Looking Unto Jesus, Book 9 · Chapter 2 – Chapter 1
CHAP. II.
SECT. I. Of knowing Jeſus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Interceſſion.
LET us know Jeſus carrying on this great work of our ſalvation in his Interceſſion. Is it not a rare piece of knowledge to know what Chriſt is now doing in Heaven for us on Earth? If I had a weighty ſuite at Court, on which lay my eſtate and life, if I knew that I had a friend there that could prevail, and that he were juſt now moving in my behalf, were not this worth the knowledge? I dare ſay in the behalf of all believers in the World, Chriſt is now interceding for us at the right hand of God; ever ſince his aſcenſion into Heaven he hath been doing this work; it is a work already of above ſixteen hundred years; and Summer and Winter, Night and day, without any tiredneſs of Spirit; Chriſt hath been ſtill praying, ſtill interceding; Chriſt's love hath no vacation, no ceſſation at all: yea, even now whiles you read this, Chriſt is acting as an Advorate for you, Chriſt hath your names ingraven, as a ſeal on his heart; and ſtanding right oppoſite to the eye of his Father, the firſt opening of the eye-lids of God is terminated upon the breaſt of Jeſus Chriſt; Is not this worth the knowledge? O my ſoul, leave off thy vain ſtudies of natural things! if they do not conduce ſome way or other to the right underſtanding of this, they are not worth the while; What is it for an Ariſtotle to be praiſed where he is not, and to be damned where he is? O the excellency of the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt! ſuch a knowledge (if true) is no leſs than ſaving. Come, ſtudy his interceſſion in all the former particulars; I have run them over, for the work is ſwoln under my hands, and I would now abbreviate; only remember this, that in Chriſt's interceſſion are many ſecrets which we muſt never know on this ſide Heaven; oh take heed of entring into this labarinth without the clew of the Word; above all deſire the guidance of the Spirit to enlighten thy darkneſs, and what ever thou knoweſt, know it ſtill for thy ſelf.
SECT. II. Of conſidering Jeſus in that reſpect.
2. LET us conſider Jeſus carrying on this work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion, many of God's people have found the benefit, and for my part I cannot but approve of it as an excellent, quickning, and enlivening duty to be much in a way of meditation, or conſideration; eſpecially when we meet with ſuch a bleſſed ſubject as this is;Pſal. 104.34. My meditation of him ſhall be ſweet, (ſaith David) I will be glad in the Lord; it is enough to make a meditation ſweet and refreſhing, when it is converſant about ſuch a ſubject as Chriſt's interceſſion; Is it not as incenſe, a ſweet odour, and perfume with God himſelf? and ſhall not each thought of it be ſweet to us? come, let us be ſerious in this duty; and that we may do it throughly; let us conſider it in theſe ſeveral particulars. As—
1. Conſider of the nature of Chriſt's interceſſion: what is it but the gracious Will of Chriſt fervently deſiring that for the vertue of his death, and ſacrifice, thy perſon and performances might be accepted of God? As Chriſt on earth gave himſelf to the death, even to the death of the Croſs for the abolition ſin, ſo now in Heaven he prayes the Father, by his agony and bloody ſweat, by his his croſs and paſſion, by his death and ſacrifice, that thy ſins may be pardoned, thy ſervice accepted, and thy ſoul ſaved. This is the Will of Chriſt, even thy juſtification, ſanctification, and ſalvation; accordingly he preſents his Will, Father I will that all thoſe priviledges flowing from my death may be conferred on ſuch a perſon by name; ſuch a ſoul is now meditating and conſidering of my interceſſion, and my will is that his very meditation may find acceptance with God. O what workings would be in thy heart and ſpirit, if thou didſt but conſider that Chriſt even now were ſpeaking his Will, that thy perſon and duty might both find acceptance, and be well-pleaſing with God.
2. Conſider of the perſon that intercedes for thee; it is Chriſt in both Natures; it is thy Mediator; the middle one betwixt God and man; in this reſpect thou mayſt conſider him as one indifferent, and equally inclining to either party, like a pair of ſcales that hang even, neither ſide lift up, or depreſſed more than the other;Gal. 3.20. A Mediator is not of one, ſaith the Apoſtle, Chriſt indifferently partook of both Natures, God-head, and Manhood, that ſo he might be fit to ſtand in the gap between his Father and us; he is a Prieſt according to both Natures; he is a Dayes-man wholly for God, and a Dayes-man wholly for us, and on our ſide.
3. Conſider of the perſon to whom Chriſt intercedes; is it not to his Father? Thou art ſure to ſpeed well, O my ſoul, for God is the Father of thy Interceſſor. If I had a ſuit to ſome Majeſty, and the Prince would but mediate, I might hope to ſpeed; Chriſt is Gods's Prince (as I may call him) and in reſpect of us, The firſt-begotten of many brethren; And herein is thy rejoycing, that the party offended is Chriſt's own Father, and, in Chriſt, thy Father; fathers cannot be cruel to their own dear children; What man amongſt you, whom if his ſon ask bread, he will give him a ſtone; or if he ask a fiſh, Mat. 7.9, 10, 11.will he give him a Serpent? If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more ſhall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? and eſpecially if Chriſt himſelf ask?
4. Conſider of the perſons for whom Chriſt intercedes, it is for all the Elect, and in particular for thee O the ſweet of this one meditation! if I knew that my name were written in Heaven, ſhould I not (as Chriſt bids me) rejoyce in this? Luke 10.20.oh but what is it to have my name written in the chief part of Heaven? what is it to have my name written in the breaſt-plate of Jeſus Chriſt? come, read O my ſoul, is it not thus written, Iſaac, or Jacob, I have prayed, and I am praying for thee that thy faith fail not? ſure I am that I would not part with my hope in the priviledge for all the wide world; the very conſideration of this makes me to eſteem of all the world as droſs, and dogs-meat. And oh that ever the world, or fleſh, or devil ſhould ſteal this meditation out of my heart! Oh that ever I ſhould forget that Chriſts is gone to Heaven, that he is entred into the Holy of Holies, and that he carries my name into the preſence of God the Father! I ſpeak the ſame to thee that readeſt, if thou art a Believer, there is no doubt of it, but Chriſt is ſpeaking a good word to his Father in thy behalf; he can no more forget thee in his interceſſions, than a Mother with full breaſts can forget her ſucking Child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the Son of her womb: Now if ever, look up to Jeſus, yea look, and never leave looking, till thou ſpieſt thy own name writ on his heart; it is enough to fix thy ſoul, and to make it dwell on Jeſus Chriſt thus carrying thee on his ſhoulders, and bearing thee on his breaſt plate for a memorial unto his Father in Heaven.
5. Conſider of the agreement and difference betwixt Chriſt's interceſſions, and the interceſſions of the high Prieſts of old; they did both intercede, but Chriſt's interceſſions are ever in a meer tranſcendent, eminent way: Chriſt is more faithful in his office and place than ever high Prieſt was; Chriſt is more compaſſionate and pitiful than ever high Prieſt was; and hence it is that he hath the Title of foreign,James 5.11. one of many commiſerations; all is mercy, and love, and ſweetneſs, and more than motherly affection that comes from Chriſt. O my ſoul, why ſhouldſt thou ſay with Iſrael, Iſa. 40.27.My way is hidden from the Lord, and my judgment is paſſed over by my God? as if Jeſus Chriſt had left thee out of the count of his people, and out of the roll of thoſe whom he is to look after. No, no; he is a faithful and merciful High Prieſt; far above all the high Prieſts of the Old Teſtament; and if they were ſo careful not to leave out of their breaſt-plate one name of all the Twelve Tribes; how much more careful is Chriſt not to leave out thy name in his interceſſion? from this very Argument of Chriſt's compaſſion and Chriſt's faithfulneſs,Heb. 3.1, 2. the Apoſtle calls on us to conſider the Apoſtle and high Prieſt of our profeſſion Chriſt Jeſus, who was faithful to him that appointed him, above Aaron, or Moſes, or any of the high Prieſts; why, conſider him O my ſoul; this Goſpel-high Prieſt is well worthy indeed of thy conſideration.
6. Conſider of the properties of Chriſt's interceſſion; is it not heavenly and glorious, effectual and prevailing, and of all other the tranſactions of our ſalvation, whileſt this world laſts, the moſt perfective and conſummate? O give me the interceſſions of Chriſt above all the interceſſions of Men or Angels. I know the Saints on earth pray mutually one for another, but they pray not in their own names, or for their own merits, but in the Name and for the merits of Jeſus Chriſt; and as for the Saints and Angels in Heaven,Cypr. Epiſt. Hier. lib. adverſ. Vigil. Cyprian and Jerome ſeem to grant, that they pray for the ſtate of the Church Militant; but if ſo, they do it only of charity, as Brethren, not of office as Mediators; they do it only for the Church in general, and not for any particular man or member of the Militant Church; ſuch an interceſſion as this, ſo heavenly, ſo effectual, ſo perfective of our ſalvation, ſo authoritative and publick, found upon the ſatisfactory merits of the perſon interceding, is proper only to Chriſt. I would be glad of the prayers of all the Churches of Chriſt; O that there were not a Saint on the earth, but that I were by name in his morning, and evening prayer (whoſoever thou art that readeſt, I beſeech thee pray for me); but above all, let me have a property in thoſe prayers and interceſſions that are proper only to Chriſt; I am ſure then I ſhould never miſcarry; Chriſt's prayers are heavenly, glorious, and very effectual.
7. Conſider of the particulars wherein more eſpecially Chriſt's interceſſion conſiſts: Is it not in the preſenting of his perſon, blood, prayers, interpellations? is it not in the preſenting of our perſons, performances, pleas or anſwers to the accuſations of Sathan? men little think how buſie our Mediator, Sponſor, Solicitor, Advocate is now in Heaven for us; men little think that Chriſt is appearing, and his blood is crying, and his prayers are aſcending, and his robe of righteouſneſs is covering us, and the iniquity of our holy things: O my ſoul, look up, conſider Jeſus thy Saviour in theſe reſpects! I am perſwaded, if thou didſt but know, if thou couldſt but ſee, what a deal of work Chriſt hath in hand; and how he carries it on for thy ſalvation, it would melt thy heart into very tears of joy. Whilſt Chriſt was on earth,Luke 2.49. and his Mother had loſt him, he could then ſay, Wiſt ye not that I muſt go about my Fathers buſineſs? now Chriſt is in Heaven, he is about the ſame buſineſs ſtill; all his employment in Heaven is to intercede for us, that we may be ſaved: very true, there is much in this interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt; it is a Tree of many branches, and every branch fruitful; ſo that if thou wouldſt enlarge thy Meditation in this wide Ocean of delights, there is room enough; but herein I muſt leave thee in the duty, for I can but point at the ſeveral particulars whereon thou mayſt enlarge: O think on it, that Chriſt, and Chriſt's blood, and Chriſt's prayers ſhould be all at work! that Chriſt ſhould play the Advocate, and plead thy cauſe, and perfume thy duties with his Incenſe; and take thy perſon in an unperceivable way to God his Father, and cry there, O my Father be merciful to this ſinner, pardon his ſin, and ſave his ſoul for the ſake of Jeſus: O bleſſed mediation! O bleſſed is the man, that on this bleſſed object knows how to meditate both day and night.
