The Throne of Grace, Sermon 5

The Throne of Grace · Sermon 5

p. 120SERMON. V.

HEB. IV. 16.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.

IT is God's great and wonderful Mercy, that ever there was a Throne of Grace erected and revealed, and that he makes ſuch a Proclamation as this in his Word, Let all Men come boldly to it. I have ſpoke unto two things in the Text. 1. Of the Throne of Grace, to which we are invited to come. 2. Of the Boldneſs allowed in coming to it.

p. 121The third thing follows to be ſpoke to, the Ground of this Boldneſs, implyed in this Therefore. And we muſt look back to ver. 14.15. for the finding the force of this Therefore. The Words are, Seeing then that we have a great High Prieſt, that is paſſed into the Heavens, Jeſus the Son of God, let us hold faſt our profeſſion. For we have not an High Prieſt, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, but was in all points, tempted like as we are, yet without ſin. Let us therefore come boldly.

The Doctrine I am to handle from this Inference of the Apoſtle is this, That the main ground of all the boldneſs allowed, in coming to the Throne of Grace, is in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. The Intereſt, and Room and Place that Chriſt hath in this Throne of Grace, is the ground of all allowed boldneſs in coming to it. When people are ſecure, nothing is more commonly practiſed by them, than fearleſs ruſhing into God's Preſence: Any carnal careleſs Sinner, can, when he will, bow the Knee, and make that he calls a Prayer to God. But when Conſcience is awakened, and Light darts in to make them know ſomewhat of God, and of themſelves, it is then found a matter of wonderful Myſtery and difficulty, to perceave any thing that can juſtly and ſufficiently ſupport the confidence of a ſelf-condemned Sinner, in his Approaches to God for Mercy. Hence it is ſo often ſeen, that this is the common way of all the ungodly, and of ſuch as are ignorant of God in Chriſt; while they are ſecure and blind and hardened, they feel nothing and fear p. 122nothing: But when Death and Judgment approach, and ſtare them near in the Face, and when they begin to think in earneſt that they muſt ſtand before God, and receave their eternal Doom, being ignorant of a Mediator, and quite eſtranged from any believing imploying of him, they ſink in diſcouragement and Deſpair. And alas! How many miſerable Sinners are there, that are never awakened out of the ſleep of ſecurity, until they are plunged in the very Pit of Deſpair?

The Reſolution therefore of this Queſtion, How a Sinner may draw near to the Throne of Grace, with confidence, ſo as he may be welcomed by him that ſitteth on it, and may receive good things thence, is only in this, that this Boldneſs is all in and by Jeſus Chriſt. My Work therefore at this time (and it is indeed the main Work of Miniſters at all times) is to declare and ſhew you, how our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is the Ground and Foundation of true confidence in coming to God. And herein I would lead you to ſuch things that concern the Lord Jeſus, as are commonly known, uſually talked of, but rarely duly pondered, and improv'd.

1. Let us conſider the Perſon of this Mediator, by whom we may have acceſs with boldneſs, Eph. 3.12. A wonderful Perſon. The Son of God made Man, a marvellous Man, by whom all Men may be accepted with God, when there is not a Man in the World that can be accepted of God in his own Name: Yet all that come in Chriſt's Name are accepted. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is God's own Son, the p. 123Son of God, tabernacling in the Fleſh. God manifeſt in the Fleſh. The brightneſs of the Father's Glory, and the expreſs image of his Perſon, Heb. 1.3. There is one God, and one Mediator betwixt God and Men, the Man Chriſt Jeſus, who gave himſelf a ranſom for all, to be testified in due time, 1 Tim. 2.6,7. In due time it will be ſeen, what this Ranſom was paid for, and for whom; for every one of the Ranſomed ſhall get their Liberty and Inheritance in God's Time and Way. People commonly profeſs the Faith of this Truth, That our Mediator is God and Man; but how little is it improved by Faith? We do not conſider him, how great a Perſon he is, and how fit for us, Heb. 3.1,2. Such as have any ſerious thoughts of God and of themſelves (and they are in a forlorn State that have none) find a Neceſſity of a Mediator, when they conſider the ſtrictneſs of his Juſtice, the Power of his Wrath, the perfect Purity, and Holineſs of his Nature, compared with the ſinfulneſs and vileneſs of their own Nature, Hearts and Lives. But there is another deeper Thought of God, that will diſcover as great neceſſity of a Mediator, and that is, of his Greatneſs; with God is terrible Majeſty, with God is unſearchable Glory. How can there be a bold and acceptable Approach to him, of whom we eannot frame a right ſutable Thought? How is it avoidable, but that all our Worſhip muſt be to an Ʋnknown God, for no man hath ſeen God at anytime? John 1.18. Here comes in the Mediator Jeſus Chriſt, who is not only a Screen betwixt p. 124Juſtice and us, but is a Glaſs wherein we may behold the glory of God. This glory is only to be beheld in the Face, or Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt. 2 Cor. 4.6. All other Views of God's glory are either confounding, or but vain unprofitable Notions. All the Speculations of the Pagans, that poliſhed the dim Light of Nature, and all the curious Studies of ſome, called Chriſtians, about the Nature, Being, Properties and Attributes of God, are nothing but pretty pieces of Philoſophy; there is nothing of ſound Theology in thoſe Thoughts, unleſs they be all ſtinted, limited, directed to, and determined by, that diſcovery that God makes of himſelf to us, in, and by his Son Jeſus Chriſt. The Mediation then of Jeſus Chriſt, is not only an Argument which, and on which we may plead with God, but is the Mean, by which only we muſt approach to God, and the Light wherein we ſee, and know ſavingly the God we worſhip. He knew the Way beſt, who is the Way to the Father, and ſaid, No man cometh to the Father but by me: And did anſwer Philip's weighty and very natural Deſire, Show us the Father and it ſufficeth, thus, Have I been ſo long time with you, and yet haſt thou not known me, Philip? He that hath ſeen me, hath ſeen the Father: And how ſayeſt thou, ſhew us the Father, John 14.6,7,8,9. They all Worſhip an Idol, or wander in a perfect Maze and Labyrinth, that ſeek God out of Jeſus Chriſt. No where elſe is he to be ſought or found, but as a conſuming fire. God of old put his Name at Jeruſalem, to it they muſt come with their ſolemn p. 125Sacrifices, when afar off they muſt look to it; as Dan. 6.10. When they are bid, remember the Lord afar off, it's added, and let Jeruſalem come into your mind, Jer. 51.50. Now, Jeruſulem, Temple, Altar, Holy, of Holies, Mercy-Seat, Prieſts, Sacrifices, &c. were all but Shadows of Jeſus Chriſt. Under the New Teſtament, when Chriſt is come, the Name of God is in him, and all Worſhip and Approaches are to be made to God, dwelling in this true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man, Heb. 8.2.

