Sermons on Hebrew 7, Sermon 10
SERMON X.
Hebrews 7. 25.
Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him; ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them.
THE laſt day I handled the firſt Branch of this Text: It tells us that Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, them that come unto God by him.
To ſave a Soul from Death and Miſery, is a work that none can accompliſh, but he that is [Mighty to Save.] The work of Salvation is ſo great, as we cannot poſſibly comprehend it in this Life. But as our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of God (who was made Fleſh) hath undertaken this great work; ſo he is able to carry it on [Able to ſave all that come unto God by him.] Theſe words have been opened and applyed, and I ſhall not look back, but come to a ſecond Branch of this Text, where a reaſon is given, Why our Lord Chriſt, is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them.
Now theſe words carry a great deal of comfort for them that believe the Word: But they require ſome care and diligence in the opening of them; and giving the right ſenſe of them, leſt we ſhould be led away with groſs and dull apprehenſions of this Spiritual Myſtery.
Firſt therefore, for the right underſtanding of this phraſe here in the Text: Whereas it is ſaid [that Chriſt ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us] this is not to be underſtood, as if the Interceſſion of Chriſt ſhould never have an end: For the Interceſſion of Chriſt, is a work that belongs to his Mediatory-Kingdom, and that ſhall have an end. When all Gods Elect ſhall be gathered to him; and the whole myſtery of our Redemption finiſhed; then ſhall all be given up to God, for he ſhall be [All in All,] In 1 Cor. 15. 24. ſpeaking of Chriſt then cometh the end, when he ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father: When he ſhall have put down all Rule, and all Authority and Power: For he muſt Reign, till he hath put all Enemies under his Feet: The laſt Enemy that ſhall be deſtroyed, is Death: For he hath put all things under his Feet: And when all things ſhall be ſubdued unto him, then ſhall the Son alſo himſelf be ſubject unto him, that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Here the Apoſtle is treating of Chriſts Mediatory-Kingdom: And when all the Elect ſhall be gathered together: When the World ſhall come to an end: Then the laſt Enemy that is to be deſtroyed is Death: And there ſhall be no more die in the Church: All ſhall be ſwallowed up in the Eternal God-head: And God ſhall be all in all. Then there will be no need of his Interceſſion, or of a Mediator: But ſtill remember the bleſſed effects of Chriſts Death and Reſurrection, and Interceſſion, are to Eternity: Therefore when the Apoſtle here in the Text ſaith, Chriſt ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us: This is to be conſidered two ways.
Firſt, In oppoſition to the Levitical Prieſthood, who are dead and gone, and the Church of God hath no preſent help from them; but all their help is from Jeſus Chriſt: They were not ſuffered to continue by reaſon of Death; but Chriſt ever liveth our great High-Prieſt, when all others are dead and gone. But,
Secondly and ſpecially, When it is ſaid, that he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us.] this [Ever] is to be taken for every Age and Generation to the end of the World; for at the end of the World, there ſhall be an end of thoſe things, as you have heard; he ever liveth to all Ages and Generations.
For this muſt be obſerved, that the Church of Chriſt (which is his Myſtical Body,) are not all born in one Age of the World. But one Generation paſſeth away, and another cometh: But Chriſt he ever liveth in all Ages a Prieſt of God, for all thoſe that come to God by him, [he ever liveth] we have not a new Prieſt to riſe up with a new Generation, but we have the ſame Jeſus, who was yeſterday, to day, and for ever the ſame: He liveth in all Ages and Generations to the end of the World. I ſay, a new Age doth not bring forth a new Saviour, nor a new Prieſt, but he is the ſame, [He ever liveth,] and we of this Age and Generation, have the ſame benefit by Jeſus Chriſt's Prieſthood and Interceſſion, that the old and primitive Saints, had thouſands of years ago: For he abideth for ever, till the whole work of Mans Redemption is fulfilled: And this is the true and proper meaning of this Phraſe [He ever liveth to make Interceſſion] that is, he ever liveth in all Ages and Generations: He is the ſame yeſterday, to day and for ever: He is to be our High Prieſt to the end of the World.