8. Conſider of the power and prevalency of Chriſt's interceſſions with his Father. Is he not to this puropoſe a Prieſt to God, and called thereto by God? is he not the Son of God, yea, God himſelf? is he not God's Darling? God's Commander, as well as Petitioner? nay, is not the hand of God himſelf in this deſign? is not the Fathers heart as much towards us and our ſalvation, as Chriſt's own heart? as ſure then as Chriſt is gone into Heaven with thy name engraven on his heart, ſo ſure ſhalt thou follow him, and be with him where he is. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? who is he that condemneth? where Chriſt becomes Patron to defend againſt the ſentence of damnation, it is in vain for Sin, or Law, or Sathan, to attempt any thing: for as an innocent perſon is ſafe ſo long as he hath his learned Advocate to anſwer all Objections; ſo it is with Believers, who have Chriſt himſelf both Judge and Advocate; a ſure Advocate; he ever prevails in whatſoever he undertakes; he was never yet caſt in any ſuit; he hath for theſe Sixteen Hundred years carried away all the cauſes of hundreds, thouſands, and millions of ſouls; why, he is ſo dear and near to his Father, that he can work him to any thing he will: And O my ſoul, if thou haſt any relation to Jeſus Chriſt, is not here comfort; I dare in the Name of Chriſt be thy warrant, and give it under my hand, that if Chriſt pray for thee, Chriſt will be ſure to ſave thee; he never yet failed, he never will fail in any of his ſuits to God: Oh conſider of this!
9. Conſider of the reaſons of Chriſt's interceſſion; many are given, but this may be ſufficient, It is Gods own Ordinance; the very wiſdom of God found out this way to ſave our ſouls, viz. that an High-Prieſt ſhould be appointed, who ſhould die for ſinners, and afterward preſent his death to his Father by way of interceſſion in their behalf. Some may look upon this as needleſs, what could not God have pardoned our ſins, and ſaved our ſouls without a Prieſt? I ſhall not diſpute God's power, but if any will, let ſuch a one tell me what way could his own wiſdome have found out to heaven between the wrath of God, and the ſin of man? I believe it would have poſed all the wiſdom of the world (of Men and Angels) to have reconciled God's mercy in the ſalvation of man, and his juſtice in the condemnation of ſin; to have poured out hell upon the ſin, and yet to have beſtowed heaven upon the ſinner; now then, if God himſelf did ſtudy to find out this way, and that he hath ſaid, This is my pleaſure, that Chriſt my Son ſhall be a Prieſt, and that he ſhall offer himſelf, and Preſent himſelf and his offering, and his prayer to me for his People: O my ſoul reſt on this as the very ordination of God; admire at the contrivance of God; ſay, O the depth! queſtion no further, only Meditate, and ponder, and conſider of it till thou feeleſt Chriſt's interceſſion darting its influence and efficacy on thy ſin-ſick ſoul.
SECT. III. Of deſiring after Jeſus in that reſpect.
3. LEt us deſire after Jeſus carrying on this work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion. I cannot but wonder what a dulneſs ſeizeth on my heart, and on all the hearts of the Sons of men, that we have no more longings after Chriſt, whoſe heart is ever panting and longing after us. Surely we do not ſet our ſelves to find out experimentally the ſweetneſs that is in Chriſt; if there were not another object to think upon, but only this one of Chriſt's interceſſion, is not here enough to put us all into a teeming longing frame? O my ſoul, rouze up, and ſet this bleſſed object before thy face? take a full view of it untill thy affections begin to warm, and thou beginſt to cry, Oh for my part in Chriſt's interceſſion! Oh I would not be left out of Chriſt's heavenly prayers for ten thouſand worlds! come and be ſerious! the object is admirably ſweet and precious; long for it, pant after it! God underſtands the Rhetorick of thy breathing, as well as of thy cry. But what is there in Chriſt's interceſſion that is ſo deſirable? I anſwer—
1. In Chriſt's interceſſion lyes the preſent tranſaction of our ſouls ſalvation. Such paſſages as hitherto we have ſpoken of are done and paſt; the tranſactions of eternity, were at an end when time began; the tranſactions of Chriſt promiſed, had their period when Chriſt was incarnate; the tranſactions of Chriſt's Birth, and life and death, and reſurrection, and aſcenſion, are now above a thouſand and ſix hundred years old; I know the vertue and influence of all theſe tranſactions continue, and will continue for ever and ever, but the ſeveral actings had their periods; and only Chriſt's ſeſsion, and miſsion of his ſpirit, and his bleſſed interceſsion both were, and now are the very preſent imployment of Jeſus Chriſt. If it were poſſible that we could ſee into Heaven, if with Stephen we could look up ſteadfaſtly, and ſee the Heavens opened; if our eyes by an extraordinary power were carryed through that azure sky, and through all till we come to the Holy of Holies, and to Jeſus Chriſt in his glory; what ſhould we ſee but Chriſt interceding, Chriſt buſie with his Father in his poor Saints behalf? now he prayes, now he preſents his perſon, merits, interceſſion, interpellation, q. d. Father, here are a company of Rebels juſtly fallen under thy diſpleaſure, they deſerve to be ſet at an eternal diſtance from thee, but I muſt needs have them pardoned, and received into thy boſom; come, make thine own terms, let juſtice require never ſo great ſatisfaction, I have paid a price ſufficient for all, and effectual for them; give them what laws thou pleaſeſt, I will undertake they ſhall obſerve them; and to this purpoſe away, away holy ſpirit, go to ſuch and ſuch ſouls; enable them to their duties, yea, enable them in duty, and ſanctifie them throughout in ſouls; bodies and ſpirits. Why, this is the preſent tranſaction of Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore moſt deſirable; methinks I long to know what Chriſt is now a doing in Heaven for my ſoul; and is it not thus, is not all his time ſpent either in reading pardons for his redeemed ones; or in preſenting petitions from them, and pleading for them. Surely he is ſtill interceding every day, it is his preſent work for our ſouls, O deſirable work!
2. In this preſent tranſaction lies the application of all Chriſt's former actings, whether of his habitual righteouſneſs, or of his active and paſſive obedience. All thoſe paſſages of Chriſt's incarnation, conception, circumciſion, birth, life, and death, which more eſpecially we look upon, as the meritorious cauſes of our ſalvation, had been nothing to us, if they had not been applyed by Chriſt: they were the means of impetration, but Chriſt's interceſſion is the means of application: Chriſt purchaſed ſalvation by thoſe precedaneous acts, but he poſſeſſeth us of our ſalvation by this perfective and conſummate act of his interceſſion. The order of this is laid down by the Apoſtle,Heb. 5.8, 9, 10. in that firſt, He learned obedience by the things which he ſuffered, and then being made perfect, he became the Author (or applying cauſe) of eternal ſalvation to all them that obey him; being to this purpoſe, called of God an High-Prieſt after the order of Melchizedeck. Now is not this the deſirable act above all other acts? Alas! what am I better for a Mine of Gold in ſuch, or ſuch, or ſuch a field, in which I have no propriety at all? I am throughly convinc'd that Chriſt's merits are moſt precious merits, but oh that they were mine! Oh that Chriſt's interceſſions would bring the ſalve, and lay it to my ſore! Oh that I could hear that voice from Heaven, My ſon, I was incarnate for thee, and conceived for thee, and born for thee, and circumciſed for thee, and I did the Law, and ſuffered the penalty for thee; and now I am interceding that thy very ſoul may have the benefit of all my doings, and of all my ſufferings. Why, if Chriſt's interceſſions be the applying cauſe, if it bring home to my ſoul all the former tranſactions of Chriſt, ſaying, All theſe are thine, even thine, oh how deſirable muſt this interceſſion be?
3. In this application lies that communion and fellowſhip which we have with the Father and the Son:John 17.21. I pray for theſe, that as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us. Underſtand this ſoberly, we cannot think that there ſhould be that oneneſs in equalitie betwixt God and us, as betwixt God and Chriſt; no, no, but there is oneneſs in ſimilitude and reallity, even in this life; by vertue of Chriſt's interceſſion we have oneneſs with God and Chriſt, not onelyonly in comforts, but alſo in graces; I pray you mark this: when I ſpeak of communion with God in this life, I mean eſpecially the communication of grace between God and the ſoul; on God's part there's a ſpecial influence of grace and favour to man; and on man's part, there is a ſpecial return of grace and honour to God. Some trembling ſouls are apt to think, that all communion with God and Chriſt conſiſts only in the comforts of the holy ſpirit, whereas Chriſtians may as really and advantagiouſly have communion with God in ſecret conveyances of grace, inward ſupports, in a concealed acceptation of ſervice, in the hidden drawings of the ſoul God-ward, as in the more open, and comfortable manifeſtations of God unto the ſoul; communion with God is a familiar friendſhip (I ſpeak it in an holy humble ſence) now do we not as uſually go to a friend for councel and advice, as for comfort and cheering? in a friends boſom we intruſt our ſorrows as well as our joys. Suppoſe a ſoul even ſpiritually overwhelmed, and ready to break, be taking it ſelf unto God, and venting it ſelf before the Lord; now if afterwards the ſoul hath no more caſe, than by the bare lanching of the ſore, if God pours in no balm at all, but only gives ſupport; ſhall we ſay that this ſoul in this caſe hath no communion with God? O yes! in God's ſecret viſits of the ſoul, and in the ſouls reſtleſs groping after God, though nothing but darkneſs be apprehended, yet that ſoul lives in the light of God's countenance; the Sun ſhines, though a cloud interpoſeth; God ſmiles though the ſoul do not perceive it; or certainly thou haſt his ſtrengthening-ſupporting preſence, if not his ſhining;John 17.23. now this is the fruit of Chriſt's bleſſed interceſſion; and this is the ſubject-matter of Chriſt's interceſſions, O my Father, that theſe may be one in us; I in them, and thou in me; I in them by the influence and power of my Spirit, and thou in me by the fulneſs and power of the Godhead. And is not this a moſt deſirable thing?