2. Let us conſider our Lord's Office of High Prieſt. So the Apoſtle calls him our great High Prieſt, and we have him, ver. 14. This is a great ground of boldneſs in dealing with God, that we have Chriſt for a High-Prieſt. He was of God's own chooſing and calling; he is not of our chooſing, but he is for our uſing. Should that Man be called a Chriſtian, who hath no uſe for this great High-Prieſt? High-Prieſts were taken from among men, and ordained for men in things pertaining to God, Heb. 5.1. Conſider the Honour of this Office to Chriſt, and its uſefulneſs to his People. He glorified not himſelf, to be made an High-Prieſt, but he that ſaid to him, ver. 5. Chriſt's Offices of King and Prophet carry viſible plain glory in them: But to be made an High-Prieſt, eſpecially when he is to be both Prieſt, Altar and Sacrifice, ſeem to have no glory, but abaſement. But if we look to the inſide of this Office, it excels in glory. What unconceavable glory is it to Chriſt, to be the Reconciler of all things, to p. 126take up ſo honourably the grand Quarrel betwixt angry Heaven and ſinful Earth, to purge our Sins by the Sacrifice of himſelf, and then ſit down at the Right Hand of the Majeſty on high? Heb. 1.3. To offer a Sacrifice, in the Virtue whereof, an innumerable Company, out of all Nations, Tongues and Languages, are redeemed, and juſtified, and glorified, for which he ſhall be eternally praiſed in Heaven by all the happy Inhabitants of that bleſſed place! Rev. 5.9. As for the uſefulneſs of this Office to his people, I ſhall only name two things. 1. In this Office he manageth all our Buſineſs with God, ſuch as we could never have done our ſelves, and muſt be eternally undone, if it were not done for us. To ſatisfie Juſtice, fulfil the Law, and bring us in a ſure Title to the Inheritance of Heaven. 2. By Him we offer all our ſpiritual Services, and have them preſented by him for acceptance. Heb. 13.15. We muſt do all in his Name. Col. 3.17.

3. Let us conſider what our Lord did when he was on Earth, And thence we have great ground for Confidence in coming to the throne of grace. This the Apoſtle hath in his Eye, ver. 15. and ch. 5, 7. Two things I would take ſome notice of, on this point. 1. He had the ſame things for ſubſtance, as Errands to the throne of grace, that we have. 2. That he did ply the throne of grace as we ſhould. Only premitting this, that there is but a likeneſs in what he did, to what we ſhould do at the throne of grace; and that likeneſs conſiſtent p. 127with manifold differences, as we ſhall regard.

1. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt had the ſame things, and the chief of them, that are to us Errands to the throne of grace. I ſhall inſtance in ſome of them, and anſwer an Objection.

1. Our Lord had Affliction for an Errand, and more of it than any of his people. He was afflicted, yea, ſmitten of God and afflicted, Iſa. 53.4. He was oppreſſed and afflicted. ver. 7. If any man be afflicted, let him pray, Jam. 5.13. When Chriſt was afflicted, he prays.

2. Our Lord was deſerted. Bleſſed be his Name for it. We ſhould rejoice that he had not a life without Clouds. The bittereſt and ſaddeſt Deſertion that ever a Believer was under, is nothing to what Chriſt met with, when he cryed out, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? None are ſo much to be pityed as a Saint under Deſertion: When Affliction is heavy and preſſing, if all be clear above, tho there be Clouds round about, yet if the Lord ſmile from Heaven, a Chriſtian's Caſe is not much to be pityed. But if all be dark about, and the darkeſt of all Clouds on the amiable Face of God, this is the extremity our Lord was in. Yet he prayed, and in his Agony prayed yet more fervently. Deſerted Believers, take comfort in a Deſerted Saviour. His Deſertion was Penal, yours but Medicinal; though it be better Phyſick, it is of the great Phyſician's Preſcription, and he can and will bleſs it, and make you bleſs him, both for the Phyſick and the Cure.

p. 1283. Chriſt had Temptation as an Errand to his Father. In all points tempted like as we are, yet without ſin, ver. 15. O that Chriſtians would learn to behave under Temptation, in ſome meaſure a… Chriſt did! Temptation to Chriſt was … far other thing than it is to us. Temptation is bad to us, becauſe of the danger of it; therefore he bids us Watch and pray that we enter not into Temptation, Matth. 26.42. when he was in the depth of his Agony. But Temptation to Chriſt was a meer Affliction. There were never but two ſinleſs Men in the World, the firſt and ſecond Adam. Satan came to both. When he came to the firſt Adam, he found nothing of his own in him, but he quickly got ſomewhat put in him, and left it with him, and in him and all his Poſterity. When he came to the ſecond Adam, he found nothing in him, and could put nothing in him by Temptation, John 14.30. The holier a Saint be, and the more groſs the ſin be he is tempted to, and the more hatred he have of the Sin, the greater is his trouble in, and by the Temptation. What Affliction then muſt it have been to Chriſt, to be ſo tempted as he was? Matth. 4.

