The Types Unveiled, Chapter 24
CHAP. 24. I come to ſpeak of the Incenſe Altar overlaid with Gold, as it differed from the former which was overlaid with Braſs.
THe uſe of the Incenſe Altar, was to offer Incenſe upon for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour to the Lord, Exod. 40, 26. 27. which Incenſe offered upon the Altar overlaid with Gold, did make the other offerings that were offered upon the Altar overlaid with Braſs ſo ſavory and ſweet before the Lord.
This the Apoſtle applies to Jeſus Chriſt in Epheſ. 5. 2. In which words he takes in the uſe of both the Altars, and ſhews you that the Incenſe Altar overlaid with Gold was ſet up to make the ſacrifices of the ſlain beaſts (which were offered upon the Altar overlaid with Braſs) very ſweet and delightfull to God.
Pray obſerve well, the words conſiſt of two parts.
Firſt, Of what relates to the Altar overlaid with Braſs.
Secondly, What relates to the Altar overlaid with Gold, which was called the Incenſe Altar.
Firſt, Of what related to the Altar overlaid with Braſs, upon which was offered the ſlain beaſts, Exod. 40. 29. This is ſet forth to you in theſe words of Epheſ. 5. 2. Walk in love as Chriſt alſo hath loved us, and hath given himſelf for us an offering and ſacrifice to God: This part of the Verſe agrees with the Altar which was overlaid with Braſs, upon which the ſlain ſacrifices were offered up to God in ſacrifice.
Secondly, That which in the Verſe relates to the Incenſe Altar overlaid with Gold, you have in the latter part of the Verſe in theſe words, for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour. Both of which Uſes of the Altars, the Apoſtle makes to agree to and in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt a Believers ſpiritual Altar.
But here a queſtion may be asked me, why the Incenſe Altar ſhould be overlaid with Gold, and the Altar appointed for ſlain ſacrifices only with Braſs? To which I anſwer, by this difference in the two Altars, we may obſerve this note for our Inſtruction; That as Gold is more excellent then Braſs, ſo was the work of the Incenſe Altar more excellent in the ſight of God, then that work of ſlaying the ſacrifices on the Altar which was overlaid with Braſs: And as theſe Altars were both Types of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, with reference to the twofold work he was to adminiſter for the Elect (which was firſt to offer himſelf a ſacrifice, and ſecondly to make continual Interceſſion to God for them.) I ſay it plainly ſhews us thus much, that although the work which our Saviour did in dying the bitter death on the Croſs, in order to the ſatisfying of the juſtice of God (wherein he was a ſacrifice to take away ſin.) I ſay though this was a very glorious and tranſcendent work, yet the work of Chriſts Interceſſion is much more glorious. This will appear if we conſider theſe two things. Firſt, the Apoſtles words in Rom. 8. 34. who puts the term (Rather) upon the Interceſſion of Chriſt, (a work proper to the Incenſe Altar) which term is not put upon the ſufferings of Chriſt, Verſe 34 Who is he that ſhall condemn, it is Chriſt that died; yea rather is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God to make Interceſſion for us, giving you to underſtand that the greater excellency of the two lay in the work of Chriſts Interceſſion, rather then in the work of Chriſts ſufferings; farther, it will more appear in that the Apoſtle (in this 34. Verſe) tells you, that for this work ſake of Chriſts Interceſſion, he ſitteth at Gods right hand; as if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay, though the work of Chriſts ſufferings was a very glorious work, yet that of his Interceſſion was, yea is much more glorious in Gods ſight, becauſe the act of Chriſts Interceſſion declares the former act of his ſufferings to be wholly done and compleated; therefore muſt Chriſt ſit down at his Fathers right hand: This you may farther ſee held out to you in the Type it ſelf, Exod. 37. 26. where you may obſerve that the Incenſe Altar had his Crown of Gold placed upon it, (which the other Altar had not) which ſhews us (as hath been ſaid) that this work of Chriſts Interceſſion Crowns all the former.
But ſecondly it will yet more appear, if we conſider the eſtate and condition our Saviour was in when ſuffering upon the Croſs, and that was a guilty ſtate and condition he was under, (at that time, when he was upon the Croſs) the higheſt guilt that ever was man in this world (not any of his own) for there was never guile found in his mouth, but it was our guilt which he took upon him, Iſa. 53. 6. For it pleaſed the Lord to lay upon him the iniquity of us all.