In the Second place we are to conſider what is meant by Chriſt's making Interceſſion for us in Heaven. Now for that, you muſt firſt conſider, the Speech as Metaphorical, and borrowed from Advocates, that plead in Kings Courts: Or from Counſellors that ſtand up for a Client, to procure the Sentence on their ſide. Hence the Apoſtle John hath that expreſſion, in 1 Joh. 2. 1. If any Man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, who is a propitiation for our Sins. We have an Advocate, that is, we have one that ſtands up for us in our ſtead, and appears on our ſide: Alſo it hath reference to a Favourite of the Kings Court, that is oft in the Kings preſence, and ready to ſpeak for his Friend. So Joſeph was an Interceſſor for his Father and Brethren unto King Pharaoh, when they came into the Land of Egypt, Gen. 47. Joſeph was a Favourite of the King of Egypt: And he appeared in the preſence of the King, for his Father and Brethren: You ſhall find the Prophet Elijah offers to make himſelf an Interceſſor to the King, for the Shunamitiſh Woman, 2 King. 4. 13. Wouldſt thou be ſpoken for to the King? In this ſenſe Jeſus Chriſt is ſaid to be our Inteceſſor: He is ſaid to appear in the … of God for us, Heb. 9. 24. For Chriſt is not entred … the Holy places, which are the figures of the true … into Heaven it ſelf: Now to appear in the preſence of God for us, and to make Interceſſion for us: This is not to be underſtood, as if Jeſus Chriſt in Heaven, did proſ…rate himſelf to the Father for us, and make actual prayers for us. It is not ſo to be underſtood. In the days of his Fleſh, he ſent up ſtrong cryes to God, in his ſtate of Humiliation, Heb. 5. 7. but it is not agreeable to his ſtate of Glory, that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould now ſend up Prayers and Supplications to God for us: But when it is ſaid that he appears in the preſence of God for us, and makes Interceſſion for us, the meaning is this: That he doth preſent himſelf in Heaven, as our Surety, and as our Sacrifice, and as one that hath made ſatisfaction to all the demands of the Law, and alſo manifeſting his Will: That all that come unto God by him, ſhould have the benefit of his Death. He doth appear before God as the Sacrifice for our ſins, that the benefit may come to every Soul, that come unto God by him; that is the meaning: Therefore it is ſaid Heb. 12. 24. The Apoſtle tells them, they are come to Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of ſprinkling, that ſpeaks better things than that of Abel. Abels blood did ſpeak; when Abel ſaid nothing, his blood did ſpeak and cry: And ſo the blood of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſpeaketh: his Death ſpeaketh: His Suffering ſpeaketh: That is always before the Holy God for an expiatory Sacrifice for ſin, to them that believe on him. [An Expiatory Sacrifice.] And this was typified of old, by the High-prieſts carrying the Blood of the Sacrifice, into the moſt Holy place: ſprinkling that Blood upon the Mercy-ſeat; ſee Levit. 16. 15. Then ſhall he kill the Goat of the Sin-offering, that is for the People, and bring his Blood within the Vail, and do with that Blood as he did with the Blood of the Bullock, and ſprinkle it upon the Mercy-ſeat. When the Prieſts of old did kill the Offering, whether it was a Goat, or whether it was a Bullock, he was to take of the Blood of the Beaſt, and carry it within the Vail: What is that? You muſt know that in the Temple, there were three parts; there was the outward Court, which the Gentiles might come into as well as the Jews; then there was the Temple, where the people generally went to Pray, and where the Sacrifices were ſlain; and then there was the third place, which was called the moſt Holy place, the Sanctum Sanctorum, and that was ſeparated by the Vail; the Vail was drawn before it, and when the Prieſt had Offered the Blood of the Sacrifice, he was to go within the Vail, where was the Mercy-ſeat, and where God did give his Anſwers to his Peoples Requeſts; and this Blood of the Sacrifice was to be ſprinkled upon the Mercy-ſeat: Why ſo? Why to ſignifie that God would ſhew Mercy unto his People by way of Atonement and Sacrifice; that he would ſhew them Mercy that way, becauſe of the uncleanneſs of the Children of Men, therefore God would have no Communion with them, but by the Blood of Atonement.
And this was a Type of Heaven it ſelf; Chriſt (ſaith the Apoſtle) is gone into the moſt Holy place, to Heaven it ſelf, there to appear in the preſence of God for us: And as the High-prieſt of old did carry the Blood of the Sacrifice into the moſt Holy place on Earth; ſo our Lord Jeſus Chriſt did carry his Blood into Heaven, which is the moſt Holy place of all; which ſpeaks better things than the Blood of Abel, which cries for vengeance; but the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt calls for mercy, for every one that comes to God by him: This is the meaning of his making interceſſion for us.
But now in the Third place, Why doth the Apoſtle ſay in the Text, that Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them? Why is Chriſts ability to ſave us, put upon his ever living to make interceſſion? The Scripture (mind it) doth lay a great ſtreſs here, and the weight and burden of our Salvation is laid in this; upon Chriſts ever living to plead and maintain the great end of his death and ſuffering for poor ſinners, [he ever liveth,] and the Reaſons are theſe:
Firſt, If Jeſus had died and never roſe again, our hopes of Salvation by him had periſhed with him, and been buried in his Crave. If Chriſt had died and never roſe again, our hopes of Salvation by him, had died alſo, and been buried in the Grave with him. Mind what the Apoſtle ſpeaks to this purpoſe, 1 Cor. 15. 14. If Chriſt be not riſen, then is our Preaching in vain, and your Faith is alſo vain. If Chriſt be not riſen, our Preaching is in vain: How is that? Our preaching Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, is in vain; it is to no purpoſe; if he be a dead man ſtill; and your Faith is vain, your Believing in him is vain, if he be in the ſtate of death ſtill. Why ſo? Becauſe in the Grave there is no work, nor no knowledge; the dead know nothing, the dead can do nothing; therefore if Jeſus Chriſt were in the ſtate of Death, if he were in the Grave, and not riſen again, it is in vain for us to preach Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt; and your believing in him for Salvation is vain: But in as much as he ever liveth, and is come out of the ſtate of Death, he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all thoſe that come unto God by him. You may obſerve in Scripture, that that time, that our Saviour Chriſt died and was laid in the Grave, his Diſciples and Followers on Earth, their hopes died with him; as you may read (in Luk. 24.) of the two Diſciples going to Emmaus, what a ſad diſcourſe they had together, when Chriſt asked them, what communication they had together; they ſaid unto him, Concerning one Jeſus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet mighty in deed and word, before God and all the People; and how the Chief-prieſts and Rulers delivered him to be condemned to Death, and have Crucified him; and we truſted it had been he that ſhould have Redeemed Iſrael; and beſides all this, to day is the Third day ſince theſe things were done. When Chriſt was in the ſtate of Death, their hopes were dead; but ſaith the Apoſtle Peter, in 1 Pet. 1. 3. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead. As if he ſhould ſay, we were as dead men in our hopes, but when we ſaw his Reſurrection, our hopes began to revive again; and therefore he ſaith, Bleſſed be God, who hath begotten us to a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead. The Reſurrection of Chriſt, declares him to be a ſufficient Saviour; and therefore in Rom. 8. When the Apoſtle Paul fell a triumphing in that Salvation, we have by Chriſt; and what doth he lay as a ground for it? in ver. 34. ſaith he, Who ſhall condemn us? It is Chriſt that died; yea rather roſe again, and is ſet at the right hand of God, and makes interceſſion for us; yea rather is riſen again. Why doth he make more of the Reſurrection of Chriſt, than of the Death of Chriſt? Becauſe if Chriſt had Died, and not Riſen again, and Aſcended to the Father, we had not had ſuch ground for our hope: [But rather is Riſen again.] For alas, if our hopes of Salvation did hang upon a Dead Man, it would have been a dead hope; but our hope is upon a living Saviour. For this end, ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 14. 9. For this end Chriſt both died, and roſe again, that he might be the Lord, both of the dead and the living. If he had not revived again and riſen again, he could not have been the Lord of the dead and the living. The Apoſtle hath a remarkable paſſage to this purpoſe; further in 1 Cor. 15. 17, 18. If Chriſt be not raiſed, your Faith is vain, ye are yet in your ſins; then they alſo that are fallen aſleep in Chriſt, are periſhed. If Chriſt be ſtill in the ſtate of Death and the Grave, then they that are fallen aſleep in Chriſt are periſhed. Thoſe Believers that did die in the Faith of Jeſus Chriſt, they are periſhed; if he be not ſtill alive, and at the right hand of God, they are periſhed, and ye are yet in your ſins: So that you ſee what a great ſtreſs the Scriptures put upon Chriſts Riſing again: Therefore ſaith John in the Revelation I am he that liveth, and I live for evermore. Amen. Why Amen? He puts Amen to it, that our Faith may be fixed on him, as able to ſave thoſe that come unto God by him.
Secondly, Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come unto God by him, and that becauſe he ever liveth to make interceſſion.] Becauſe there can be no Accuſation or Condemnation, take place againſt any Soul, where there is ſuch an interceſſor. If Chriſt were out of Heaven, where all Mens hearts and ways are ſeen and known, all the ſins of our Life and Converſation would riſe up againſt us, and Condemn us, and Accuſe us: But (ſaith the Apoſtle) who ſhall Condemn? Who ſhall lay any thing to our charge? It is Chriſt that hath Died, yea rather that is Riſen again, and ſits at the right hand of God, and makes interceſſion for us. No Accuſation from Satan and our Sins, can ſtand before the interceſſion of Chriſt; for though our ſins be ſuch as deſerve everlaſting Damnation, yet there is more worth, and vertue, and preciouſneſs, in the Death and Reſurrection, and Interceſſion of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, than there is vileneſs in all our ſins; for his Interceſſion, is the preſenting of his ſuffering for us; and of all the ſatisfaction he hath made for Sin, and the manifeſting his Will; that thoſe that come unto God by him, may have the benefit of his Sufferings.
Thirdly, He is the great Favorite. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is one that brings us into favour with God: He came and made peace on Earth, and hath purchaſed peace in Heaven. If a Man ſhould undertake to interceed for a poor Rebel, that had been a Rebel himſelf, they would never regard him, or give any regard to his Interceſſion; but if a Man will interceed for a poor Rebel at Court, that was always a Favourite of the King, that never Rebelled or provoked him, you will ſay, this Man will carry it: Now ſaith the Scripture, We have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous; not Jeſus Chriſt the Unrighteous, but Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, who is our Advocate, that kept himſelf always in the Favour of God, and in his Fathers Love. Such an High-prieſt doth become us, who is Holy, Harmleſs, Separate from Sinners, and made higher than the Heavens. We need one, that duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page is Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous; and therefore he ever liveth, and is able to ſave thoſe that come unto God by him. He ever liveth to make Interceſſion, that was always in the favour of the Father. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed; ſhewing, that he was well pleaſed with his Suffering, and Interceſſion, and ſets on his Right hand on high. Upon all theſe accounts it is, that Chriſt ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us. And upon theſe reaſons he is able to ſave all that come unto God by him.
I ſhall wind up all with a word or two of Application.
