Looking Unto Jesus, Book 9 · Chapter 1

Looking Unto Jesus · Book 9 · Chapter 1

p. 527CHAP. I.

Heb. 3.1. Rom. 8.34. Conſider the Apoſtle, and High-Prieſt of our profeſſion, Christ Jeſus— who alſo maketh interceſſion for us.

SECT. I. What the Interceſſion of Chriſt is.

WE have ſpoken of Chriſt's entrance into Heaven, and of his immediate actings after his entrance there; that tranſaction which yet remains, and will remain untill his coming again, it is his Interceſſion for the Saints. In theſe actings of Chriſt in Heaven (if we will follow him) we muſt go from glory to glory; no ſooner come we out of one room of glory, but preſently we ſtep into another as glorious as that before: one would think, enough had been ſaid already of the glory of Chriſt, and of our glory in Chriſt; who would not willingly ſit down under the ſhadow of this happineſs, and go no further? but yet this is not all; ſo thick and faſt doth the glory of Chriſt break in upon us, that no ſooner out of one, but preſently we are led into the boſom of another. Oh what a bleſſed thing is it to be viewing Chriſt, and to be looking up to Jeſus Chriſt! Saints might do nothing elſe (if they pleaſed) but raviſh their hearts with the diverſity of heavenly light and comfort, which breaks forth from the boſom of Jeſus Chriſt. Here is now another myſtery as great, and amazing, as the former, which ſprings out before our eyes in this tranſaction of Chriſt's Interceſſion.

And in proſecution of this, as in the former, I ſhall firſt lay down the object, and ſecondly direct you how to look upon it. The object is Jeſus carrying on the great work of our ſalvation in his Interceſſion: in ordering of which, I ſhall examine theſe particulars; —

p. 5281. What is this interceſſion of Chriſt?

2. According to what nature doth Chriſt intercede?

3. To whom is Chriſt's interceſſion directed?

4. For whom is the interceſſion made?

5. What agreement betwixt Chriſt's interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the High-Prieſts of old?

6. W…t is the difference betwixt Chriſt's interceſſion, and the interceſſions of thoſe High-Prieſts?

7. What are the properties of this interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt?

8. Wherein more eſpecially doth the interceſſions of Chriſt conſiſt?

9. How powerful, and prevailing are Chriſt's interceſſions with God his Father.

10. What are the reaſons of this great tranſaction of Chriſt's interceſſion for his people?

1. What is the interceſſion of Chriſt? ſome define it thus, Chriſt's interceſſion is that part of his Prieſtly office, whereby Chriſt is Advocate, and intreater of God the Father for the faithful. I ſhall give it thus, Chriſt's interceſſion is his gracious will, fervently and immovably deſiring, that for the perpetual vert… of his ſacrifice, all his members might both for their perſons and duties be accepted of the Father. 1. I call the interceſſion of Chriſt his own gracious will; for we muſt not imagine that Chriſt, in his interceſſion, proſtrates himſelf upon his knees before his Fathers Throne, uttering ſome ſubmiſſive form of words or prayers; that is not beſeeming the Majeſty of him that ſits at God's right hand; when he was but yet on Earth, the ſubſtance of his requeſts for his Saints run thus, Father I will, that they alſo whom thou haſt given me be with me where I am; and how much more now he is in Heaven,John 17.24.John 17:24 is this the form of his interceſſions, Father I will this, and I will that. 2. The ground of foundation of Chriſt's interceſſion, is the ſacrifice, or death of Chriſt; and hence we make two parts of Chriſt's Prieſt-hood, or oblation; the one expiatory, when Chriſt ſuffered upon the Croſs; the other preſentatory, when he doth appear in Heaven before God for us; the one was finiſhed on Earth, when Chriſt ſuffered without the gate; the other is performed in Heaven, now Chriſt is within the City; the one was a ſacrifice indeed, the other is not ſo much a ſacrifice as the commemoration of a ſacrifice; the firſt was an act of humiliation, and this latter is an act of glory; the firſt was performed once for all, this latter is done continually; the firſt was for the obtaining of redemption, and this latter is for the application of redemption; ſo that the ground of this is that; Chriſt fervently and immoveably deſires his Father for the ſake and vertue of his ſacrifice. 3. The ſubject-matter interceded for, is, that all the Saints and their ſervice, might find acceptance with God; firſt Chriſt's interceſſion is for our perſons, and then Chriſt's interceſſion is for our works, for as out perſons are but in part regenerate, and in part unregenerate; or in part fleſh, and in part ſpirit; ſo be our duties, part good, and part evil; in part ſpiritual, and in part ſinful; now by Chriſt's interceſſion is Chriſt's ſatisfaction applied to our perſons, and by conſequence the defect of our duties is covered and removed; and both we and our works are approved and accepted of God the Father. And thus much for the nature of Chriſt's interceſſion, what it is.

SECT. II. According to what nature Chriſt doth intercede.

2. ACcording to what nature doth Chriſt intercede? I anſwer, according to both natures: 1. According to his humanity, partly by appearing before his Father in Heaven,Heb. 9.24. Joh. 16.26, 27.Heb 9:24John 16:26John 16:27 and partly by deſiring the ſalvation of the Elect: Chriſt is entred into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. And I ſay not unto you that I will pray or deſire the Father for you, for the Father himſelf loveth you. 2. According to his Deity, partly by applying the merit of his death, and partly by willing the ſalvation of his Saints; and as the effect thereof, by making requeſts in the hearts of the Saints with ſighs unſpeakable.1 Pet. 1.2.1 Pet 1:2 Elect, through ſanctification of the Spirit and ſprinkling of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt: this ſprinkling is the applying of the blood of Jeſus, and that is an act of interceſſion:Joh. 17.24.John 17:24 Again, Father I will that they whom thou haſt given me be with me where I am; he deſires as man, but he wills as God; and as the effect of this he gives the Spirit,Rom. 8.26.Rom 8:26 The Spirit it ſelf makes interceſſion for us, with groanings which p. 529cannot be uttered. But what are the interceſſions of the Spirit to the interceſſions of Chriſt? I anſwer, much every way; the Spirits interceſſions are as the effect, and Chriſt's interceſſions are as the cauſe; the Spirits interceſſions are as the Eccho, and Chriſt's interceſſions are as the firſt voice; the ſpirit intercedes for men in and by themſelves, but Chriſt intercedes in his own perſon; there is a dependence of the Spirits interceſſions in us upon Chriſt's interceſſions in himſelf. Firſt, Chriſt by his interceſſion applies his ſatisfaction made, and lays the ſalve to the very ſore; and then he ſends down his holy ſpirit into our hearts to help our infirmities; and to teach us what to pray, and how to pray as we ought. Now this he doth as God, for who ſhall give a commiſſion to the ſpirit of God, but God himſelf? it is as if Chriſt ſhould ſay, ſee holy Spirit, how I take upon me the cauſe of my Saints, I am perpetually repreſenting my ſacrifice to God my Father, I am ever pleading for them, and anſwering all the accuſations that ſin or Satan can lay againſt them; and now go thy way to ſuch and ſuch, and take up thy dwelling in their hearts, and aſſiſt them by thy energy, to plead their own caſe; I am their Advocate or Interceſſor by office, and therefore be thou their Advocate or Interceſſor by operation, inſtruction, inſpiration, and aſſiſtance.

SECT. III. To whom Chriſt's interceſſion is directed.

3. TO whom is Chriſt's interceſſion directed? I anſwer, immediately to God the Father; If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 1 John 2.1.1 John 2:1Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. In the work of interceſſion are three perſons, a party offended, a party offending, and the Interceſſor diſtinct from them both; the party offended is God the Father, the party offending is ſinful man, and the Interceſſor diſtinct from them both, is Jeſus Chriſt, the middle perſon (as it were) betwixt God the Father, and us men; the Father is God, and not man; and we that believe in Chriſt are men, and not God; and Chriſt himſelf is both man and God, and therefore, he intercedes and mediates betwixt God and man: If any object, that not only the Father is offended, but alſo the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt, and therefore there muſt be a Mediator to them alſo; the ſolution is eaſie; Chriſt's interceſſion is immediately directed to the Father; but becauſe the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, have all one indiviſible eſſence, and by conſequence one will; it therefore follows, that the Father being appeaſed by Chriſt's interceſſion, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt are alſo appeaſed with him, and in him I deny not but Chriſt's interceſſion is made to the whole Trinity, but yet immediately, and directly to the firſt perſon, and in him to the reſt.—But if ſo, then in ſome ſenſe (ſay our adverſaries) Chriſt makes interceſſion to himſelf, which cannot be; becauſe in every interceſſion there muſt of neceſſity be three parties: this point hath ſore puzled the Church of Rome, that for the ſolving of it, they knew no other way but to avouch Chriſt to be our interceſſor only as man, and not as God, which is moſt untrue; for as both natures did concur in the work of ſatisfaction, ſo likewiſe they do both concur in the work of interceſſion: and 'tis an antient and approved rule, that names of office, which are given to Chriſt, ſuch as Mediator, Interceſſor, Appellationes officii competunt Chriſto ſecundum utramque naturam.&c. agree unto him according to both natures; and can the act of Chriſt's interceſſion be the act of Chriſt's manhood alone? what? to hear, and offer up prayers? to receive and preſent the prayers and praiſes, and other ſpiritual ſacrifices of all believers in the World? to negotiate for them all at one and the ſame time, according to the variety and multiplicity of their ſeveral occaſions? ſurely this is, and muſt be the work of an infinite, and not of a finite agent; this cannot be effected without the concurrence of the divine nature with the humane; but what needs any further anſwer to this objection? ſuppoſe Chriſt intercede to himſelf as God; that is not immediately, and directly to the ſame perſon God the Son, though to the ſame God eſſentially; indeed Chriſt foreign God-man, in reſpect of his natures agreeth with both; being not only God, not only man; but God-man, man-God, bleſſed for ever; but in reſpect of his perſon, being the ſecond perſon in the Trinity he is diſtinct from both. 1. From the perſonality of man, for he hath only the perſonality of God and not of man. 2. From the firſt perſon of the God-head, who is God the Father,1 John 5.7.1 John 5:7 for there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt; and theſe three are one, (i e.) three perſons, and but one God.

p. 530SECT. IV. For whom this Interceſſion is made.

4. FOR whom is this Interceſſion made? I anſwer, 1. Negatively, not for the World,John 17.9.John 17:9 I pray not for the World, ſaith Chriſt; whiles Chriſt was on Earth he would not ſo much as ſpend his breath, or open his lips for the World; he knew God would not hear him for them; in like maner Chriſt prays now in Heaven. Not for the World, he never had a thought to redeem them, or to ſave their fouls, and therefore they have no ſhare in his interceſſions; I know the objection, that Chriſt upon the the Croſs,Luke 23.34.Luke 23:34 prayed for the bloody Jews, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do; but that might be of private duty as man, who in that reſpect ſubmitted himſelf to the Law of God, which requires that we forgive our enemies, and pray for them that perſecute us, and not of his proper office as Mediator; or if it be referred to the proper mediatory interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt (which I rather think) it will not prove that he prayed for them all univerſally, but only indefinitely, (i.e.) only for them that were preſent at his crucifying, and that in ſimplicity of heart, and not of affected ignorance, crucified Chriſt; and accordingly this prayer was heard, which ſo many of the Jews were converted at Peter's Sermon, Act. 2.41. what needs more? his own words are expreſs, that Chriſt's interceſſions are not for the World, or reprobates. So much negatively.

2. Poſitively, Chriſt's interceſſion is general, and particular; for all, and every faithful man;John 17.9.John 17:9 I pray for them, I pray not for the world; but for them which thou haſt given me, for they are thine. And the Lord ſaid, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath deſired to have you, Luk. 22.31, 32Luke 22:31Luke 22:32that he may ſift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. As the High-Prieſt went into the Sanctuary with the names of the twelve tribes upon his breſt, ſo Chriſt entred into the holieſt of all, with the names of all believers upon his heart, and ſtill he carries them upon his breſt, and preſents his will and deſire unto his Father for them; nor doth he only intercede in general, but Simon, Simon; mark that; what ever thy name is, John, Peter, Thomas, Mary, Martha, if thou art a believer, Chriſt prays for thee; it is our common practiſe to deſire the prayers one of another, but O who would not have a ſhare in the prayers of Jeſus Chriſt? why, certainly if thou believeſt in Chriſt, Chriſt prays for thee; I have prayed, and I will pray for thee, ſaith Chriſt, that thy faith fail not.

SECT. V. What agreement there is betwixt Chriſt's interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the High-Prieſts of Old.

5. WHat agreement is there betwixt the interceſſions of Chriſt, and the interceſſions of the High Prieſts of Old? Among the Jews in the times of the Old Teſtament, they had an High-Prieſt, who was in all things to ſtand betwixt God and them. Now as the Jews had their High-Prieſt to intercede for them, ſo the Lord Jeſus was to be the High-Prieſt of our Chriſtian profeſſion, and to intercede for us; it will therefore give ſome light to this doctrine of interceſſion, if we will but compare theſe two; and firſt conſider, what agreement betwixt Chriſt and the High-Prieſts of Old; betwixt Chriſt's interceſſion, and the High-Prieſts interceſſions?

1. Chriſt and the High-Prieſts of Old agreed in name; not onelyonly they, but Chriſt himſelf is called an High-Prieſt;Heb. 8.1. Heb 3.1.Heb 8:1Heb 3:1 We have ſuch an High-Prieſt, who is ſet down at the right hand of the Majeſty on high.—Conſider the Apoſtle and High Prieſt of our profeſſion, Heb. 5.6.Heb 5:6Jeſus Chriſt.—Thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedech. The Old Prieſt-hood of Aaron was tranſlated into the Prieſt-hood of Jeſus Chriſt; ſo that he was a Prieſt as well as they.

2. They agreed in office; that conſiſted of two parts, oblation and preſentation; Firſt, They offered a ſacrifice: And ſecondly, They preſented it in the holy of holies, with prayer and interceſſion unto God; the one was done without, the other within the holy of hollies; and in anſwer thereunto there are two diſtinct parts of Chriſt's Prieſthood: 1. The offering of himſelf a ſacrifice upon the Croſs: 2. The carrying p. 531of himſelf and of his blood into the holy of holies, or in the heaven of heavens; where he appears and prays in the force of that blood; and this was ſo neceſſary a part of his Prieſt-hood, that without this he had not been a compleat Prieſt,Heb. 8.4.Heb 8:4 for if he were on earth, he ſhould not be a Prieſt; that in, if he ſhould have made his abode upon the earth, he ſhould not have been a compleat or perfect Prieſt, ſeeing this part of it (which we call the preſentation, or interceſſion) lay ſtill upon him to be acted in heaven. And indeed this part of his Prieſt-hood is of the two the more eminent; yea, the top and height of his prieſt-hood; and therefore it is held forth to us in the Types of both thoſe two orders of Prieſt-hood that were before him, and Figures of him, both that of Aaron and Melchizedech. 1. This was Typified in that Levitical Prieſt-hood of Aaron and his fellows; the higheſt ſervice of that Office was the going into the holy of hollies, and making an attonement there; yea, this was the height of the high Prieſt's honour, that he did this alone, and it conſtituted the difference betwixt him as he was high Prieſt, and other Prieſts; for they killed and offered the Sacrifices without as well as he, but only the high Prieſt was to approach the holy of hollies with blood, and that but once a year. 2. This was Typified by Melchizedech's Prieſt-hood, which the Apoſtle argues to have been much more excellent then that of Aaron's, in as much as Levi, Aarons Father, payed Tythes to this Melchizedech in Abrahams loyns; now Melchizedech was his Type, not ſo much in reſpect of his Oblation, or offering Sacrifice, as in reſpect of his continual preſentation and interceſſion in heaven; and therefore the ſame clauſe, for ever, ſtill comes in when Melchizedech is named, thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedech.Heb. 5.6. — 7.17.Heb 5:6 Here then is the agreement betwixt Chriſt and the high-Prieſts of old; in reſpect of name, both were Prieſts; and in reſpect of Office, both had their oblations, and preſentations, or interceſſions with God in Glory.

3. In the point of Interceſſion they agreed in theſe particulars.—

1. The high-Prieſt of old, uſually once a year, went into the moſt Holy place within the vail; and ſo is Chriſt our great high-Prieſt paſſed into the Heavens within the Vail, even into the holy of holies. Chriſt by his own blood entred in once into the holy place—Not into the holy places made with hands, Heb. 9.12, 24.Heb 9:12Heb 9:24which are the Figures of the true, but into heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us.

2. The high-Prieſts of old had a plate of pure Gold upon their Fore-heads, which was to bear the iniquity of the holy things, that they might be accepted before the Lord; Exod. 28.38.Exod 28:38and ſo doth Chriſt bear the iniquity of our holy things. Spiritual Chriſtians! here is your comfort, you are not able to perform any duty to God, but there is a great deal of ſin in the ſame; you cannot hear, nor pray, nor confer, nor meditate without much ſin; but Chriſt bears all theſe ſins, even the iniquity of your holy things, and he preſents your perſons, and prayers without the leaſt ſpot to his Father; he is the Angel of the Covenant that ſtands at the Altar, Rev. 8.3.Rev 8:3having a golden Cenſer. with much incenſe; to offer it with the prayers of his Saints, and ſo they are acceptable before the Lord.

3. The Jewiſh high-Prieſts, bore the names of the Children of Iſrael on a breaſt-plate of judgment upon their hearts for a memorial before the Lord continually; Exod. 28.29.Exod 28:29and ſo doth Chriſt our great high-Prieſt bear the names of his people upon his heart before the Lord continually. But how is Chriſt ſaid to bear the names of the Saints upon his heart? I anſwer—

1. Continually, in preſenting of them to his Father as they are in him: how is that? why, he repreſents them without ſpot, as righteous in his own righteouſneſs;Epheſ. 5.27.Eph 5:27 Chriſt loved the Church, that he might preſent it to his Father, and in him to himſelf, a glorious Church, not having ſpot, or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it ſhould be holy, and without blemiſh.

2. In this continual remembring of them:Pſal. 112.6.Ps 112:6 the righteous ſhall be had in continual remembrance; this is the ſouls comfort in a time of deſertion, or in an evil day;Pſal. 13.1.Ps 13:1 if any cry out as ſometimes David did, how long wilt thou forget me Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Iſa. 40.14, 15, 16.Isa 40:14Isa 40:15Isa 40:16Let ſuch a one remember that Chriſt's redeemed ones are upon his heart, and he can not forget them, But Zion ſaid, the Lord hath forſaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me; Oh no! can a woman forget her ſuckling child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the ſon of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee, behold I have graven thee upon the palms p. 538of my hands, thy walls are continually before me; the Sons of Zion are upon Chriſt's heart, and hands and they are ever in his ſight.

3. In his perpetual loving of them; they are near and dear unto him, he hath ſet them as a Seal upon his heart; ſo was the prayer of the Spouſe, ſet me as a Seal upon thine heart, Cant. 8.6.Song 8:6as a Seal upon thine arme; and then it follows, for love is as ſtrong as death. Chriſt hath an entire love to his Saints; he dyed for them, and now he intercedes for them; he keeps them cloſe to his heart, and there is none ſhall pluck them out of his hands,John 13.1.John 13:1 for whom he loves, he loves unto the end. Thus far of the agreement betwixt Chriſt's interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the high Prieſts of old.

SECT. VI. What the difference is betwixt Chriſt's interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the high Prieſts of old.

6. VVHat is the difference betwixt Chriſt's Interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the high Prieſts of old? There is no queſtion, but howſoever they might agree in ſome reſpects, yet Chriſt officiates in a more tranſcendent and eminent way then ever any high Prieſt did before him; now the difference betwixt Chriſt and them, and betwixt Chriſt's Interceſſions and their Interceſſions, may appear in theſe particulars.—

Heb. 4.14.Heb 4:141. They were called high Priests, but Chriſt is called the great high Prieſt; ſuch a Title was never given to any but Chriſt; whence the Apoſtle argues for the ſteadfaſtneſs of our profeſſion: ſeeing then that we have a great high Prieſt, that is paſſed into the heavens, Jeſus the Son of God, let us hold faſt our profeſſion.

2. The high-Prieſts then were Aaron and his Sons, but Chriſt our great high-Prieſt is the Son of God; for ſo he is ſtyled in the ſame verſe, the great high-Prieſt that is paſſed into the heavens,Heb. 4.14.Heb 4:14 Jeſus the Son of God.

3. The high-Prieſts then were but for a time, but Chriſt is a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedech.Heb. 5.6. Heb. 7.3.Heb 5:6Heb 7:3 Melchizedech (ſaith the Apoſtle) was without Father, without Mother, without deſcent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. That is, as far as it is known; and ſo is Chriſt without a Father on earth, and without a Mother in Heaven; without beginning, and without end; he abides a Prieſt perpetually, even to the end of the World; yea, and the vertue of his Prieſthood, is infinitely beyond all time, even for ever and ever.

4. The high-Prieſts then entred only into that place that was Typically holy, but Chriſt is entred into that place that is properly holy; he is entred into the Heavens, or (if you will) as into the holy of holies, ſo into the heaven of heavens.

5. The high Prieſts then did not always intercede for the people; only once a year the high Prieſt entred into the holy of holies; and after he had ſprinkled the mercy-ſeat with blood, and cauſed a cloud to riſe upon the mercy-ſeat with his Prayers and Incenſe, then he went out of the holy of holies, and laid aſide his Garments again; but our great high Prieſt is aſcended into the holy of holies, never to put off his princely-prieſtly garments: nor does he only once a year ſprinkle the mercy-ſeat with his ſacrifice, but every day; he lives for ever to intercede; Oh what comfort is this to a poor dejected Soul! if he once undertakes thy cauſe, and get thee into his prayers, he will never leave thee out night nor day; he intercedeth eyer, till he ſhall accompliſh and finiſh thy Salvation; the ſmoak of his incenſe aſcends for ever without intermiſſion.

6. The high-Prieſts then interceded not for ſins of greater inſtances; if a man ſinned ignorantly, there was indeed a Sacrifice, and Interceſſion for him; but if a man ſinned preſumptuouſly, Numb. 15.30.Num 15:30he was to be cut off from among his people; no Sacrifice, no Interceſſion by the high Prieſt then; but we have ſuch an high Prieſt as makes Interceſſion for all ſins; every ſin though it boyl up to blaſphemy (ſo it be not againſt the holy Ghoſt) ſhall by the vertue of Chriſt's interceſſion be forgiven. In that day there ſhall be a fountain opened to the houſe of David, Zach. 13.1.Zech 13:1and to the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem for ſin, and for uncleanneſs, (i.e.) for ſins of all ſorts. Verily I ſay unto you, all ſins ſhall be forgiven unto the Sons of Men, Mark. 3.28.Mark 3:28(i.e.) Scarlet ſins, or crimſon ſins; ſins of the deepeſt dye ſhall by Chriſts Interceſſion be done away; the voice of his blood ſpeaks better things than the Blood of Abel; it intercedes for the abolition of bloody ſins.

p. 5397. The high Prieſts then interceded not without all theſe materials, viz. A Temple, an Altar, a Sacrifice of a young Bullock for a ſin-offering,Levit. 16.3.Lev 16:3 and a Ram for a burnt offering; a Cenſer full of burning coals of fire taken off the Altar, a putting the incenſe upon the fire, that the cloud of the incenſe might cover the mercy-ſeat, a ſprinkling the mercy-ſeat with the blood of the Bullock, and of the Goat with their finger, ſeven times; ſuch materials they had, and ſuch actions they did, which were all diſtinct as from themſelves; but Jeſus Chriſt in his Interceſſions now needs none of theſe materials; but rather he himſelf and his own merits are inſtead of all. As, 1. He is the Temple, either in regard of the Deity, the gold of the Temple being ſanctified by the Temple, or in regard of his humane body, deſtroy this Temple, (ſaith Chriſt) and I will build it again in three dayes; it was deſtroyed, and God found it an acceptable Sacrifice, and ſmelt in it a ſweet ſavor as in a Temple. 2. He is the Altar according to his Deity, for as the Altar ſanctifies the gift, ſo doth the God-head ſanctifie the man-hood; The Altar muſt needs be of a greater dignity than the oblation, and therefore this Altar betokens the Divinity of Jeſus Chriſt. 3. He is the Sacrifice moſt properly according to the Man-hood, for although by communication of properties the blood of the Sacrifice is called the blood of God, Acts 20.28.Acts 20:28yet properly the human Soul and fleſh of Chriſt was the Holocauſt, or whole burnt-offering roaſted in the fire of his Fathers wrath. 4. His merits are the cloud of Incenſe, for ſo the Angel; Chriſt is ſaid to have a golden Cenſer, and much Incenſe, Rev. 8.3, 4.Rev 8:3Rev 8:4that he ſhould offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne; and the ſmoke of the Incenſe which came with the Prayers of the Saints aſcended up before God out of the Angels hand: the merits of Chriſt are ſo mingled with the prayers of his Saints, that they perfume their Prayers, and ſo they find acceptance with God his Father. We ſee now the difference betwixt Chriſts Interceſſions, and the Interceſſions of the high Prieſts of Old.

SECT. VII. What the Properties of this Interceſſion of Chriſt are.

7. WHat are the properties of this Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt? I anſwer.— 1. It is heavenly and glorious; and that appears in theſe particulars.

1. Chriſt doth not fall upon his knees before his Father, as in the days of his humiliation; for that is not agreeable to that glory he hath received; he only preſents his pleaſure to his Father, that he may thereto put his Seal and Conſent. 2. Chriſt doth not pray out of private charity as the Saints pray one for another in this life, but out of publick Office of mediation, there is one God, 1 Tim. 2.5.1 Tim 2:5and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jeſus. 3. Chriſt prayes not out of humility, which is the propoſing of requeſts for things unmerited, but out of authority, which is the deſiring of a thing, ſo as withall he hath a right of beſtowing it, as well as deſiring it. 4. Chriſt prays not merely as an advocate, but as a propitiation too; Chriſt's Spirit is an advocate, but only Chriſt is advocate and propitiation; Chriſts Spirit is our advocate on earth, but only Chriſt in his Perſon applyeth his merits in heaven, and furthers the cauſe of our ſalvation with his Father in heaven. In every of theſe reſpects we may ſee Chriſts interceſſions is heavenly and glorious.

2. It is ever effectual and prevailing: as he hath a power to intercede for us, ſo he hath a power to confer that upon us for which he intercedes.John 14 16. John 16.7.John 14:16John 16:7 I will pray the Father and he ſhall give you another Comforter. If I go not away the comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart I will ſend him unto you. If Chriſt prayed on earth, he was ever heard, but if Chriſt prayed in heaven, we may be ſure the Father ever heareth and anſwereth there; when Chriſt as man prayed for himſelf, he was heard in that which he feareth, but now Chriſt as Mediator praying for us, he is ever heard in the very particular which he deſireth.James 4.3.Jas 4:3 We ſinful men many a time ask and receive not, becauſe we ask amiſs, that we may conſume it upon our Luſts; but Jeſus Chriſt never asks amiſs; nor to wrong ends; and therefore God the Father who called him to this Office of being (as it were) the great Maſter of Requeſts in behalf of his Church, John 11.41, 42.John 11:41John 11:42he promiſeth to hear him in all his requeſts. Father, I thank thee that thou haſt heard me, and I know thou heareſt me alwayes, ſaith Chriſt.

3. It is of all other the tranſactions of Chriſt, till the very end of the World, the moſt perfective and conſummate: indeed ſo perfective, that without it all the other p. 540parts of Chriſt's Mediatorſhip would have been to little purpoſe. As the Sacrifices under the Law had not been of ſuch force and efficacy, had not the high Prieſt entred into the holy place to appear there, and to preſent the blood there unto the Lord; ſo all that ever Chriſt did or ſuffered upon earth, it had been ineffectual unto us, had he not entred into heaven,Heb. 9.24.Heb 9:24 to appear there in the preſence of God for us. Surely this Interceſſion is that which puts life into the death of Chriſt; this Interceſſion is that which ſtrikes the laſt ſtroak during this World, in the carrying on of our ſouls Salvation,Goodwin, Chriſt ſet forth. Rom. 8.34.Rom 8:34 and makes all ſure. It is a witty obſervation that one makes of theſe ſeveral ſteps of Chriſts actings for us; as firſt, there was an all-ſufficiency in his death, who ſhall condemn? it is Chriſt that dyed. 2. A rather in his Reſurrection; yea rather, that is riſen again. 3. A much rather in his life and ſeſſion at God's right hand, for if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of Chriſt, much rather being reconciled we ſhall be ſaved by his life. Rom. 5.10.Rom 5:104. The Apoſtle riſeth yet higher to a ſaving to the utmost, and puts that upon his interceſſion; wherefore he is able to ſave us to the utmoſt, Heb. 7.25.Heb 7:25ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for us. If in the former were any thing wanting, this interceſſion of Chriſt ſupplies all; it is the Coronis, which makes all effectual; it ſaves to the uttermoſt, for it ſelf is the uttermoſt and higheſt ſtep; on earth Chriſt begins the execution of his office, in heaven he ends it; in his life and death Chriſt was the meritorious cauſe, but by his interceſſion Chriſt is the applying cauſe of our ſouls ſalvation. In this very Interceſſion of Chriſt is the conſummation and perfection of the Prieſt-hood of Chriſt. O then how requiſite and neceſſary muſt this needs be?

4. It is gracious, and full of bowels; Chriſt his interceſſion, and indeed Chriſt's Prieſtly office is erected, and ſet up on purpoſe, for the relief of poor diſtreſſed ſinners. There is no mixture of terror in this bleſſed office of Jeſus Chriſt, and this doth diſtinguiſh it from his other offices. Chriſt by his Kingly office rules over the Churches, and over the World; but all obtain not mercy whom he thus rules over; Chriſt by his prophetical office comes to his own, but many of his own received him not; but now wherever the Prieſtly office of Jeſus Chriſt is let forth upon a Soul, that ſoul ſhall certainly be ſaved for ever. O this Prieſtly office of Chriſt is an office of meer love and tender compaſſion:Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15 Christ (ſaith the Apoſtle) is ſuch an high-Prieſt as cannot be but touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Oh he is a merciful, Heb. 2.17.Heb 2:17and a faithful high Prieſt in things partaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the People. He is mercifull and exceeding compaſſionate; in all our afflictions he is afflicted; Iſa. 63.9.Isa 63:9—and in his love, and in his pity he Redeemed us; and in his love and pity he intercedes for us.

SECT VIII. Wherein the Interceſſion of Chriſt conſiſts.

8. WHerein more eſpecially doth the Interceſſions of Jeſus Chriſt conſiſt? ſome ſuppoſe that Chriſts very being in heaven, and putting God in mind of his active and paſſive obedience by his very preſence, is all that interceſſion that the Scripture ſpeaks of. But I rather anſwer is theſe particulars. As—

1. Chriſts interceſſion conſiſts in the preſenting of his Perſon for us: he himſelf went up to heaven, and preſented himſelf; the Apoſtle calls this, an appearing for us: Chriſt is not entered into the holy place made with hands, but into heav…n, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. Heb. 9.24.Heb 9:24I believe there is an Emphaſis in the Word appearing for us. But how appears he for us? I anſwer. 1. In a publick manner; whatſoever he did in this kind, he did it openly and publickly; he appears for us in the preſence of God the Father; he appears for us in the preſence of his Saints and Angels; heavens eyes are all upon him in his appearing for us. 2. He appears for us as a Mediator, he ſtands in the middle betwixt God and us; hence it is, that he is God-man, that he might be a Mediator betwixt God and man. 3. He appears for us as a Sponſor, and a pledge; ſurely it is a comfort for a man to have a friend at Court, at the Princes elbow, that may own him, and appear for him; but if this friend be both a Mediator and Surety, a Mediator to requeſt for him, and a Surety to engage for him.Phil. 9.10. ver. 18, 19. Oh what comfort is this! thus Chriſt appeared in every reſpect; he is a Mediator to requeſt for us; and he is a Surety to engage for us: as Paul, was for p. 541Oneſimus a mediator, I beſeech thee for my Son Oneſimus; and a Sponſor, if he hath wronged thee; or, owe thee ought, put that on my account, I will repay it. So is Jeſus Chriſt for his Saints; he is the Mediator of a better Covenant, Heb. 8.6.Heb. 8.6.Heb 8:6 and he is a Surety of a better Teſtament, Heb. 7.22.Heb. 7.…2.Heb 7:2 4. He appears as a Solicitor, to preſent and promote the deſires and requeſts of his Saints, in ſuch a way as that they may find acceptance with his Father. He is not idle now he is in Heaven; but as on earth he ever went about doing good: ſo now in glory he is ever about his work of doing good; he ſpends all his time in Heaven in promoteing the good of his people; as from the beginning it was his care, ſo to the Worlds end it will be his care to ſolicite his Father in the behalf of his poor Saints; he tells God, thus and thus it is with his poor Members, they are in want, in trouble, in diſtreſs, in affliction, in reproach; and then he preſents their ſighs, ſobs, prayers, tears, and groans; and that in ſuch a way as that they may become acceptable to his Father.—5. He appears as an Advocate: if any man ſin, 1 John 2.….1 John 2we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. An Advocate is more than a Solicitor; an Advocate is one that is of Counſel with an other, and that pleadeth his Caſe in open Court; and ſuch an advocate is Jeſus Chriſt unto his people. 1. He is of Councel with them; that is one of the Titles given him by the Prophet Iſaiah, Wonderful, Councellour; Iſa. 96.He councells them by his Word and Spirit. 2. He pleads for them, and this he doth in the high Court of Heaven, at the Bar of God's own Juſtice; there he pleads their caſe, and anſwereth all the accuſations that are brought in by Satan or their own Conſciences: but of this anon.— 6. He appears as a publick agent, or Ledger-Embaſſadour; what that is, ſome tell us in theſe particulars; 1. His work is to continue peace; and ſurely this is Chriſt's work, he is our peace (ſaith the Apoſtle); that is, the author of our peace;Eph. 2.14.Eph 2:14 he purchaſed our peace, and he maintains our peace with God; to this purpoſe he ſits at God's right hand to intercede for us, and to maintain the peace and union betwixt God and us; therefore being juſtified by faith, Rom. 5.1.Rom 5:1we have peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 2. His work is to maintain intercourſe and correſpondency; and ſurely this is Chriſts work alſo; By him we have an acceſs unto the Father, Eph. 2.18.3.12.Eph 2:18Eph 2:3Eph 2:12—In him we have boldneſs and acceſs with confidence, by the Faith of him; the word acceſs] doth not only ſignifie coming to God in prayer, but all that reſort and communion which we have with God, as united by faith to Jeſus Chriſt; according to that,1 Pet. 3.18.1 Pet 3:18 Chriſt had once ſuffered for ſins, the juſt for the unjuſt, that he might bring us to God. This benefit have all believers in and by Chriſt; they come to God by him, they have free commerce and intercourſe in heaven—3. His work is to reconcile and take up emergent differences, and this is Chriſt's work alſo;Iſa. 53.12.Isa 53:12 he maketh interceſſion for the Tranſgreſſors; he takes up the differences that our tranſgreſſions make betwixt God and us. 4. This work is to procure the welfare of the People or State where he negotiates; and this is no leſs Chriſt's Work, for he ſeeks the welfare of his people, he ſits at God's right hand to intercede for them, and commending their eſtate and condition to his Father,Phil. 1.19.Phil 1:19 he makes it his requeſt to his Father that his members may have a continual ſupply of the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt; that they may be ſtrengthened in temptations, confirmed in tribulations, delivered from every evil work, enabled to every good duty, and finally preſerved unto his Heavenly Kingdom.

2. Chriſt's Interceſſions conſiſts in the preſenting of his Wounds, Death, and Blood, as a publick ſatisfaction for the debt of ſin; and as a publick price for the purchaſe of our glory.

There is a queſtion amongſt the Schools, whether Chriſt hath not taken his wounds, or the ſigns, skars, and prints of his wounds into heaven with him? and whether Chriſt is repreſenting thoſe wounds, skars, and prints unto his Father, doth not hereby intercede for us? ſome I am ſure are for the affirmative. Aquinas diſtinguiſheth of Chriſt's Interceſſion as being three-fold,Aquin. in Job. c. 2.Job 2 the firſt before his paſſion by devout prayer, and the ſecond at his Paſſion by effuſion of his blood, and the third after his Aſcenſion, by the repreſentation of his Wounds and Scars. Howſoever this hold, (for I dare not be too confident without Scripture-ground) yet this I dare ſay, that Chriſt doth not only preſent himſelf, but the Sacrifice of himſelf, and the infinite Merit of his Sacrifice. When he went to heaven, he carried with him abſolutely the Power, Merit, the vertue of his Wounds, and Death, and Blood into the preſence of God the Father for us; and with his blood he ſprinkled the Mercy-ſeat (as it were) ſeven times. We read p. 542in the Law, that When the high Prieſt went within the vail; he took the blood of the Bullock, and ſprinkled it with his finger upon the mercy-ſeat Eaſt-ward: Levit. 16.14.Lev 16:14and before the mercy-ſeat he ſprinkled the blood with his finger ſeven times: not only was the Prieſt to kill the Bullock without the holy of holies, but he was to enter with the blood into the holy of holies, and to ſprinkle the mercy-ſeat therein with it; ſurely theſe were patterns of things to be done in the Heavens: Chriſt that was ſlain and Crucified without the gate, carryed his own blood into the holy of holies, or into the heaven of heavens,Heb. 9.12.Heb 9:12 for by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us; and thither come, he ſprinkles it (as it were) upon the mercy-ſeat, (i.e.) he applyes it, and obtains mercy by it; by the blood of Chriſt God's mercy and juſtice are reconciled in themſelves, and reconciled unto us; Chriſt ſprinkles his blood on the mercy-ſeat ſeven times; ſeven is a note of perfection; where Chriſts blood is ſprinkled on a ſoul, that ſoul is ſure to be waſhed from all filth, and at laſt to be perfected and ſaved to the very utmoſt: Chriſt's blood was ſhed upon the earth, but Chriſt's blood is ſprinkled now he is in heaven; what? is any ſoul ſprinkled with the blood of Chriſt;Heb. 12.22, 24.Heb 12:22Heb 12:24 ſurely this ſprinkling comes from heaven, ſo the Apoſtle, But ye are come to mount Zion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem,—and to Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and then it follows, to the blood of ſprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel. It is upon mount Zion where this ſprinkling is: there is Jeſus at God's right hand, there he ſtands (as it were) upon the mount,Levit. 16.14, 19.Lev 16:14Lev 16:19 and there he ſprinkles his blood round about him; heaven is all beſprinkled, as the mercy-ſeat in the holy of holies was; the earth is all beſprinkled, as the Altar out of the holy of holies was; heaven and earth are all beſprinkled with the blood of Jeſus, ſo that the Saints and people of God are no where, but their doors, and their poſts, and houſes (I mean their bodies and ſouls) are all beſprinkled with the blood of the Lamb ſlain from the beginning of the World. Why, this is that blood of ſprinkling that ſpeaks better things than that of Abel. Mark, that Chriſt's blood hath a tongue; it ſpeaks, it cries, it prayes, it intercedes; there's ſome agreement, and ſome difference betwixt Chriſts blood and Abels blood.

Gen. 4.10.Gen 4:101. The agreement is in theſe things; Abels blood was abundantly ſhed, for ſo it is ſaid, the voyce of bloods; and Chriſt's blood was let out, with thornes and ſcourges, nails and ſpear,Gen. 4.10.Gen 4:10 it was abundantly ſhed: Again, Abels blood cryed out, yea it made a loud cry, ſo that it was heard from earth to heaven, the voice of thy Brothers blood cryeth unto me from the ground; and Chriſt's blood cryeth out, it makes a loud cry, it fills heaven and earth with the noiſe, yea the Lords ears are ſo filled with it, that it drowns all other ſouls, and rings continually in his ears.

2. The difference is in theſe things; Abels blood cryed for vengeance againſt Cain, but Chriſt's blood ſpeaks for mercy on all believers; Abels blood was ſhed becauſe he ſacrificed, and he and his ſacrifice accepted: but Chriſts blood was ſhed that he might be ſacrificed, and that we through his ſacrifice might be accepted: Abels blood cryed thus, ſee Lord, and revenge; but Chriſts blood cryed thus, Father forgive them for they know not what they do; and at this very inſtant Chriſt's blood crys for remiſſion; and here's our comfort; if God heard the ſervant, he will much rather hear the Son, if he heard the ſervant for ſpilling, he will much more hear the Son for ſaving; yet that I may ſpeak properly, and not in figures, I will not ſay that the very blood which Chriſt ſhed on the Croſs is now in heaven, nor that it ſpeaks in heaven; theſe cryings are merely Mataphorical; yet this I maintain as real and proper, that the power, merit, and vertue of Chriſt's blood is preſented by our Saviour to his Father both as a publick ſatisfaction for our ſin, and as a publick price for the purchaſe of our glory.

3. Chriſt's Interceſſion conſiſts in the preſenting of his will, his requeſt, his interpellation for us;John 17.24.John 17:24 grounded upon the vigor and vertue of his glorious merits. Father I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou haſt given me. This was a piece of Chriſt's prayer while yet he was on earth; and ſome ſay it is a ſummary of Chriſt's Interceſſion which now he makes for us in his glory; he prayed on earth as he meant to pray for us when he came to heaven; he hints at this in the beginning of his Prayer, for he ſpeaks as if all his work had been done on earth,John 17.4, 5.John 17:4John 17:5 and as if then he were even beginning his work in heaven; I have glorified thee on earth, I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do; and now O Father glorifie thou me with thy own ſelf, with the glory which I had with thee before the World was.

p. 543I know it is a queſtion, whether Chriſt now in heaven do indeed, and truth, and in right propriety of ſpeech pray for us? ſome able Divines are for the Negative, others for the Affimative. For my part (leaving a liberty to thoſe otherwiſe minded according to their light) I am of opinion, that Chriſt doth not only intercede by an interpretative Prayer, as in the preſenting of himſelf, and his merits to his Father; but alſo by an expreſs prayer, or by an expreſs and open repreſentation of his will: and to this opinion methinks theſe Texts agree. I will pray the Father, John 14.16. John 16.26, 27.John 14:16John 16:26John 16:27and he ſhall give you another Comforter, and at that day ye ſhall ask in my Name, and I ſay unto you, that I will pray the Father for you; when he ſaith, I ſay not, that I will pray for you, it is the higheſt intimation that he would pray for them; as it is our phraſe, I do not ſay that I will do this, or that for you, no not I; when indeed we will moſt ſurely do it, and do it to purpoſe. Auſtin confirms this, orat pro nobis, orat in nobis, & oratur a nobis, &c. He prays for us, he prays in us, and he is prayed to by us: he prays for us as he is our Prieſt, Aug. Prefat. in pſalm. 85.and he prays in us as he is our Head, and he is prayed to by us as he is our God. Ambroſe tells us, That Chriſt ſo now prays for us as ſometimes he prayed for Peter, that his faith ſhould not fail. Amb. ſuper ad Roman. 8.Methinks I imagine as if I heard Chriſt praying in heaven in this Language, O my Father, I pray not for the World, I will not open my lips for any one Son of perdition; but I imploy all my blood, and all my prayers, and all my intereſts with thee for my dear, beloved, precious Saints; it is true, thou haſt given me a perſonal glory which I had with thee before the World was, and yet there is another glory I beg for, and that is the glory of my Saints. O that they may be ſaved! why I am glorified in them, they are my joy, John 17.10, 13, 24.John 17:10John 17:13John 17:24and therefore I muſt have them with me where I am; thou hast ſet my heart upon them, and thou thy ſelf haſt loved them as thou haſt loved me; and thou haſt ordained them to be one in us even as we are one, and therefore I cannot live long aſunder from them; I have thy company, but I muſt have theirs too; I will that they be with me where I am; If I have any glory, they muſt have part of it; this is my prayer, that they may behold my glory which thou haſt given me. Why, thus Chriſt prayed while he was on Earth, and if this ſame prayer be the ſummary of Chriſt's interceſſion or interpellation now he is in heaven, we may imagine him praying thus; it were too nice to queſtion, whether Chriſt's prayer in heaven be vocal or mental? certainly Chriſt preſents his gracious will to his Father in heaven ſome way or other, and I make no queſtion but he fervently and immoveably deſires that for the perpetual vertue of his ſacrifice all his members may be accepted of God, and crowned with glory; nor only is there a cry of his blood in heaven, but Chriſt by his prayer ſeconds that cry of his blood; an argument is handed to us by Maſter Goodwin thus: As it was with Abel,Goodwin, Chriſt ſet forth. ſo it is with Chriſt; Abels blood went up to heaven, and Abels ſoul went up to heaven, and by this means the cry of Abels dead blood, was ſeconded by the cry of Abels living ſoul; his cauſe cryed, and his ſoul cryed; as it is ſaid of the Martyrs, that the ſouls of them that were ſlain for the Teſtimony which they held, cryed with a loud voice, ſaying, how long Lord, Holy and True, doſt thou not judge and avenge our blood that dwell on the earth? Rev. 6.9, 10.Rev 6:9Rev 6:10even ſo it is with Chriſt, his blood went up to heaven, and his ſoul went up to heaven, yea his body, ſoul, and all his whole perſon went up to Heaven; and by this means his cauſe cryes, and he himſelf ſeconds the cry of his cauſe: Jeſus Chriſt in his own perſon ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us; he ever liveth as the great Maſter of requeſts to preſent his deſires, that thoſe for whom he dyed may be ſaved.

4. Chriſt's Interceſſion conſiſts in the preſenting of our perſons in his own perſon to his Father, ſo that now God cannot look upon the Son, but he muſt behold the Saints in his Son; are they not members of his body, in near relation to himſelf? and are not all his Interceſſions in behalf of them, and only of them? but how are all the Elect carried up into heaven with Jeſus Chriſt, and there ſet down before his Father in Jeſus Chriſt? I anſwer, not actually, but myſtically; when Chriſt intercedes, he takes our perſons, and carries them in unto God the Father in a moſt unperceiveable way to us; for the way or manner I leave it to others, for my part, I dare not be too inquiſitive in a ſecret not revealed by God; only this we ſay, that Chriſt preſents our perſons to his Father in his own perſon; and this was plainly ſhadowed out by that act or office of the high Prieſt, who went into the holy of holies,Exod. 28.12.Exod 28:12 with the names of all the Tribes of Iſrael upon his ſhoulders, and upon his breaſt; and this the Apoſtle ſpeaks out yet more plainly, by him we have an acceſs unto the Father, Epheſ. 2.18.3.12.Eph 2:18Eph 2:3Eph 2:12and in him we have boldneſs and acceſs with confidence: I ſhall a little enlarge on both theſe Texts, recorded for our inſtruction in the Law, and Goſpel, in the Old and in the New Teſtament. Firſt, we find in the Law,Exod. 28.14.Exod 28:14 that Aaron was to put two ſtones upon the ſhoulders of the Ephod, for ſtones of memorial unto the children of Iſrael, and ſo Aaron was to bear the p. 544names before the Lord upon his two ſhoulders for a memorial. And again; Aaron, was to bear the names of the children of Iſrael in the breaſt-plate of judgment upon his heart; when he went into the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually. Ver. 29.Here we find the names of the twelve Tribes of Iſrael ingraven in ſtones, which the high-Prieſt uſually took with him into the holy place, when he appear'd before the Lord; firſt, upon his humeral, and then upon his pectoral; in both ſhewing that he entred into that place, not only or principally in his own behalf, but in behalf of the Tribes whom he preſented before the Lord, that they might be in continual remembrance with the Lord; a lively Type of Chriſt's Interceſſion, who being entred into the Heavens he there appears in the behalf of his Elect, and he preſents their perſons to his Father, bearing them (as it were) upon his ſhoulders, and upon his heart; why thus Chriſt takes our perſons into heaven, and repreſents them in his own perſon to his Father. Secondly we find in the Goſpel a gracious promiſe,Epheſ. 2.18. — 3.12.Eph 2:18 that by Chriſt we have acceſs unto the Father, and in Chriſt we have acceſs with confidence. Where the word acceſs, foreign ſignifies properly a manuduction or leading by the hand to God; an introduction, or bringing into God; alluding to the cuſtome in Princes Courts, where none may come into the preſence-Chamber, unleſs they be led, or brought in by ſome Favourite or Courtier there; thus none may have acceſs into the preſence of God unleſs they are brought in by this Favourite of heaven, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; whoſe very office it is to bring men unto God; he takes us by the hand and leads us to the Father. q. d. Come Souls, come along with me, and I will carry you to the Father. Look how a child that ha…h run away from his Father, is taken by the hand of a friend, or of his …lder brother, and ſo brought again into the preſence of his Father; even ſo all we, having run away from God, are by the good hand of Chriſt taken up, and led again into the preſence of the Father; he is that Ladder that Jacob ſaw, upon whom we aſcend into the boſome of God, and into heaven; he is that high-Prieſt, that takes our perſons, and bears them on his ſhoulders and on his heart, ſuſtaining our perſons, and preſenting our conditions unto his Father, and our Father, unto his God, and our God.

5. Chriſts Interceſſion conſiſts in the preſenting of our duties unto God. Not only doth he take our perſons and leads and carry them into the preſence of God, but together with our perſons he preſents all our ſervices in his own perſon. Now in this act he doth theſe two things.

1. He obſerves what evil, or what falling is in our duties, and he draws that out, and takes it away, before he preſents them unto God; or as a child that would preſent his Father with a poſie, he goes into the garden, and gathers flowers and weeds together; but coming to his Mother, ſhe picks out the weeds, and binds up the flowers by themſelves, and ſo it is preſented to the Father: thus we go to duty, and we gather weeds and flowers together but Chriſt comes and picks out the weeds, and ſo preſents nothing but flowers to God the Father; and this is plainly ſet forth by that ceremony of the high-Prieſt, in taking away the iniquity of their holy things;Exod. 28.36.37.38.Exod 28:36Exod 28:37Exod 28:38 And thou ſhalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it like the ingravings of a Signet, holineſs to the Lord; and thou ſhalt put it on a blew lace, that it may be upon the Mitre, upon the fore-front of the Mitre it ſhall be. And it ſhall be on Aarons fore-head, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the Children of Iſrael ſhall hallow in all their holy gifts, and it ſhall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord: This was the manner of the Ceremony, and this was the end of the Ceremony, that Aaron might bear and take away the iniquity of their holy things: what was this but a Type of Jeſus Chriſt? who with his moſt abſolute righteouſneſs covereth all the defects of our good works, which are ſtill ſpotted with ſome defect?Iſa. 64.6.Isa 64:6 Alas! all our righteouſneſs are as filthy rags, but Chriſt draws out the evil of duty, and failings in duty, before he will preſent them unto God.

2. He obſerves what good there is in any of our duties or performances and with that he mingles his own prayers and Interceſſions, and preſents all as one work interwoven or mingled together unto God the Father. And another Angel ſtood at the Altar having a golden Conſer, Rev. 8.3, 4.Rev 8:3Rev 8:4and there was given unto him much Incenſe that he ſhould offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar, which was before the Throne; and the ſmoke of the Incenſe which came with the prayers of the Saints aſcended up before God out of the Angels hand. I know there is a controverſie, who this Angel ſhould be, that with the Incenſe mingles the prayers of all Saints? ſome conjecture him to be a created Angel, in that the incenſe or ordours are ſaid to be given to him, and not to be his own, or to have them of himſelf: others ſay he could be no other but the Angel of the Covenant, for no Angel doth intercede or preſent our prayers but Jeſus Chriſt; as for that which is ſpoken concerning p. 545the ſeven Angels preſenting the Saints prayers, I am Raphael, one of the ſeven holy Angels, which preſent the prayers of the Saints. We ſay it is no canonical Scripture,Tobit. 12.1…Tob 12:1 nor is it authorized by any canonical Scripture; beſides, I cannot think that the Prieſts were types of Angels, but only of Chriſt: Again, howſoever the Greek Copies ſo read that Text, yet the antient Hebrew Copy ſet forth by Paulus Fagius, and Jerome, who tranſlated it out of the Caldee (as Maſter Mede on Zachar. 4.10. avoucheth) reads it thus, I am Raphael, one of the ſeven Angels, which ſtand, and miniſter before the glory of the holy One. And certainly in this Text of Revel. 8.3, 4. There is a figurative deſcription of an heavenly ſervice, correſpondent to that which was performed in the Temple; namely, that the people being without at prayer, the Prieſt offered incenſe within upon the Altar, Luke 1.9, 10. To ſignifie that Believers prayers have always need to be helped, and ſanctified by Chriſt's interceſſion; and what though the incenſe was given him? we know that Chriſt himſelf was given of God; God ſo loved the world, John 3.16.John 3:16that he gave his only begotten Son; and yet this hinders not, but that Jeſus Chriſt gave himſelf, and that he gave himſelf for an incenſe too; for ſo the Apoſtle,Epheſ. 5.2.Eph 5:2 He hath given himſelf for us an offering, and a ſacrifice unto God; for an incenſe, or for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour; in this reſpect the incenſe might be given him, and yet the incenſe was his own; they were only Chriſt's merits, righteouſneſs, ſatisfaction; they are the ſweet odour, by vertue whereof, God accepts of his Saints perſons and prayers; and it is onelyonly Chriſt that preſents before God that which he is and hath, he alone being both offering and Prieſt; we can think of no other Prieſt in Goſpel-times, but only Jeſus,Heb. 6.20.Heb 6:20 The fore-runner, even Jeſus Chriſt made an high-prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchizedech. It is Jeſus, and only Jeſus that preſents our prayers, and ſanctifies our prayers, and mingles our prayers with his merits, and ſo makes them penetrate ſweetly before his God.