But in the work of Interceſſion he is fully juſtified from all that ſin and guilt (which he took on him for us) by the offering up of himſelf to God as a ſacrifice, and the juſtice of God hath nothing now to ſay againſt Chriſt; ſo that Chriſt takes his place in Heaven (without controul or objection) at the right hand of God, who ſits there making Interceſſion for us: And Chriſt taking his place there at the Incenſe Altar, doth cauſe a ſweet ſmell to ariſe up to God from every other act of Chriſt done before upon the ſacrifice Altar overlaid with Braſs; becauſe now he acts not as a nocent perſon but as an innocent perſon, therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Phil. 2. 8, 9. ſpeaking of Chriſt ſaith, And being found in faſhion like a man, he humbled himſelf and became obedient to dea…h; even the death of the Croſs, wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name: Thus you ſee why the Altar of Incenſe was overlaid with Gold, but the other only with Braſs.
Uſe.
O then this ſhould teach Believers where to run for ſound ſolid comfort in doubting ſeaſons, let it be at the Altar of Incenſe where Chriſt ſitteth at Gods right hand to make Interceſſion for us. Its true, I have in my former Diſcourſe about the Altar of ſatisfaction (which was overlaid with Braſs) adviſed ſouls to make at that Altar in doubting ſeaſons, and ſo I ſay ſtill; for Chriſt could not have ſate down at the right hand of God to have made Interceſſion for us, if he had not firſt ſuffered, Phil. 2. 8, 9.
But the ſufferings of Chriſt on the Altar of Braſs do not yield a ſoul ſuch full matter of triumph over Sin, the Law, and the Devil, as the interceeding work of Chriſt doth.
My Reaſon for it is this, becauſe that although Chriſt in love to his people did go ſo far as to die for them, even the bitter death of the Croſs, that ſo he might juſtifie them before God; and although he went ſo far as to pour out his ſoul unto death, that by it he might redeem them to God, yet he might have miſcarryed in the work, he might not have been able to have given juſtice its full ſatisfaction, and ſo he might have been held under the power of ſin and the grave himſelf; and ſo all the Elect have as really periſhed in him their ſecond Adam, as they had done before in the firſt Adam; not that any thing of this nature could have been, but the ſuppoſition may be made for the farther clearing of our matter in hand: But now if the people of God will look to the Incenſe Altar, there they ſhall ſee their ſurety Chriſt ſtanding at Gods right hand Miniſtring for them before the Lord, which clearly ſheweth thus much for our comfort, that as our Saviour took all our ſins upon him and became guilty with them before the juſtice of God, ſo now its moſt certain he is got clear off from them, and is pronounced a juſtified perſon, and we in him fully as well, as freely juſtified alſo; otherwayes Chriſt had never ſate down at the right hand of God
Now this is that which fills up the comfort of Believers, that Chriſt is tranſlated from the Altar overlaid with Braſs, to the Altar of Incenſe overlaid with Gold, which ſhews that he hath done the work which he came to do for Believers.
Hence it is that S. Paul triumphs ſo over Hell, Sin, Satan, the curſe of the Law and death it ſelf; not ſo much from what Chriſt did at the Brazen Altar of ſatisfaction, as from what Chriſt doth at the Incenſe Altar, therefore it is that the word (Rather) is put upon that, not that the one could be without the other: I mean this, not that we could have been juſtified had not Chriſt died, but S. Paul ſhews you where to go (in doubting ſeaſons) for the greateſt confirmation of your Faith and Comfort, therefore ſaith S. Paul, Rom 8. 34. Who ſhall condemn, it is Chriſt that died; yea Rather is riſen and ſitteth at the right hand of God, making Interceſſion for us: Therefore ſoul, with S. Paul, lift up thy head and look up to the Incenſe Altar, and there ſhalt thou ſee thy bleſſed ſurety (that once took all thy ſins upon him) yet now he ſits at the right hand of God on the Throne of the Majeſty of Heaven, fully ſet free of all thy ſins, and diſcharged of all thy guilt; Thou maiſt aſſure thy ſelf they will never come into mind more, God can never call them into remembrance more, Jer. 31. 34.
They can never trouble thee more to condemn or accuſe thee before God. O ſoul, before thy ſins can accuſe or trouble thee, they moſt trouble Chriſt in Heaven, for they are not thine, but Chriſts ſins; I mean, they are ſo accounted to be his, becauſe he hath taken them upon him for thee if thou art a Believer.
Therefore as its natural for every thing to make to their home or Centre, ſo if ever ſin return again, it will firſt light upon Jeſus Chriſt: You know the Ant makes to his hill, the Fox when abroad will to his hole, the Bee when abroad will to his hive; and if ever ſin ſwarm again it will to its hive which is Chriſt, for he hath made it his by imputation, and is become the hive of ſin.