4. In this communion lyes the viſion and fruition of Jeſus Chriſt in glory, grace brings to glory; If communion here, we ſhall have communion hereafter; and this alſo is a part of Chriſt's prayer and interceſſion, Father I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me may be with me where I am, John 17.24.that they may behold my glory which thou haſt given me. Jeſus cannot be in Heaven long without his Saints; indeed it is impoſſible that Chriſt ſhould be in Heaven, and that pieces and bits of Chriſt-myſtical ſhould be in Hell, or yet long on Earth. Chriſt will draw in his Legs and Members on earth up nearer to the Head; certainly Chriſt and you that are believers muſt be under one roof ere long. Is not he gone before to prepare a place, yea, many manſions for you;John 14.2. we think them happy on earth that have their many ſtately Halls and Palaces; their ſummer, and their winter-houſes. O Chriſtians! how happy will you be when you come to be Lords and Heirs of many ſtately Manſions in the ſtreets of Heaven? but what ſpeak I of Manſions now I am naming Chriſt? Manſions are nothing, many Manſions are but little, yea, many Manſions in Chriſt's Fathers houſe, are but created chips of happineſs, in compariſon of that communion which by vertue of Chriſt's interceſſion we ſhall have with Chriſt. It is the ſaying of an eminently learned holy Divine,Sam. Rutherford. I ſhould refuſe heaven (ſaith he) if Chriſt were not there; take Chriſt away from Heaven, and it's but a poor, dark, heartleſs dwelling; Heaven without Chriſt would look as the direful land of death. And therefore after Chriſt had ſpoke of many Manſions, and of a place that he would prepare for his Saints, he adds further to increaſe their joy,John 14.3. I will come again (ſaith he) and receive you unto my ſelf, that where I am, there ye may be alſo. Manſions are but as places of bryers and thornes without Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore I would have Heaven for Chriſt, and not have Chriſt for Heaven; O this communion with Chriſt is above all deſirable, and this is the ſubject-matter of Chriſt's prayer, Father I would have the Saints to be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory. Why, this is the communion which the Saints ſhall have with Chriſt, never will their eyes be off-him, never will their thoughts wander after any other objects; O the intimacy that will be then betwixt Chriſt and Chriſtians! Oh what communication of glory will there be to each other! Theſe ſhall walk with me (ſaith Chriſt) for they are worthy.Rev. 3.4.
O my ſoul, if this be the buſineſs of Chriſt's interceſſion, if all theſe particulars are contained in the bowels of this one tranſaction, how is it that thou art not in a fainting ſwoon? how is it that thou art not gaſping, groaning, ſick unto death with the vehement thirſt after thy part and portion in Chriſt's interceſſion? if there be ſuch a thing as the paſſion of deſire in this heart of mine, O that now it would break out! Oh that it would vent it ſelf with mighty longings, and infinite aſpirings after this bleſſed Object! why Lord I deſire, but help thou my faint deſires; blow on my dying ſpark, it is but little; and if I know any thing of my heart, I would have it more; Oh that my ſpark would flame! why Lord I deſire that I might deſire; Oh breath it into me, and I will deſire after thee.
SECT. IV. Of hoping in Jeſus in this reſpect.
4. LEt us hope in Jeſus, carrying on this work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion. It is good that a man ſhould hope. Indeed if it were not for hope,Lam. 3.26. the heart would not hold; only look that our hope be true hope: very hypocrites have a kind of hope, but if God's Word be true, The hope of unjuſt men ſhall periſh. Prov. 11.7. Job 27.8, 9. Job 8.13, 14.—What is the hope of the hypocrite? — Will God hear his cry whe… trouble cometh upon him? No, no, The hypocrites hope ſhall periſh? his hope ſhall be cut off, and his truſt ſhall be as a Spiders web. O my ſoul hope in Jeſus, but reſt not till thou canſt give a reaſon of thy hope, till thou canſt prove that they are the hopes which Grace, and not only Nature hath wrought; that they are grounded upon Scripture-promiſes, and ſound evidences; that they purifie the heart; that the more thou hopeſt, the leſs thou ſinneſt; that they depend on ſure and infallible cauſes, as on the truth, power, and mercy of God; on the merits, mediation, and interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt; what? is this laſt amongſt the reſt (I mean the interceſſion of Chriſt) the ſpring of thy hope? canſt thou follow the ſtream, till it brings thee to this Fountain, or Well-head of hope, that now thou canſt ſay; O this interceſſion is mine? come, ſearch, and try, it is worth the pains; and to put thee out of queſtion, and in a more facile way of diſcerning, I ſhall lay down theſe ſigns. As—
1. If Chriſt's interceſſion be mine, then is the Spirits interceſſion mine; or if thou wouldſt rather argue from the effect to the cauſe, then thus; if the Spirit's interceſſion be mine, then is Chriſt's interceſſion mine. In this caſe we need not to aſcend up into Heaven to learn the truth, rather let us deſcend into our own hearts, and look whether Chriſt have given us of his ſpirit, which makes us cry unto God with ſighs and groans which cannot be expreſſed; he that will know whether the Sun ſhine in the Firmament, he muſt not climb into the clouds to look, rather he muſt ſearch for the beams thereof upon the earth; which when he ſees, he may conclude, that the Sun ſhines in the Firmament: O come and let us ranſack our own conſciences; let us ſearch whether we feel the Spirit of Chriſt crying in us, Abba Father: certainly theſe two are as the cauſe and the effect; Chriſt's interceſsion in Heaven, and his Spirits interceſſion on earth are as twins of a birth; or rather ſuch is the concatenation of theſe two, that Chriſt's interceſſion in Heaven breeds another interceſſion in the hearts of his Saints. It is the ſame Spirit dwelling in Chriſt, and in all his Members, that moves and ſtirs them up to cry, Abba Father. Here then is my Argument, if Chriſt hath put his ſpirit into thy heart, and if the Spirit hath ſet thine heart on work to make inceſſant interceſsions for thy ſelf, then is Chriſt's interceſsion thine. There is a kind of a round in the carrying on of this great work of interceſsion; as, 1. Chriſt intercedes for his people, O that my Spirit might go down! 2. God harkens to the interceſsion of Chriſt, Away holy ſpirit, get thee down into the hearts of ſuch and ſuch. 3. The ſpirit waits on the pleaſure of them both, and no ſooner down, but he ſends up his interceſsion back again: Chriſt cries to God, and God ſends the ſpirit, and the ſpirit goes and ecchoes in the hearts of Saints to the cries of Chriſt.Gal. 4.6. Much of this is contained in that one Text, God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into our heart, foreign crying, (as if he meerly acted our tongues) Abba Father, here is God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghoſt, and all are acting their parts on the elect people of God: the Son intercedes, O that my ſpirit may be given to theſe; the Father willingly grants, Away holy ſpirit, and as my Son asketh, enter, and take poſſeſsion of thoſe ſinful hearts; the holy ſpirit obeys, and no ſooner in the hearts of his Saints, but he cryes in them Abba Father; God hears Chriſt, and the ſpirit hears God, and the Elect hear the ſpirit; and now becauſe the Spirit ſpeaks in the Elect,Moſea 2.21. God hears the Elect; much like unto this is that of the prophet, And it ſhall come to paſs in that day, I will hear, ſaith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they ſhall hear the earth, and the earth ſhall hear the corn, and wine, and oyl, and they ſhall ſhall hear Jezreel. O my ſoul to the teſt! hath God ſent forth the ſpirit of his Son into thy heart? haſt thou the in-dwelling of the Spirit; and now by the help of the ſpirit canſt thou pray with earneſtneſs, confidence, and an holy importunity? canſt thou cry Abba Father? Canſt thou cry] with earneſtneſs? Father] with confidence? and Abba Father] or Father, Father] with an holy importunity? why, theſe are the very ſigns of the ſpirits interceſsion. O my ſoul that thou wouldſt deal faithfully with thy own ſelf; canſt thou by the help of the ſpirit go to the Father in the name of Chriſt? as Chriſt is gone before into the holy of holies to intercede; ſo canſt thou with boldneſs follow after,Heb. 10.19. and enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus? Canſt thou ſay God hath given me his ſpirit, and his ſpirit hath ſhewed me Chriſt as my Mediator at the right hand of God; and now under the wing of ſuch a Mediator, I can by the Spirits, aſſiſtance go with boldneſs (foreign with aſſuming a liberty) to ſpeak any thing I will in the ears of God? Surely this is the fruit, the effect of Chriſt's interceſsion, and therefore thou mayeſt comfortably conclude, Chriſt's interceſsion is mine.
2. If at any time in the midſt of duties I am ſavingly affected, then is Chriſt's interceſsion mine. Sometimes it pleaſeth God to appear in ordinances, and the ſoul is comforted, quickened, enlarged, affected; why, now I look on this as the efficacy of Chriſt's Blood, and as the power of Chriſts interceſsion; at that very inſtant that I feel any good in any ordinance of Chriſt, why, then, even then is Chriſt prevailing with God his Father for what I feel; then, even then may I boldly ſay, Now is the Lord Jeſus, who is at God's right hand in heaven, remembring me a poor worm on earth: Oh now I feel the fruit of his interceſsion; Oh what is this ſpirit, power, grace, comfort, ſweetneſs I drink of, but a taſt of the hony-comb with the end of my rod, dropping from the interceſsions of Jeſus Chriſt? and if this preſence of Chriſt's Spirit be ſo ſweet, what is himſelf, then? I know we had need to be wary in laying down this ſign, it is clearly proved by an eminent Divine,Mr. Burges of Aſſurance. Mat. 13.20. Mark 16.20. John 5.35. that ſweet motions of heart in holy things are not infallible Evidences of grace: the third kind of hearers are ſaid to receive the Word with joy; they found ſome ſweet and power in the Ordinances of Chriſt; and Herod heard John gladly; and many for a ſeaſon rejoyced in John's light and Miniſtry: Certainly affections in holy adminiſtrations with delight and joy, may be in thoſe, who yet have no true grace; ſo it may be that the novelty and ſtrangeneſs of a doctrine may much affect and delight; or the nature of the doctrine as it is comfortable, without any reſpect to ſpiritual operation, may exceedingly affect; or the Miniſters abilities, becauſe of his parts, eloquence, elocution, affectionate utterance may much delight, and ſtir up the hearers affections; fine head-notions may produce ſome affectionate heart-motions; but what ſymptome of grace in all this? The ſign therefore I lay down of my propriety in Chriſt's interceſſions is not every ſweet motion, or every excited affection, but that which is holy, ſpiritual, heavenly, ſaving; I may diſcern much of this, if I will but look into the grounds and effects of my excited, or ſtirred up affections; if the ground thereof be fetched from Heaven, and in their effect they tend towards Heaven; if they wean my heart from the world; if they elevate and raiſe up my affections to things above; if they form, and frame my converſation heaven-wards, then may I be aſſured theſe motions and affections are of the right ſtamp; for all ſuch motions are but ſparks of that heavenly fire, the the flame whereof is mindful of its own original; they are the fruits of Chriſt, and they go back to Chriſt; they work towards their center, they tend towards the place from whence they came; and in this reſpect O that I could never hear a Sermon, without a ſavory affection of what I hear! O that I could never go to prayer without ſome warmth, and heat, and life, and fervency! Oh that in every duty I were ſavingly affected, that I felt the ſavour of Chriſt's ointments, whoſe name, and whoſe interceſſion is as an ointment poured forth! in times of the Old Teſtament, if they offered up a ſacrifice, and a material fire came down from Heaven, and burnt up the ſacrifice to aſhes, it was a certain teſtimony that the ſacrifice was accepted: Now in the time of the Goſpel we muſt not expect material fire to come down upon our duties, but hath the Lord at any time cauſ…d an inward and ſpiritual fire to fall down upon thy heart warming thy ſpirit in duty? and carrying it up heaven-ward? Surely it ſo, thou mayeſt ſafely conclude, theſe are the very effects of Chriſt's interceſſion; his interceſſion is mine.