6. Chriſt's interceſſion conſiſts in the preſenting of our plea or anſwer in Heaven to all thoſe accuſations that are brought in againſt our ſelves. And this I take it to be the meaning of the challenge, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Rom. 8.33, 34.Rom 8:33Rom 8:34it is God that juſtifies, Who is he that condemneth it? it is Chriſt that dyed, yea, rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Chriſt intercedes; and who ſhall condemn? Chriſt takes off all accuſations; and who ſhall charge? if the Law, or Sin, or Satan, ſhall dare to accuſe, our Jeſus is ready at God's right hand to anſwer all. There is a viſion in Zachariah repreſenting this,Zach. 3.1.Zech 3:1 And the Angel ſhewed me Joſhua the high-prieſt, ſtanding before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan ſtanding at his right hand to reſiſt him. It was the cuſtom of the accuſer to ſtand at the right hand of the accuſed; Set thou a wicked man over him, Pſalm 109.6.Ps 109:6and let Satan ſtand at his right hand; now here's Satan ſtanding at Joſhua's right hand to accuſe him; but whereof doth he accuſe him? that appears in the words following,Ver. 3. Joſhua was cloathed with filthy garments, an ordinary ſign of ſin; as a white garment is a ſign of Chriſt's righteouſneſs, ſo is a filthy garment in Scripture, a ſign of vileneſs; alas! Joſhua was defiled with the pollution which he had gotten by the contagion of Babylon, and now at his return, Satan lays it to his charge; but Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, ſteps in, and takes off the accuſation; And the Lord ſaid unto Satan, Ver. 2.the Lord rebuke thee O Satan, even the Lord that hath choſen Jeruſalem rebuke thee; twice he repeats it, to ſhew the fulneſs of Chriſt's interceſſion, q. d. the Lord my God, my everlaſting Father, rebuke, and confound thee Satan, in this thy malicious oppoſition againſt my Joſhua; and then he goes on in his apology for Joſhua; Ver. 2.Is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire? q. d. is not this one, whom of my grace I have reſerved amongſt my people, whom I cauſed to paſs through the fire of mine indignation? and ſhall not my decree of grace ſtand firm and inviolable towards ſuch? or thus, Is not this a brand pluckt newly out of the fire of affliction? was he not in the captivity of Babylon? and is it likely he ſhould be there, but he would be defiled with the touch of pitch? take a brand, and pull it out of the fire, and there will be ſome duſt, and aſhes, and filth about it; Why Lord (ſays Chriſt) this Joſhua is but newly pull'd out of the burning; and therefore he muſt needs have aſhes, and duſt, and filth about him:Ver. 4. But come (ſaith Chriſt to his holy Angels) take away the filthy garment from him; Ver. 4.and come (ſays Chriſt to his ſervant Joſhua) Behold I have cauſed thine iniquity to paſs from thee, and I will cloath thee with change of rayment. And thus Chriſt took off the accuſation that was brought againſt Joſhua, by Satan, for his filthy garments. In like manner doth our bleſſed Interceſſor at this inſtant, if a p. 546poor Saint falls into any ſin, and defiles his garments, Satan comes in, and takes the right hand of him, and accuſes him before the Lord; but Chriſt our great High-Prieſt being at the right hand of his Father, he takes up the cauſe, puts in a plea, and anſwers all the accuſations of the enemy; True Lord, this poor ſoul hath filthy garments, but is he not a fire-brand newly pluckt out of the fire? was he not in his natural and ſinful condition the other day? is he not yet partly regenerate, and partly unregenerate? needs therefore must there be ſome aſhes, and duſt, and filth upon him. O my Father, my will is, That thou conſider him in that reſpect, thou knoweſt his frame, and thou remembreſt that he is but duſt, though he have filthy garments now upon him, yet I will give him change of rayments; I will cloath him with the robe of my righteouſneſs, and then thou ſhalt ſee no iniquity in Jacob, no tranſgreſſion in Iſrael. Why? thus the Lord Chriſt ſteps in, and anſwers to all the accuſations that are brought in againſt us by the Law, or Sin, or Satan, to God his Father;1 John 2.1.1 John 2:1 and in this reſpect he is truly called our Advocate, If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. We have an Advocate that pleads for us, that anſwers for us: that in a way of equity (grounding all upon his own merits) calls for the pardon of our ſins, and for the ſalvation of our ſouls.

SECT IX. How powerful and prevailing Chriſt's Interceſſions are with God his Father.

9. HOW powerful and prevailing are Chriſt's Interceſſions with God his Father? I anſwer, very much, and this will appear if we conſider,—

Heb. 8.1.Heb 8:11. That Chriſt is our great High-Prieſt to God; We have ſuch an high-Prieſt, who is ſet down on the right hand of the Majeſty on high. Now 'twas the way of God to lend his ear in ſpecial manner to the High-Prieſts; and therefore the people uſually run to them,1 Sam. 9 9.1 Sam 9:9 when they would enquire of God; Before time in Iſrael, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he ſpake, Come, and let us go to the Seer, for he that is now called a Prophet (or High-Prieſt) was before time called a Seer.—People were wont to repair to the Prieſts, and the Prieſts were wont to go to God; and good reaſon, for the Prieſts were to mediate for the people, and the people had experience that God would hearken to the cry of their Prieſt;1 Sam 12.18, 19, 23.1 Sam 12:181 Sam 12:191 Sam 12:23 Samuel called unto the Lord, and the Lord ſent thunder, and rain that day. And all the people ſaid to Samuel, Pray for thy ſervants unto the Lord thy God.—And Samuel ſaid unto the people,— God forbid that I ſhould ſin againſt the Lord in ceaſing to pray for you. Now ſuch an High-Prieſt as this (though with far more eminency) is Chriſt to God; he intercedes for his people, (God forbid that he ſhould ever ceaſe to pray for his people:) and he hath God's ear in eſpecial manner; if ever God lend his ear to any one, it muſt needs be to this High-Prieſt, becauſe of his office to intercede betwixt God and his people. Chriſt ſtands in the middle, or indeed next to God, as he is in theſe Goſpel-times our great High-Prieſt; and therefore he muſt needs prevail with God in every petition he puts up for us.

Heb. 5.4, 5.Heb 5:4Heb 5:52. That Chriſt was called to this office by God. Chriſt glorified not himſelf to be made an High-Prieſt; no, no; but he was called of God as Aaron was; it was God the Father that deſigned him to it, and that furniſhed him for it, and that inveſted him in it;Pſalm 110.4.Ps 110:4 The Lord hath ſworn, and will not repent, thou art a Prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchizedech. Now to what purpoſe ſhould God call him to this office, but eſpecially to intercede for them, to whom God was willing to communicate ſalvation? it was God's mind as well as Chriſt's mind to ſave his Elect; and this was the way where on they agreed; that an High-Prieſt ſhould be appointed, and an office of interceſſion ſhould be erected, and by that means the ſalvation purchaſed ſhould be applied; many times we are apt to conceive legal or law-thoughts of God the Father, as that he is juſt and ſevere; and that Chriſt his Son is more meek, and merciful: but this cannot be, for there are not two infinite wills, not two infinite mercies, one in the Father, another in the Son, but one will, and one mercy in both. And to that purpoſe obſerve but the readineſs of God the Father to receive Chriſt honourably p. 547into heaven, that he might do the work of the High Prieſt there; no ſooner had Chriſt entred through the gates into the City, but preſenly, ſit thou down (ſaith God) at my right hand; but to what end? ſurely not only to rule as King (of which we have ſpoken before) but alſo to intercede as our great High Prieſt; hence we find in Scripture, that Chriſt's ſeſſion and interceſſion; his Kingly and Prieſtly office are joyned together;Heb. 8.1.Heb 8:1 He is ſet on the right hand of the Throne of the Majeſty in the Heavens: he! who? why, Chriſt our High Prieſt; we have ſuch an High Prieſt who is ſet down. It is as if Chriſt at his enterance into heaven had ſaid, My Father, I am come hither as the great High Prieſt; having on his breaſt-plate the names of all the Elect, and I come to intercede for poor ſinners; what, ſhall I have welcome on theſe ſame terms? to whom the Father replied, Welcome my ſon, my only Son on theſe very terms; come, ſit thee down, and interede for whom thou pleaſeſt; I have called thee on purpoſe to this very office, and thou ſhalt prevail. Surely the Father is engaged to purpoſe to hear the Son, in that he is an High Prieſt to God, and called to his office by God.

3. That Chriſt is God's Son; and that is more than God's High Prieſt; he is his natural Son, his beloved Son, his Son that never gave him the leaſt offence; ſure then when he comes and intercedes for a man, he is moſt like to ſpeed; if a gracious child do but cry, my Father, my Father, he may prevail very much, eſpecially with a Father who is tender-hearted; Jeſus Chriſt is the gracious, precious Son of God the father; and God the Father is a dear and kind-hearted Father, how then ſhould the interceſſions of Chriſt but be moſt powerful with God? hence ſome gather the prevalency of Chriſt's interceſſion, becauſe in many places of Scripture where this part of Chriſt's Prieſt-hood or interceſſion is laid down, this Sonſhip is alſo expreſſed or ſet forth;Heb. 4.14. Heb. 5.5, 6.Heb 4:14Heb 5:5Heb 5:6 as we have a great High Prieſt entered into the heavens, Jeſus the Son of God.—And thou art an High Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedech. But immediately before, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. O needs muſt the interceſſion of ſuch a Son be very prevalent: I ſay of ſuch a Son, for was ever any Son like this Son of God? was ever any Son ſo like his Father, or ſo equal with his Father? we know he is a begotten Son, and yet never begun to be a Son; he is the Son of the Father, and yet never begun to have a Father: he is a branch of the King of ages, and yet in all the ages paſt was never younger; ſurely all the relations of Son and Father in the World, are but a ſhadow of this relation betwixt God and Chriſt; it is ſo near, that though they are two (as in all relations there muſt needs be relatum and correlatum) yet Chriſt ſpeaks of them, as if they were but one; I and my Father are one; John 10.30.John 10:30if then the Father ſhould deny him any thing, he ſhould deny himſelf; or ceaſe to be one with his Son which can never be. Chriſt is God's Son, his natural Son, his beloved Son,Mat. 3.17.Matt 3:17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed, ſaith God? O then how prevalent muſt Chriſt's interceſſion be with God?