O doubting ſoul fear it not, if by faith thou didſt ever lay thy ſins upon Jeſus Chriſt; O reſt contented, trouble not thy ſelf about it, for ſin ſhall never trouble either thee or thy ſurety more, Chriſt hath made ſure work with ſin, it ſtands him upon it ſo to do, For it was his ſin, for it was Chriſt was made ſin for us that knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him, 2 Cor 5. 21.
And let all the Devils in Hell do what they can, yet Chriſt ſhall come the ſecond time without ſin to ſalvation, Heb. 9. 28.
The work of the Incenſe Altar which was overlaid with Gold, it was to offer upon it the Incenſe Oblation or Offering, Ex…d. 30 1, 2, 3. with Exod. 39. 38.
Which Incenſe was made of ſweet Spices, as Gumm, Galbanum, and Frankincenſe, Verſe 34. This was (as I have already ſaid) to pefume all the other Offerings which were offered to God in Sacrifice. This ſhews us the ſecond part of Chriſts work as he is a Believers High Prieſt, whoſe Work and Office as a High Prieſt, as I have hinted already, was not only to offer himſelf up a Sacrifice to God for Believers but alſo to make. Interceſſion to God for them, which Interceſſion of Chriſt anſwers to the work of the Incenſe Altar: Inſomuch that both of theſe works of the two Altars meets in Chriſt the High Prieſt of Believers.
Therefore in the High Prieſt under the Law (which was a Type of Chriſt our great Goſpel High Prieſt) you may ſee how both theſe works were proper to him.
Firſt, To offer the Sacrifice for the people, Lev. 2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Secondly, To make Interceſſion for the people, Lev. 9. 22. And Aaron lifted up his hands and bleſsed the people, and came down from Offering the Offering for ſin, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offering. So Lev. 16. 11, 12, 13. which bleſſing of the people is as much as to ſay his praying for the people; for ſo much the lifting up of hands doth import, Exod. 17. 11. with 1 Tim. 2. 8. that God would pardon their ſin, accept their ſacrifices, and ſend them the bleſſings of this life, and that which is to come. 1 Kings 8. 55, 56, 57 both of which works in the High Prieſt under the Law, doth the Apoſtle apply to Chriſt, and ſhews (as I have already ſaid) That Chriſt was the Anti-type of the Jews High Prieſt in theſe two works. 1. Of offering the ſacrifices. 2. In making Interceſſion for the people, ſaith the Apoſtle in Heb. 8. 3. For every High Prieſt is ordained to offer gifts and ſacrifices, wherefore it is neceſſary that this man (meaning Chriſt) ſhould have ſomewhat to offer. Now what is it that this man Chriſt Jeſus, the Believers High Prieſt was to offer in ſacrifice to God for the people; look into the 9th. Chap. 26. verſe, and there it is told you what it was, ſaith the Apoſtle; But now in the end of the world hath he appeared (meaning Chriſt) to put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf.
Secondly, The ſame Apoſtle tells you that Chriſt hath another work to do as our High Prieſt, beſides the offering up of himſelf as a ſacrifice to God for Believers, and that is the work of Interceſſion or praying to God continually for all manne… of bleſſings for his Saints, which relate to this life and that which is to come, Heb. 7. 24, 25. But this man (meaning Chriſt) becauſe he continueth, ever hath an unchangeable Prieſthood, What to do? Verſe 25. for ever to make Interceſſion for us.
Now about the Office or Work of Chriſt as an Interceſſour, there are theſe things conſiderable. Firſt, The work it ſelf. Secondly, The time of it how long it ſhall laſt. Thirdly, The end or purpoſe of the work. All this you may ſee held out to you in the Incenſe Altar, which was the Type of this work of Chriſts conſtant interceeding for his people, Exod. 30. 7, 8. 9, 10.
