularly, as he testifieth of himselfe, saying, I haue praied for thee Peter, that thy faith faile not. If any shall say, that Christs willing and desiring of a thing can not be a request or intercession, the answer is, that in vertue and efficacie it cou•teruailes all the praiers in the word. For whatsoeuer Christ willeth, the same also the father beeing well pleased with him, willeth; and therefore whatsoeuer Christ as a mediatour willeth for vs at the handes of his father, in effect or substance is a request or praier.
The third point is, that Christ alone and none with him makes intercession for us. And this I prove by induction of particulars. First of all this office appertains not to the angels: They are indeed ministering spirits for the good of Gods chosen: they rejoice when a sinner is converted; and when he dieth, they are ready to carry his soul into Abraham's bosom: and God otherwhiles useth them as messengers to reveal his will: