The Works of William Bridge Volume 1, Part 1 · Sermon 2

The Works of William Bridge Volume 1 · Part 1 · Sermon 2

p. 25SERMON II.

HEBREWES 2.17, 18.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him,Preached at Stepney. Maii. 2. 1647. to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful, and faithful High-Prieſt, in things pertaining to godlineſs, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people. For in that He himſelfe hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted.

I Have begun to diſcover from theſe words, That the Frieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt, is the great Magazine, and Storehouſe, of all that grace, and comfort which we have in this world: that whereby we are ſuccoured, and relieved againſt all Temptations. This hath been made good in the Generall; and in one Particular work of the High Prieſt.

If we now inquire further, what the work of the High-Prieſt was, and is, that accordingly we may addreſs our ſelves unto Jeſus Chriſt for ſuccour. We ſhall find, that it is alſo, to Pray, and Intercede for the people. To make reconciliation for the ſins of the people, (ſaies the text) To make Atonement for the ſins of the people, (ſaies the old Teſtament.) Which Reconciliation, or Atonement, was made in the times of the old Teſtament, not only by offering of a ſacrifice, but by taking the blood thereof, and preſenting that with Praers, p. 26and interceſſions, unto God, to accept of it for the ſins of the people. As we ſhall find, in that ſame 16. of Livitieus: After the ſacrifice was kild, the Prieſt was to take the blood of it, and ſprinkle it with his finger upon the Mercy-Seat; as we reade in the 14. verſe. And at the 12. and 13. He ſhall take a Cenſer full of burning coals of fire from off the Alter before the Lord, and his hands full of ſweet incenſe beaten ſmall, and bring it within the vaile; And he ſhall put the incenſe upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incenſe may cover the Mercy-Seat. He was to cauſe a cloud of incenſe to ariſe upon the Mercy-Seat. All which was a great Type of the Prayers, and Interceſſions of Jeſus Chriſt: who having once offered up himſelf a ſacrifice for our ſins, hath carried the blood, and the vertue of it into Heaven, there ſprinkled the Mercy-Seat, and there ſtill by his Interceſſions does appear for us; As it is proved at large, in the 9. Chapter of this Epiſtle to the Hebrews, 11. and 12 verſes: But Chriſt being come an High-Prieſt of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to ſay, not of this building: Neither by the blood of goats and calves: but by his own blood be entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternall redemption for us. And at the 24. verſe: For Chriſt is not entered into the Holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. And if you duely conſider this book of the Hebrews, you will find, that this work of Chriſts Interceſſion, is The Eſſential work of his Prieſtly-Office: it ſeems rather to go beyond the former, than to fall ſhort of it. Hebrews, the 8. Chapter and the 4. verſe. For if he were on earth, he ſhould not be a Prieſt. That is, look as it was in the times of the old Teſtament: if the Prieſt had only offered a ſacrifice, and had not gone into the holy of holieſt with the blood thereof, ſprinkling the Mercy-Seat, praying, and interceding that it might be accepted for the ſins of the people, the Prieſt had not done the work of the Prieſt, and ſo he had not been a compleat Prieſt: So now, (ſaies the Apoſtle) if Jeſus Chriſt had only p. 27offred up himſelf here a ſacrifice, and had not gone into Heaven, the holy of holieſt, and carried the power and the vertue of his death thither, to pray and intercede for us, he had not done the work of the great High-Prieſt. Every Prieſt might ſacrifice, but every Prieſt might not go into the Holy of Holieſt, that belonged only to the High-Prieſt to do. Now therefore, Jeſus Chriſt going into Heaven, the Holy of Holieſt, there to make Interceſſion for us, is the great, and the ſpecial work of this High-Prieſt.

That I may cleer up this myſterious Truth, I ſhall deliver my ſelf theſe Four waies; by opening.

Firſt, Wherein the Interceſſion of Chriſt conſiſteth: and what he doth when we ſay he intercedes in Heaven for us.

Secondly, How powerfull, and prevailing his Interceſſions are with God the Father.

Thirdly, That he doth now intercede as our great High-Prieſt and in a more tranſcendent and eminent way and manner, than ever any High-Prieſt did before.

Fourthly, This does conduce to our Comfort, and to our Holineſs.

Firſt, If it be demanded, Queſt. Wherein conſiſteth this Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt?

I Anſwer. Anſw. 1

Firſt it conſiſts in this: His appearing for us in Heaven, his owning of our Cauſe, and of our ſouls to God the Father: It is the word that is uſed in that 9. Chapter of the Hebrews, the 24. verſe. Chriſt is not entred into the holy place made with hands, but into Heaven, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. He does not in an ordinary way, and manner appear for us in Heaven; but with an Emphaſis, he does openly, and publickly, before all the Saints and Angels, appear for us in the preſence of God the Father. It is a comfort unto a man, ſometimes, to have a good friend at Court, at the Kings elbow, that may own him, and appear for him: but though a man have a friend at Court, ſometimes if there be any danger, he will not appear, and own a man; it may be he will own him, and countenance p. 28his Cauſe as long as there is no danger, but no longer. But now, here, we have a friend in Heaven, that will appear for us, and own our Cauſes, and our ſouls, and in all conditions appear for us. That is the Firſt.