1. Firſt there is the work it ſelf, Verſe 7. And Aaron ſhall burn thereon ſweet Incenſe every morning when he dreſſeth the Lamps he ſhall burn the Incenſe upon it. So that there is a work of Interceſſion for the High Prieſt to do, which High Prieſt now is Jeſus Chriſt; therefore faith the Apoſtle Heb. 7. 21. with 25. The Lord ſware and will not repent, thou art a Prieſt for ever (meaning Chriſt) after the order of Melchiſedeck. Now what was the work of Mechiſedeck, was it not to offer up prayers to God on the behalf of the people, that God would bleſs them with the bleſſings of his love and favour, Gen. 14. 18, 19. with Heb. 7. 1. Therefore the Apoſtle adds this paſſage after that he hath ſhewed you that Chriſt was (in the work of his Interceſſion) the ſimilitude of Melchiſedeck, Heb. 5. 6, 7. Where ſpeaking of Chriſt ſaith, Who in the days of his fleſh offered up prayers and ſupplications, with tears and ſtrong crys unto him that was able to ſave him from death. Now you muſt not think that Chriſt in his crys, and tears, and ſupplications, only prayed for himſelf at that time; No, no, but for all the Elect who at that time met in Chriſt, as the Body united to the Head, and ſo he is to be underſtood as our interceeding High Prieſt, praying to God for us againſt the evil of death. So ver. 10. This was done as he was called of God according to the Order of Melchiſedeck: That is, as he is a High Prieſt, for ſo was Melchiſedeck, Heb. 7. 1. whoſe work was to bleſs Abraham a Member of this Prieſthood, grace and mercy, Gen. 14. therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 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, therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, ver. 26. Such an High Prieſt became us. And as Chriſt did pour out his crys and ſupplications with tears here on earth, it was to give Believers a comfortable view and ſight of what he is ever doing for them in heaven, of which they may aſſure themſelves to the utmoſt. Therefore doth S. Paul ſo much comfort Believers againſt all fear of a total miſcarriage; for it cannot be becauſe Chriſt as our great High Prieſt did not only interceed againſt it on earth, by pouring out ſtrong crys and ſupplications, with tears, Heb. 5. 7. but he is doing of the ſame work now he is in heaven, with as much fervency of Spirit for us. Rom. 8. ver. 34. Who is he that condemneth, it is Chriſt that died; yea rather is riſen again, and ſitteth at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us: Now that the Inteceſſion Chriſt makes is a work of prayer which he poureth forth for his people to God evermore, as that which the Golden Altar for Incenſe was a Type of, will appear if we conſider that place in Rev. 8. 2, 3, 4. 5. with chap. 1. 13. And I ſaw the ſeven Angels which ſtood before God, and to them were given ſeven Trumpets; and another Angel came and ſtood at the Altar (which Angel was Chriſt) having a golden Cenſer in his hand, 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, and the ſmoak of the Incenſe which came up with the prayers of the Saints aſcending up before God out of the Angels hand. Now look into Rev. 1. 13. and you may ſee who this Angel was; And in the midst of the ſeven golden Candleſticks one like unto the Son of men, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Here you have the Son of man repreſenting himſelf to John after he aſcends up into Glory, ſtanding in the garb of the High Prieſt, for ſo the legal High Prieſt was attired when he was to adminiſter before the Lord.
That ſo we might underſtand for our great comfort, that he is doing the great work of the Prieſthood now in Heaven, for his people that are yet without the Tabernacle, as to their being in this life, even for thoſe that are not entred within the veil of bleſſed glory and immortality: So that you ſee that Chriſt is an interceeding High Prieſt now in heaven pouring out his prevailing prayers to God for his. And this is the matter of the work of Interceſſion.
Uſe 1.
O then what cauſe have Believers to bleſs God for his mercy, that there is an Interceſſour provided for them, that can and will prevaile on their behalf, if loud crys and ſtrong ſupplications attended with many tears will do it. O my Brethren, this is an ineſtimable bleſſed privilege to Believers, that they have ſuch an interceeding High Prieſt as Jeſus is, who is heard in all things and denied in nothing that he ſhall requeſt the Father for on the behalf of Believers: We uſe to ſay that man is happy that hath a Friend in Court to ſpeak, if need be, on his behalf
O but how much more happy are Believers that have a Chriſt, a High Prieſt in heaven to agitate all their matters and concernments for them there. Hence it is that the Pſalmiſt doth affirm that there can be no want to them which fear God, Pſal. 34. 10. And S. Peter wonders who can harm ſuch as be followers of that which is good, Pet. 1. 3. 13. And ſaith S. Paul, who can lay any thing to the charge of ſuch? and who can condemn ſuch? or can ſeparte ſuch from the love of God. Rom. 8. 33, 34, 35. the Reaſon of all is given you in the 34. ver. For we have a High Prieſt at Gods right hand making Interceſſion for us.
Uſe 2.
O then let this bleſſed Doctrine adminiſter comfort to the people of God at all times, in all conditions, that they have a High Prieſt in Heaven interceding for them at Gods right hand.
