The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 1 · Chapter 7 · Section 7 – Section
SECT. VII.
Queſt. 7. THere is one Queſtion more which I mentioned in the beginning, What Chriſt ſtill doth for his people as Mediatour.viz. What Jeſus Chriſt ſtill doth f…r his people in Covenant, unto whom he is a Mediatour.
Sol. For anſwer unto this, be pleaſed to conſider that the works of Chriſt our Mediatour are diſtinguſhed into five ſorts.
1s Thoſe of his Life on Earth.
2. Thoſe of his Death.
3. Thoſe of his Reſurrection.
4. Thoſe of his Aſcention.
5. Thoſe of his Seſſion, at the right hand of God the Father in heaven: Of theſe laſt I ſhall only ſpeak at this time.
The works of Chriſt as Mediator are conſiderable under a three-fold notion.
1. As to the ſuſception of, and engagement for them. (Heb. 10. 7. 9. Then ſaid he, Lo I come to do thy will O God; in the volume of the book it is written of me) In this reſpect Chriſt applied himſelf to the work of a Mediatour before he came into the world, and aſſumed our Nature by way of condeſcention and compact.
2. As to the performance and execution of them: Thus he acted them being on earth, in becoming man, or God Incarnated, and fulfilling all righteouſneſs in reſpect of his Active and Paſſive obedience, which were both ſatisfactory and meritorious.
3. As to the application of all (in time) unto us; and this is the great work of Chriſt now in heaven for us as our Mediatour; this is a very choice Point, and I would ſpeak unto it.
Firſt in general, That Jeſus Chriſt doth act or work for his people, as now exalted and ſitting at the right hand of God in heaven.
Secondly, in opening the ſpecial work, that eminent work of Chriſt in heaven, for his people on earth.
1. That Jeſus Chriſt doth think on his ſervants, and doth act or work for them, Jeſus Chriſt doth act for his people at the right hand of his Father.he being now in heaven, the Scriptures plainly affirm. Heb. 9. 24. Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figure of the true; but into heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us (as an Atturney appears for his Client) 1 Joh. 2. 1. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous (the Advocate pleads, &c.) verſe 2. And Arguments to demonſtrate …t.he is the Propitiation for our ſins. Beſides theſe Scriptures, there are ſeveral Arguments to demonſtrate it.
1. His Office drth ſtill continue, although he be now in heaven. Heb. 4. 14. His Office doth ſtill continue.We have a great High Prieſt that is paſſed into the Heavens, Jeſus the Son of God. Heb. 7. 16. He is a Prieſt made not after the Law of a carnal Commandement, but after the power of an endleſſe life. verſe 17. For he teſtifieth, Thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchizedeck; whence I thus argue, That if the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt ſtill continues in Heaven, then there is ſome work which Chriſt ſtill doth in Heaven: Becauſe an Office is therefore given, and therefore continues in regard of ſome work that is to be done, and to be continued by him who is inveſted with ſuch an Office: It were abſurd and ridiculous to imagine that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould ſtill enjoy an Office of Prieſthood to no uſe or purpoſe, there being nothing for him to do in that Office.
2. He is very ſenſible of our conditions here on earth, both in a way of apprehenſion, He is very ſ…nſible of our condition… here on earth.and in a way of compaſſion. In a way of apprehenſion; Rev. 2. 8. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty. Acts 9. 4. Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? In a way of compaſſion; Heb. 4. 15. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities: and Chap. 5. 2. He hath compaſſion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. To what end were theſe, if Chriſt could or would not, or might not do any thing for his ſervants, becauſe he is in heaven, and they on earth?
3. His love remaines as ſtrong unto them now he is in heaven, as it was unto them His love remai… ſtrong as ever.whiles he was on earth, Rev. 3. 9. I will make them to know that I have loved thee: And love is active in the behalf of them who are beloved.
4. His Relation is as near as it was; the ſame union, and the ſame relation ſtill: He is the Head, and we the Members; he is the Root, and we the Branches; he is the His relation is as neer as it was.Husband, and we are his Spouſe ſtill; if the ſame near relation continues ſtill, ſurely works of kindneſs continue ſtill.
5. You have his Promiſe to act for you, though he be now in heaven. Joh. 14. There is a promiſe for it.13. Whatſoever ye ſhall ask in my Name, that will I do. verſe 16. And I will pray the Father and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.Our faith elſe would be at a loſſe.