3. If in my heart I feel a holy frame, diſpoſition, inclination; to pray, and cry and intercede for others, eſpecially for the miſeries and diſtreſſes of the Church of God, then is Chriſt's interceſſion mine. We ſhould (as near as we may) in every thing conform to Chriſt; and this conformity is an evidence or ſign to us of our intereſt in Chriſt: O my ſoul go down into the inmoſt cloſet of thy heart, look what diſpoſition there is in it towards the members of Chriſt; and thou mayeſt conclude, there is in Chriſt's heart the very ſame diſpoſition towards thee. Ah! do I think there is love in my boſom towards the Saints, and that there is no love in Chriſt's boſome towards me? what? can I think that my narrow, ſtraitened, ſinful bowels are larger than thoſe wide, compaſſionate, tender bowels of Jeſus Chriſt? as a drop of water is in compariſon of the Ocean, and as a gravel-ſtone is in compariſon of the ſand, ſo is my heart to Chriſt's, and my love to Chriſt's, and my bowels to Chriſt's. Come then, and try by this ſign; Hereby we know that we are tranſlated from death to life if we love the brethren; he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death.—Hereby perceive we the love of God, 1 John 3.14.16.becauſe he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren; is not this plain, if I love the brethren, Chriſt loveth me; if I feel in my heart an holy diſpoſition to go to God, and to pray, and cry, and intercede for a Saint in miſery, ſurely the Lord Jeſus hath as much bowels towards me, to go and intercede for me, and to preſent my prayers unto God the Father; his interceſſion is mine.
4. If I am called, juſtified, ſanctified, then is Chriſt's interceſſion mine: are not theſe the ſubject matter of Chriſt's interceſſion? I pray (ſaith Chriſt) that thou ſhouldſt keep them from the evil.—I pray that thou wouldſt ſanctifie them through the truth! John 17, 15, 17, 20, 24.neither pray I for theſe alone, but for them alſo which ſhall believe on me through their word or preaching; Father I will that thoſe whom thou haſt given me, be with me in glory. He firſt prayes that we may be called and juſtified, and then he prayes that we may be ſanctified and ſaved: he holds at both ends of this golden chain of our ſalvation; the one end is hanged at his breaſt, where the names of all his Saints are written; and the other end is at his heart that he may be the Author and finiſher, the firſt and laſt, the beginning and ending of our ſouls ſalvation: alas! there is nothing in us, in our reach here below; the firſt ſtirrings of grace is up in Heaven at the right hand of the Father; and the far end of any gracious thought is as far above us, as the heart of Chriſt is above the earth: Come then, ſith all hangs on this great pin of Chriſt's interceſſion; let us ſearch and try, are we called? do we believe on the Son? are we ſanctified in ſome meaſure? are we kept from the evil, that ſin may not have dominion over us? hath Chriſt put up theſe prayers in our behalf, that now we feel (as it were) and experience the truth of Chriſt's prevailings with his Father in our hearts and lives? O ſure ſigns that Chriſt's interceſſion is ours; away, away, all diffidence, doubting, wavering fluctuating hopes; a ſoul thus grounded may with Paul caſt the ganlet, and bid defiance to all the world,Rom. 8.34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect, who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died, yea, rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, and who alſo maketh interceſſion for us.
SECT. V. Of believing in Jeſus in that reſpect.
5. LEt us believe in Jeſus, as carrying on this great work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion; wounded ſpirits are full of ſcruples, and thus they cry, My ſins will never be forgiven; have not I ſinned againſt God, and Chriſt, and the Spirit of Chriſt? had I not my hands imbrued in the blood of his Son? and have not I trodden under foot the blood of God? and will that blood that I have ſhed, and trod on, intercede for my pardon? Had I but gone ſo far as the Jews did, who indeed killed and crucified Chriſt, I might have had ſome hopes, becauſe they knew not what they did, and therefore Chriſt prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. But alas! I ſinned, 1 Cor. 2.8.and I knew well enough what, and wherein I have ſinned: had they known (ſaith the Apoſtle) they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but alas I knew it, and I was fully convinced that the commiſſion of every ſin is a crucifying of Chriſt, and yet againſt knowledge, and judgment, and light, and checks of my own conſcience, I have crucified the Lord of glory, Heb. 6.4, 6.and is not the Apoſtle expreſs? it is impoſſible for thoſe who were once enlightened, and have taſted of the heavenly gift,—if they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, ſeeing they crucifie to themſelves, the Son of God afreſh, and put him to an open ſhame, Oh I fear my name is not in the roll of thoſe for whom Chriſt intercedes, I have crucified him afreſh, and will he intercede for ſuch a dead dog as I am? I cannot believe. Silence, unbelief! be not tyrannical to thy ſelf, for Chriſt will not, ſin ſhall do thee no hurt, nor Sathan, no nor God himſelf, for Jeſus-Chriſt can work him to any thing; if he but open his wounds in heaven, he will ſo work his Father, that thy wounds on earth ſhall cloſe up preſently. O but I have ſinned againſt light; and what then? I hope thou haſt not ſinned willfully, maliciouſly, deſpightfully againſt the light: the Apoſtle tells us, that if we ſin willfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, Heb. 10.26, 27.there remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſins, but a certain looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation. Theſe two Texts in Heb. 6.4. and 10.26. are parallel, and give light to each other; and therefore unleſs thy ſin be the unpardonable ſin, unleſs willfully, maliciouſly, and deſpightfully, thou haſt crucified Chriſt, as ſome of the Jews did, never paſs a doom of final condemnation on thy ſoul: what is there no difference betwixt a ſin done willfully, or purpoſely, of malice with delight; and aginſt the feeling of thy own conſcience; and a ſin done of meer ignorance, inconſideracy, infirmity, or through a ſtrong temptation, though againſt light it ſelf? I know there is a light given in by God's Word, and ſome beam of the Holy Ghoſt, which yet never penetrated ſo far as to transform and regenerate the ſoul wholly to God's Image; and in ſuch a caſe a man may fall away even into an univerſal fall, a general Apoſtaſie; but doſt thou not hope better things of thy ſelf than ſo? I ſuppoſe thou doſt; O then believe! O believe thy part in Chriſt's interceſſion! and for the directions of thy faith, that thou mayſt know how, or in what manner to believe, obſerve theſe particulars in their order. As—
1. Faith muſt directly go to Chriſt.
2. Faith muſt go to Chriſt as God in the fleſh.
3. Faith muſt go to Chriſt as God in the fleſh made under the Law.
4. Faith muſt go to Chriſt made under the directive part of the Law by his life, and under the penal part of the Law by his death.
5. Faith muſt go to Chriſt as put to death in the fleſh, and as quickned by the Spirit.
6. Faith muſt go to Chriſt as quickened by the Spirit, and as going up into glory, as ſitting down at God's right hand, and as ſending the Holy Ghoſt; of all theſe before.
7. Faith muſt go to Chriſt as interceding for his Saints; this act of Chriſt is for the application of all the former acts on Chriſt's part; and our faith cloſing with it, is for the application of this, and all other the actings of Chriſt on our part. Now is our faith led up very high; if we can but reach this, we may ſay, our faith ſtands very lofty, when it may at once ſee earth and heaven; when it may ſee all that Chriſt hath acted for it here, and all that Chriſt doth act, and will act in heaven for it hereafter. It is not an ordinary, ſingle, particular act of faith that will come up to this glorious myſtery, no, no; it is a comprehenſive, perfective act; it is ſuch an act as puts the ſoul into a condition of glorious triumph, Who ſhall condemne? Goodwin, Chriſt ſet forth.it is Chriſt that will ſave me to the uttermoſt, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for me. That ſame word [to the uttermoſt] is a good word, and well put in; it is a reaching word, and extends it ſelf ſo far, that thou canſt not look beyond it: let thy ſoul be ſet on the higheſt mountain that ever any creature was yet ſet on, and there let thy ſoul take in, and view the moſt ſpacious proſpect both of ſin, and miſery, and difficulties of being ſaved, that ever yet any poor humbled ſoul did eaſt within it ſelf, yea, joyn to theſe all the objections, and hinderances of thy ſalvation, that the heart of man can ſuppoſe or invent againſt it ſelf; lift up thy eyes, and look to the utmoſt thou canſt ſee, and Chriſt by his interceſſion is able to ſave thee beyond the horizon, and furtheſt compaſs of thy thoughts, even to the utmoſt, and worst caſe the heart of man can poſſibly ſuppoſe; it is not thy having lain long in ſin, or long under terrors and deſpairs; it is not thy having ſinned often under many enlightnings, that can hinder thee from being ſaved by Chriſt; Do but remember this ſame word [to the uttermoſt] and then put in what exception thou wilt, or canſt. O the holy triumphs of that ſoul that can but act its ſaith on Chriſt's interceſſion! why, this is the moſt perfect and conſummate act of Chriſt's Prieſtly office; this argues thy Chriſt to be a perfect Mediator, and being a perfect Mediator, no condition can be deſperate; And being made perfect, (ſaith the Apoſtle) he became the Author of eternal ſalvation unto all them that obey him; Heb. 9.5.now therefore lead up thy faith to this bleſſed object, and thou haſt under conſideration the whole of Chriſt, and the total of Chriſt's actings in this world from firſt to laſt; in reſpect of mediation this is the Coronis, the up-ſhot, the period, the conſummation, the perfection of all.
8. Faith in going to Chriſt as interceding for us, it is principally and mainly to look to the purpoſe, end, intent, and deſign of Chriſt's interceſſion: now the ends of Chriſt as in the reference unto us, are theſe.—
1. That we might have communion and fellowſhip with the Father, and the Son. I pray for theſe, that as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, John 17.21.they alſo may be one in us.
2. That we might have the gift of the Holy Ghoſt; I will pray the Father, John 14.16, 17.and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth.
3. That we might have protection againſt all evil,John 17.15. I pray (ſaith Chriſt) that thou wouldſt keep them from the evil. Some may object, are not the faithful Subject to evils, corruptions, and temptations ſtill? how then is that part of the interceſſion of Chriſt made good unto us? I anſwer, the interceſſion of Chriſt is preſently available, only it is conveyed in a manner ſuitable and convenient to our preſent condition, ſo as there may be left room for another life; and therefore we muſt not conceive all preſently done; it is with us as with Malefactors doomed to death, ſuppoſe the Supreme power ſhould grant a pardon to be drawn; though the grant be of the whole thing at once, yet it cannot be written but word after word, and line after line; ſo the grant of our protection againſt all evil is made unto Chriſt at firſt, but in the execution thereof, there is line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little; we know Chriſt prayed for Peter, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; yet Peter's faith did ſhake and totter; the prayer was not, that there might be no failing at all, but that it might not utterly and totally fail; and in that reſpect Peter was protected.
Heb. 4.14, 16.4. That we might have free acceſs to the Throne of Grace; So the Apoſtle, Seeing then we have a great high-Prieſt that is paſſed into the heavens, Jeſus the Son of God, let us hold faſt our profeſſion, Heb. 10.23.and come boldly to the Throne of grace. And again, Having therefore boldneſs to enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus, and having an high Prieſt over the Houſe of God, let us draw near with a true heart in a full aſſurance of faith.
5. That we might have the inward interpellation of the Spirit, which is, as it were, the Eccho of Chriſt's interceſſion in our heart:Rom. 8.26. The Spirit maketh interceſſion for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. It is the ſame Spirit groans in us, which more diſtinctly and fully in Chriſt,John 17.13. prayeth for us. Theſe things I ſpeak in the world (ſaith our Saviour) that they might have my joy filled in themſelves. q. d. I have made this prayer in the world, and left a record and pattern of it in the Church, that they feeling the ſame heavenly deſires kindled in their own hearts, may be comforted in the workings of that Spirit of prayer in them, which teſtifieth to their ſouls the quality of that interceſſion which I make for them in the Heaven of Heavens; certainly there is a dependance of our prayer on Chriſt's prayer: as it is with the Sun, though the body of it abide in the Heavens, yet the beams of it deſcend to us here on earth; ſo the interceſſion of Chriſt, though as tyed to his perſon, it is made in Heaven; yet the groans, and deſires of the touched heart, as the beams thereof, are here on earth.
6. That we might have the ſanctification of our ſervices; of this the Levitical Prieſts were a type,Exod. 28.38. Rev. 8.3. For they bear the iniquity of the holy things of the children of Iſrael, that they might be accepted; and he is the Angel of the Covenant, who hath a golden Cenſer to offer up the prayers of the Saints. Some obſerve a three-fold evil in man, of every of which we are delivered by Chriſt: Firſt, an evil of ſtate or condition under the guilt of ſin: Secondly, an evil of nature under the corruption of ſin: Thirdly, an evil in all our ſervices by the adherency of ſin; for that which toucheth an unclean thing, is made unclean thereby. Now Chriſt by his righteouſneſs and merits juſtifieth our perſons from the guilt of ſin; and Chriſt by his Grace and Spirit doth in meaſure purifie our faculties from the corruption of ſin; and Chriſt by his incenſe and interceſſion doth cleanſe our ſervices from the adherency of ſin; ſo that in them the Lord ſmells a ſweet favour; and both we and our ſervices find acceptance with God.
7. That we might have the pardon of all ſin. It is by vertue of Chriſt's interceſſion that a Believer ſinning of infirmity hath a pardon of courſe, for Chriſt is his Advocate to plead his caſe; or if he ſin of preſumption, and the Lord give repentance, he hath a pardon at the hands of God the Father by vertue of this interceſſion in a way of juſtice. And to this end rather is Chriſt called an Advocate than a Petitioner;1 John 2.1. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father. The work of an Advocate differs from the work of a Petitioner; an Advocate doth not meerly petition, but he tells the Judge what is Law, and what ought to be done, and ſo doth Chriſt. O my Father (ſaith Chriſt) this ſoul hath indeed ſinned, but I have ſatisfied for his ſins, I have payed for them to the full; now therefore in a way of equity, and juſtice, I do here call for this mans pardon. If this were not ſo, our eſtate would be moſt miſerable, conſidering that for every ſin committed by us after repentance, we deſerve to be caſt out of the love and favour of God our Father for ever and ever.
8. That we might have continuance in the ſtate of grace, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke 22.32.Some that diſſent from us in the point of perſeverance, object, that in our Saviour's Prayer for Peter there was ſomewhat ſingular; but we ſay, that in this Prayer there is nothing ſingular, which is not common to all the faithful, and unto ſuch as are given unto Chriſt of the Father; they alledge that this priviledge was granted to Peter as an Apoſtle; but we ſay, that if it was granted to Peter, as an Apoſtle, then it was common to Peter and Judas, in that both were Apoſtles. They alledge further, that Chriſt prayes not for the abſolute perſeverance of Believers, but after a ſort, and upon condition. But we ſay the Prayer of Chriſt is certain, and not ſuſpended: in this Prayer his deſire is not for Peter that would preſevere, but his deſire is for Peter that he ſhould perſevere; the object of the thing for which Chriſt prayes, is diſtinct from the thing it ſelf prayed for.
9. That we might have the ſalvation of our ſouls in the day of Jeſus;John 17.24. Father I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am, that they might behold my glory. Why, this is the main end in reſpect of us, our glory; and indeed herein is the main piece of our glory, to behold this glory! Oh to ſee the Lord Jeſus Chriſt glorified, as he ſhall be glorified, muſt be a glorious thing; What is it to ſee his glory, but to behold the luſtre of his Divinity through his humanity? In this reſpect our very eyes ſhall come to ſee God, as much as is poſſible for any creature to ſee him: we may be ſure God ſhall appear through the humanity of Chriſt, as much as is poſſible for the Divinity to appear in a creature; and therefore Men and Angels will be continually viewing of Chriſt. I know there is another glory of Chriſt which the Father will put upon him; Becauſe he humbled himſelf, therefore God will exalt him, Rev. 14.4.and give him a name above every name; and we ſhall ſee him in this glory. O the raviſhing ſight of Saints! Chriſt is ſo lovely, that the Saints cannot leave, but they muſt, and will follow the Lamb whereſoever he goes: there ſhall be no moment to all eternity, wherein Chriſt ſhall be out of ſight to ſo many thouſand thouſands of Saints; now this is the glory of the Saints above; as a Queen that ſees the Prince in his glory, ſhe delights in it, becauſe it is her glory; ſo the Church, when ſhe ſhall ſee Chriſt her Husband in his glory ſhe ſhall rejoyce in it, becauſe ſhe looks upon it as her own: Is not this a bleſſed end of Chriſt's interceſſion? why, hither tend all the reſt; all the other ends end in this; and for this above all Chriſt intercedes to his Father, Father, Cant. 3.11.I would have my Saints with me, O that all the daughters of Zion may behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith thou haſt crowned him in the day of his Eſpouſals, and in the day of the gladneſs of his heart.
Only one Queſtion, and I have done; how ſhould I ſet my faith on work to act on Chriſt's interceſſion for theſe ends? I anſwer,—
1. Faith muſt perſwade it ſelf that here is a vertue in Chriſt's interceſſion. Certainly every paſſage, and acting of Chriſt hath its efficacy, and therefore there is vertue in this; it is full of juyce, it hath a ſtrong influence in it.
2. Faith muſt conſider that it is the deſign of God, and the intendment of Chriſt, that this interceſſion ſhould be for the good of thoſe that are given to Chriſt. O there's enough in Chriſt, enough in Chriſt's interceſſion to convey communion, the Spirit, protection, free acceſs to the Throne of Grace, a Spirit of prayer, pardon of ſins, continuance in grace, ſalvation of ſouls to the Saints, and people of God, through all the world; and this is the deſign of God, that Chriſt's interceſſion ſhould be as the fountain whence all theſe ſtreams muſt run, and be conveyed unto us.
3. Faith muſt act dependantly upon the interceſſion of Chriſt for theſe very ends, this is the very nature of Faith, it relyes upon God in Chriſt, and upon all the actings of Chriſt, and upon all the promiſes of Chriſt: ſo then, Is there a deſirable end in Chriſt's interceſſion which we aim at? O let us act our Faith dependantly; let us rely, ſtay, or lean upon Chriſt to that ſame end; let us roul our ſelves, or caſt our ſelves upon the very interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt: Saying, O my Chriſt, there is enough in thee, and in this glorious interceſſion of thine, and therefore there will I ſtick, and abide for ever.
4. Faith muſt ever and anon be trying, improving, wreſtling with God, that vertue may go out of Chriſt's interceſſion into our hearts. I have heard Lord, that there is an Office erected in heaven, that Chriſt, as Prieſt, ſhould be ever praying, and interceding for his people: O that I may feel the efficacy of Chriſt's interceſſion! am I now in prayer? O that I could feel in this prayer, the warmth, and heat, and ſpiritual fire, which uſually falls down from Chriſt's interceſſion into the hearts of his! Lord warm my ſpirit in this duty; give me the kiſſes of thy mouth; O that I may now have communion with thee, thy Spirit upon me, thy protection over me! O that my pardon may be ſealed, my grace confirmed, my ſoul ſaved in the day of Jeſus! In this method, O my ſoul, follow on; and who knows but God may appear e're thou art aware? howſoever be thou in the uſe of the means, and leave the iſſue with God.
SECT. VI. Of loving Jeſus in that Reſpect.
6. LEt us love Jeſus, as carrying on this great work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion. Now two things more eſpecially will excite our love. 1. Chriſt's love to us. 2. Our propriety in Chriſt. For the firſt, many acts of Chriſt's love have appeared before, and every one is ſufficient to draw our loves to him again. As—
1. He had an eternal love to man; he feaſted himſelf on the thoughts of love, delight, and free-grace to man from all eternity; ſince God was God (O boundleſs duration) the Lord Jeſus in a manner was loving and longing for the dawning of the day of the Creation; he was (as it were) with child of infinite love to man before he made the world. Some obſerve, that the firſt words which ever Chriſt wrote, were, Love to Believers: and theſe were written with glory, for it was before gold was, and they were written upon his boſom, for then other books were not.
2. In the beginning of time he loved man above all creatures, for after he had made them all, he then ſpeaks as he never did before, Let us make man in our image, after our likeneſs, Gen. 1.26.and let him have dominion over the fiſh of the ſea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattel, and over all the earth; and though man at that very inſtant unmade himſelf by ſins, Chriſt's love yet was not broken off, but held forth in a promiſe till the day of performance, The ſeed of the woman ſhall bruiſe the Serpents head, and in thy ſeed ſhall all the Nations of the earth be bleſſed.
3. In the fulneſs of time his love was manifeſted; the ſeed then bloſſomed, and the birth came out in an high expreſſion of love; the man-child, the love of Chriſt was born,Tit. 3.4. and ſaw the light. After that (ſaith the Apoſtle) the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared. I ſhall not need ſure to inſtance in ſucceeding paſſages; ſo far as we have gone, we have clearly ſeen Chriſt's life was a perfect mirror of his love, as there is no beam in the Sun, in which there is no light, ſo there was no act in the life of Chriſt, but to a ſpiritual eye it ſhines with the light of love. But above all, O the love of Chriſt in his death! ask a Malefactor, if the Princes Son ſhould go to his Father, and ſay, Father, I confeſs this wretch hath deſerved to dye, but I ſee a willingneſs in thee that he ſhould live; only I perceive it ſticks with thy juſtice; why, for that, Father, here I am; and to ſatisfy thy juſtice I will dye my ſelf, only let this poor wretch live to the glory of thine, and my free grace. Ask (I ſay) the Malefactor what kind of love were this? Surely Chriſt dyed for our ſins, and Chriſt roſe again for our juſtification, and he aſcended, and ſate down at God's right hand, and ſent down his holy Spirit, and all for us; there was not one paſſage in all theſe tranſactions, but held forth the breakings and breathings out of a ſtrong fire of love.