O Brethren! of whom ſhould Believers be afraid that have ſuch an interceding Prieſt as Chriſt is; what if all the Tyrants in the world, and Devils in hell ſhould ſet themſelves together againſt the poor Lambs of Chriſt; O fear them not, there cannot a hair of your heads fall to the ground. O you Saints, lift up your heads and be not ſo fearful of your Adverſaries, it is your High Prieſts work in heaven to pray you down deliverance from the hands of Men and Devils: Read that comfortable place, Exod. 17. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. When Amaleck came out to fight againſt Iſrael, its ſaid that all the while that Moſes lifted up his hands to God in a way of Prayer and Interceſſion for Iſrael, Iſrael prevailed over Amaleck. O then ſhall the liftings up of the hands of a Moſes ſo much prevail for Gods Iſrael in a time of danger (and yet Moſes was but a ſervant, Heb. 3. 5) and ſhall we think that the lifting up of the interceding hands of Chriſt, (who is the Son) ſhall not prevail over theſe Amalekites which Believers ſtand in doubt of here: O Brethren, do not diſhonour the interceding Office of Jeſus Chriſt your High Prieſt, in giving way ſo much to your fears; Remember what our Saviour ſpake in his own caſe, the ſame he can and will do in the caſe of his people, ſo far as it ſhall ſtand with his glory and a Believers good, Matth. 26. 53. Think you not, and I can pray to my Father, and he can give me more then twelve Legions of Angels: What work did that Angel make which Chriſt prayed down for the relief of his Church in the time of their diſtreſs. Iſa. 37. 36. How did the Angel ſcatter in one night that proud Blaſphemous Army; and ſhall we think that Chriſts Prayers have loſt their Efficacy through length of time; No, no, he is the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. And ſo in all other exigencies and ſtraits, whether in Famine, Plague, Peſtilence, or what ever the providence be which may occaſion fear. Here is a ſufficient Balm for the ſoul in theſe conditions; yea in a word, if thou wert brought ſo low with thy diſtreſs, as that thou couldſt not put up one word in prayer to God thy ſelf in the greateſt neceſſity, thou mighſt comfort thy ſelf in this, thy High Prieſt is praying for thee; for ſaith the Apoſtle, he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us, Heb. 7. 25. This is the ground why thy barrel of Meal waſteth not, and thy Cruſe of Oil ſpend not it ſelf in time of Famine, and why the Plague cometh not nigh thy dwelling place in peſtilentious ſeaſons, Job 5. 17, 18, to 23.
Secondly, The next thing we are to ſpeak of is the time how long this is to laſt, or how long this interceding work of Chriſt was to continue for Believers; not only for the Saints under the Old Teſtament ſeaſons, but for the Saints under the New Teſtament ſeaſons alſo, even for us ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 8. 34. And ſuch a High Prieſt became us, Heb. 7. 26. And this will further appear if you conſider this work in the Type of it, as its held out to you, Exod. 30. 8. And when Aaron lighted the lamps at even, he ſhall burn Incenſe upon it, a perpetual Incenſe before the Lord, throughout your Generations.
Now obſerve, it was perpetually to burn before the Lord throughout their Generations; there was not a Generation but muſt have the benefit of this Altar of Incenſe, ſo is Chriſt an Interceſſour for the Elect in all Generations, and not only for time either of the day or of the night, but Chriſt is pouring out his interceding groans to the Father for his people. Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 7. 25. He ever liveth to make Interceſſion for us.
Uſe 3.
O ſoul then doubt not, thy caſe goeth on in Heaven well enough, there is alwayes prayer going up to God for thee, to keep thee night and day from danger; ſo long as Moſes his hands were kept up by Aaron and Hur, it went well enough with Iſrael, Exod. 17. O but here are the hands of Chriſt lifted up for thee night and day, to keep thee from the Arrow that flieth by day, and the ſhaft which flieth by night; Read that place, Iſa. 27. 2, 3. In that day ſing ye a Vineyard of Red Wine, I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment least any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. O Chriſt is interceding night and day for thee againſt all evils; It may be thou feareſt that ſin and corruption will undo thy ſoul, that the Devil and temptation will be thy ruine, that wicked men will ſwallow thee up in the end: O ſoul look up to Jeſus Chriſt under all this, eye him at the Throne of grace wreſtling by his ſtrong crys for thee; O ſoul live upon this in doubting ſeaſons; O go on in the way of thy duty with chearfulneſs; O remember the Lord is with thee, his Spirit ſhall be with thee, his Prayers with thee; O fear not: O ſaith David, The Lord is on my ſide, I will not fear what man can do unto me. O ſoul whatever thy danger be that ſhall beſet thee, whether it be from Hell or this World, it can never ſeize thee while Chriſt is at prayer for thee, but Chriſt as thou haſt heard, ever liveth to intercede on thy behalf.