6. Our Faith would be at a loſſe in all our acceſſes and approaches, if Jeſus Chriſt ſhould give over all working for us; nor, it is not ſufficient that we Our ſaith elſe would be at a loſs.repreſent his ſufferings and merits, unleſs he himſelf doth the ſame on our behalf.
2. But now let us inquire what is that eminent and great work which Chriſt What is that eminent work that Chriſt doth in heaven for us.doth in heaven for us; it is Chriſts Interceſſion for us. Rom. 8. 34. It is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Hebr. 7. 25. He ever liveth to make interceſſion for them.
I will open two things concerning the Interceſſion of Chriſt our Mediatour; The Interceſſion of Chriſt.viz. 1. the nature of it. 2. The vertue or benefit of it.
1. The Nature of it.The Nature of it.
You read in Scripture of a three-fold Interceſſion.A three-fold Interceſſion in Scripture. Our interceſſion one for another.
1: Our interceſſion one for another. 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort therefore that Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſion, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Moſes interceded for the people of Iſrael when they fell into that great ſin of Idolatry, which did ſo much provoke God to wrath. And David made interceſſion for the life of his child, and Paul for Epaphroditus and Oneſimus. All the people of God on earth do pray one for another; but this is not in their own name, but in the Name of Chriſt.
2. The Spirits Interceſſion. Rom. 8. 26. The Spirit it ſelf maketh Interceſſion The Spirits Interceſſion.for us, &c. verſe 27. He maketh Interceſſion for the Saints acco…ding to the will of God. And his Interceſſion is not a formal and meritorious interceſſion as Chriſts is, but only a cauſal or virtual interceſſion by teaching us what to pray for, and by giving us hearts and abilities and affections for to pray.
3. Chriſts Interceſſion; which was partly done whiles he was on earth. Joh. 17. 9. Chriſts Interceſſion.I pray not for the world, but for all them that thou haſt given me: and Luke 22. 31, 32. Simon, Simon, Satan hath deſired to winnow you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee! And partly done whiles he is now in heaven: And it may be thus deſcribed.
This Interceſſion of Chriſt is a glorious and authoritative work of Chriſt our High A deſcription of it.Prieſt and Mediatour, wherein he takes upon him the cauſe and condition of all and every Believer, and wills the effectual application of all and every good which he hath merited and purchaſed for them, which will, or requeſt of Chriſt, the Father hears, and alwayes grants.
There are many things obſervable in this deſcription.
1. The Interceſſion …f …hriſt is a glorious work. There were works of Chriſts It is a glorious work.Humiliation, as to be born, and die; and there are works of Chriſts Exaltation, amongſt which Interceſſion is one: He doth this work now being in his glory, and he doth it after a glorious manner; not by proſtrating himſelf as once he did in the Garden, or by falling down on his knees as he did on earth; but b… preſenting of his Perſon and ſufferings, and merits unto his Father on our behalf in heaven, as the reaſon of the good which we deſire to enjoy.
2. And therefore I add, that it is an Authoritative work. There is a praying (as An authoritative work.one diſtinguiſheth) out of humility, which is a deſire or requeſt for things unmerited: And there is a praying out of Authority, wherein one doth not meerly preſent his requeſt to be granted, but alſo his right that it ought to be granted: Such is the Interceſſion of Chriſt which is grounded not abſolutely In promiſſo, on Gods gracious promiſe, but principally In precio, in his own ſatisfaction and merit, upon which he may juſtly demand and challenge audience and performance.
3. Chriſts Interceſſion in heaven, reſpects not himſelf, but his Church, and every It reſpects not himſelf but his Church.Member thereof on earth: When he was on earth he many times prayed for his, and for himſelf; but being now in heaven, and glorified, he prayes not for himſelf, but only for his on earth. For as their Interceſſor he takes upon him their perſons and their cauſe, and their condition; as Paul intreated for Oneſimus, and Judah for Benjamin unto his Father: You read of the High Prieſt, that when he went into the Sanctuary, he went in with the names of the twelve Tribes upon his breaſt. So Jeſus Chriſt when he went up to heaven, he did as, it were carry up with him every Believers name, and every one of their wants and neceſſities, and for every one of them makes requeſts unto his Father.