4. At this time there is a coal of burning love in the breaſt of Chriſt: this fire was indeed from everlaſting, but the flames are as hot this day as ever; now it is that Chriſt loves, and lives; And wherefore lives? but only to love us, and to intercede for us. Chriſt makes our ſalvation his conſtant calling; he is ever at his work. Yeſterday, and to day, and for ever: there is not one hour in the day, nor one day in a year, nor one year in an age, wherein Chriſt is not buſie with his Father in this heavenly imployment of interceding for us. He loved us before he died for us, his love being the cauſe why he died for us; and he loves us ſtill, in that now he intercedes for us: it is as much as to ſay, Chriſt hath loved us, and he repents not of his love: love made him dye for us, and if it were to do again, he would dye over again; yea, if our ſins had ſo required, that for every elect perſon Chriſt muſt have dyed a ſeveral death, Love, love would have put him willingly upon all theſe deaths; O the loves of Chriſt towards our poor ſouls! If I might but ſtay, and take ſome turns in this large Field of love: How many thouſands of particulars might I draw out of Scripture, expreſſing Chriſt's love to us in this reſpect? though he be in Heaven, yet by vertue of his interceſſion, he bears us in his hands: yea, he leads us by the hand, and arms too. I taught Ephraim to go, taking them by their arms, but they knew not that I healed them; he dandles us on his knees,Iſa. 40 11. Hoſ. 11.3. Deut. 32.11, 12. he bears us on his wings; As an Eagle ſtirreth up her neſt, fluttereth over her young, ſpreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, and beareth them on her wings, ſo the Lord alone doth lead us; he carries us on his ſhoulders, as the man found his ſheep, and laid it on his ſhoulders rejoycing. Nay, I muſt yet come nearer,Luke 15.5. for Chriſt by his interceſſion ſets us nearer yet; His left hand is under us, Cant. 2.6.and his right hand doth imbrace us; he wears us in Heaven, as a bracelet about his arms, which made the Spouſe cry out, O ſet me as a ſeal upon thine arm; Cant. 8.6.he ſtamps and prints us on the palms of his hands, Behold I have graven thee on the palms of my hands; Iſa. 49.16.as if our names were written in letters of blood upon Chriſt's fleſh; he ſets us as a ſeal upon his heart, that is the expreſſion of the Spouſe too, O ſet me as a ſeal upon thine heart; Nay,Cant. 8.6. ſo precious are the Saints to Jeſus Chriſt, that they lodge in Heaven in his bowels, and in his heart; for they dwell in Chriſt, Hereby we know that we dwell in him; 1 John 4.13. 1 John 4.16.and they dwell in God, and dwell in love, For God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. I know not what more to ſay; you know the manner of the high Prieſts, was to carry the names of the children of Iſrael into the Holy of Holies on their ſhoulders, and on their breaſts: but was it ever heard, that any high Prieſt, beſides the great high Prieſt of our profeſſion, ſhould carry the names of thouſands, and millions on his ſhoulders, and on his arms, and on his hands, and on his wings, and on his boſom, and on his heart, nay in his heart, and in his bowels, as a memorial before the Lord? O unmatchable love!
Methinks this love of Chriſt ſhould now change my ſoul into a Globe or Maſs of Divine love towards Chriſt, as it were by the Spirit of the Lord. Methinks a ſight of Chriſt in his preſenting himſelf, and his ſacrifice to his Father for me, ſhould ſo enamour my ſoul as that I ſhould delight in no other ſight but this; then is a Chriſtian ſweetly exerciſed, when as the golden Ball of Divine Love is toſſed to and again betwixt Chriſt's boſom and his; and in this reſpect it is a wonder that before this I am not ſickned, and overcome with love, and ready to cry out with the Spouſe, O ſtay me with flaggons, Cant. 2.5.and comfort me with apples, for I am ſick of love. O I am wounded with the arrows of love, ſo as neither grave, nor death, nor hell; neither Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come can ever lick theſe wounds, or enbalm, or bind them up. O my Chriſt, my Lord, my Jeſus, What ſhould I do but yield over my ſelf as a Spouſe under the power of her husband? what ſhould I do but loſe my ſelf in ſuch a deep Ocean of loves, ſtronger than wine, hotter than coals of Juniper, which hath a moſt vehement flame?
2. Another motive of our love to Chriſt, it is our propriety in Chriſt.1 Cor. 6.19. Ye are not your own, ſaid the Apoſtle of us; and he is not his own, may we ſay of Chriſt: If any ask how may this be? I anſwer, That the ſoul in loving Chriſt is not her own, and in regard of loving, Chriſt is not his own; every one makes over it ſelf to another; and propriety or intereſt to it ſelf on both ſides ceaſeth: My Beloved is mine, and I am his, Cant. 2.16.ſaith the Spouſe; not as if Chriſt ſhould leave off to be his own, or to be a free God, when he becometh ours; no, no; but he ſo demeans himſelf in reſpect of his loves, as if he were not his own; he putteth on ſuch relations, and aſſumes ſuch offices of engagement, as if he were all for us, and nothing for himſelf; thus he is called a Saviour, a Redeemer, a King, a Prieſt, a Prophet, a Friend, a Guide, an Head, an Husband, a Leader, Ranſomer, Interceſſor; and what not of this nature?
O my ſoul come hither, and put thy little candle to this mighty flame; if thou hadſt ten hearts, or as many hearts in one, as there are elected Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth, all theſe would be too little for Jeſus Chriſt: only go as far as thou canſt, and love him with that heart thou haſt, yea love him with all thy heart, and all thy ſoul, and all thy might; and as Chriſt in loving thee, is not his own, ſo let thy ſoul in loving Chriſt be not her own; Come, love thy Chriſt, and not thy ſelf; poſſeſs thy Chriſt, and not thy ſelf; enjoy thy Chriſt, and not thy ſelf; live in thy Chriſt, not in thy ſelf; ſolace thy ſelf in Jeſus Chriſt, not in thy ſelf; ſay with the Apoſtle,Gal. 2.20. I am crucified with Chriſt, nevertheleſs I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me. Certainly, if ever thou comeſt to love Chriſt truly, thou canſt not but deny thy ſelf, and all created lovers. This love will ſcrew up thy ſoul, ſo high above the world, and above thy fleſh, and above thy ſelf, and above all other lovers, that nothing on this ſide Chriſt, whether in heaven or on earth, will come in competition with him. Suppoſe a man in the top of a Caſtle higher than the third Region of the Air, or near the Sphere of the Moon, ſhould look down to the faireſt and ſweeteſt Meadows, or to a Garden rich with Roſes and Flowers, of all ſweet colours and delicious ſmells; certainly he ſhould not ſee or feel any ſweetneſs, pleaſantneſs, colour, ſmell, becauſe he is ſo far above them; ſo the ſoul filled with the love of Chriſt is ſo high above all created lovers, that their lovelineſs cannot reach or aſcend to the high and large capacity of a ſpiritual ſoul. O for a ſoul filled up with all the fulneſs of God! O for a ſoul ſtretched out to its wideſt capacity, and circumference for the entertainment of God!Eph. 3.18, 19. O my ſoul, that thou wert but able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Chriſt that paſſeth knowledge! Surely if Chriſt be mine, if his death be mine, his reſurrection mine, his aſcenſion mine, his ſeſſion mine, his interceſſion mine, How ſhould I but love him with a ſingular love? farewel world, and worldly glory; if Chriſt come in room, it is time for you to vaniſh; I ſhall little care for a Candle when the Sun ſhines fair and bright upon my head: What? is my name written on the heart of Chriſt? doth he wear me as a Favour and Love-token about his arms and neck? is he at every turn preſenting me and my duties to his heavenly Father?Cant. 4.9. O thou haſt raviſhed my heart, my King, my Jeſus, thou haſt raviſhed my heart with one of thine eyes, and with one chain of thy neck.
Suppoſe, O my ſoul, thou hadſt been with Chriſt when he waſhed his Diſciples feet, and that he ſhould have come, and have waſhed thy feet; Would not thy heart have glowed with love to Jeſus Chriſt? why, Chriſt is now in glory, and now he takes thy filthy ſoul, and dirty duties, and waſhes (as it were) the feet of all, that he may preſent them to his Father; thou canſt not ſhed a tear, but he waſhes it over again in his precious blood, and perfumes it with his glorious interceſſions. Oh what cauſe haſt thou to love Jeſus Chriſt? Oh you that never loved Chriſt, come, love him now; and you that have loved Chriſt a little, O love him more: Above all, let me, O my ſoul, charge upon thee this duty of love; O go away warmed with the love of Chriſt, and with a love to Chriſt.
SECT. VII. Of joying in Jeſus in that reſpect.
7. LEt us joy in Jeſus, as carrying on this work of our ſalvation in his interceſſion. Surely this is glad tydings of great joy: when wicked Haman procured letters from King Ahaſuerus for the deſtruction of all Jews, then Eſther, the Queen, makes requeſt to the King, that her people might be ſaved, and Haman's letters revoked;Eſther. 5.3. —8.15, 16, 17. And the King ſaid to her, What wilt thou Queen Eſther? and what is thy requeſt, and it ſhall be given thee? O the joy of Jews at this happy tidings! Then the City of Shuſhan rejoyced, and was glad; then the Jews had light, and gladneſs, and joy, and honour; in every province, and in every City, whitherſoever the Kings Commandment, and his Decree came, the Jews had joy, and gladneſs, a feaſt, and a good day. Is not this our very caſe? was there not a Law againſt us, an hand-writing of Ordinances, a ſentence of a double death, of body and ſoul? had not Satan, as wicked Haman, accuſed us, and ſought by all means our condemnation? but yet behold, not only an earthly Eſther, but Jeſus the Son of God was willing for our ſakes to come down from Heaven; and he it was that took away the hand-writing of Ordinances, and cancelled it upon the Croſs, that aſcended into Heaven, and there makes requeſts for us, and he it is in whom his Father is well pleaſed; never comes he to his Father, but he obtains the grace of the golden Scepter; no ſooner he cryes, I will that theſe poor ſouls may be eternally ſaved; but his Father anſwers, Amen; Be it ſo: be it, O my Son, even as thou pleaſeſt. O that we could joy at this! O that we could imitate the Jews! O that light, and gladneſs, and joy, and honour, would poſſeſs our ſouls! if at Chriſt's birth was ſuch, and ſo much joy, becauſe a Saviour was proclaimed: Is not our joy to be heightened, when ſalvation is effected? if the firſt act of Chriſt's mediation was ſo joyous, ſhall not the laſt act of his mediation be much more joyous?—But I hear many objections, which keep back joy, they are as bars and hindrances at the doors of many heavy hearts, that joy cannot enter in; I ſhall inſtance in ſome.
O I am much oppoſed here in this world (ſayes one) men are as wolves, and devils;Pſal. 22.16. Dogs have compaſſed me, the aſſembly of the wicked have encloſed me; they have no bowels; they perſecute, reproach, revile, ſo that I am killed all the day long — And what then? what matters oppoſitions of men, ſo long as Chriſt doth intercede for thee in Heaven? O remember Chriſt's bowels; it may be he ſuffers men to be mercileſs on earth, that thou mayſt look up, and behold how merciful he is who ſits above; and tell me, haſt thou no experience of this truth? doth not relief ſtrangely come in now and than? why, write upon the forehead of ſuch favours, I have a merciful, and compaſſionate Mediator in heaven.
O I am much tempted (ſayes another) that I cannot pray; had I now the key of prayer, I could then unlock the cabinet where all God's treaſures lye, and take out what I pleaſed; but alas, my prayers are dull, and weak, and dry, and without ſpirit and life, I cannot pray.—If ſo, be humbled for it; and yet know this, that when thou canſt not pray, Chriſt then prayes for thee, and he prayes that thou mayſt pray: And tell me, haſt thou no experience of this truth? hath not ſometimes thy ſpirit been enlarged in prayer? haſt thou not ſometimes felt thy heart warmed, or ſavingly affected? haſt thou not ſometimes in prayer been lifted up above thy ſelf, and above the world? conclude then, My Interceſſor above hath ſent me this gift and Spirit; it is not I, but Chriſt's Interceſſion that by an admirable and ſecret operation hath given me the Spirit to help my infirmity; theſe are the interceſſions of the Spirit of Chriſt, and they are the very Eccho of the interceſſions of Chriſt in his own perſon.