Firſt then, here we ſee, That our Salvation is out of our ſelves; and that it reſts ſolely, and alone, in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. For the beſt works that ever any of the Children of God did, are not able to ſave them; becauſe no mans works are perfect before God. The beſt works that we can do, are not able to ſave us, in any meaſure. But our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. We are very apt to reſt in our own doings and duties; eſpecially, if any thing be done by us in a right manner. We are very apt to take up our Reſt too much therein. We are apt to draw too much comfort for our ſelves, for what we do, rather than from what Chriſt hath done for us. But 'tis for want of lively Faith in Chriſt. But, if you will be ſafe, and have true comfort, you muſt come from works. See how the Apoſtle ſets Works and Grace in oppoſition, in the matter of Election, and ſo it holds as to Juſtification, Rom. 11. 6. And if by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwiſe grace is no more grace; but if it be of works, then it is no more grace; otherwiſe works is no more works. What is the meaning of this? The meaning is this; That if we reſt upon our works, for our Salvation, and Acceptation with God, then the Grace of God, by which we are ſaved, ſignifies nothing to us: For if it be of works, it is not of grace.
But on the other hand; If we be ſaved by grace, then not by works: Works is no more works. See therefore, look that you live wholly and ſolely upon the grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt: And that you do your work, not from your ſelf, and not for your ſelf. As for example; If a man do receive an Eſtate, or an Inheritance of his Father, as a free gift; then he pays nothing for it. If a man ſays he deſerved it, or that he wrought for it; this takes away the freeneſs of the gift. If it be of gift, it is not of duty: If it be of duty, it is not of gift: So, if it be of grace, 'tis not of works; and therefore ceaſe from your work in the matter of your Juſtification; that is, ſtand clear from reſting on your works: Look at free Grace in Chriſt for all; for he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us. 'Tis when we are ſaved by Grace, that we are able to work; and God doth graciouſly accept of our work. But how? as we are united to him, by his Son Jeſus Chriſt, our great Interceſſor. Hence you have that, Col. 3. 17. And whatſoever you do in word, or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus; giving thanks unto God, and the Father, by him. How? when you pray, pray in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and believe in the Name of the Lord Jeſus for acceptance; and when you praiſe the Lord, praiſe him in the Name of the Lord Jeſus; and truſt in him for acceptance. Do all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus: becauſe he is the great Interceſſor for our Souls: And he takes away the iniquity of our holy things, that they may be accepted. And he offers up his own Interceſſion, with the prayers of the Saints; and therefore, whatever you do, do all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus. This is the Spiritual Leſſon that we are to learn from this Doctrine or Truth, that we are now upon:
That if Jeſus Chriſt be able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all thoſe that come unto God by him; then reſt upon him with full and entire Faith, and ceaſe from your own works, and reſt wholly and alone upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
2. Here is great encouragement and comfort for them that believe in the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Such are our ſins, and we have ſo much of guilt upon us, and defilements in us, as we know not how, with any face, to make our appearance before a holy God. And many Chriſtians, upon occaſions, are ready to deſpair of finding mercy with God. 'Tis true, if there were not a Mediator, an Interceſſor for us, there were reaſon to deſpair indeed. But God hath put a great Office upon his Son, that he ſhall make Interceſſion for Tranſgreſſors, Iſa. 53. 12. The Father there ſpeaking of his Son, with which I ſhall conclude; He hath poured out his Soul unto death: And he was numbred with the Tranſgreſſors; and he bare the ſin of many, and made Interceſſion for the Tranſgreſſors. Theſe expreſſions ſhew, that God the Father loved his Son, becauſe he bare our ſins, and made Interceſſion for the Tranſgreſſors; therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he ſhall divide the ſpoil with the ſtrong; becauſe he made his Soul an offering for ſin, and bare the ſin of many. Let this be comfort and encouragement to every poor Believer: And ſay thus; Well, I have many ſins, and many infirmities; but thanks be to God, the League is broken, I do not love them; but I hate them—I am one that hangs upon Jeſus Chriſt: And ſeeing I have heard that he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for all thoſe that come unto God by him; I will come unto God by him.