4. Chriſts Interceſſion in Heaven is the preſenting of his will unto his Father He preſents his will unto his Father.for the application of the good which he hath purchaſed on the behalf of his ſervants. Joh. 17. 24. Father, I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am, &c. When you pray for mercy, for grace, for ſtrength, for deliverance, for any good, then Jeſus Chriſt appears for you, Father he is one for whom I undertook, for whom I died, and ſatisfied, whom I have reconciled unto thee, on whoſe behalf I purchaſed and merited all this; now for my ſake, and upon my account hear him, and anſwer him; This is the Interceſſion of Chriſt, when his blood ſpeaks good things for us, Heb. 12. 24. and obtains the application of all which he hath merited for us.
5. The Interceſſion of Chriſt is powerfully and effectually prevailing, and it is alwayes It is powerfully and effectually prevailing.ſo. God the Father is well-pleaſed with him, and with us in and for him: and accepteth of our perſons, and grants our Petitions for his ſake. Joh. 11. 42. I know that thou heareſt me alwayes. Rev. 8. 3. There was another Angel that came and ſtood at the Altar, having a golden Cenſer, and there was given unto him much Incenſe that he ſhould offer it, with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne. verſe 4. And the ſmoake of the incenſe which came with the Prayers of the Saints aſcended up before God out of the Angels hand.
6. This work of Interceſſion is a fixed, permanent, continued work: My meaning It is a fixed and permanent work.is, that as long as there remaines any one Elect perſon, any one Believer on earth, untill every one of them be gathered up into heaven; ſo long doth Chriſts Interceſſion continue: even untill Jeſus Chriſt hath brought them all and every one into his Fathers houſe, and ſetled on every one of them eternal glory, and ſaith, Now you do perfectly enjoy as much, and all that I have ſuffered for, and purchaſed on your behalf.
2. Now follows the Vertues and Benefits, of and from the Interceſſion of Chriſt.The benefits of Chriſts Interceſſion. Acceſſe unto the Father.
1. Acceſſe unto the Father, with whom we may freely hold communion, and unto whom we may put up all our requeſts with confidence. Heb. 10. 19. Having therefore boldneſſe to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jeſus. verſe 20. By a new and living way which he hath conſecrated for us through the vaile, that is to ſay, his fleſh: verſe 21. And having an high Prieſt over the houſe of God. verſe 22. let us draw near with a true heart in full aſſurance of Faith. In this Scripture the Apoſtle exhorts the faithful to ſeek and to hold up communion with God in heaven: And for this end propounds ſeveral Arguments.
1. Their Liberty by Chriſt. Chriſt hath opened Heaven for us by his blood, ſo that by this blood we may enter into the Holieſt, unto the preſence of the moſt holy God by faith in him: And we may freely ſpeak all our minds unto him in Prayer (ſo the word boldneſs ſignifies, a freedom of ſpeech) telling God all our mind, all our griefs, all our fears, all our deſires.
2. The Ground of this Liberty: In the price and purchaſe of it, even the blood of Jeſus.
3. The extent of this Liberty: All that are brethren, enjoy it; all that are the Children of God, and Members of Chriſt are Brethren; and though ſome are ſtrong, and others are weak, yet they are admitted to come and enter into heaven freely to pour out their prayers.
4. There is way made for them, a new way (that is) of grace, and upon the account of Chriſt, and a living way; Chriſt ever lives to make interceſſion for them, and to help them, and it is conſecrated for us, ſet apart on purpoſe for us.
5. They have Chriſt still for their Priest, who once offered Sacrifice for Believers, and reconciled them, and doth ſtill intercede for the reconciled: And he is a Prieſt over the houſe of God; he hath authority to bring whom he pleaſeth, and to ſpeed and help them: And therefore he preſſeth them to draw near with a true heart (ſinners though weak) and with full aſſurance of Faith, being ſetled and fully confident to be accepted through Jeſus Chriſt, and find favour and audience, and diſpatch by his blood and interceſſion.
