But because Intercession or Prayer, is reckoned amongst the chiefest parts of the office of a Priest or Bi▪shop, and that there is but one Priest hood, yea, and that so united, that it cannot be translated, given, or imparted t• any other, whereby it is called eternal and immutable: therefore, the faithful ⟨p. 60⟩seek not any other Bishop, advocate, or intercessor besides Christ, no not unto the Angels, or saints living in heaven. But content them selves with Christ alone, and use him their only advocate and intercessor to God, as he which is best accepted with his father, and can most faithfully, readily, excellently, effectually and wisely do this office. For the Angels and Saints can in no wise be compared to Christ. Furthermore, he both can, and will perform those things which we crave, knoweth our want, and calleth us unto himself, neither can we hereby weary him: and knoweth what is profitable for us, and how all things may be done most commodiously for us. And all these did he confirm while he lived here in this world, both with his words and deeds. For he readily gave care to all men, yea, he knew their necessities better than they could express them by their words, was never wearied, but healed all diseases, helped all men, had ever enough for them, and although he cured many, and gave marvellous ⟨image 71⟩gifts, yet had he still as much grace, help & other gifts as he had before. Yea, and when his disciples would oftentimes have put men off, he took it not in good part, but how much the more they thronged unto him, and craved many things of him, so much the more declared he his power, oftentimes exhorting them that they should continually come unto him. &c. Whereby the faithful receive this comfort, that even this our Lord Jesus Christ, being now at the right hand of God i• heaven, is no less gentle, willing, ready, and able to help all those which put their trust in him. And therefore i• all their needs they content them selves with the intercession and med• ation of Christ. And that chiefly sith 1Paul saith, in the first Epistle to T• moth, and the second Chapter. The• is one God and one mediator between God and man, even the man Jesus Christ which gave him self for th• 2redemption of all men. And S. John saith:
But bicause Intercession or Prayer, is reckened amongste the chéefest partes of the office of a Prieste or Bi▪shop, and that there is but one Priest hoode, yea, and that so vnited, that it cannot be translated, giuen, or imparted t• any other, whereby it is called eternal and immutable: therefore, the faithful ⟨p. 60⟩séeke not any other Bishop, aduocate, or intercessor besides Christ, no not vnto the Angels, or sainctes liuing in heauen. But content them selues wt Christ alone, and vse him their onely aduocate and intercessoure to God, as he which is best accepted with his father, and can moste faithfully, readily, excellently, effectually and wisely do this office. For the Angels and Sainctes can in no wise be compared to Christe. Furthermore, he bothe can, and will performe those things which we craue, knoweth our want, and calleth vs vnto himself, neyther can we héereby wearie him: and knoweth what is profitable for vs, and howe all things may be done most commodiously for vs. And all these did he confirme while hée lyued héere in this worlde, bothe with his woords and déedes. For he readily gaue care to all menne, yea, he knewe their necessities better than they could expresse them by their wordes, was neuer wearyed, but healed all diseases, holpe all menne, hadde euer inoughe for them, and althoughe he cured many, and gaue maruellous ⟨image 71⟩giftes, yet had he still asmuche grace, helpe & other giftes as he had before. Yea, and when his disciples wold oftentimes haue put men off, he tooke it not in good parte, but how muche the more they thronged vnto him, and craued many things of him, so muche the more declared he his power, oftētimes exhorting them that they should continually come vnto him. &c. Wherby the faithfull receiue this comforte, that euen this oure Lord Jesus Christe, being nowe at the righte hande of God i• heauen, is no lesse gentle, willing, ready, and able to helpe all those which• put their trust in him. And therefore i• all their néedes they contente them selues with the intercession and med• ation of Christe. And that chéefely sith• 1Paule sayth, in the first Epistle to T• mothe, and the seconde Chapter. The• is one God and one mediator between God and manne, euen the manne Iesu Christe vvhich gaue him selfe for th
- 11. Tim. 2.
- 21. John. 2.1. Iohn. 2.