Object. But ſome may ſay then, why are men ſo ſtrict to enjoyn the people to pray, is it not enough that Chriſt their High Prieſt prayeth for them in Heaven?
I anſwer, It is true, in point of prevailing with God for the Elect, ſo Chriſt their High Prieſt prayeth enough for them; And in this ſenſe there is no need of Believers praying, I mean ſo as if their prayers did give any ſtrength to the Prieſtly work, or office of Jeſus Chriſt, therefore that curſed Tenent of the Papiſt is to be abhorred by all true Chriſtians, which teacheth that the prayers of the Church meriteth or procureth the grace of God by its own ſtrength or efficacy, blindly miſtaking that place, James 5. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Now in this ſenſe there is no need of Believers prayers, for this will be to deſtroy the Mediator-ſhip of Chriſt, and to render his Prieſtly office of no effect; for in point of merit o… worth God only accepts of the prayers of Chriſt, and of the Elects for his ſake, according to that word in Matth. 3. 17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed.
But ſecondly, notwithſtanding the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, yet in point of obedience to God it is a Chriſtians duty to pray; So much as this is handed out to you in the Prieſthood of old: Read Luke 1. 8, 9, 10. Speaking of Zecharias the Prieſt, While he was executing the Prieſts office before God in the order of his courſe, according to the cuſtom of the Prieſts office, his lot was to burn Incenſe when he went into the Temple of the Lord, and the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of the Incenſe. Now Zecharias the Prieſt repreſents our Lord Jeſus in the work of his Prieſtly interceding office for the Elect, and you read that nowithſtanding Zecharias was interceding at the Incenſe Altar within the Temple, yet the people were to pray at the ſame time without; ſtrongly proving, that although Jeſus Chriſt our Goſpel High Prieſt ſtill intercedes in Heaven for the Elect; yet notwithſtanding it is highly the duty of all the Elect (while without the Temple of glory, and remain yet in the body) to pray: This will farther appear if you conſider that place in Rev. 8. 3, 4. And another Angel came and ſtood at the Altar having a golden Cenſer in his hand, 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, and the ſmoak of the Incenſe which came up with the prayers of the Saints aſcended up before God out of the Angels hand. If you would know who this Angel was; or is, you may read Rev. 1. 13. and there you ſhall (as I have ſaid already) find him to be Jeſus Chriſt, in all his Prieſtly Formalities as our High Prieſt; And in this Chapter he is ſet forth to you in the performance of his work of Interceſſion for the Saints, by having a Golden Cenſer in his hand; which was what the High Prieſt under the Law did adminiſter before the Lord withall, Numb. 16. 46, 47. And the Angel had Incenſe given him to offer up to God in the Cenſer which was in his hand; which Incenſe I underſtand to be meant the infinite worth of his bloud and righteouſneſs, which is continually pleaded by Chriſt, as a ground of full ſatisfaction to God for the Elect: Its ſaid there was much Incenſe given to this Angel, that is, as the Apoſtle elſewhere ſaith, in Col. 1. 19. It pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fullneſs dwell, which ſheweth the abundant worth and efficacy that lay in the death and righteouſneſs of Chriſt; therefore he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt all thoſe that come to God by him, Heb. 7. And to be a propitiation in his bloud for the ſins of the whole world, John 1. 2, 2. That is, there was ſo much Incenſe given this Angel by the Lord, or ſo much vertue put into the death of Chriſt (that although it was never intended for all the world) yet there is a vertue or a ſufficiency in his death able to ſave all the world at once. And its ſaid the Angel offered Incenſe, that is, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt was interceding at the Throne of grace for the Saints.
Now pray obſerve, all this was done with the prayers of all Saints, ſo that the Saints are ſet forth as a praying people as well as Chriſt is ſet forth as an interceding High Prieſt, Chriſts prayers and his peoples prayers going up together before the Lord, make up the great cloud of Incenſe which went up from the Altar.
