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.

Obiections of Papists.

I. Reu. 5.8,9. The foure and twentie Elders fall downe before the lambe, ha∣uing euery one harpes and golden vyals full of odours, which are the praiers of the Saints. Hence the Papists gather, that the Saints in heauen receiue the praiers of men on earth, and offer them vnto the Father. Ans. There by praiers of the Saints, are meant their owne praiers, in which they sing praises to God and to the Lambe, as the verses following plainely declare. And these praiers are also presented vnto God onely from the hand of the Angel, which is Christ himselfe.

II. Obiect. Luk. 16.27. Diues in hell praieth for his brethren vpon earth, much more doe the Saints in heauen pray for vs. Ans. Out of a parable no∣thing can be gathered, but that which is agreeable to the intent and scope thereof: for by the same reason it may as well be gathered that the soule of Di∣••es beeing in hell had a tongue. Againe, if it were true which they gather, we

may gather also that the wicked in hell haue compassion and loue to their brethren on earth, and a zeale to Gods glorie: all which are false.

III. Obiect. The angels in heauen know euery mans estate: they know when any sinner repenteth and reioyceth thereat: & pray for particular men: therefore the Saints in heauen doe the like, for they are equall to the good an∣gels, Luk. 20.36. Ans. The place in Luke is to be vnderstood of the estate of holy men at the day of the last iudgement: as appeares, Math. 22.30. where it is saide, that the seruants of God in the resurrection are as the angels in heauen. Secondly they are like the angels not in office and ministerie, by which they are ministring spirits for the good of men: but they are like them in glorie.

Secondly we di••••ent from the Papists: because they are not content to say that the Saints departed pray for vs in particular: but they adde further, that they make intercession for vs by their merits in heauen. New Iesuits denie this: but let them here Lumbard, I thinke (saith he, speaking of one that is but of meane goodnes) that he as it were passing by the fire shall be saued by the merits and intercessions of the heauenly Church: which doth alwaies make intercession for the faithfull by request and merit, till Christ shall be compleate in his members. And the Romane Catechisme saith as much. Saints are so much the more to be wor∣shipped and called vpon, because they make praiers daily for the saluation of men: and God for their merit and fauour bestowes many benefits vpon vs. We denie not, that men vpon earth haue helpe and benefit by the faith and pietie which the Saints departed shewed, when they were in this life. For God shewes mercie on them that keepe his commandements to a thousand generations. And Augustine saith, it was good for the Iewes, that they were loued of Moses, whome God loued. But we vtterly denie that we are helped by merits of Saints either liuing or departed. For Saints in glorie haue receiued the full re∣ward of all their merits; if they could merit: and therefore there is nothing further that they can merit.

Notes

• chap. 8.4.
• Lib. 4. dist. 4.5. p.6.
• on the second Command.
• q. 149. supe•• Exod.