The Institution of Christian Religion

Wherefore, it by and by followeth, that he is sitten down at the right §15hand of his father: which is spoken by way of similitude, taken of princes that have their sitters by, to whom they commit their office to rule and govern in their stead. So it is said, that Christ, in whom the father will be exalted and reign by his hand, was received to sit at his right hand: as if it had ben said, that he was invested in the dominion of heaven and earth, solemnly entered upon the possession of the government committed unto him, & that he not only entered upon it, but also continueth in it till he come down to judgement. For so doth the Apostle expound it,¹ when he saith thus: The Father hath set him at his right hand, above all principality, and power, & strength and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but in the world to come, &c. He hath put allthings under his feet, and hath given him to be head of the church above allthings. Now you see to what purpose belongeth that sitting, that is, that all creatures both heavenly and earthly may with admiration look upon his majesty, be governed with his hand, behold his countenance, and be subject to his power.² And the Apostles mean nothing else, when they so oft rehearse it, but to teach, that all things are left to his will. Therefore they think not rightly, which think that blessedness is only meant by it.³ And it forceth not, that in the Acres, Stephen testifieth that he saw him standing, because we speak not hear of the gesture of his body, but of the majesty of his dominion: so that to Sit is nothing else, but to be chief judge in the heavenly judgement seat.

Wherfore, it by and by foloweth, that he is sittē downe at the right §15hande of his father: whiche is spoken by waye of similitude, taken of princes that haue theyr sitters by, to whome they commit their office to rule and gouerne in their stede. So it is sayd, that Christ, in whom the father will be exalted and reigne by his hand, was receyued to sit at his right hand: as yf it had ben sayd, that he was inuested in the dominion of heauen and earth, solemnely entred vpon the possession of the gouernement committed vnto him, & that he not only entred vpon it, but also continueth in it till he come downe to iudgement. For so doth the Apostle expounde it,