4. That Chriſt is God himſelf, not only God's Son, but God himſelf? how powerful in this reſpect muſt his interceſſions be unto the Father? it is true, that Chriſt is another ſubſiſtence and perſon from the Father, but Chriſt is one and the ſame God with the Father; Chriſt is the very eſſential, ſubſtantial, and noble repreſentation of God himſelf; Chriſt is the very ſelf of God, both God ſending, and God ſent; Chriſt is the fellow of God, Awake O ſword againſt my ſhepherd, and againſt the man that is my fellow; Zach. 13.7.Zech 13:7nay, Chriſt is God, and not another God, but one God; God of God, light of light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one ſubſtance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Can we imagine now that God himſelf ſhould be denied any boon of God himſelf? if God ſometimes ſpoke to his ſervants, Ask of me, Iſa. 45.11.Isa 45:11command ye me concerning all the work of mine hands: will not God much more ſay to God, Ask of me, and I ſhall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, Pſal. 2.8.Ps 2:8and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion? we have brought it now ſo near, that if God be God, and God be Omnipotent, that he can do, and can have whatſoever he pleaſes: then Chriſt being one God with his Father, he muſt needs prevail; it is but ask and have, let him ask what he will.

5. That Chriſt is God's darling upon this very account, becauſe he intercedes for his People. Therefore doth my Father love me, becauſe I lay down my life, John 10.17.John 10:17that I might take it again. I lay it down by ſuffering, and I take it again by riſing, aſcending up into heaven, and interceding there; and therefore doth my Father love me. O the love of God to Chriſt, and of God in Chriſt to all his Saints! God ſo loved the world, that he gave his Son; and Chriſt ſo loved the world, that he gave himſelf; and now p. 548again becauſe Chriſt gave himſelf, and his gift is as a ſweet ſmelling ſavour unto God, therefore God loves Chriſt; O what a round of love is here! God loves Chriſt, and Chriſt loves us, and the Father loves Chriſt again for loving of us: there is not an act of Chriſt in his work of our redemption, but the Father looks on it with love and liking:Mat. 3.17. Iſa. 53.11.Matt 3:17Isa 53:11 at his baptiſm, lo a voice came from Heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed; at his death, He ſeeth of the travel of his ſoul, and he is ſatiſfied; at his aſcenſion he heareth of the interceſſions of his ſoul, and he is delighted; Chriſt's interceſſions are God's muſick: and therefore as ſometimes Chriſt ſpoke to his Spouſe,Cant. 2.14.Song 2:14 ſo God ſpeaks to Chriſt, Let me ſee thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, for ſweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Now Chriſt's interceſſions muſt needs prevail, when God love's Chriſt for his interceſſions ſake: if before the world was made,Prov. 8.29, 30.Prov 8:29Prov 8:30 the Son was his Fathers darling, (for it is ſaid) When he appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was by him, and as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight. In the Original [delights], intimating that the eternal Son was variety of delights to his Father. O then what delights, what variety, what infinite of delights hath God in Chriſt now interceding for us? what a dear darling is Chriſt to God, when not only he ſtands by him, but he repreſents to him all the Elect from the beginning to the end of the World; q. d, See Father, look on my breaſt, read hear all the names of thoſe thou haſt given me, as Adam, and Abraham, and Iſaac, and Jacob; of the Twelve Tribes, and of the Twelve Apoſtles, of all the Martyrs, Profeſſors, and Confeſſors of the Law and Goſpel; I pray for them, I Pray not for the World, but only for them, for they are mine; methinks I hear God anſwer, What my Son! and what the Son of my womb! and what the Son of my vows! haſt thou begotten me thus many Sons? and are all theſe mine? why then ask what thou wilt, and have what thou pleaſeſt; I am as ſtrongly inclined and diſpoſed to give thee grant, as thou wouldſt have it; it is my joy, my delight, my pleaſure to ſave theſe ſouls, and ſurely the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in thy hands.

6. That Chriſt is God's Commander (I ſpeak it with reverence) as well as petitioner; it is a phraze given to the ſervants of God, command ye me; and may we not give it to the Son of God? Chriſtians! God is as ready to do us ſervice, as if we had him at command;Iſa. 45.11. 1 John 5.14.Isa 45:111 John 5:14 This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us: and in this ſenſe we may boldly ſay, that God the Father is as ready to hear Jeſus Chriſt, as if he had him at command; not that in deed and reality he commands God, but that in deed and truth he commands all below God, and he commands all in the ſtead of God. And to this purpoſe is that voice of God, I have ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion; Pſalm 2.6.Ps 2:6and why my King? I dare not ſay he is God's King, as if God were Chriſt's inferior, or Chriſts ſubject: God forbid! why then my King? I anſwer, he is God's King, becauſe appointed by God; or he is God's King,John 5.22.John 5:22 becauſe he rules in the ſtead of God; The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son. God hath given away all his prerogatives unto Jeſus Chriſt, ſo that now the King of Saints can do what he will with God, and with all the world; only it follows, Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance: as if the Father ſhould have ſaid, I cannot deny thee, and yet O my Son, I would have thee ask; do what thou wilt in Heaven, Earth, and Hell; I have not the heart, indeed I have not the power to deny thee any thing, onelyonly acknowledg this power to be originally in my ſelf, that all that honour the Son, may honour the Father; and all that honour the Father, may honour the Son. Theſe are the terms betwixt, God the Father, and God the Son; Oh then how powerfull and prevailing are Chriſts interceſſions with his Father? if he ask who hath power to command, there is little queſtion of prevailing in his ſuit. We have heard in our days of a ſuit managed with a petition in one hand, and a ſword in the other; and what the effect is, all now can tell. As a King who ſues for peace, backt with a potent Army; able to win what he intreats for, muſt needs treat more effectually; ſo Chriſt ſueing to his Father for his Saints, with a power ſufficient to obtain what he ſues for, he muſt needs effect what his deſires may be; it is well obſerved, that Chriſt is firſt ſaid to ſit at God's right hand, and then to intercede; he treats the ſalvation of ſinners as a mighty Prince treats the giving up of ſome Town, which lyes ſeated under a Caſtle of his that commands the Town; or he treats the ſalvation of ſinners, as a Commander treats the ſurrendring of a perſon already in his hands: it is beyond God's power (I ſpeak i…, with ſubmiſſion) to deny his Son in any thing he asks:Exod. 32.10.Exod 32:10 if the Lord ſometimes cryed out p. 549to Moſes like a man whoſe hands are held, Let me alone; how much more doth Chriſt's interceſſion bind God's hands, and command all in Heaven, Earth, and Hell? hence we ſay, that God the Father hath diveſted himſelf of all his power, and given the keys into Christ's own hands; I am he that liveth and was dead, Rev. 1.18.Rev 1:18and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death; there is no man goes to Hell, but he is lockt in by Jeſus Chriſt; and there is no man goes to Heaven, but he is lockt in there by Jeſus Chriſt; he hath the keys of all men's eternities hanging at his own girdle; if he but ſay, Father I will that this man, and that woman, ſhall inherit Heaven; the Father cannot but reply, my Son I have no power to deny thy ſuit; Thou haſt the keys of Heaven in thine own hands, be it even as thou wilt.

7. I ſhall only add this on the Fathers part, that God is Chriſt's Commander to this office, as well as Chriſt is God's Commander in this office. O why ſhould we have hard thoughts of God the Father, more than of God the Son? is he not as willing of our ſalvation as Jeſus Chriſt? ſurely 'twas the Oath of God, I mean of God the Father: As I live ſaith the Lord, I would not have the death of a ſinner, Ezek. 33.11.Ezek 33:11but that the wicked turn from his ſin and live. Was not this the firſt ſalute of God to Chriſt when he firſt entered into heaven; Sit thou here on this throne, Pſalm 2.7, 8.Ps 2:7Ps 2:8and ask what thou wilt of thy Father? nay, did not the Father prevent the Son in laying his commands upon him to ask, before the Son opened his mouth to ſpeak a word, by way of any requeſts to God, his Father? Thou art my Son, this day (even this day of thy reſurrection, aſcenſion, ſeſſion) have I begotten thee; ask of me, and I ſhall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſions? q. d. Come Son, thou art my Son, this day I have begotten thee, and though I have begotten thee from all eternity, yet this day, and every day I am begetting thee ſtill: I ſaid to thee at thy reſurrection, this day have I begotten thee, and I ſaid to thee at thy aſcenſion, this day have I begotten thee; and now ask, and be not ſhy, or modeſtly backward in petitioning; I command thee to this Office, I make thee here the great Maſter of requeſts in Heaven; others may pray out of charity, but none but thy ſelf in a way of Juſtice, Authority, and Office; and therefore ask boldly and largly, open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. O what a demonſtration of love is this, not onelyonly to Chriſt, but to us in Chriſt, that when man had offended his God, broke covenant with God, and turned enemy to God, that then God the Father ſhould ſeek peace with man, offer conditions of peace to man, and for that purpoſe ſhould appoint a Mediator, an Interceſſor, and call his Son to that office: and now he is in Heaven, that he ſhould bid him do his office, and ask freely; ſo that if the Elect be not ſaved, it ſhould be laid on the ſcore of Chriſt, Goodwin Chriſt exalted.for the Father is moſt willing: Surely here's more than intimation of the Father's inclination to accept of Chriſts interceſſions on our behalf: we may read here that the Fathers heart is as much towards us, as Chriſts own heart; Oh he is full of bowels, he is gentle, and eaſie to be intreated; Chriſt needs not much a do to get his grant; Christ adds not by his interceſſion one drop of love to the heart of God; onelyonly he draws it out, which otherwiſe would have been ſtopt; nor doth he broach it before his Father command him to it. Oh then how Powerful and prevailing muſt Chriſt's interceſſions be?

SECT. X. Of the reaſons of Chriſt's Interceſſion.

10. WHat are the reaſons of this great tranſaction of Chriſt's interceſſion for his people? I anſwer—

1. It is the Fathers will that it ſhould be ſo; he called Jeſus Chriſt, to this office,Ezek. 36.36, 37.Ezek 36:36Ezek 36:37 the command of God is upon Jeſus Chriſt; Ask what thou what wilt for thy redeemed ones, I willingly engage my ſelf to grant, onelyonly it is my pleaſure thou ſhouldſt ask: as ſometimes he ſaid to the houſe of Iſrael, I the Lord have ſpoken, and I will do it; notwithſtanding I will yet for this be enquired of, by the houſe of Iſrael, to do it for them: ſo ſaith God to Chriſt, I the Lord have ſpoken, and I will do it, only my Son, I will be enquired of by thee. I look upon this as the main reaſon of Chriſt's interceſſion, Even ſo Father, for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight; it's God's will that Chriſt ſhould intercede.