Secondly, Anſw. 2 He doth not only appear for us; but by vertue of his Prieſtly Office, he does carry the power, merit, and vertue of his blood into the preſence of God the Father in Heaven, and ſprinkles the Mercy-Seat with it ſeven times. Seven is a note of Perfection. Thoſe that Chriſt ſuffered for, he does Intercede for. He takes all their bonds, and he carries them in unto God the Father, and he ſaies, Father, I have paid theſe bonds, I have paid this debt, I have ſatisfied thy Juſtice for theſe poor ſinners; and now my deſire is, that they may be acquitted from theſe bonds, and from theſe debts. This alſo is remarkable in that 9. Chapter of the Hebrews, 11, 12. verſes.

Thirdly, Anſw. 3 He doth not only carry the power, and vertue of his blood, and preſent it to God the Father for our diſcharge: but he does alſo plead our Cauſe in Heaven, anſwering unto all thoſe accuſations that are brought againſt us. And therefore we may reade what the Apoſtle ſaies in the 8. of the Rom. 33. ver. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifies, who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died, yea, rather that he is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Upon this ground the Apoſtle ſpeaks thus; Who ſhall condemn them? Jeſus Chriſt is at the right hand of God the Father, to take off all accuſations, that ſhall be brought againſt them. Let the World condemn, let Moſes condemn, let Satan condemn; Jeſus Chriſt is at the right hand of God the Father, to take off all accuſations that ſhall be raiſed againſt them. Concerning this there is a clear and full inſtance in that notable Scripture the 3. Chapter of Zachariah, and the 1. verſe, We find Satan ſtanding at the right hand of Joſhua to reſiſt him. He ſhewed me Joſhua the High-Prieſt, ſtanding before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan ſtanding at his right band to reſiſt him. It was the cuſtome of p. 29the Accuſer, to ſtand at the right hand of the accuſed: Pſalme, 109. ver. 6. Set thou a wicked man over him, and let Satan ſtand at his right hand: take the wall of him in his accuſation, condemning of him. Now here Satan-ſtanding at Joſhua's right hand, notes his accuſing of him. Well, what was the matter that he accuſed him of? Ye ſhall find that there was matter, verſe the 3. Now Joſhua was cloathed with filthy garments, and ſtood before the Angel. Satan came and accuſed him that he had filthy garments; and ſo he had: for the Prieſts, had defiled themſelves in Babylon, in marrying of ſtrange wives, as Joſhua and his children are charged, in the 10. Chapter of Ezra, and the 18. verſe. (Give me leave a little to open this charge of Satan, that we may ſee Satan had matter of Charge, and accuſation againſt Joſhua) And among the ſons of the Prieſts, there were found that had taken ſtrange wives: namely of the ſons of Joſhua. He was High-Prieſt. So that now, Joſhua had defiled his garments: thre was then matter of accuſation for Satan to work upon. But now, our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt ſteps in, and takes off this accuſation: The Lord ſaid (at the 3. of Zachariah, 2. verſe) unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath choſen Jeruſalem rebuke thee. The word uſed by the Septuagint, is the ſame that is uſed for Excommunication. And it is here twice repeated, (The Lord rebuke thee, even the Lord rebuke thee) not only to ſhow the fulneſſe of Satans rebuke; but to ſhow the fulneſſe of the interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. Now would we ſee the fulneſſe of Chriſts apology for Joſhua? Saies the Lord unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, even the Lord rebuke thee: And (ſaies he at the latter end of the 2. verſe) Is not this a brand pluck't out of the fire? Thus; it is true Lord, that Joſhua hath filthy garments: but yet notwithſtanding, Joſhua is but as a brand pluck't newly out of the burning. Take a brand, and pull it newly out of the fire, and there will be duſt, aſhes, and dirt about it. Lord (ſaies he) Joſhua is but newly puld out of the burning, and therefore, Lord, he muſt needs have ſome aſhes, and ſome p. 30dirt, and ſome filth about him: O Lord, (ſaies Chriſt) although that Joſhua be clothed with filthy garments, I will take away thoſe filthy garments: verſe the 4. He anſwered and ſpake unto thoſe that ſtood before him ſaying, Take away the filthy garments from him: and unto him he ſaid, Behold, I have cauſed thine iniquity to paſſe from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. This can be none but Chriſt. Thus Chriſt takes off the accuſation that was brought againſt Joſhua by Satan, for his filthy garments. And ſo does the Lord Chriſt now: If a poor ſoul fall into any ſin, defile his garments: Satan, he comes in, and takes the right hand of him, ſtands at the right hand and accuſes, by reaſon of this filthy garment: but our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, he being at the right hand of the Father, takes up the cauſe, and anſwers to the accuſation: True Lord, this poor ſoul, indeed hath filthy garments; but he is but as a fire-brand pluck't newly out of the burning: He was in his natural, and ſinful condition the other day, in his burning, and he is but newly changed, and therefore he muſt needs have ſome dirt, and ſome filth upon him, as a fire-brand pluck't out of the burning; and therefore conſider him in that reſpect, and though he have filthy garments now upon him; yet I will give him change of raiments, and take away his filthy garments. Thus the Lord Chriſt ſteps in to God the Father, and anſwers to all thoſe accuſations that are brought againſt him to God the Father. This is the Third thing that he does by way of his Interceſſion.

Again, Anſw. 4 He doth not only plead our Cauſe, and take off accuſations that are brought againſt us: But he does alſo, call for Abſolution, and for Pardon of poor ſinners, at the hand of God the Father, in a way of juſtice and equity: And therefore he is called,1 John, 2.1. our Advocate: If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. The work of an Advocate, differs from the work of a Petitioner: an Advocate does not Petition the Judge, but an Advocate, he tels the Judge what is Law, p. 31what is right, & what ought to be done. So the Lord Jeſus Chriſt being in Heaven, and making Interceſſion, is there as our Advocate: Lord (ſaies he) this man he hath ſinned indeed, but I have ſatisfyed for his ſins, I have paid for them to the full, I have ſatisfied thy wrath to the ful: now therefore, in a way of Equity, and in a way of Juſtice, I do here call for this mans pardon: Thus Chriſt intercedes. And thus we ſee (briefly) wherein the Interceſſion of Chriſt conſiſteth, and what he does when we ſay, That he Intercedes for us in Heaven.

Well, But ſuppoſe he does Intercede, Queſt. Can he prevaile in his Interceſſion, hath he any potency, power, or prevalency with God the Father in his Interceſſion?

Yes very much: Anſw. and therefore we find in that ſame 3. of Zach. That Joſhua goes away with a faire Myter upon his head: ver. 5. And I ſaid, let them ſet a faire Myter (or a Crown) upon his head: ſo they ſet a faire Myter (or a Crown) upon his head, and clothed him with garments, and the Angel of the Lord ſtood by. Satan (at the beginning) ſtood at his right hand to accuſe him: but this Accuſer of the brethren goes away with a double rebuke, and Joſhua goes away with a Crown, through the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt he goes away with a Crown upon his head.

All which will appear to you, if we conſider Three things.

Firſt, 1What great intereſt our Lord and Saviour Chriſt hath in the boſome of God the Father. Paul prevailed with Philemon for Oneſimus, through the great intereſt that Paul had in the boſome of Philemon. Our Lord and Saviour Chriſt, he hath lien in the boſome of God the Father from all eternity: he is his Son, his natural Son, his beloved Son, his Son that did never offend him: and therefore ſurely when he comes, and intercedes for a man, he is moſt like to ſpeed, to prevaile. We know, that David going out againſt Nabal and his houſe; Abigail comes forth, meets with David, and intercedes for Nabal: and Abigail did ſo powerfully intercede, even for Nabal, that ſhe turned p. 32Davids heart quite round about. David ſwore he would not leave one of the houſe, and after Abigail had interceded a little for Nabal, in the 1 of Sam. 25.32. verſe, David ſaid unto Abigail, Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, which ſent thee this day to meet me: and bleſſed be thy advice, and bleſſed be thou which haſt kept we this day from coming to ſhod blood. Pray, what did Abigail ſay, that ſhee turned David thus about, that her interceſſion was thus powerful? Saies Abigail, as for Nabal, he is according to his name. And it ſhall come to paſs (at the 30. verſe) when the Lord ſhall have done to my Lord, according to all the good that he hath ſpoken concerning thee, and ſhall have appointed thee ruler over Iſrael, that this ſhall be no griefe unto thee, nor offence of heart to my Lord, either that thou haſt ſhed blood cauſeleſſe, or that my Lord hath avenged himſelfe. This ſhal be no griefe at all unto thine heart (ſaies ſhe) and other words that ſhe uſed; by which ſhe prevailed here with David. But Abigail was a ſtranger to David: and Abigail ſhe prayes, and intercedes for Nabal, a wicked, vile, fooliſh man. Shall Abigail, a woman, a ſtranger prevail thus with David for a Nabal? and ſhall not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of the Father, not a ſtranger, nor a ſtranger to his boſome, but beloved from everlaſting, ſhall not be prevaile much more, when he comes, and pleads the cauſe of the Elect, and of the Children of God, in the preſence of God the Father, whom the Father loves alſo? Great is the Rhetorick of a Child: if a Child do but cry, Father, eſpecially if the child be a wiſe child, he may prevail much with a tender hearted father. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is the Son of the Father, and he is the Wiſdom of the Father too; and God the Father is a tender hearted father: Oh! ſurely therefore, Powerful are the Interceſſions of Jeſus Chriſt with God the Father.

Secondly, 2The prevalency of Chriſts Interceſſions with the Father, will appear: if we conſider, The inclination, and diſpoſition, that God the Father hath, unto the ſame things that Chriſt prayeth, and intercedeth for. If a child ſhould come, and intreat his father, in a matter that p. 33the father hath no mind to, or that the father is ſet againſt; poſſibly he might not prevail: But if a beloved child ſhall come and pray the father, in a buſineſs that the father likes as well as the child; ſurely then, the child is very like to ſpeed. Thus it is: The Lord Jeſus Chriſt comes, and he intercedes for us: and the Father hath as great an inclination, and diſpoſition unto the work that Chriſt intercedes for, as Chriſt himſelf hath: And therefore ſaies Chriſt, Loe, I come to do thy will: I come not to do mine own will, but the will of him that ſent me. That which Chriſt did, that he had a mind to, it was rather, the will of the Father, than Chriſts will: the Father is as ſtrongly inclined, and diſpoſed to what Chriſt did, and wils, as Chriſt himſelf. Thoſe that thou haſt given me (ſaies he) I have loſt none: they are thine own, Lord, and therefore I pray for them. We have a notable expreſſion to this end, in the 10. Chapter of John, and the 17. verſe. Therefore doth my father love me, becauſe I lay down my life, that I may take it again. I lay down my life: Here's his ſuffering, and his ſatisfaction. That I may take it again: Go up to Heaven, and take it again and intercede. Therefore doth my father love me. Oh! what a round of love is here: God the father out of love, ſends Chriſt into the world to die for man: God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Wel, Jeſus Chriſt out of love to us, he dies for us: Who hath loved us, and given himſelf for us. The Father loves the world in giving Chriſt, The Son loves the world in dying for us; and the Father, he loves Chriſt again, for loving us: Chriſt loves us, and the Father loves Chriſt again for loving of us: a mighty high expreſſion, That the Father ſhould love Chriſt, for loving us. So then look wherein the love of Chriſt is ſeen unto poor ſinners, the Fathers inclination, and diſpoſition is untot hat as much as Chriſts: So that when he comes unto God the Father, and does intercede, he muſt needs prevail, becauſe the Father loves him for his interceding, the Father likes the matter as well as he, loves you the better for it.

p. 34Thirdly, 3This will appear alſo, if we conſider, upon what termes our Lord and Saviour Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, was taken, and admitted into Heaven, the Holy of Holieſt: ſo it is called. He was Honourably received into Heaven, and he ws received thither, for to do the work of the High-Prieſt. He was Honourably received when he came to Heaven: Sit thou down at my right hand (ſaies God the Father to him) a note of Honour. When Solomon would expreſſe his Honour to his mother, he ſet her down at his right hand. Thus God the Father would expreſſe the Honourable welcome that Chriſt had when he came to Heaven: Sit thou down on my right hand (ſaies he.) Now ye ſhall obſerve, that when ſoever this is made mention of, The ſitting down at the right hand of God the Father; it is made mention of, not with the Kingly Office of Chriſt, but with the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt: as if that he were ſet down there, to do the work of the Prieſtly Office: One would think (I ſay) that this ſhould be expreſt with the Kingly Office of Chriſt: but you ſhall find it running along in the Scripture, ſtill with the Prieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt. Look into the 8. Chapter of the Hebrews, the 1. verſe. Now of the things which we have ſpoken, this is the ſum: We have ſuch an High-Prieſt, who is ſet on the right hand of the Throne, of the Majeſty in the Heavens. It's named with the Prieſtly Office. And ſo again, in the 10. Chapter of the Hebrews, at the 11. and 12. verſes. Every High-Prieſt ſtandeth dayly miniſtring, and offering often times the ſame ſacrifices, which can never take away ſin: But this man, (ſpeaking of Chriſt) after he had offered one ſacrifice for ſins for ever, ſate down on the right hand of God: It is carried a long with the mention of the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt: as if he were ſate down on the right hand of God the Father in Heaven, on purpoſe to do the work of the Prieſtly Office. When Jeſus Chriſt came into Heaven, into the Holy of Holieſt, he came thither as our great High-Prieſt; and he ſaid unto God the Father; Lord, I am not now come in mine own name, for my own ſake only, but I come as the p. 35great High-Prieſt, having on this Breſt-plate, the name of all the Elect; and I come to intercede for poor ſinners; I come as High-Prieſt: Saies God the Father to him, Welcome upon thoſe termes, welcome upon thoſe termes, not wich ſtanding thou doeſt come in their names, come and ſit down at my right hand, ſaies God the Father to him: Thus Father is ingaged, for he received him upon thoſe termes into Heaven, as our great High-Prieſt; the Father therefore is engaged to hear his Interceſſion, and ſo the interceſſion of Jeſus-Chriſt, muſt have a great deal of power, and prevalency with God the Father in Heaven. This is the Second thing.

But, Thirdly, Does the Lord Jeſus Chriſt intercede for us in Heaven, as our great High-Prieſt?

Yes, and he does do this, in a more tranſcendent, and eminent way and manner, than ever any High-Prieſt did before Him.

For Firſt, 1He hath gone through more Temptations than ever any High-Prieſt did. He was tempted (ſaies the text) that he might ſuccour thoſe that are temped, as an High-Prieſt: If he was Tempted, that he might ſuccour thoſe that are Tempted; ſuccour them as an High-Prieſt, then the more he was Tempted, the more experimentally able he is for to ſuccour thoſe that are Tempted. Never any High-Prieſt, that was Tempted like unto Chriſt. He was (ſaies the Apoſtle) in all things tempted, like unto us, ſin only excepted. Poor ſoul, name any temptation, that thy heart is ſcared at the thoughts of, and you will find, that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he was tempted with that temptation. You will ſay, I am often times tempted to doubt Whether I be the Child of God or no, and that very often. So was Chriſt too: you know the place in the 4. of Matthew: If thou be the Son of God; and if thou be the Son of God, twice that the Devil would ſet an If upon Chriſts Son-ſhip. Oh! but I am tempted often times to uſe indirect means to get out of trouble. So was Chriſt too: Command that theſe ſtones be made bread, ſaies the Devil to him. Oh! but p. 36ſometimes I have been tempted, even to lay violent hands upon my ſelf. So did the Devil tempt Chriſt too; Caſt thy ſelf down off the pinacle of the Temple; that was a temptation. Oh! but I am tempted unto ſuch evil things, that truely I am afraid to ſpeak of, ſuch Blaſphemies, ſuch horrid, and wretched Blaſphemies, as I think never came upon the heart of any child of God, ſo that I am afraid to think of them, and aſhamed to mention them. And was not Chriſt ſo? was not he tempted ſo? Saies the Devil to him, All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me. Oh! horrid Blaſphemy! Bluſh, bluſh, O Sun: that the Lord Jeſus, the God of glory, ſhould fall down to the Devil, and worſhip the Devil; what wretched blaſphemy was here, that he ſhould ſpeak this? and yet the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he was tempted to it. What ſhall I ſay, He was in all things tempted like unto us, ſin only excepted. Now, there was never any High-Prieſt that was ſo tempted, and he was therefore tempted, that he might ſuccour thoſe that are tempted. He is more able as our High-Prieſt to intercede, to put in for you, and to ſuccour you, than ever any High-Prieſt was before him.

Again, 2As he hath gone through more Temptations than ever any High-Prieſt did: So alſo, he is filled with more Compaſſions. It behoved the High-Prieſt to be Merciful: it is an office of love, and Mercy. Now our Lord and Saviour Chriſt (ſaies the Apoſtle) is ſuch an High-Prieſt, as cannot but be touched with your infirmities: the High-Prieſt that did go before him, ſometimes, was not touched with their infirmities: Hannah came and prayed, and Eli's heart was not touched with her infirmity, at the firſt. But our High-Prieſt cannot but be touched, he does ſympathize with us under all our infirmities. He is afflicted in all our afflictions. It was the work of the High-Prieſt to ſympathize with the people; and yet notwithſtanding, there was a law, that the High-Prieſt might not mourn for his kindred, in that he might not, as others, ſympathize, or mourn. But now, our Lord Jeſus, he does p. 37fully ſympathize with us, and therefore goes beyond all the High-Prieſts that ever was before him.

Further, He is more faithful in his office, 3and place than ever any High-Prieſt was. Aaron was an High-Prieſt, butunfaithful in the matter of the golden calfe. But our Lord and Saviour Chriſt, he is more faithful than Moſes was, In this 3. Heb. 1.2. verſes, (and ſo on.) Wherefore holy brethren, conſider the Apoſtle and High-Prieſt of our profeſſion Chriſt Jeſus, who was faithful to him that appointed him, as alſo Moſes was faithful in all his houſe. He ſteps over Aaron, who was the the High-Prieſt, and he compares him here to Moſes in faithfulneſs. Now Moſes was faithful in all his houſe: But our Lord and Saviour here, he is preferred before Moſes in point of faithfulneſs; yet it is ſaid, Moſes was faithful in all his houſe. When that the Lord commanded Moſes any thing, as the Lord commanded ſo did he, and roſe up early in the morning to do the commandement of God: He was faithful in all his houſe; and yet our Lord and Saviour was more faithful than Moſes in the matter of his Prieſthood. For ſo it is brought in here, at the 3. verſe. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moſes, in as much as be who hath builded the houſe, hath more honour than the houſe. Verſe the 5. Moſes verily was faithful in all his houſe, as a ſervant, for a teſtimony of thoſe things which were to be ſpoken after; but Chriſt as a Son over his own houſe. Look now, as a Child, or a ſon is more faithful in his fathers houſe than a ſervant will be: ſo, (ſaies the Apoſtle) Chriſt is more faithful than Moſes. And look as the builder of the houſe, does go beyond, and excel every beam, and ſtone in the houſe, or every part of the building: So does the Lord Chriſt in faithfulneſs, exceed Moſes. You will ſay, there is a great difference between a ſtone in the building, and the maker of the houſe: Look what difference there is between a ſtone, or a piece of wood, & the maker of the building! ſo great a difference there is (ſaies the Apoſtle) between Jeſus Chriſt, in the matter of his Prieſthood, and Moſes; yet notwithſtanding, Moſes is faithful in all his p. 38houſe. Oh! then, how faithful is Jeſus Chriſt, in the matter of his Prieſthood! He goes before all that ever went before him.

Again, 4Take other High-Prieſts, and though they were never ſo good, they could not alwaies intercede, they died; the High-Prieſt died, and another came in his room: But this man liveth for ever to make Interceſſion.

Yea, 5Take the High-prieſt in the times of the old-Teſtament; and while he lived, he did not alwaies intercede for the people: Once in a year, the High-prieſt came to enter into the Holy of Holieſt to ſprinkle the Mercy-ſeat with blood, and cauſed a cloud to ariſe upon the Mercy-ſeat, with his prayers, and interceſſions for their acceptance: and then he went out of the Holy of Holieſt, and laid aſide his garments. But now, our great High-prieſt, is aſcended into the Holy of Holieſt never to put off his Prieſtly garments: and he does not once a year ſprinkle the Mercy-ſeat with his ſacrifice, but every day: and therefore he goes beyond all the High-prieſts that ever went before him.

And yet further: 6Take the High-prieſt in the old Law, in the times of the old Teſtament: and though they did offer ſacrifice for ſome ſinnes, and intercede; yet there was other ſins again, that no ſacrifice was to be offered for. If a man did kill another at un-awares, there was a ſacrifice. If a man ſinned ignorantly, there was a ſacrifice. But ſaies the Text in the 15. of Numbers, 30. verſ. If any man ſin preſumptuouſly, he ſhall be cut off, and there ſhall be no ſacrifice for him: No ſacrifice, no interceſſion by the High-prieſt then. But we have ſuch an High-prieſt, that makes interceſſions for All ſins. So he ſaies himſelf: Every ſin and blaſphemy, ſhall be forgiven, except the blaſphemy againſt the Holy-Ghoſt. Every ſin, though it boyle up to blaſphemy, it ſhall be forgiven; but without ſacrifice there is no remiſſion: and therefore he hath made a ſacrifice, and ſo he preſents the ſacrifice, and intercedes for every poor ſinner: and therefore, he is ſuch an High-prieſt, that tranſcends all the high-prieſts that euer was before him.

p. 39In the Fourth place, 4How doth all this conduce now to our Comfort, or our Holineſs, to ur Grace, or Peace?

Firſt, To our Comfort. Very much to our Comfort. And therefore in the 1. Chap. of Zach. good words, & comfortable are ſpoken upon this occaſion: (ver. 8.) ſaies the Prophet, I ſaw by night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horſe, and he ſtood among the myrile-trees that were in the bottome, and behind him were there red horſes ſpeckled & white. Then ſaid I, O my Lord, what are theſe? And the Angel that talked with me, ſaid unto me, I will ſhew thee what theſe be. And the man that ſtood among the myrtle-trees, anſwered and ſaid, Theſe are they, whom the Lord hath ſent to walke to and fro through the earth. And they anſwered the Angel of the Lord that ſtood among the myrtle-trees, and ſaid, Wee have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth ſitteth ſtill, and is at reſt. And the Angel of the Lord anſwered, and ſaid, O Lord of hoſts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jeruſalem, and on the Cities of Judah, againſt which thou haſt had indignation theſe threeſcore and ten years? Here is Interceſſion. And the Lord anſwered the Angel that talked with me, with good words, and comfortable words. Give me leave to open the words a little, and we ſhall ſee how much it makes to our comfort, this Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. At the 8. verſe, I ſaw (ſaies he) a man riding upon a red horſe. This is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt preſented thus unto us. And he ſtood among the myrtle-trees. The Saints and people of God, they are called myrtle-trees, for their greenneſs, ſweetneſs, and fruitfulneſs. And theſe myrtle-trees were in the bottome. That is, in a dark, in a low, and a poor condition: it is the condition of myrtle-trees, and of the Saints and people of God to be oft in bottoms, and in a dark and low condition. Well: Behind him were there red horſes, ſpeckled, and white: And I ſaid, O my Lord, what are theſe? Now that this is Chriſt; Firſt of all, he is called a Man, and an Angel too. Secondly, As Chriſt walked between the golden Candleſticks, in the book of the Revelation: So here he ſtood among the mirtle-trees, among the Saints. And behind him (attending upon him) were red p. 40horſes, ſpeckled and white. That is, Angels ſent to and fro through the earth, upon his meſſage, and upon his errand; and unto him they come and give an account, and to none but Chriſt. Then we ſhall ſee this Angel, that ſtood among the myrtle-trees, comes and Intercedes: all the Angels they come and bring in this report, That the Church and people of God were in a low condition. Then this Angel that ſtood among the Myrtle-trees, anſwered and ſaid, (at the 12. verſe) O Lord of hoſts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jeruſalem, and on the Cities of Judah, againſt which thou haſt had indignation theſe threeſcore and ten yeers? It muſt needs be Chriſt, for no Angel intercedes, but Chriſt alone. What is the fruit of this Interceſſion? (at the 13. verſe) The Lord anſwered the Angel that talked with me, with good words, and comfortable words. I (indeed) good words, and comfortable are the fruit of the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. It is a matter of great comfort this, That the Lord Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, is in Heaven to intercede for us. Is it not a comfort to a poor man, to have a friend above, neer the King, or in the Court, that may be able to do him kindneſs? A man ſometimes ſaies, I had a friend indeed in the Court, but now he is dead. I but, here is a friend that never dies: He ever lives to make Interceſſion. Friends may alter, and turn enemies; but he changeth not. Our Lord and Saviour Chriſt ſaid unto his Diſciples, Rejoyce not in this, that the Devils fall down like lightning before you: but rejoyce in this, That your names are written in Heaven: it is a matter of great joy to have ones name written in Heaven: Oh! but what is it then, to have ones name written in the chiefe part of Heaven, to have ones name written there, upon the breaſt-plate of Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, that is gone into the Holy of Holieſt. Thus it is, The Lord Chriſt is now gone to Heaven, entred into the Holy of Holieſt, and carries our names into the preſence of God the Father, and there pleades, and intercedes for us. Oh! what matter of comfot is here!

But you will ſay unto me: Object. This is indeed exceeding p. 41good, and very comfortable in it ſelf: but what is this to me? for I am afraid that the Lord Chriſt, does not intercede for me: if indeed I could perſwade my ſelf, that the Lord Jeſus were in Heaven as my High-Prieſt, to intercede for me, I think verily I ſhould have comfort, though I were in the loweſt bottom, though I were in Hell it ſelf: but Oh! I am afraid to bear my ſelf upon the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, leſt I ſhould preſume.

This is the great Objection, and ſtands up continually, Anſ. to reſiſt the comforts of Gods people: Give me leave therefore, to deal with this Objection all along, and to take it off, that ſo the comfort may fall the more fully upon you.

Firſt, I will ſhew, It is no preſumption for us, to bear our ſelves upon the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, Who thoſe are, that the Lord Chriſt does Intercede for in Heaven.

And Thirdly, How willing, how infinitely willing he is to Intercede for us: that ſo I may bring the comfort neerer to our own boſomes.

Firſt, 1I ſay it is no Preſumption for us to bear our ſelves upon the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt: no Preſumption to beleeve. We know the ſtory of the woman in the Goſpel, that came unto our Lord and Saviour, touching the hem of his garment for her cure, and ſhe was cured thereby. But our Saviour perceiving vertue to be gone from him, he cals out the perſon, Who hath touched me? come forth; and the woman came forth trembling. Our Lord and Saviour Chriſt, does not ſay to this poor woman, How dare you thus touch me? how durſt you thus preſume to do it? Conſider, The woman had no Command to do it, no Precept to back her: The woman had no promiſe to engage her; that if ſhee did touch the hem of his garment, ſhe ſhould be cured. The woman had no Example; never any before that touched the hem of his garment and was cured: No Commandement, No Promiſe, No Example: Surely now, if any woman, or man, ſhould Preſume, it ſhould be this woman, that had no Commandement, p. 42nor no Promiſe, nor no Example; and yet the Lord Jeſus Chriſt does not chide her away, does not tell her, ſhe had preſumed; but, O woman thy faith hath ſaved thee, thy faith hath made the whole. Let me ſpeake this home, we have a Command now to beleeve in Chriſt; and a Promiſe: Thoſe that come unto him, he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them: And we have Examples of many that have come unto Jeſus Chriſt, born themſelves upon his Interceſſion, and have gone away cured: what! was it no Preſumption for the woman to come and touch Chriſt, without a Commandement, and a Promiſe, and an Example? and have you Examples, and have you Promiſes, and have you Commandements to beleeve, and will you ſay this is Preſumption? Be not deceived, it is no Preſumption for thee, poor ſoul, to bear thy ſelf at length upon Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, 2To make this out a little more fully: I ſhall diſcover who thoſe are that the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt does belong unto.1 Joh. 2.11 John 2:1 If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. You will ſay, This is to be carried upon thoſe that were ſpoke of before: and thoſe were ſuch as had fellowſhip with the Father: Truely, our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt; Chap. 1. verſe 3. Now if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. If any man that hath fellowſhip with the Father, or Chriſt, ſin; they have an Advocate with God the Father. Firſt therefore ſtand you by I pray, that we will take for granted, all you that ever had any fellowſhip with God the Father, or with Jeſus Chriſt; this Doctrine of the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, and the comfort hereof does belong to you.

Moreover, In the 17. Chapter of John, there we find, that our Saviour ſaies, He prayes for thoſe that do beleeve, and ſhould beleeve. Thoſe that he prayes for here, he intercedes for in Heaven: Neither pray I for theſe alone (at the 20. verſe) but for them alſo which ſhall beleeve on me through thy p. 43word. I do not pray only for thoſe that do beleeve now, but for them alſo which ſhall beleeve. Well then, here is a ſecond ſort, Thoſe that do beleeve, and thoſe that wait upon the Lord in the Ordinance, that they may beleeve, or ſhall beleeve; Stand you by alſo, you are another ſort of people, that the Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, and the comfort thereof does belong unto.