Thus you ſee the point cleared, that Chriſts interceding in Heaven at his Fathers right hand for Believers, doth not give any liberty to the leaſt neglect in prayer here on earth; therefore doth our High Prieſt himſelf enjoyn prayer to be made by the Saints that live under his Prieſthood, Matth. 26 41. And farther ſays, that men ought to pray always, Luke 18. 1. So likewiſe the Apoſtles of Chriſt, they tell you that the ſubjects of this Goſpel Prieſthood muſt pray, James 5. 13. and that they muſt pray every where, 1 Tim. 2. 8. and that without ceaſing, 1 Theſ. 5. 17 and that men ſhould continue inſtant in it, Rom. 12. 22. and that men ſhould pray always night and day, Eph, 6. 18. Theſ. 2. 3, 10. and for one another, James 5. 16. with this advice, that it muſt be in the Holy Ghoſt, Jude 20. likewiſe this hath been made the Character of a good man, Acts 9. 11, and on the contrary, a prayerleſs heart is looked upon in Scripture to be a wicked heart, Job 27. 10.
Thirdly and laſtly, I come to ſpeak of the end or main purpoſe of the work of the Incenſe Altar, or of the work of Chriſts Interceſſion, which he driveth on in Heaven for Believes: Now the purpoſe of this glorious work of Chriſts Interceſſion, it was to make Reconciliation for ſin, or amongſt many other things, one main… thing was this; (viz.) the keeping up a conſtant peace between God and the Soul, therefore it was called the office for atonement, Exod. 30. 10. And Aaron ſhall make an atonement upon the horns of the Incenſe Altar once a year with the bloud of the ſin offering of atonements, once in the year ſhall he make atonement upon it throughout your Generations, its most holy to the Lord.
This the Apoſtle applies to Jeſus Chriſt, Heb. 2 17. where you have the Apoſtle ſpeaking of Jeſus Chriſt as our Goſpel High Prieſt, ſucceeding Aaron of old, the Apoſtle hath this ſaying about it in Verſe 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a merciful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, and that he might make Reconciliation for the ſins of the people: Note here, That he might make Reconciliation for the ſins of the people, or an atonement, which is all one; ſo that this was the end or purpoſe of the High Prieſts atonement, it was to keep peace between God and the people under the Law; this you may ſee, read Numb. 16. 46, 47, 48. And Moſes ſaid to Aaron, take the Cenſer and put fire therein off the Altar, and put on Incenſe, and go quickly unto the Congregation, and make an atonement for them, for there is wrath gone out from the Lord, the Plague is begun: And Aaron took as Moſes commanded him, and ran into the midst of the Congregation, and behold the Plague was begun among the people, and he put on Incenſe, and made an atonement for the people; and he ſtood between the dead and the living and the Plague was ſtayed.
Thus you ſee clearly what the purpoſe and end of the Prieſts interceding or making atonement for the people amounts unto, it is to interpoſe between Gods wrath and the people, or to keep God at peace with the people; which is the proper work of Jeſus Chriſt now in glory, to make peace for the Saints, and to interpoſe by his Interceſſion between the anger of God and their ſinning ſouls, who labours by thoſe ſtrong cries, ſighs, and groans, with many tears which cannot be uttered, to prevail with God that he would be pleaſed for his own death and righteouſneſs ſake, to paſs by thoſe many ſins, failings, and infirmities which his people are apt to commit; And as in the like caſe we read of Moſes, Exod. 32. 11, 12, 13. So doth Chriſt (of whom in the work of Interceſſion Moſes was the Type) caſt himſelf at the feet of God, praying, begging, intreating, that he would be pleaſed to paſs by the ſins and daily infirmities of his people, and not remember their iniquities againſt them, but that he would, extend his Love, Favour, and Grace to their ſouls as afore-time, and would lead them and conduct them by his ſpecial grace to the good land of Canaan, the land of promiſe which was purchaſed for them by his own bloud upon the Croſs at Jeruſalem; and begs his Father that he would be pleaſed to look more upon his bloud and righteouſneſs for them, and leſs upon their ſins; And doth confeſs as Moſes did, that the people are, and ever have been, a ſtiff-necked and rebellious people ever ſince he knew them, but yet ſtill crys, good Father put up all the injuries done againſt thy glory by this people, and let not thy wrath wax hot againſt the ſheep of thy paſture; O remember the promiſes which thou haſt made to me concerning this people: That a ſeed ſhould ſerve me, & a Generation of men ſhould call me bleſſed, Pſal. 22. 30. and Pſal. 72. 17. And that I ſhould ſee of the travel of my ſoul and be ſatisfied, Iſa. 53. 11. and therefore prays that the Father would conſider what loſs it would be to him (who was his Son) ſhould the people miſcarry, how all his ſufferings would be loſt, the end of his coming in the fleſh would be loſt, the fruit of all his Sermons, works of Miracles, and works of Righteouſneſs, would be loſt, therefore in John 17. 24. Prays ſaying, Father I will that they whom thou haſt given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold …y glory which thou haſt given me, for thou haſe loved me before the Foundation of the world.