O but I labour under ſuch, and ſuch corruptions (ſayes another) and the Devil is buſie, exceeding buſie, and he exceedingly prevails; how am I overcome with theſe corruptions, and with theſe and theſe ſins? It may be ſo, and yet do not altogether deſpond; for Jeſus Chriſt is at God's right hand, and there he ſits till all his enemies be made his foot-ſtool; and what? are not thy ſins his enemies? O be of good comfort, for Chriſt will prevail; it is one piece of his prayer that he puts up for thee,John 17.15. To keep thee from evil; and ſurely he will either keep thee from it, or keep thee in it, that in the iſſue thou ſhalt have the victory.Ver. 12. Iſa. 55 3. Thoſe that thou gaveſt me I have kept (ſaith Chriſt) and none of them is loſt; if he undertake for thee, thou art ſafe and ſure; His Covenant is everlaſting, even the ſure mercies of David: and therefore if yet thou doſt not, certainly thou ſhalt feel the vertue of Chriſt's interceſſion; ſin muſt be ſubdued, hell-gates ſhall not prevail againſt thee, he will not quench thy ſparks until he bring forth judgment unto victory.
Oh but I am in a ſuffering condition (ſayes another) and there is none that regards, or takes pity on me; all my friends have dealt treacherouſly with me, among all my Lovers there is none to comfort me: they have heard, that I ſigh, and there is none to refreſh me; I ſtand for Chriſt, but there is none ſtands by me; I own him, but there is none owns me. Bleeding Chriſtian, bear up! is not Chriſt's interceſſion a ſufficient anſwer to this caſe? alas thou wouldſt be pitied for all thy weakneſſes; why, know that compaſſion is natural to Jeſus Chriſt: he is a merciful high Prieſt, and can be no other to thee; God ordained him to officiate in ſuch a Tabernacle as wherein thou dwelleſt, he was in all things like unto thee, ſin only excepted; it may be thou art in want, and ſo was Chriſt, he had no houſe; thou art perſecuted, and ſo was Chriſt; ſin loads thee, and ſo it did Chriſt. A Chriſtians condition needs compaſſion, and Chriſt knows how much, and it is his work continually to lay it open above; O my Father, thus, and thus it is with the Militant Church, not a Member in it, but he is under ſin and affliction; ſee here the tears, hearken to the ſighs, and groans, and chatterings, and mournings of my Doves below; I preſent here their perſons and performances; and oh that they may find acceptance through my merit! Some ſpeak of Heavens Muſick, ſome tell us of Saints and Angels ſinging and warbling in lively notes the praiſes of Chriſt in Heaven; and if any ſuch thing be, certainly, it is ear-tickling, heart-raviſhing muſick; O the melody, O the joy of Saints to hear ſuch heavenly ayres with heavenly ears! but be it as it will be, of this I am confident, that Heaven it ſelf yields no ſuch muſick as is the interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt; this (if any thing in Heaven do it) makes melody in the ears of God, and of all celeſtial Spirits, Saints or Angels: And (O my ſoul) ſuppoſe thy ſelf within the compaſs, if now thou couldſt but hear what thy Jeſus is ſaying in thy behalf: Is not this a brand newly pluck'd out of the fire? was not this poor ſoul but the other day in a ſtate of nature, defiled with ſin, within a ſtep of hell? and did not I ſend my Spirit to recall him? was not this precious blood ſhed for the redemption of him? and what though ſin ſtick and cleave to him to this day, yet have I not given thee charge to take away his filthy garments from him, and to cloath him with changes of rayment, even with the ſhining robes of mine own righteouſneſs? O my Father, let this ſoul live in thy ſight! O caſt him not away for whom I have ſuffered, and done all this, I cannot reſt ſatisfied without his ſociety, I am not right till he is with me in glory; he is my darling, my purchaſe, my portion, my delight, and therefore let him be ſaved. Is not this enough to cauſe thy very heart to leap in thy boſom? Bonaventure fondly reports, that Francis hearing an Angel a little while playing on an Harp, he was ſo moved with extraordinary delight, that he thought himſelf in another world. O but ſuppoſe thou ſhouldſt hear the voice of Jeſus thy Interceſſor thus pleading for thee, wouldſt thou not be caſt into an extaſie? would not this fill thee with joyes unſpeakable, and full of glory?—Come, realize this meditation? certainly if thou art Chriſt's, he is thus, or in ſome other manner interceding for thee; as ſure as Chriſt is in Heaven, he is pleading with his Father in Heaven on thy behalf: O the joyes, the joyes, the joyes that I ſhould now feel!—Tell me, is it not a comfort, for a poor beggar to be relieved at a rich man's door? we are all beggars in regard of Heaven, and Jeſus Chriſt doth not only come forth and ſerve us; but he takes us poor beggars by the hand, and leads us in to his heavenly Father: Oh what comfort is here!
SECT. VIII. Of praying to, and praiſing of Jeſus in that reſpect.
8. LEt us pray, and praiſe our Jeſus in this reſpect.
1. Let us pray or ſue our intereſt in this interceſſion: it is a queſtion amongſt the Schools, whether we may conveniently pray to Jeſus, to pray to his Father in our behalf? And thus far is granted, that we may pray to Chriſt to make us partakers of his interceſſions, and to mingle our prayers with his prayers, that they may find acceptance with God his Father.1 Cor. 11.6. But that we may uſe ſuch a form, as ora pro nobis, O Chriſt pray for us, it is looked upon as inconvenient in this reſpect. 1. Becauſe cauſe we have no ſuch custom, neither the Churches of God. 2. Becauſe it favours too much of the error of Arrius, Neſtorius, and indeed of the Romaniſts themſelves. 3. Becauſe our prayers are moſt-what directed to Chriſt in his perſon or divine ſubſiſtence, whoſe part is rather to give, than to ask; or if they are directed to Chriſt as Mediator, and not ſimply as the only begotten Son of God, then I ſee no incongruity (though in the former reſpect ſome inconvenience) but that we may pray to Chriſt to intercede for us; for ſo he is God and man; and he is conſidered according to both Natures; only the difference of both Natures is ſtill to be kept and maintained; interceſſion is the office of the whole perſon of Chriſt, and of the two natures of Chriſt. But he performs this office one way according to his Divine nature, and another way according to his humane nature. I liſt not to quarrel about niceties; it is thus agreed on all hands, and that is enough to our purpoſe, that we may call on Jeſus, or on God the Father in and through Jeſus, that Chriſt's interceſſions may be ours, and that he would make it out to us in a way of aſſurance every day more and more.
2. Let us praiſe; let us bleſs God, and bleſs Chriſt for every tranſaction in Heaven for us. It is a wonder to obſerve what ſongs of praiſe were chanted to Chriſt in Heaven for that one tranſaction of opening the Book, and looſing the ſeven Seals thereof: firſt, The four beaſts, Rev. 5.8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.and then the four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the Saints, and they ſung a new ſong; ſaying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the ſeals thereof, for thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood.—And then the Angels round about the Throne, whoſe number was ten thouſand times ten thouſand, and thouſands of thouſands, came on, ſaying, worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain to receive power, and riches, and wiſdom, and ſtrength, and honour, and glory, and bleſſing.— And then every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and ſuch as are in the ſea, came on, ſaying, bleſſing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever; and the four beaſts, and four and twenty Elders fell down and worſhipped him that liveth for ever and ever. I cannot tell what other tranſactions may be in Heaven, we have but hints of them here, nor ſhall we fully or particularly know them till we come to Heaven; but for this one tranſaction of Chriſt's interceſſion, we cannot imagine leſs praiſe to be given to Chriſt than for any other; O then let us do this duty on earth, as it is done in Heaven! what, is Chriſt praying for us? O let us be on the exerciſe of praiſing him; is Chriſt interceding for us? let us give him the glory of his interceſſion; Heaven is full of his praiſes, O why ſhould not earth ring with the ſound thereof? Praiſe the Lord, O my ſoul, and all that is within me, praiſe his holy Name.
SECT. IX. Of conforming to Jeſus in that reſpect.
9. LEt us conform to Jeſus in reſpect of his interceſſion. I cannot think but in every action of Chriſt there is ſomething imitable of us. And as to the preſent work, I ſhall inſtance only in theſe few particulars. As—
1. Chriſt appears in Heaven for us; let us appear on earth for him. Is there not equity, as well as conformity in this duty? O my ſoul, conſider what thy Chriſt is doing, conſider wherein the interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt conſiſts! is not this the firſt part of it? why, he appears in Heaven before Saints and Angels, and before God his Father in thy behalf; and art thou afraid to appear before worms, mortals, duſt and aſhes in his cauſe, or for his truth? ſhall Jeſus Chriſt own thee in Heaven? and wilt thou not own Jeſus Chriſt here in this world? ſhall Jeſus Chriſt, as thy great high Prieſt, take thy very name, carry it upon his breaſt into the preſence of God? and wilt not thou take the Name of Chriſt, and hold it forth in profeſſion and practiſe to all men? Oh what a mighty engagement is here to ſtand to Chriſt, and to appear for Chriſt, and to own his cauſe in theſe backſliding-times; in that Chriſt, who ſits at the right hand of God, is willing and ready to appear in perſon for us, both as a Mediator, and Sponſor, and Solicitor, and Advocate, and Leiger Embaſſador?
2. Chriſt ſpends all his time for us and our ſalvation, let us ſpend all our time for him, and in his ſervice; the Apoſtle tells us, that He ever lives to make interceſſion for us; Heb. 7.25.it is not for a day, or a month, or a year, but he lives for ever upon this account; for ever (i.e.) during all the time from his Aſcenſion until the end of the world; he is ſtill interceding; he ſpends of all that time for us, and ſhall we think it too much time to ſpend a few dayes that we have here to live upon the earth for him? one thinks this the greateſt Argument in the world to make us to walk cloſely with God in Chriſt; He ſpends of his eternity for us, and ſhall not we ſpend of our whole time for him? ſurely people do not think what Chriſt is doing in Heaven for them; if you who are Saints would but ſeriouſly conſider, that Chriſt this Sabbath, this day of reſt, is at his work, that without any wearineſs or intermiſſion from morning till evening, and from evening till morning he is ever, ever interceding; how would this engage you in his ſervice? Ah Chriſtians! if you ſhould continue praying, praiſing, reading, hearing all this day without any intermiſſion or breaking off. Oh what wearineſs! O how would you ſay, When will the day be done, when will the Sabbath be at an end? Well, but Chriſt is not weary of ſerving you; this Sabbath, and the laſt Sabbath, and the other Sabbath, and every Sabbath, when you had done your duties, he took your perſons, and duties, and preſented all unto his Father; he prayed over your prayers, and continued praying, and ſaying, Lord accept of a ſhort, poor, lean, imperfect ſervice done on earth for my ſake, and for thoſe merits ſake, which I am continually preſenting to thee here in heaven. Oh why do we not come up to this conformity? Oh why are we ſo uncomformable to the actings of Chriſt? he is preparing Manſions for us in Heaven, and are we digging in this world? he is making mention of our names to God, and are we ſinning againſt him and God? his blood cryes, O that theſe ſouls may be ſaved; and ſhall our ſins cry, It is juſt that theſe ſouls ſhould be damned? O mind the exemplar! Chriſt ſpends all his time for you, do you ſpend all your time for him: we cannot but judge this to be moſt equal, that they who live ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him who ever lives to make interceſſion for them.