2. It is the Father's love to engage his Son for his own people. O the comfort of a ſound Chriſtian in this reſpect! what, art thou in temptation, or deſertion? ſurely Chriſt is engaged by God to petition for thee; thou haſt put up many petitions to p. 550Chriſt, and he hath put them all up unto God; he could do no otherwiſe, for he is in place an Advocate, to mention and plead ſuch caſes as are moved to him. Methinks I imagine God thus beſpeaking his Son; See thou do this poor ſoul good my Son; here is for him according to all his needs, only ask according to what thou knoweſt will make him happy; muſt he have my Spirit? my comforting Spirit? will no leſs, no cheaper thing ſerve his turn? then here it is. Oh how is Chriſt engaged now to petition for them, whom God loves, and for whom he gave himſelf? ſurely if Chriſt ſhould leave to intercede for ſuch, he would diſpleaſe his Father, which we know he would not do, he would undergo Hell firſt.

3. It is Chriſt's own inclination to do his Office: the power that Chriſt hath for the good of Sinners is neceſſarily acted: as the Sun ſhines upon all the World, and it cannot do otherwiſe; ſo Chriſt the Son of righteouſneſs, ſhines or intercedes for all his Saints, and he can do no leſs: what is the will of the Father, is the will of Chriſt, (I mean the will of Chriſt naturally, not artificially in a way of ſelf-denial, as God's will it is ſaid to be our will) ſo that what the Father would have Chriſt own, he cannot but own; for the ſame Spirit is in Chriſt which is is in the Father, and in the ſelf-ſame meaſure: As God is captivated with love towards all captives, ſo am I, ſaith Chriſt; as God would have all be ſaved, and to come to the knowledg of the truth, ſo would I too ſaith Chriſt. The very ſame bottomleſs ſea of love, that fluctuates in my Father's breſt,John 10.30.John 10:30 it is in my breſt, For I and the Father are one.

4. It is Chriſt's honour to intercede: hereby is the Crown ſet on Chriſt's head, much honour and glory redowns to Jeſus in this very reſpect. I believe all the work that's done in Heaven, it is Chriſt interceding, and the Saints and Angels praiſing; Chriſt intercedes for ever, and the four beaſts, and four and twenty-Elders ſing for ever, Rev. 4.8, 9, 10, 11. an argument of Chriſt's honour, by Chriſt's interceſſion, is given in thus by Maſter Goodwin; if it were not for Chriſt's interceſſion,Goodwins, Chriſt ſet forth. how would the Office of Chriſt's Prieſthood be out of work? And this reaſon is more than intimated, Heb. 7.24, 25.Heb. 7.24, 25.Heb 7:24Heb 7:25 This man, becauſe he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Prieſthood; and the work of his Prieſthood is interpreted, ver. 25. To make interceſſion for ever. The meaning of this is, that God would not have him continue to be a Prieſt in title only, or in reſpect onelyonly of a ſervice paſt, and ſo to have only the honour of Prieſthood perpetuated to him, out of the remembrance of what he once had done: But God would have him to enjoy, as the renown of the old, to a perpetual ſpring of honour by this new work of interceſſion, and ſo to preſerve the verdure of his glory ever freſh and green; and the ſum of the Apoſtles reaſoning is this, that ſeeing himſelf was to be for ever, ſo his work of Prieſthood ſhould be for ever, that ſo his honour might be preſerved and continued for ever alſo.

5. It is Chriſt's love to his Saints; his heart is ſo inamoured with his Saints, that therefore he intercedes for them for ever; Love is as ſtrong as death; it is never weary of doing good for the party beloved; now Chriſt's Saints are Chriſt's love; My ſiſter, my love, Cant. 5.2. Mal. 3.17. John 15.19. Iſa. 43.20.Song 5:2Mal 3:17John 15:19Isa 43:20my dove; the Saints in Chriſt's books are ſo many jewels, And they ſhall be mine, ſaith the Lord of hoaſts, in that day when I make up my jewels; the Saints are Chriſt's only choyce, the very flower of the Earth; You have I choſen out of the world; and ye are my people, my choſen; All the World is Chriſt's refuge, and Kings are but morter to him, onelyonly the Saints are Chriſt's choſen, they are they whom the Lord in his eternal councels hath ſet a part for himſelf; But know (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) that the Lord hath ſet apart him that is Godly. pſalm. 4.3.The Saints are Chriſt's image (i.e.) the reſemblance of Chriſt in all that which is his chief excellency, I mean in his righteouſneſs and holineſs; as if I would take the picture of a man, I would not draw it to reſemble his back-parts, but as near as I could, I would draw it to life, the very face and countenance; ſo are the Saints the very picture, the image, the draught of God in his top excellency. The Saints are in covenant with Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore in nearer relation than any others; hence it is that they are called the portion of God, the treaſure of God, the peculiar people of God; thoſe that God and Chriſt ſatisfie themſelves in, thoſe that God and Chriſt have ſet their hearts on; the children of God the Father, the very Spouſe and bride of God the Son; in ſome reſpect nearer than the Angels themſelves, for the Angels are not ſo married to Chriſt in a myſtical union, as God's people are; now is it any wonder that thoſe who are ſo very dear to Chriſt, ſhould be in the prayers of Chriſt? if they were ſo much in his heart, that ſometimes be ſhed his blood for them, will he not now intercede for? O yes! to this end he carries them on his p. 551breaſt or heart, as near as near may be, that they may be in a continual remembrace before the Lord for ever; his very love compels him to this office, to intercede for them.

6. It is Chriſt's delight to intercede for his Saints? before the world was,Prov. 8.31. Pſalm 40 7, 8.Prov 8:31Ps 40:7Ps 40:8 His delights were with the ſons of men; and when the fulneſs of time came, then ſaid he, Lo I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy Will O my God; and what was that, but to be with the ſons of men? he knew that was his Fathers pleaſure, and in reſpect of himſelf, he had a delight to live with them, and to dye for them: and no ſooner he entred into Heaven, but there he delights to officiate ſtill in behalf of the ſons of men; he carries their names on his heart there, and though ſome of their perſons be on earth, and he in his bodily preſence is in Heaven, yet diſtance of place cannot deaden his delights in the remembrance of them; he is ever minding his Father of his people in the neather world; he tells him that they are his, all in all, upon the earth, all his joy, and all his delight, and all his portion; as men uſe to give portions to their children, ſo God having but one Son by eternal generation, he hath given the Elect unto him as his portion; and hence he makes it his great buſineſs in Heaven, to provide manſions for his portion, to take up God's heart for his portion, to beg favour and love for his portion. Here 'tis the joy of Chriſt in Heaven, in going to his Father, and telling him, Why Father? I have a ſmall portion yet on earth, and becauſe they are on earth, they are ſtill ſinning againſt thy Majesty, but I have ſuffered and ſatisfied for their ſins, and hither am I come, to mind Thee of it, and contiunally to get out freſh pardons for new ſins; come, look on my old ſatisfaction; didſt Thou not promiſe? Iſa. 53.11, 12.Isa 53:11Isa 53:12is it not in the Articles of agreement betwixt Thee and me, that I ſhould ſee of the travel of my ſoul, and ſhould be ſatisfied? didſt Thou not ſay, that becauſe I poured out my ſoul, therefore Thou wouldſt divide me a portion with the great, and the ſpoyle with the ſtrong? O my Father, now I make interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors; give me out pardons for an hundred thouſand millions of ſins; Thou haſt ſaid and ſworn, that Thou haſt no pleaſure in the death of ſinners; and it is my pleaſure, my joy, my infinite delight, to ſave ſinners; theſe are my ſeed, my portion, my redeemed ones, and therefore let them be ſaved. Thus Chriſt intercedes, and his delight in his Saints, as knowing it to be his Fathers mind, draws him on to this interceſſion; indeed this reaſon hangs upon that primary, and firſt reaſon; it is God's will that Chriſt ſhould intercede; as it is Chriſt's delight to do the will of his Father in Heaven, I delight to do thy Will O my God.

7. It is Chriſts compaſſion that cauſeth interceſſion. Chriſt is ſuch an high Prieſt, Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15(ſaith the Apoſtle) as cannot but be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without ſin. When he was on earth, he felt our infirmities, frailties, miſeries, and as a man that hath felt the Stone, or Gout, or Fever; or eſpecially that hath felt ſoul-troubles, cannot but compaſſionate thoſe that are in the like condition; ſo Chriſt having had the experience of our outward, and inward ſufferings, he cannot but compaſſionate us; and hence it is (his very compaſſion's moving) that he intercedes to his Father in our behalf. It is obſerved, that the very office or work of the High-Prieſt, was to ſympathize with the people of God; onelyonly in the caſe of the death of his kindred; he was not as others, to ſympathize or mourn; but Jeſus Chriſt goes beyond all the High-Prieſts that ever were before him; he doth fully ſympathize with us, not in ſome, but in all conditions; In all our afflictions he is afflicted. Iſa. 63.9.Isa 63:9I believe Chriſt hath carried a man's heart up with him to Heaven; and though there be no paſſions in him as he is God; yet the flower, the bloſſom, the excellency of all theſe paſſions, (which we call compaſſions) are infinitely in him as he is God; he ſtriketh, and tryeth, and yet he pittieth; when Ephraim bemoaneth himſelf, God replies, Is Ephraim my dear ſon? is he a pleaſant child? for ſince I ſpake againſt him, Jer. 31.21.Jer 31:21I do earneſtly remember him ſtill, therefore my bowels are troubled for him. Surely there's a violence of heavenly paſſion in Chriſt's heart as God-man, which makes him to break out into prayer to God, and into compaſſions towards Men: O that tempted ſouls would conſider this! it may be Chriſt is giving you a cup of tears and blood to drink, but who knows what bowels, what turnings of heart, what motions of compaſſion are in Jeſus Chriſt all the while? thoſe who feel the fruit of Chriſt's interceſſion know this, and cannot but ſubſcribe to this truth. O ye of little faith, why do ye doubt of Chriſt's bowels? is he not our compaſſionate High-Prieſt? hath not the tendereſt, meekeſt, mildeſt heart of a man that God poſſibly can form, met with the eternal and infinite p. 552mercy of God himſelf in Jeſus Chriſt? you have heard that Chriſt in both natures is our High-Prieſt, Mediator, Interceſſor, and if either God or Man know how to compaſſionate,Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15 Chriſt muſt do it. O the bowels of Chriſt! He is touched (ſaith the Apoſtle) with the feeling of our infirmities; it is an alluſion to the rolled and moved bowels of God, in Jer. 31.20. Chriſt in Heaven is burning and flaming in a paſſion of compaſſion towards his weak ones; and therefore he pleads, intercedes, and prays to God for them.

Thus far we have propounded the object which is Chriſt's interceſſion; our next work is to direct you how to look upon Jeſus in this reſpect.