Uſe 4.
O then ſoul thou ſeeſt where to fly under the guilt of ſin, O what comfort wlll this afford a poor doubting ſoul that ſhall well digeſt this truth into his ſoul, that Jeſus Chriſt is interceding for him now in Heaven, how will the knowledge of this feed the hearts of Gods people in times of doubts. O let not the Wolves catch any comfort from hence, this is what belongs to the true ſheep of Chriſt, and to none elſe; This is not for him that will catch at any comfort to protect himſelf in a trade of ſin; but this truth chiefly belongs to thoſe that are indeed truly humbled under, and burthened with, the ſenſe of the weight of ſin: To ſuch only I ſpeak; do your ſins preſs you down as a Cart is preſſed with ſheaves? Do your iniquities ſo weigh down your heads as that you cannot look up? Dare not you come to God nor ſtand in his preſence? Do you fear that your ſins have provoked God againſt you? Do you doubt the Plague is begun againſt you? are you fearful the wrath of God is coming out upon you and that it may prove ſuch a ſtorm as may ſink you into the loweſt Hell? Yet O look up to your interceding High Prieſt who is now in Heaven for you, who labours to prevail upon the heart of God for pardoning grace on your behalf, who likewiſe makes it his buſineſs to obſerve his Fathers countenance towards Believers, that if at any time his face of Juſtice begins to look grim, and he perceives that wrath begins to come forth, he may as Aaron did, ſtep quickly in between God and the people, and ſo by his interpoſing preſence of grac, eand powerful Interceſſion, he may allay the anger of his Father again.
Hence it is that John comforts doubting, drooping ſouls in his day with this truth, becauſe indeed it is a truth proper to that end and purpoſe, and farther, John the Divine doth not only apply this truth as a Cordial to bear them up under the ſenſe of ſin, but likewiſe as a notable preſervative againſt the act of ſin, 1 John 2. 1, 2. My little children I write unto you that you ſin not; and if any man ſin we have an advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous; and he is a propitiation in his blood for our ſins, and not onelyonly for ours, but for the ſins of the whole world. O Soul, live upon this bleſſed truth, ſtay thy ſelf here under all thy doubtings. O conſider, ſin may vex and diſquiet thee, but all cannot hurt thee, ſo long as Chriſt keeps up his praying hands to God for thee it ſhall not do thy ſoul the leaſt injury. Chriſt doth prevail, and he will prevail in heaven for thee againſt ſin and wrath: Chriſt lies in the way of his Fathers wrath, as it were, if any of it run forth it muſt paſs through Chriſt; he ſtands between the Father and thy Soul in a time of the Fathers diſpleaſure, and cryes out, good Father ſtay thy wrath! O hold thy hands, ſtrike not this poor ſinner; if thou ſtrikeſt I am reſolved the blows ſhall alight all on my back; I will bear all, and ſuffer all, and take all, both fault and puniſhment upon my ſelf. This the Father tried once and it proved true, when the Father went to ſtrike the Elect, the blows fell all upon Chriſts own back, which bruiſed him very much, Iſa. 52. 1. which leads me to a fifth uſe of the Point.
Uſe 5.
Which is to exhort thee, O ſoul, from what hath been ſaid about the interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt for thee: Oh! to love Jeſus Chriſt with all thy heart, and with all thy ſtrength, and with all thy ſoul: O who can love ſuch a friend as Chriſt is too much: O therefore ſtrive to love with the love of ſervice and obedience, with the love of delight, with the love of communion, and with the love of deſire, ſo as to part with Father, Mother, Wife, Husband, Children, Honours, Lands, Livings; yea, all that's near and dear for Jeſus Chriſt. O account nothing too much you do for him in his Worſhip, in his Ordinances, as in Prayer, Hearing, Reading, in Meditating, Mourning, Weeping, Repenting: Oh account nothing too much you adminiſter unto him in his People, in his Miniſters, in the mannaging of his Cauſe and Goſpel in the world. O with Mary think not your Alablaſter Box and Oyntment too good to bring forth in a time of need for Jeſus Chriſt. Oh account nothing too much you ſuffer for Chriſt; account no priſon to bad to go into for Chriſt, no dungeon too deep to lie in for Chriſt, no death too diſgraceful for Chriſts ſake; becauſe he thought nothing too much he ſuffered for you, nor any thing too much which he now doth for you.