3. He prayes for us, and for all believers, to his Father; let us pray for our ſelves, and for all our brethren, and for all ſorts of men, though they be our enemies, for we were no better to …eſus Chriſt: Learn of me (ſaith Chriſt) and ſo far as he is imitable let us follow him; doth Chriſt pray? let us pray; doth he pray for us and others? let us pray for our ſelves,1 Tim. 2.1. and then let us pray one for another, I exhort therefore (ſaith the Apoſtle) that firſt of all ſupplications, prayers, interceſſions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Iſa. 27.4. Rom. 15.30. Iſa. 62.7.And come, lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left, ſaid the King to Iſaiah; and Wreſtle together in prayer for me, ſaid Paul; and Give the Lord no reſt till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, ſaid the Prophet: Chriſt intercedes, and there is no queſtion but we ſhould intercede for the living Saints. Brethren pray for us, 1 Theſ. 5.25.ſaid the Apoſtle; whoſoever thou art that readeſt, I beſeech thee remember me in thy prayers, it may be thou art nearer God, and more in favour with God than ſuch a poor ſinner as I am; as Mordecai ſet Eſter on work to intercede for him with the King, and for his people; ſo 'tis our duty to crave the prayers of ſuch who are upon better terms (poſſibly) with the Lord, than we our ſelves are at the preſent; Only I could wiſh thy prayers at ſuch a time, when thy heart is got neareſt to God, by ſpecial ſtirrings of faith and love; I ſuppoſe thou canſt not have a ſpirit, and power of prayer, but ſometimes or other thou art (as it were) in the lap of Chriſt, upon the Spouſes knee, in the Beloveds boſom; O then make a requeſt for an unworthy one; O then, if ever, intercede for me, becauſe then I read Chriſt's own interceſſion in thy interceſſion; what is thy prayer then but as the eccho of Chriſt's prayer, the Amen to Chriſt's interceſſions; which he makes in heaven? Chriſtians! 'tis our duty to put one another upon praying one for another, Chriſt intercedes for us, and ſo ſhould we intercede for his, called, or uncalled, if ſo they belong to the election of grace.
4. Chriſt takes our prayers, and mingles them with his own prayers, interceſſions, incenſe, and ſo preſents all as one work mingled together unto God the Father; O let this be our care to put up all our prayers to God in the Name of Chriſt, and to ſtay our ſelves upon the interceſſions of Chriſt; when all is done, let us beg the acceptance of our prayers, not for our ſakes, nor for our prayers ſake; but for his ſake, who perfumes our prayers, by interweaving them with his prayers. Many a poor ſoul is many time afraid to pray to God for want of the due conſideration of this conformity; ſuch a one goes to prayer, and he looks upon it as it lyes upon his own heart, or as it comes from himſelf, and then he cries, Oh what a poor, weak, ſinful, imperfect, impenitent prayer is this? well, but if this weak prayer of thine be once mingled with the glorious and heavenly prayer of Jeſus Chriſt, the weakneſs will ſoon vaniſh, and thy prayer will find acceptance with God the Father; it is with your prayers and duties as it is with your fire; your kitchin-fire is troubled with abundance of ſmoak, but if ever it could aſcend into the element of fire above, it would ſmoak no more; ſo your prayer while it lies upon your own hearth, there's a great deal of ſmoak in it, but if ever it get up into the hands of Jeſus Chriſt, there it is in its own element, and ſo it is freed from all its ſmoak, and ſo the weakneſs of it is done away. O conform to Chriſt in this point; he will not preſent thy prayers to God, but he will firſt mingle it with his own prayers; no more ſhouldſt thou preſent a prayer to God but in Chriſt's Name, conſidering that all thy prayers find acceptance in, for, and through the interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. If it were not for this, I profeſs I knew not how to anſwer the cavils of our diſſolute adverſaries, who throw down prayers, as of no uſe at all; for us they object—
Thou canſt not pray (ſay they) by thy own confeſſion without ſome defect, imperfection,Object. ſin: and if ſo, there is need of a new prayer, to beg pardon for the defects of that prayer; and then another prayer to heal the flaws of that prayer; and then another to do as much for that; and ſo in infinitum; by this means there would be an infinite progreſſion without any ſtop at any prayer to all.
Anſw.I anſwer, This Objection were valid if there were no interceſſion of Chriſt to ſtay our ſelves, and our prayers on: but as we grant requeſts many times for ſome friends ſake, rather than for the parties ſake; ſo God doth alway grant requeſts for Chriſt's ſake, never for our own ſakes: Thou objecteſt there are many defects in our prayers as made by us: but I anſwer, there is no defects in the merits and interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, for whoſe ſake alone they are granted of God; and therefore our prayers being made in Chriſt's Name, they may ſtay their heads in Chriſt's boſom; in this reſpect we need not ſtill to run our ſelves in a Circle, this being the laſt reſolution, Chriſt's merits, and Chriſt's interceſſion. Chriſt offers up our perſons and wooden prayers in his golden Cenſer to his Father; Chriſt's interceſſion therefore is that which doth the deed. Now to ſay our prayers are of no uſe, it is all one as to ſay his interceſſion is of no uſe; not that we are ſo good, that he cannot take exception againſt us, and our prayers; but becauſe Chriſt is ſo good, and his interceſſion for us is ſo good, that he neither can, not will take exception againſt him, or his interceſſion for us; and in this caſe Chriſt and Chriſtians make one perſon (as it were) in law; his interceſſion for us; and our interceſſions for our ſelves, are but one interceſſion: and indeed he ſo mingles them that they ſeem but one, for the ſmoak of the incenſe, and the prayers of the Saints aſcend up together before God out of the Angels hand, Rev. 8.4.Rev. 8.4.
5. Chriſt pleads the cauſe of his people, and anſwers all the accuſations of Satan againſt them; Oh let us plead for them for whom Chriſt pleads, and anſwer the accuſations of Satans, or his inſtruments againſt their perſons, or their wayes. We have a ſtrange generation of men abroad, whoſe very Religion conſiſts in rayling, reviling, reproaching the Servants of the living God; not the beſt men, nor the beſt Miniſters under Heaven eſcape them; Are they not all, ſay they,†I lately received a paper wherein the Quakers gave the Miniſters of Chriſt theſe following names. Conjurers, Thieves, Robbers, Antichriſts, Witches, Blind guides, Devils, Lyars Baal's Prieſts, Sir-Simonds, Diſſemblers, Ʋpholders of the ſeven headed, and tenhorned beaſts, a Viperous, and Serpentine generation, bloody Herodians, Blaſphemers, Scarlet-coloured beaſts, Babylons Merchants, Buſiebodies, Whited Walls, Painted Sepulchres, Ravening Wolves, Perſecutors, Tyrants, Greedy dogs, Phariſees. Wolves, Dogs, Hirelings, Prieſts of Baal, Covetous, Carnal, Damned; and what not? Are they not all, ſay they (as the Devil ſaid of Joſhua) cloathed with filthy garments? defiled totally, utterly defiled with the pollutions of Babylon? Chriſtian! when you hear this language, learn you to conform to Chriſt; go you firſt to God with the Lords own plea, Now the Lord rebuke thee O Satan, even the Lord that hath choſen Jeruſalem, rebuke thee: Zach. 3.2. And then go on in vindication of their perſons and their cauſe; are they not precious, gracious, holy able, ſhining, and burning lights? it may be ſome of their perſons have been faulty; but ſay of ſuch, Is not this a brand newly pluck'd out of the fire? failings, and humane frailties have been in the beſt, yea in moſt of the Prophets and Apoſtles; but ſhall we therefore condemn to hell the generation of God's dear Children? or howſoever it may be with their perſons, yet is not their cauſe and office of Chriſt's own inſtitution? in this reſpect he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me, ſaith Chriſt, and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me, Luke 10.16. Are not the Miniſters of Chriſt as ſtars in the right hand of Chriſt? they that would do them any deadly harm, muſt pluck them thence. Chriſtians! conform you to Chriſt in this point; you ſee how Satan ſtands at the right hand of our Joſhua's to reſiſt them, now then plead you their cauſe, and anſwer the Adverſaries accuſations.
6. Chriſt by his interceſſion ſaves us to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7.25. O let us ſerve him to the uttermoſt; ſurely all we can do is too little to anſwer ſo great a love as this. Oh Chriſtians! why ſhould it be eſteemed a needleſs thing to be moſt rigorouſly conſcionable, and exactly circumſpect? Chriſt payed our debt to the uttermoſt farthing, drunk every drop of our bitter cup, and now preſents all unto his Father by way of interceſſion, and ſaves us, foreign, throughly, to the uttermoſt; why ſhould not we labour to perform his ſervice, and to fulfil every one of his commandments, throughly and to the uttermoſt alſo? certainly there is a duty which concerns us Chriſtians, as to be hot in Religion, Rev. 3.16. to be zealous of good works, Tit. 2.14. to walk circumſpectly, or preciſely, as the word carries it, Eph. 5.15. to be fervent in ſpirit, Rom. 12.11. to ſtrive to enter in at the ſtrait gate, Luke 13.24. to contend for the faith, Jude 3. with an holy kind of violence to lay hold upon the Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 11.12. Oh what ever men ſhould be afraid of taking God's part too much, or fighting too valiantly under the Colours of Chriſt, of being too buſie about the ſalvation of their own ſouls, of being ſingular (as they call it) in the duties of Religion; I obſerve men are content to be ſingular in any thing, ſave in the ſervice of God; you deſire and labour to be ſingularly rich, and ſingularly wiſe, and ſingularly valorous, and ſingularly proud; but you can by no means endure ſingularity or eminency in zeal, and the Lord's ſervice; in matters of Religion you are reſolved to do as the moſt do, though in ſo doing you damn your own ſouls, Mat. 7.13. O come and learn this leſſon of Chriſt, he ſaves us to the uttermoſt, and let us ſerve him to the uttermoſt; with all our hearts, and with all our ſouls, and with all our might.
Thus far we have looked on Jeſus in his interceſſion, our next work is our laſt work, which is to look on Jeſus as carrying on the great work of our ſalvation for us in his coming again, the very end of time to all eternity; he hath no more now to do, but to judge the Saints, and to lead them into glory, and to deliver up his Kingdom to his Father, and ſo to live with his redeemed ones for ever, and ever, and ever.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS In his Second Coming. Book X. Part VII.
CHAP. I.
Job 19.25, 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall ſtand at the latter day upon the earth. Whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf, and mine eyes ſhall behold, and not another.