The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 2 · creed · Question 30
Queſt. 30. Doe they then beleeve in the only Saviour Jeſus, who ſeek for happines and ſafety of the Saints, or of themſelves, or elſewhere?
Anſ. No: For although in word they boaſt themſelves of him as their Saviour, yet indeed they deny the only Saviour Jeſus.a1. Com.13.30▪31. Gal. 5.4. For it muſt needs be, that either Jeſus is not a perfect Saviour, or that they who imbrace him as their Saviour with a true faith, poſſeſſe all things in him, which are required unto ſalvation.bHeb. 12.2. Eſay 9.6. Col. 1.19.20. & 2.10. 1. Iohn 1.17.
The Explication.
THis queſtion is moved to convict ſuch as glory in the name of Jeſus, and in the meane ſpace ſeeke for ſalvation, either wholly, or in part, without this Jeſus: as, in the merits of Saints, in Popes indulgences and pardons, in their owne Satisfactions, Workes, Faſtings, Prayers, Almeſ-deeds, &c. of which crew are the Papiſts, Jeſuites, and ſuch like hypocrites of our times. The queſtion therefore is, Whether theſe doe beleeve in the onelyonly Saviour Jeſus, or no? It is anſwered, that they beleeve not; but whatſoever they vaunt in their wordes and ſpeeches, yet indeed they deny him. The collection of the whole anſwer is concluded in this Syllogiſme, drawn from the deſcription of an onelyonly and perfect Saviour: Whoſoever is a perfect and onelyonly Saviour, he beſtoweth ſalvation not joyntly with others, nor in part onelyonly, but full, entire, and whole: But this Jeſus, the ſonne of Mary, is that Saviour, which is the onelyonly and perfect Saviour; whereof demonſtration hath been made in the former queſtion: Wherefore hee beſtoweth ſalvation neither joyntly with others, neither part thereof onelyonly, but hee alone performeth the whole, moſt abſolutely; and by a conſequent, they who joyne Interceſſours with Jeſus, or crave and expect any part of ſalvation elſewhere, doe indeed deny the only Saviour Jeſus. Wee may alſo frame it on this manner: They who ſeeke for ſalvation in any other than in Chriſt, whether in Saints, or in themſelves, &c. beleeve not in Jeſus, as in their only Saviour: But Papiſts and Jeſuites, labouring to eſtabliſh meritorious workes of their owne, or of Saints, ſeek for ſalvation in ſome other beſides Chriſt Jeſus: Therefore they beleeve not in Jeſus, as in their onelyonly Saviour. The Minor of the Syllogiſme is granted by them, and is a point of their doctrine. The Major is cleare out of the deſcription of a perfect Saviour, ſet downe in the Major of the former Syllogiſme. Object. To pray for others, is to make interceſsion. God will that one ſhould pray for another, as the Saints for Saints: Therefore hee will that one make interceſsion for another; and by a conſequent, the glory of Chriſt is not impeached, if the interceſsion of Saints be joyned unto his interceſsion. Anſw. There is an ambiguity, both in the word Prayer, and in the word Interceſsion. God will, that one pray and make interceſsion for another; but this they muſt doe, not ſtanding on the worthineſſe of their own interceſsion and merits: but on the worthineſſe of the interceſsion and merits of the only Mediatour Chriſt. Chriſt maketh interceſsion for us, becauſe he prayeth, willeth, and obtaineth, and effectuateth it himſelf, that for his own ſacrifice and prayers we may be received of God the Father into favour, and be reformed according to his Image. Chriſt therefore maketh interceſsion for us by the vigour and vertue of his owne proper worthineſſe and merits; for his owne worthineſſe hee is heard, and obtaineth what hee deſireth. After this ſort doe not the Saints make interceſsion one for another. Wherefore ſeeing the Papiſts feigne, that the Saints doe by their owne merits and prayers obtaine for others grace, and certaine good things at Gods hands, they manifeſtly derogate from the glory of Chriſt, and deny him to be the only Saviour.