2. Encouragement againſt all the ſhortneſſe, imperfections, and mixtures of our holy Encouragement againſt our imperfections.ſervices, and performances: Our beſt ſervices are very weak and imperfect (more is to be done than what we do) and much ſinfulneſs mingles with our very prayers: there is the Candle and the Snuffe; the Fire and the Smoake; the Gold and the Droſs; the Wheat and the Chaffe; enough in our beſt doings to undoe them and us, to move the holy God to hide his eyes, and ſtop his ears at our Prayers: But Jeſus Chriſt our Interceſſor covers thoſe imperfections, and takes away the droſs in our ſacrifices, and by his Merits makes them to be an acceptable offering unto the Lord, and a ſweet ſavor unto him. Exod. 28. 36. Thou ſhalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it Holineſſe unto the Lord. ver. 38. and it ſhall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Iſrael ſhall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it ſhall alwayes be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. So Jeſus Chriſt, &c. Rev. 8. 3. He is that Angel having the golden Cenſer, and much Incenſe to offer it wit… the Prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne: Though in reſpect of our ſelves, and our own ſervices as performed by us, we cannot expect acceptance, nor anſwer; yet in reſpect of Chriſt our Interceſſor, that promiſe ſhall be made good, Iſa. 56. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy Mountain, and make them joyful in my houſe of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their Sacrifices ſhall be accepted upon mine Altar.
3. A ſecurity againſt all charges, objections, and accuſations, and condemnations, Security againſt all accuſations.Rom. 8. 33. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifieth. ver. 34. who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died; or rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us. This ſin, and that failing may be objected againſt us, but Jeſus Chriſt maketh Interceſſion; Father, for my ſake forgive it, and paſſe it by, Heb. 9. 29. Chriſt is entered into heaven itſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us; and who can appear againſt us, if Jeſus Chriſt appear for us? he can anſwer all, and ſilence all.
4. A Reſtauration in caſe of ſinning, and falling, and offending; that yet the Reſtauration in caſe of offending.breach may be made up: 1 Joh. 2. 1. My little children, theſe things I write unto you, that you ſin not; and if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Christ the Righteous. ver. 2. And he is the Propitiation for our ſins. As if he ſhould ſay (You that have fellowſhip with the Father and with the Son) take heed of ſinning! O but do what we can we many times do ſin, and this is a ſore grief and fear unto our ſouls! but yet do not deſpair ſaith the Apoſtle, this breach may be made up again; for, if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt, &c. He can plead your pardon, and put away your ſins, and make your peace again: As Jeſus Chriſt made our peace by being our Redeemer, ſo he keepes the peace by being our Interceſſor: the purchaſing of our peace belongs to his blood, and the conſerving of our peace belongs to his Interceſſion.
5. A pledge of ſufficient help, and of all good, be it never ſo great, never ſo A pledge of ſufficient help.much, it will come, it ſhall be had, becauſe Jeſus Chriſt makes Interceſſion. Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt (perfectly) that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever lives to make Interceſſion for them: Chriſts Interceſſion is grounded on his Merits which have bought and purchaſed all for us: and Chriſts Interceſſion is the Application of his Merits, for the giving out of all the goodneſs he purchaſed; it is able to carry any ſuit for you.
6. A certainty of perſeverance and duration in the ſtate of grace; Why will you Ce…tainty and perſeverance.ſay? Becauſe Chriſt makes Interceſſion for that in particular, and Chriſts Interceſſion is alwayes effectual. It cannot be denied, if God will hear us, and grant us what we do ask in the Name of Chriſt (as he ſaith he will) ſurely then he will never deny the Petition of Chriſt himſelf: But Jeſus Chriſt did make particular Interceſſion for the perſeverance of his people unto the end. Joh. 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Joh. 17. 11. Holy Father, keep through thy Name thoſe that thou haſt given me. ver. 15. I pray not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the world, but that thou ſhouldeſt keep them from the evil. Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that thy Faith faile not.
7. Aſſurance of ſalvation. Joh. 17. 24. I will that they alſo whom thou haſt Aſſurance of ſ…lvation.given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold the glory which thou haſt given me. As he is gone to Heaven to prepare a place for them, ſo his Interceſſion will ſet them in that place.
8. A clear certainty of enjoyment: What ſhall I ſay more? as Chriſt makes Certainty of enjoyment.Interceſſion for us, ſo he hath an Authority to confer and beſtow upon us whatſoever he prayes for, &c. One ſayes well, Praeſtat cum patre quod poſtulat à patre, quia Mediator eſt, & Creator. Mediator eſt ut poſcat, Creator eſt ut tribuat; whatſoever Chriſt prayes to his Father for to give you, that ſame he himſelf alſo can with the Father give unto you.
Ʋſe. 1 I ſhall now make ſome uſeful Application from this Doctrine of Chriſts Interceſſion for us.
Firſt, it diſcovers unto us the Erroneous Doctrine of the Papiſts, who ſet up The Popiſh Doctrine of other Interceſſors confuted.other Interceſſors with Chriſt in Heaven. Although they ſeem to hold but one Mediatour of Redemption, yet they do expreſly maintain many Mediators of Interceſſion; and though Bellarmine confeſſeth one onelyonly Mediatour of Interceſſion which is Chriſt, yet he extreamly contends for many mediate Mediators of Interceſſion, as are the Saints now in Heaven, who though they do not implere, grant what we do pray for; yet they do impetrare by their Merits for us, and accordingly we may pray unto them to pray for us unto God.
But this Popiſh Opinion is
1. Moſt injurious to Chriſt, who alone is deſigned by God, and hath that Prieſtly Office for Redemption and Interceſſion; who is the Angel that offers up the It is moſt injurious to Chriſt.Prayers of the Saints; our Advocate with the Father, and ever lives to make Interceſſion for us: And for us to aſſign Mediators whom God never aſſigned; and to joyn them in Commiſſion with Chriſt for our help to God, whom God never joyned; as this is a moſt daring preſumption, ſo is it a plain derogation to Jeſus Chriſt, as if he were either inſufficient alone unto that work, or elſe unwilling and backward to hear and help us.
2. It is impious, or at leaſt ſuperſtitious; for we have not one word of Command in It is Impious.all the Bible to look up to glorified Saints as Interceſſors, nor any one Word of Promiſe that God will hear them for us, or us uſing their names.
3. It is needleſſe; for Chriſt ſaith, Whatſoever ye ask the Father in my Name, It is needleſſe.I will do it, Joh. 14. 13.
4. It is an Opinion (among themſelves) of wonderful uncertainty; for they cannot aſſure us, that if we do pray unto them that they do hear our Prayers; and in Themſelves are very uncertain.this they do extreamly puzzle themſelves, eſpecially about Mental Prayers which are only cognoſcible of God himſelf; ſome of them ſay that thoſe glorified ſoules, Mira quadam celeritate quodammodo ubique, & per ſe audiunt preces ſupplicantium, a moſt ſilly unrational fancy.
Others that they know Ex Relatione Angelorum, every man having his Angel Guardian, who go away to Heaven with our Prayers: But what then of the Prayers in the mean time made? and what Scripture have they for this? Others, that In Deo vident omnia à principio ſuae Beatitudinis qua adipſos pertinent, & ideo Orationes. Others deny that, and ſay, that our Prayers are then revealed unto them by God when we are making of them; but how know they that? It muſt be ſo or no way.
Object. Remember Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob; ſo prayes Moſes. Ergo.
Sol. 1. To whom prayed he ſo? 2ly The Covenant he means that God made with them; not their preſent prayers in heaven. 3ly For according to their Opinion, Not at that time in Heaven.
Object. Unto which of the Saints wilt thou turn thee? ſaid he in J…b.
Sol. 1. Means he of them in heaven? 2ly Not unto any one.
Object. Dives in hell prayed to Abraham.
Sol. But who on earth? Is it ſafe to imitate the damned? Quando Pater à filio, Quando Deus à Chriſto.
5. It is Ridiculous to whiſtle thus to Saints; for they muſt thereupon apply It is ridiculous.themſelves to Chriſt, and then they muſt back again with Chriſts Merits! and why not without any more adoe to Chriſt at firſt?
Queſt. But before I paſſe on, I would ſpeak a word unto a more material Scruple; viz. Whether Chriſts Interceſſion in heaven, be not a probable Argument of the imperfection of Chriſts Merits at his death? If his death were ſufficient to purchaſe all good for us, what need then of his Interceſſion?
Sol. I anſwer, the death of Chriſt was ſufficient Ad promerendum; but the Interceſſion of Chriſt is required only Ad applicandum. There was no imperfection at all in his death, for it was a plenary ſatisfaction and merit; nor doth the Interceſſion of Chriſt argue any imperfection in his merit, becauſe his Interceſſion is not a new meriting, but only a continual application of that which he hath already merited by his death.