4. Our Lord had the charge and burden of ſin on his Soul, not upon his Conſcience, The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all, Iſa. 53.6. And was not that a mighty Load! Senſe of Sin is the greateſt diſcouragement to Believers. But never was there a Man out of Hell, or in it, that had ſuch a load of ſin on him as Chriſt had. His own ſelf. bare our ſins in his own body on the Tree, 1 Pet. 2.24. Law p. 129and Juſtice, charged Chriſt ſeverely, and exacted more of him, than ever they did of any other Perſon. None but Chriſt was made ſin, 2 Cor. 5.21. Men are Sinners by nature, and increaſe their ſinfulneſs by their Life, and an inexhauſtible Fountain of ſin is in their Heart. Eccleſ. 9.3. But none of them is, or can be made Sin. He only that knew no ſin, was made ſin. And becauſe he was made ſin for us, he was alſo made a Curſe for us, Gal. 3.13. The Law curſeth the Sinner, but cannot make a Sinner a Curſe for others: It can, and doth make him accurſed, and a Curſe for himſelf. Here is Heaven's Art: All the Righteouſneſs we are made, flows from Chriſt's being made ſin for us. All the Bleſſing we get, ſprings out of Chriſt's being made a Curſe for us. Believers, learn where to ſeek and find true Righteouſneſs, and the true Bleſſing. In vain are they ſought any where, but in Chriſt, and in his being thus made Sin, and a Curſe for us. The Lord Jehovah charged Chriſt with the Debt of his People's Sins; and he could not deny the Debt, though he contracted none of it, yet he undertook as Surety to anſwer for it, and to diſcharge and pay it. Therefore the Law and Juſtice exacted it of him, abated him nothing: Becauſe the Law will have Blood and Life for Sin, Chriſt offers and gives his. Our Lord Jeſus had no Challenges in, nor Burden upon his Conſcience, yet he had a heavy Burden upon his Soul: therefore he had a troubled Soul, John 12.27. though a quiet Conſcience. For trouble of Conſcience properly flows from the ſight and Senſe of committed p. 130Sin, but Chriſt's trouble of Soul was from the Senſe of Wrath for the charged and imputed Sins of others.

Object. But may a poor Believer ſay, Chriſt knew not what a Body of ſin and death was, he knew not what a bad Heart is, and theſe I feel, and am diſcouraged by.

Anſw. Chriſt did not know theſe things indeed, by feeling and experience, as you do, but he knew them better than you do, or can. 1. Chriſt knew them by the Wrath due to them. He that paid the Debt, knew beſt the Debt that was contracted, though he himſelf did not contract it. He knew how dear the Expiation was for the Sin of your Heart and Nature. 2. Chriſt knew it by Temptation. Temptation brought Sin as near to Chriſt, as it was poſſible it could be brought to a ſinleſs Man. Some Saints know ſome Sins only this way. There are ſeveral Acts of Wickedneſs, that the Lord reſtrains his People from, before their Converſion ſometimes, and uſually after it. Thoſe Sins they know not by the committing of them, nor it may be by any ſpecial Inclination to them, yet they may know them to be dreadful Evils, by an external Temptation to them, and by the ſight of their Sin and Miſery that wallow in them.

2. As our Lord Jeſus Chriſt had many Errands to the Throne of Grace, ſo he did ply that Throne. Our Saviour was a praying Saviour. He ſpent whole Nights in Prayer to God his Father. As he was, ſo ſhould we be in the World, 1 John 4.17. Are we afflicted, and ſhould we pray? So afflicted Jeſus prays. Is p. 131our Soul troubled, and do we pray? So Chriſt did, John 12.27. Are we deſerted, and pray? So did our Lord. But here is a depth too deep for us to wade in; how our elder Brother, how God's own Son in Man's Nature did plead at the Throne of Grace. This Throne he ply'd was not the ſame we come to. To us he ſits on the Throne himſelf, and therefore it is a Throne of Grace to us. We approach to God in Chriſt, and in Chriſt's Name. Chriſt came in his own Name, and needed no Mediator. We find he came to his Father frequently, earneſtly, and confidently. The Church of Chriſt owe him eternal Praifes for that Prayer, John 17. which is only properly Chriſt's Prayer: That in Matth. 6.9, is a pattern of our Prayer taught us by Chriſt, but this is the Prayer made by Chriſt; and therefore truly the Lord's Prayer. Of Chriſt's praying the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Heb. 5.7. Who in the days of his Fleſh, when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with ſtrong crying and tears, unto him that was able to ſave him from death, and was heard in that he feared. This is a great Word. When a poor Believer is hanging over Hell, and a Spirit of Prayer working in him, how mightily doth he cry to be ſaved from that Death? O let me not fall in: if ever thou hadſt Mercy on a ſinking Soul, ſave me. But never did a diſtreſſed Believer cry ſo mightily to be ſaved from Hell, as Chriſt did to be ſaved from death. But that death, Chriſt prayed againſt, was another ſort of death than we know, or can fully apprehend. Chriſt prayed with great ſervency, and with great confidence. p. 132We rarely have them join'd in our Prayers. If we have confidence of a good iſſue, we are apt to grow cold in asking. Chriſt knew the bleſſed iſſue of all his diſtreſs, and believed it confidently, Iſa. 50.7,8,9. Yet prayed earneſtly. He was heard, and knew it. John 11.41,42. Father, I thank thee that thou haſt heard me. And I know that thou heareſt me always. Chriſtians, take encouragement and direction to pray, and how to pray, by Chriſt's Practice when he was on Earth.

4. Let us conſider Christ's Death for encouraging us to confidence in coming to the throne of grace. This is the main ground of boldneſs in coming. Heb. 10.10. Having boldneſs to enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus. There is precious Blood muſt be ſhed, or we cannot enter; we muſt ſee it by Faith, or we dare not venture; We muſt come to the Blood of ſprinkling, Heb. 12.24. We dare not ſtep one ſtep into God's awful Preſence, unleſs we ſee the way marked, conſecrated and ſprinkled with the Mediator's Blood. How ſhall the Unholieſt of Sinners, venture to come into the Holieſt of all, God's Preſence? Yes, faith the Holy Ghoſt, ſuch may, by the Blood of Jeſus. Let us therefore conſider, what this Blood of Chriſt doth, and ſpeaks, in order to our boldneſs in approaching to the throne of grace.

1. This Blood ſatisfies Juſtice, and anſwers all the Claims and Charges of the Law againſt us. What marrs boldneſs, like fears of a ſtanding Controverſie betwixt Heaven and us! p. 133God is Holy, we are vile Sinners, God's Law is ſtrict, we have ſinfully broke it, and deſerve Hell moſt juſtly. No anſwer can be given, but by this Blood. What would the Law have, but Chriſt gave? Would the Law have a ſinleſs Man to anſwer it? as it was firſt given to ſinleſs Adam. Lo, I come, ſaith our Lord Jeſus, without all Sin; a Man againſt whom, for himſelf, the Law hath no Charge or Challenge. Would the Law have perfect ſinleſs Obedience? Chriſt did perform it. Muſt the Law have Life and Blood for every breach of it? Chriſt never broke the Law, but the Burden of Millions of Breakers and Breaches of it, lay on him, and his Blood was ſhed for them: And thereby he fulfilled the Law, put away-ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf, Heb. 9.26. finiſhed the tranſgreſſion, made an end of ſin, made reconciliation for iniquity, brought in everlaſting Righteouſneſs, ſealed up the viſion and prophecy, and anointed the moſt Holy. Dan. 9.24. You can never have boldneſs at the throne on grace, unleſs by Faith you apply this Blood. Chriſt is ſet forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his blood, Rom. 3.25. The Propitiation is in his Blood, Faith in it makes it our Propitiation.

2. This Blood, as it is ſatisfying Blood, ſo it is purchaſing Blood. It is both an Attonement, and Satisfaction, and it is a Price. It is Redeeming Blood for Perſons, and Purchaſing Blood for Bleſſings. All the Bleſſings we come to the throne of grace for, are all bought by this Blood. So that we may ſay, that though we have nothing; and deſerve nothing, yet when p. 134we ask all things, we ask nothing but what is well and truly paid for by our Lord Jeſus.

3. All the Bleſſings purchaſed and bought by Chriſt's Blood, are bequeathed to us, and left by him that ſhed it. Chriſt's Blood is a Teſt amentary bequeathing Blood: And Believers in their coming to the Throne of Grace, may come as Suers for the Execution and fulfilment of the laſt Will and Teſtament of our Lord Jeſus. For Chriſt by his death turned the Goſpel and new Covenant into a Teſtament, Heb. 9.15,16,17. His Death confirms his Teſtament. His laſt Will is, that all the Bleſſings his Blood purchaſed, might be ſecured and laid up for, and in due time given forth to them, they were purchaſed for, and bequeathed to. The whole Legacy of Grace and Glory, and all the Legatees are and were well known to the Teſtator and Executor (though not to us particularly;) and the Teſtament will be punctually fulfilled. So much for the aſſiſtance to Faith, that Chriſt's death affords: Learn to feed on it. He that cannot make a Soul-meal, and take a Soul-fill of a ſlain Saviour, is a ſorry Chriſtian. A true Chriſtian, is a poor ſtarving Sinner, digging in Christ's Grave for eternal Life. There it only is, and there he ſurely finds it.

5, We find further in our Lord Jeſus (and indeed every thing in, and of him, helps forward our confidence in coming to God) that this great Perſon, the Son of God in our Nature, this great Officer that lived ſo holily, and died ſo virtuouſly, That he alſo roſe again from the p. 135dead. The Reſurrection of our Lord is alſo a mighty ground of boldneſs. 1 Pet. 1.3. Bleſſed be the Lord and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead. If Chriſt had lain ſtill in his Grave, our Hope had lain there too; but becauſe he roſe, our Hope alſo riſeth with him. So 1 Pet. 3.21. where the Apoſtle hath an elegant Similitude. He compares Chriſt to the Ark of Noah. All that were in this Ark were ſaved, and they only, the Deluge drowned all the World beſides. They that were ſaved in the Ark, were ſaved from drowning in the Water, and were ſaved by water. The like Figure whereunto, Baptiſm now ſaveth us. Will bare Water-Baptiſm ſave? No: (not the putting away the filth of the fleſh, but the anſwer of a good conſcience towards God) by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. As if the Apoſtle ſaid, He that by Faith hath ſucked in the Virtue of Chriſt's Reſurrection, and can by that Faith plead it before God, is a ſaved Man. If all the World periſh in the Deluge of God's Wrath, this Man is in the Ark, and nothing ſhall hurt him. But alas! Chriſt's Reſurrection is looked upon by many Profeſſors, as a part of Goſpel-Hiſtory and Truth, that it is a ſhame for any to be ignorant or doubt of, and therefore they profeſs the Faith of it: but they conſider not, that a great part of the Food of our Souls and of our Faith, doth lye in this point of Truth. This I would ſhew in three things.

p. 1361. Chriſt's Reſurrection was a Demonſtration of the Divine Dignity of his Perſon, Rom. 1.4. He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the ſpirit of Holineſs by the Reſurrection from the dead. The glorious Rays of his God-head did appear in his Word and Works, and ſome had eyes to behold his Glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth, even when he dwelt amongſt Men. John 1.14. But his Glory was under an Eclipſe till his Reſurrection. How ſtately and how ſweetly doth he himſelf expreſs it? Rev. 1.17,18. I am the firſt and the laſt (high Names of a Divine eternal Perſon.) I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen. They that ſaw him dead, could hardly believe he ſhould ever live again; and they that ſaw him alive, had need of Faith to believe he had ever been dead. He aſſerts both, and we ſhould believe both. Since death entered into the World by Sin, never was there a Man more truly, really, and fully dead, than the Man Chriſt was, who died for our Sins: And there is no Man on Earth more truly alive, than the Man Chriſt is now a living Man in Heaven. He in his riſing gave proof of his Divine Power. He was crucified through weakneſs, yet he liveth by the power of God, 2 Cor. 13.4. There was never ſuch an appearance of Weakneſs in the Man Jeſus, as when he expired, and lay cold dead in his Grave. Never did ſin reign ſo unto death, nor the Law's Power more appear, than in ſlaying the ſecond Adam. As great, and greater was the appearance p. 137of his Divine Power in his riſing again. John 10.17. Therefore doth my Father love me, becauſe I lay down my life that I may take it again, Chriſt died that he might riſe again. He went amongſt the dead, that he might riſe from the dead. ver. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Chriſt was bid both die and riſe again: Bleſſed be the Commander, and bleſſed be the Obeyer; for our everlaſting life is in this Commandment, John 12.50. Never any but Chriſt had this power of his own Life. We muſt yield our Life when God calls for it; and till then we muſt keep it, and when that Call comes, we muſt obey. We die, becauſe we can live no longer, and becauſe our times are in God's hand. And when it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to raiſe up our bodies at the Reſurrection, we receave our life again; but have no power to take it up again, till the powerful Word of Chriſt come, Ariſe from your Graves: And that Word gives us our life again. None but Chriſt had power of his own life, both to lay it down and to take it again. We dare, we can, we ſhould do neither; but only obey and ſubmit to the Sovereign Will of our High Landlord, at whoſe Pleaſure we are Tennants in theſe clay cottages.

2. Chriſt's Reſurrection, was a Demonſtration of the Acceptance of the Sacrifice of himſelf: That the Blood he ſhed, and Sacrifice he offered, was ſavoury and acceptable with God, p. 138that the Debt was fully paid, and the Payment accepted, when the Surety was diſcharged of his Priſon. Therefore we find it ſo often written, that God raiſed him from the dead, Acts 2.24. and 32. even when it's ſaid, that it was not poſſible he ſhould be holden of death. Death and the Grave are ſtrong and cruel, Song 8.6. They have taken, or will take, all Mankind Priſoners, and are able to keep them: Only they took one Priſoner, Jeſus Chriſt, who was too hard, too ſtrong for them. Death had dominion over him, but for a little while, and by his own conſent. Rom. 6.9. but it hath no more dominion over him: But he hath dominion over it. I have the Keys of hell and of death, Rev. 1.18. Courage, Believers in, and Heart-Lovers of Jeſus Chriſt, Death and Hell, are indeed dreadful Jayls; but as long as Chriſt keeps the Keys (and that will be till he cast them both into the Lake of fire, Rev. 20.14.) no Believer ſhall ever be locked up in them. If Hell were ſearched never ſo narrowly, amongſt all the condemned Priſoners there, no Man or Woman could be found in it, in whoſe Heart there was never one ſpark of true Faith in, or Love to the Lord Jeſus. Heb. 13.20. God brought again from the dead, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlaſting covenant. Chriſt alſo is often ſaid to riſe by his own power. Chriſt put forth his Divine Power in his Reſurrection, the Father declared his full ſatisfaction with his Undertaking of the Work, and Payment of the Price of Redemption, by diſcharging of him in, and by his Reſurrection: The Angels Work p. 139was only to roll away the Stone; but by his own divine Power, his bleſſed Soul did take poſſeſſion of his dead Body, and he did riſe up immediately, a truly living Man. And this he did by his Father's Leave and Will, and the Angels ſerved only, as Sergeants and Officers, to unlock the Priſon-doors of the Grave: For Chriſt could eaſily have removed that Stone by his own power, as he did greater things in his Reſurrection. No wonder the Apoſtle Paul made it one of his great aims in Chriſtianity, to know the power of Chriſt's Reſurrection. Phil. 3.10. It is not to know the Hiſtory of his Reſurrection, nor is it to know the Myſtery of his Reſurrection, but it is to know the Power of it; the ſame Power that Chriſt raiſed himſelf from the dead by, is put forth (and no leſs is needful) for the raiſing of a dead Sinner. The ſame Power that raiſed the Saviour, dead for Sin, is needful for raiſing a Sinner, dead in Sin. Rom. 4.5. Therefore we are buried with him by Baptiſm into Death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed from the dead by the glory of the Father, even ſo we ſhould alſo walk in newneſs of life. Eph. 1.19. There is an exceeding greatneſs of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, &c. How loath are Men to admit this, that the ſaving quickening of a Sinner, requires the ſame divine Power that quickened the dead Saviour? All ſaving Converſions are the Fruits of Christ's Reſurrection, and of Almighty Power.

p. 1403. Chriſt's Reſurrection is the Pledge and Earneſt of our Reſurrection, and of eternal Life.

How great things doth Paul build upon it? 1 Cor. 15. He proves our Reſurrection from Chriſt's Reſurrection. He argues for Chriſt's Reſurrection, by enumerating of Abſurdities that muſt follow on the contrary. As ver. 14. If Chriſt be not riſen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is alſo vain. ver. 15. We, the Apoſtles, are found falſe Witneſſes of God. ver. 17. Then you are yet in your ſins. ver. 18. Then they alſo which are fallen aſleep in Christ are periſhed. ver. 19. Then we are of all men moſt miſerable. But now Christ is riſen from the dead, and become the firſt-fruits of them that ſlept. ver. 20. For ſince by man came death, by man came alſo the reſurrection of the dead, The firſt Adam was made a living ſoul. ver. 45. but when he became a ſinner, he became a killing Head to all his Poſterity. Rom. 5.12. The ſecond Adam is a quickening ſpirit, and gives eternal Life to all his Seed: And he took poſſeſſion of this eternal Life in his humane Nature, and in our ſtead, at his Reſurrection. He conquers and ſubdues that death the firſt Adam brought in, and reigns over it by his Grace, Rom. 5.21. Christians, would you aſpire after the Reſurrection of the dead, as Paul did? Phil. 3.11. direct all your Aims, build all your Hopes on Chriſt's Reſurrection. Becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo, John 14.19. This living Head will in a little time have no dead Members; with his dead body ſhall they ariſe, Iſa. 26.19.

p. 1416. Chriſt's Aſcenſion to Heaven is a ground of Boldneſs in coming to the Throne of Grace. So in the Context. ver. 14. He is paſſed into the Heavens. This is great ground of Faith, that Chriſt is in Heaven, and for us hath entred within the vail, Heb. 6.20. How dare a ſinful Man adventure into God's Preſence? Becauſe there is a ſinleſs Man there, that went thither on purpoſe to mind our buſineſs who are on Earth. No Man ever went thus into Heaven, and on this Errand, but our High-prieſt, John 3.13 All others go thither to get for themſelves, Chriſt aſcended, to get and to give, Pſal. 68.18. Eph. 4.8. How kindly did our Lord deal with his Diſciples about this, and how hardly were they peſwaded to ſubmit to his going away? He told them whither he was going, and for what; he told them of his returning again, and receaving them to himſelf, never to part more. John 14.2,3,4. And yet ſorrow filled their Hearts, John 16.6. He again ſaith, ver. 7. Nevertheleſs it is expedient for you that I go away. If you will not be content, becauſe it is neceſſary and fit for me, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away. How hard was it to believe this? What was, to all Reaſon, is more expedient, yea neceſſary, than that ſuch weak Schollars ſhould have their bleſſed Maſter's Company? it was ſo far from ſeeming expedient to them, that they thought they would be ruined thereby; and were very near it. Luke 24.21. Although the Matter be not ſo obvious to our Conceptions, and liking; yet really it is a greater Mercy and advantage to us, that we have our glorified p. 142Mediator at the Father's Right Hand, than if we had him preſent with us upon the Earth. It is more expedient for us, that he is where he is, than it would be, to have him where we are. Poor diſtreſſed Believers, they cry for Miniſters and Chriſtians to pray with them, and for them: O but if they had one hour of Chriſt's bodily preſence with them, and had him to pray for them, as he did for ſome when he was on Earth, what heavenly Conſolation would it be to them? Take in by Faith the comfort of his being in Heaven, and his being as knowing and mindful of you, and as able to help, and that as ſpeedily, as he was on Earth, or could be, if he were now on Earth with you.

Laſtly, Our Lord's Interceſſion in Heaven, is a great and ſtrong ground of Confidence in coming to the Throne of Grace. This is in the Context. This is the laſt ground of Paul's Triumph of Faith. Rom. 8.33.34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? it is God that juſtifieth. 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, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us. His Faith begins at Chriſt's death, and riſeth out of his Grave with him, aſcends up with him to the Right Hand of God, and concerns it ſelf in his Interceſſion there. Not unlike this Riſing and Climbing of Faith, is his account of the Riſing of Grace on the Veſſels of Grace, Eph. 2.4,5. They are dead in ſins when Grace finds them firſt: The firſt thing Grace doth to them, is to quicken them with p. 143Chriſt, then raiſing them up together, then ſetting them in heavenly places in Chriſt. All our Life ſprings out of Chriſt's Grave, John 12.24. Verily, verily I ſay unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. This heavenly Grain, Jeſus Chriſt, muſt be ſown in the Earth and die; and from the virtue of that death, all the Life of Grace and Glory grows up in all his Branches. He is indeed the Tree of Life, that now groweth in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God, Rev. 2.7. And he is the Glory of the Place, and the eternal Food of all the happy Inhabitants thereof. But he was once dead in his Grave, and grew out of that Grave, up to all that Glory and Dignity that we ſhall one day be bleſſed with the beholding of, John 17.24. In this his Glory in Heaven, he interceeds for us. Interceſſion is a ſort of Praying. 1 Tim. 2.1. Supplications, prayers, interceſſions, and giving of thanks, are commanded to be made for all men. We have one fad Interceſſion, Rom. 11.2. Elias made interceſſion to God againſt Iſrael. He was a ſevere Prophet, and had ſevere Service put in his Hand. But our great Prophet and High Prieſt, makes no Interceſſion againſt his Iſrael, but all for them.

This Interceſſion of Chriſt', which is ſo great a ground of boldneſs to us at the Throne of Grace, ſtands in theſe:

1. In his Appearing in Heaven in our Nature, and in our Name, before God. Heb. 9.24. For Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true p. 144(and thoſe were the places the High Prieſts of old entred into) but into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. He is there, not only for himſelf, to reap the glorious Fruit of his hard Work on Earth, but for his People, as their Head and Repreſentative. All the Church, the Body, is now in Heaven it ſelf, becauſe its Head is there. Eph. 2.5,6. Chriſtians, you are now lying among the Pots, and defiled with the Smoak and Sutt of this ſinful World; you are ſometimes plunged in the Ditch, till your own Cloaths abhor you, as Job ſpeaks, chap. 9.31. You cry out, Wo is me that I ſojourn in Meſech, that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar, Pſal 120.5. Let Faith ſay, But where is my Lord and Head? Is he not in Heaven? in that Glory that I am not able now to bear a view of; and he is appearing there as my neareſt and deareſt Friend; I am aſhamed to look on my ſelf, and my loathſom Deformity; I am afraid that ſo foul and ſpotted a Face as mine, ſhould be ſeen in Heaven: But Chriſt is there, and my Chriſt is there, and there he is to appear for me, who muſt dread my perſonal Appearance there, if it were not for this Appearance of my Head for me.

2. Chriſt's Interceſſion ſtands in this, That he, in our Nature, and in our Name, preſents continually the Savor of his Sacrifice. Heb. 9.12. He went into the holy place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal Redemption for us. Aaron and his Succeſſors in the Office of High p. 145Prieſt, were appointed to offer the great Sacrifice of yearly Attonement at the Altar, and with the Blood thereof to enter into the Holy of Holies, and to ſprinkle the Mercy-Seat (their Throne of Grace) with that Blood. Lev. 16.14. Our Lord Jeſus, the Anti-type, offered the Sacrifice of himſelf in his death, and in and with the virtue of that Sacrifice he entred Heaven, to ſprinkle the higheſt Altar therewith. It is but a fond Popiſh fancy, to think that there do remain viſible Marks and Signatures of his humbled State, on the glorified body of our Lord Jeſus; that is indeed, to know Chriſt after the Fleſh in a bad ſenſe. 2 Cor. 5.16. But his entring with his own blood, is ſpiritually to be underſtood; that Chriſt's Appearance in Heaven, is to bring up a Memorial continually before God, of the virtue and ſavour of that Sacrifice he offered without the Gates of Jeruſalem. Eph. 5.2. Chriſt loved us, and hath given himſelf for us, an Offering and a Sacrifice to God, for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour. This ſavour never ſpends, or wears out. The Blood of Jeſus in the Virtue of it, in the Merit of it, and in the Power of it, is as freſh this day, as in the day it was ſhed on the Croſs: He is ſtill the …ew-ſlain way to the holiest of all, Heb. 10.20. …s freſh and fragrant as ever. If Men by their …nbelief count it old or ſtale, and to have loſt …ts ſavour and virtue to themſelves, and if they will ſeek for ſomewhat elſe to procure them …cceptance in Heaven, let them try and pe…iſh, for none can help them that reject Chriſt. …ut our Lord preſents nothing for the Salvation p. 146of his Body, the Church, but his own Blood, and nothing elſe is accepted in Heaven for this End, but that precious Blood: And all they to whoſe Conſciences this Blood is applyed, and who come unto it, and feel its virtue and power, will abhor all vain and dangerous mixtures of any thing with this Sovereign Balſom. It is always ſavoury in Heaven, and it is always ſavoury to all them that are in the right way to Heaven. Our Lord in his Interceſſion fills Heaven with the Almighty and Eternal ſavour of his Blood, and Heaven is filled with the Praiſes of it, and of the ſhedder of it. Rev. 5.9,12. If its ſavour do not fill the parts of the Earth, where it is preached, it is becauſe Men have loſt, (or rather never had) the ſpiritual ſenſe that only can take in this ſavour, and not becauſe this Blood is impaired in its virtue. But this is the ſin and miſery of this condemned World, that what is moſt ſavoury in Heaven, is leaſt ſavoured on Earth; and what is moſt ſought after, prized and doted on in Earth, is vanity and abomination in Heaven. Luke 16.15.

3. In Chriſt's Interceſſion, there is his knowledge of, and ſympathy with, the Ails, and Diſtreſſes of his people. This the Apoſtle takes notice of in ver. 15. His knowledge of their Diſtreſſes, we can more eaſily account for, than for his Sympathy. His Omniſcience as God, we believe. Peter ſweetly owned it. John 21.15,16,17. O that Chriſt would with power ask the ſame Queſtion at all of you, and that you could give the ſame Anſwer. Chriſt's Queſtion is, loveſt thou me more than theſe? p. 147Not long ſince thou ſaid'ſt ſo, what ſaiſt thou now? Peter's Anſwer is, Yea, Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. And on the repeating of the Queſtion, Peter gives the ſame Anſwer, ver. 16. When Chriſt a third time ask'd the ſame Queſtion, Peter was grieved, ver. 17. and anſwers, thou knoweſt all things, thou knoweſt that I love thee. As if he ſaid, I dare not compare my Love to thee, with that of others to thee; thou haſt reaſon to queſtion my love to thee, becauſe of my late woful denyal of thee; but yet I dare call thee to Witneſs, who knoweſt all things, that I do love thee. Though all my Brethren love thee better than I do, or can; though I be more unworthy than any, to be loved by thee; yet I am ſure I love thee. If the love of Chriſt were as a hot Fire within, and its Coals were caſting out a vehement Flame, as Song 8.6. Believers would more often call Chriſt by that ſweet Name, ſweet to us to ſpeak, and ſweet to him to hear, O thou whom my Soul loveth, Song 1.7. Miſerable Souls are they who love not Chriſt. And dull unobſervant people are they, that know not what, or whom their Souls love. Is the love of Chriſt a meer Notion? Is it not a moſt ſenſible, holy, and ſpiritual Paſſion, or rather a heavenly Grace! Can Men love Chriſt and not feel it? Should they feel it, and not avow it? Is there any thing we ſhould be aſhamed of in the love of Chriſt, but the ſhameful ſmalneſs of it? That our higheſt and hotteſt love is ſo unſutable a Return to his incomparable Lovelineſs, and his Wonderful Love to us, and the dear Demonſtrations of it. All ye p. 148that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity, look on him and love him more; love him with all your Souls, and bluſh with ſhame that you love him no better. Blow the coals of Love by Faith, and let the Flame mount up to Heaven, and aſcend ye in the Flame of the Altar, as Manoah's Angel did. Judg. 13.20. You that doubt of your Love to Chriſt, go to him, fall down before him, anſwer Peter's Queſtion, according to the true ſenſe of your Souls, and it will be, Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. Love Chriſt, and ye will quickly feel ye love him. A ſight of Chriſt will beget Love, and Love will quickly ſpeak for it ſelf. 2 Cor. 5.14,15.

But for Chriſt's Sympathy with his people, this is harder to conceave, than his knowledge of their Diſtreſſes. It is a Sympathy different from what he had in the days of his own Infirmity; it is as tender, but not diſturbing, as real, but not afflicting. It is inconſiſtent with his glorifie… State to have any trouble. His Sympathy it ſelf is to be believed, the manner how it acts, is unſearchable. Heb. 2.17. In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God. Heb. 4.15. He is touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, and was in all points tempted, like as we are, yet without ſin. About this deep point of Chriſt's Sympathy we may ſoberly conceave, 1. Our Lord's Remembrance of his own Infirmities, Temptations, and Afflictions, in the days of his Fleſh. This is plain and certain. 2. His ſure and diſtinct particular Knowledge and Remembrance p. 149of his people, and of all that concerns them, within and without. 3. His Intereſt in them, and Care of them, and Concern for them, as his Members. 4. His Power and Wiſdom as their Head, to ſend down vital Influences upon them, as their Caſe requires. Eph. 4.16. Col. 2.19.

Laſtly. Chriſt's Interceſſion ſtands in preſenting his People and their Deſires and Wants to the Father, for acceptance and anſwers of Peace. Both our Perſons, and our Prayers, muſt be preſented by this great High-prieſt, ſet over the Houſe of God, Heb. 10.21. or no Welcome, no Acceptance. An Iſraelite, though he brought, might not offer the Sacrifice on the Altar, only the Prieſt; and the High-prieſt only muſt offer the great Sacrifice for all Iſrael, in the day of Attonement. Chriſtians muſt bring themſelves; Rom. 12.1. and all their ſpiritual Sacrifices, but Chriſt muſt preſent them, and we only by him. Heb. 13.15. What a mighty encouragement is there in this for Faith? Our High-prieſt makes another thing of our Sacrifices than we can. Believers often know not rightly their own Caſe; Chriſt knows it exactly. Many of our Prayers are meer miſtakes; we complain, when we ſhould praiſe; we ask what would do us hurt, and are unwilling to receave what would do us much good. Our Lord Jeſus puts all to rights; he can ſay over our Prayers rightly, he can make good ſenſe of them, can purge them of their Faults, can ſpy out any thing of his own Spirit in p. 150them; and, laſtly, add his own Incenſe to them. Rev. 8.3. And thus are they accepted. We may beſt underſtand Chriſt's Heart and Work in Interceſſion, by John 17. Wherein we find three.

