Reply Obj. 2: Christ, as God, is in all things equal to the Father.
But even in the human nature He is above all men. Therefore, as man,
He can be Mediator, but not as God.
Reply Obj. 3: Although it belongs to Christ as God to take away sin authoritatively, yet it belongs to Him, as man, to satisfy for the sin of the human race. And in this sense He is called the Mediator of God and men. _______________________
ST. THOMAS AND THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (EDITORIAL NOTE)
The privilege of the Virgin-Mother of God and the supreme prerogative of her Son may be seen from the following diagram:
THE LAW AND COURSE OF ORIGINAL SIN.
[The following content was presented in the form of a three-column table in the original.]
[COLUMN 1] UNDER THE LAW.
All descendants from Adam.
Spring from Adam materially and seminally.
The body lies (not under the guilt, but) under the effects of original sin.