Uſe. 1 Doth Jeſus Chriſt now in Heaven make interceſſion for us? How ſad then is their condition who have no part in Chriſt? who have not him for their Advocate with the Father; not appearing for them; not interceding on their behalf?How ſad is their condition who have no part in Chriſts Interceſſion!
You that will not be perſwaded to hearken, to receive Chriſt, but reſiſt his Spirit, and ſlight his Goſpel, and reject him, what will you do in the dayes of your diſtreſs and death?
1. All ſaving mercy comes unto us upon the Interceſſion of Chriſt; his Interceſſion is the application, and the donation of Righteouſneſſe, Reconciliation, Forgiveneſs, and Salvation unto us.
2. And can you have faith on him to be your Advocate and Interceſſer, wh… would not receive him to be your Lord and head? O ſtand out no more againſt the Offers of Chriſt leaſt you; ſhut out your ſelves from the Interceſſion of Chriſt. One day you will finde a need of Chriſt to help you; you will pray for mercy, and you will pray for ſalvation, and theſe Prayers will not prevail without Chriſts Interceſſion: If you do indeed deſire to be heard in what you pray, then hear Chriſt in what he ſpeaks to you, and prayes you to hearken to him; hear his voice, receive himſelf by faith, obey his will, hearken unto him, that he may hearken unto you.
Ʋſe. 3 You that are Believers, perhaps as yet are but weak, and are apt to be ſhaken, and afraid of your ſelves, and of your requeſts, how they will ſpeed, and whether Weak Believers muſt remember they have an Advocate with the Father.they will ſpeed, and many times are ready to be ſilent in Prayer! O do not ſo, but Remember that you have an Advocate with the Father: Remember that Jeſus Chriſt ever lives to make Interceſſion for you: Remember that what is purchaſed by his death, that will he apply unto you by his Interceſſion. In all your addreſſes, and prayers, look off from your ſelves, and look more on your Interceſſor: Believingly conſider
1. Who he is; even Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, your Lord, your Chriſt, your Mediatour, your Prieſt, and Interceſſor.
2. What his Interceſſion is; on what it is grounded; not on your merits, but on his own. The end of that Interceſſion, viz. To give out to you what he hath purchaſed for you.
3. The qualifications of his Interceſſion.
1. It is Mighty and Powerful; It never fails, it is never denyed, nor can be.
2. It is Pitifull; he is full of compaſſion towards you, is very ſenſible of your infirmities, preſently hears you, and is ready to help you.
3. It is Ʋniverſal; Firſt, As to every one of you. Secondly, As to every one of your Requeſts; for Mercy, for Favour, for Grace, and ſtrength, &c.
4. It is ſufficient; Though all the Members on Earth pray at one time from all the Quarters of the Earth, he hears you all, will plead for you all, will ſpeed you all.
5. It is Abſolute; his Interceſſion carries it againſt your unworthineſs, for his Own ſake.
6. It is Perpetual; every day you pray, and every day, every hour, yea for ever he lives to make Interceſſion for you.
Object. Why then are we not preſently heard?
Sol. You are ſo, but not ſupplyed alwayes preſently, becauſe as it belongs to the Fidelity of his Interceſſion to ſpeed you, ſo it belongs to the Wiſdom of the Interceſſor when to deliver out unto you that help.
Jeſus the Mediatour of the Covenant.
Heb. 12. 24.
And to Jeſus the Mediatour of the New Covenant, and to the Blood of Sprinkling that ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel.
I Have diſcourſed of Jeſus Chriſt our Mediatour in Relation unto his Perſon, and to the Natures united in his Perſon, and unto his Obedience both Active and Paſſive; and likewiſe unto the Vertues or Benefits by him as our Mediatour, viz. Satisfaction, and Remiſſion, and Reconciliation, and Redemption, and Purchaſe: And then of the great Work which Jeſus Chriſt doth ſtill for us in Heaven as our Mediatour, viz. his Interceſſion.
I ſhall now cloſe up this Diſcourſe with the Reſolution of three notable Queſti… which ſhall be in ſtead of the general Uſes for the whole matter.
1. Whether Jeſus Chriſt as Mediatour did die for all and every man; and thoſe forementioned Benefits of his death were intended and extended unto all?
2. Whether any Perſon can certainly know the particular intention of Chriſts death in the Benefits of it unto himſelf?
3. How a perſon may evidently know that Jeſus Chriſt died for him, and ſatiſfied Gods juſtice for him.