' Kom. i. 23. « Matt. xxv. 33.
'^o6 ON FAITH AND THE CREED. [CHAP. YII.
our frailty to investigate the secret things of heaven, but it does pertain to our faith to hold elevated and honourable sentiments on the subject of the dignity of the Lord's body.
CiiAr. VII. —0/ C/trist's session at the Father's ri<jht hand.
1 4. We believe also that He sitteth at the right hand of THE Father. This, however, is not to lead us to suppose that God the Father is, as it were, circumscribed by a human form, so that, wh^n we think of Him, a right side or a left should suggest itself to the mind. Nor, again, when it is thus said in express terms that the Father sitteth, are we to fancy that this is done with bended knees ; lest we should fall into that profanity, in [dealing with] which an apostle execrates those who " changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of corruptible man."^ For it is unlawful for a
Christian to set up any such image for God in a temple ; much more nefarious is it, [therefore], to set it up in the heart, in which truly is the temple of God, provided it be purged of earthly lust and error. This expression, " at the right hand," therefore, we must understand to signify a position in supremest blessedness, where righteousness and peace and joy; just as the kids are set on the left hand,^ that is to say, are in misery, by reason of unrighteousness, labours, and torments.^ And in accordance with this, when it is said that God " sitteth," the expression indicates not a posture of the members, but a judicial power, which that Majesty never fails to possess, as He is always awarding deserts as men deserve them {digiia dignis trihueiido) ; although at the last judgment the unquestionable brightness of the ouly-begottcn Son of
God, the Judge of the living and the dead, is destined yet to be * a thing much more manifest among men.
f'liAr. VIII.—0/ChriH's coining fo judgment.
15. We believe also, that at the most seasonable time He
' Kom. i. 23. « Matt. xxv. 33.
' licadinj^ propter ini/juifatcs, laborcs atque crticiatiis. Several Mss. give propter iniquitcUis laborer, etc. = by reason of the labours and torments of unrighteousness.
sit ; for which fulsura sit also occurs = is destined to shine much more manifestly, etc.