1. Chriſt conceals all the Faults and Weakneſs of his people. Not a Word of theſe in all that Prayer, and they were guilty of a great many. 2. He tells all their good, and makes much of it, ver. 6, 7, 8. I have given to them the Words which thou gaveſt me, and they have receaved them, and have known ſurely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didſt ſend me. He knew, and reproved them for the weakneſs and ſtaggering of their Faith; he foretold an approaching tryal, and their fainting in it. John …6.31,32. Yet he knew they were true Believers, and he makes much of it, in his Prayer, a… again, ver. 14,25. 3. Chriſe declares fully …ir neceſſity, and begs ſupply for them. No Chriſtian needs any more than a full anſwer of this Prayer of Chriſt. And it was put up for all his Body, and will be anſwered as to every Member of it. Whenever you are on your Knees at the Footſtool, remember who is at the Throne above, and what his buſineſs is there. Footſtool-ſupplications of Believers would be all quite loſt, if it were not for the Saviour's Interceſſion at the Throne. Heb. 8.1. Our High-Prieſt is ſet on the right hand of the throne of the Majeſty in the Heavens. And he ever liveth to make interceſſion for us. Heb. 7.25. This is the end of his living in Heaven, to p. 151make Interceſſion for us. Take heed, and mind Chriſt much in your Prayers; and never fear his forgetting you. Shall Chriſt live for ever to make Interceſſion for you? And will you live all your days without making uſe of him as an Interceſſor? Alas! that Chriſt in Heaven gets ſo little employment from Believers on Earth! He ſeeks your employment, he loves it, and loves them beſt that give him moſt of it: He undertakes for every thing put in his hand, and in due time will give you a good account of all you entruſt him with, and make you ſay, He hath done all things well, Mark 7.37.

Appl. Is all the ground of Confidence at the Throne of Grace, laid in Jeſus Chriſt our High-Prieſt? Build then your Confidence on this ſafe and ſure Ground. Not only may you lawfully make uſe of Chriſt's Mediation, but you muſt do it: It is not only a Priviledge the Lord allows you to make uſe of, but it is his Command, and your Duty, to uſe it. You are commanded to come to the Throne of Grace, and commanded alſo to come in Chriſt's Name, and to come boldly in this Name. The neglect of either of theſe, is ſin. Not to come to the Throne of Grace, when he calls, is a great ſin. To come to it (or rather to pretend to come) in any other Name but Chriſt's, is a great Sin too. And to come in this Name diffidently, is to reflect unworthily on Jeſus Chriſt, and the Power and Virtue of his mighty Name. John 14.13,14. Whatſoever ye ſhall ask in p. 152my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ſhall ask any thing in my Name, I will do it. Can a Man deſire a larger Promiſe than this? Can one deſire a ſtronger Plea than Chriſt's Name, and a better Hand than his, to have our Anſwers from? Be ye Askers, and Askers in my Name, I will be the Doer. The Father's Glory in the Son, and the Sons Glory, is concerned in giving good anſwers to all Prayers put up in Chriſt's Name. You cannot Honour and pleaſe Chriſt more, than in uſing his Name confidently. All Bills with Chriſt's Name at them, will be accepted at the Throne of Grace, and will ſurely be anſwered. But Coming to the Throne of Grace in Chriſt's Name, is another thing than commonly people take it to be. Some think it enough, that they conclude their Prayers with the Words Chriſt taught, Matth. 6.9. but never for that uſe, it is oft formally and ſuperſtitiouſly put to: Some think that it is only to ſay in their Prayers, for Chriſt's ſake. To ask in his Name is a higher buſineſs, than to be reached by Unbelievers, and Men void of the Spirit of God. If no man can ſay that Jeſus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 12.3. If Praying be required to be in the Holy Ghoſt, Jude 20. If praying always with all Prayer and Supplication, ſhould be in the Spirit, Eph. 6.18. How ſhall Men call on him, in whom they have not believed? Rom. 10.14. But can you take the ſearcher of Hearts to Witneſs, that you build all your hopes of Acceptance at the Throne of p. 153Grace, in this Name and Mediation of Jeſus? That you durſt no more ruſh into God's awful Preſence, without the Protection of this great Name, than you durſt leap into a devouring Flame? Can ye ſay, I have no Name to come to God in, but Chriſt's; my own Name is abominable to my ſelf, and deſervedly hateful in Heaven; No other Name is given under Heaven but that of Jeſus Christ, in which a Sinner may ſafely approach to God: Since the Father is well pleaſed in this Name, and the Son commands me to uſe it, and the Holy Ghoſt hath broke this Name to me, and made it, as an Ointment poured forth, Song 1.3. And ſince its ſavour hath reached my Soul, I will try to lift it up as Incenſe to perfume the Altar and Throne above. Since all that ever came in this Name, were made welcome, I will come alſo: Having no Plea but Chriſt's Name, no covering but his-borrowed and gifted Robe of Righteouſneſs: I need nothing, I will ask nothing, but what his Blood hath bought, (and all that I will ask) I will expect anſwers of Peace, and Acceptance only in that bleſſed Beloved; beloved of the Father, both as his Son, and our Saviour, and beloved of all that ever ſaw but a little of his ſaving Face and Glory.

Let ſuch go and proſper; the Lord is with you, the Lord is before you: He will welcome the Mediator in his bringing you to him. 1 Pet. 3.18. and welcome you with p. 154Salvation, who come in his Name for it. The Prodigals Welcome, Luke 15. is but a Shadow of what ye ſhall meet with Chriſt welcomes dearly all that come to him: And the Father welcomes the Believer that cometh in Chriſt's Name, and is brought in Chriſt's Hand to this Throne.