But now yet further, If we look into the 7. Chapter of this Epiſtle unto the Hebrews, at the 25. verſe, we ſhall find theſe words: Wherefore, he is able alſo, to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them. Who are thoſe? Thoſe that come unto God by him. Lay this, and 53. Chapter of I ſaiah the 12. verſe together. He was numbred with the tranſgreſſors (ſpeaking of Chriſt cleerly) and he bare the ſins of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors. It may be thou canſt not ſay, I have fellowſhip with God the Father: it may be thou canſt not ſay, I do beleeve, I am perſwaded that I do beleeve; thou canſt not ſay ſo: Well, but can you ſay thus: Through the Lords grace, I do come unto God by Chriſt; I have been, and I am a great tranſgreſſor, but I come unto God by Chriſt; I am one of the coming-tranſgreſſors: I have been a tranſgreſſor, but I am a coming-tranſgreſſor, I come unto God by Chriſt. Stand you by alſo, this Interceſſion of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, it belongs unto you: And let me tell thee for thy comfort (poor ſoul) whatſoever thou haſt been, that comeſt unto the Lord by Chriſt, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, he is gone to Heaven to intercede for thy ſoul.

But you will ſay, Obj. There is one thing that makes me afraid he will not intercede for me, I have been ſo great a tranſgreſſor: for I have been a tranſgreſſor againſt Jeſus Chriſt, this High-Prieſt: Oh! I have ſinned againſt this great High-Prieſt, Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore I am afraid he will not intercede for me.

For anſwer to this, I ſhall only deſire you to turn to the 16. Chapter of Numbers, the 41. verſe, and conſider it duely; Anſw. we reade there, that all the Congregation murmured againſt p. 44Moſes, and Aaron: Aaron was the High-Prieſt: And (ſaies the text) all the Congregation of the children of Iſrael murmured againſt Moſes, and againſt Aaron, ſaying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. They had murmured againſt Moſes, and Aaron. Then (at the 46. verſe) Moſes ſaid unto Aaron, Take a Cenſer, put fire therein from off the Altar, put on incenſe, 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 ſee what Aaron did: And Aaron took as Moſes commanded, 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. They had ſinned againſt Aaron the High-Prieſt, and yet Aaron (but the Typical High-Prieſt, he was but a Type of Chriſt) he ran in, although they had ſinned againſt him, and he ſtood betwen the dead and the living, and made an atonement for them. Oh! if there was ſo much bowels, and compaſſions in the Type, in Aaron, when they had ſinned againſt him, as to go and intercede for them: How much more is there in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Typified High-Prieſt, to poor ſouls, to intercede for them.

But now, 3this may be more fully made out to us, if we do but take in the Third thing, and that is: The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is infinitely willing to intercede for us. We have ſeen who thoſe are unto whom the Interceſſion of Chriſt belongs: namely, Such as have had any fellowſhip with God the Father, or with Chriſt: Such as do beleeve, or ſhall hereafter beleeve: And all thoſe poor tranſgreſſors that come unto God the Father by Chriſt. Now obſerve, how infinitely willing the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is to intercede for us that are thus: That will appear thus:

Firſt, 1He muſt needs be willing to do that which he hath received his anointing for. It is ſaid of Aaron, that he was anointed; and that ointment ran down upon his beard, and unto the skirts of all his garment: not a piece of Aarons garment, but was perfumed with the ointment that Aaron was p. 45anointed with. Surely, there is not a skirt of the garment of Jeſus Chriſt, but the anointment wherewithal He, our High-Prieſt was anointed, does run down upon him. He is the Meſſiah, the anointment: So he is called in the 10. of Iſaiah. The anointment. He was anointed with the oyle of gladneſs above all his fellows: above all the High-Prieſts that ever were before him. And he was anointed for this very end, That he might do the work of the High-Prieſt; which is, to Intercede for the ſins of the people. And therefore in that place in John, 1 John 2.1. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſt ſignifies Anointed. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father: But who is that? He is Jeſus, that ſignifies your Saviour, and ſo he is willing to intercede. I but, it may be he is not able to do it, it may be he hath not received the anointing to do it. Yes, He is called Chriſt. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt: or if you will, Saviour, Anointing. So that he is anointed for this end and purpoſe, to be your Advocate. Now if a man do receive money for to lay out for the benefit of others, poor Orphans, or the like: if a man be faithful, certainly, he will lay out the money for them, according to the intention of him that did truſt him with the money. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he hath received the Anointing, he is anointed as our great High-Prieſt, to do the work of the Prieſtly Office: and this is one work, to Intercede, and therefore he muſt needs be very willing to do it.

Again, The more any thing is the work of a mans Relation, 2wherewithal he is clothed, the more (if he be faithful) is he willing to do the work. And I pray mind it a little. When men are exalted, and come to Greatneſſe, or Honor, then they give down the comforts of their Relation unto thoſe that depend upon them: If a father come to any great preferment; the comfort of the Relation of a father, then fals down upon the children, runs down then upon the fruit of his loynes. And ſo, if one friend do come unto preferment; the comfort of the Relation, (or friendſhip) fals p. 46down. Now the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is our High-Prieſt; and he is now exalted, he is gone to Heaven: and therefore all the comforts of all the Relations that he ſtands in towards us, do now fall upon us. And therefore, he is willing, he is very willing, becauſe this is the work of his Relation.

And further, 3It is the work of his Office. What a man does by office, that he does willingly; what a man does by office, he does induſtriouſly, he does not do it by the bye: what a man does by office, he does it readily; according unto a mans place, or office, ſo will his interpretation be. Suppoſe now a Child that hath very good parts, come before three men, of three ſeveral profeſſions; A Lawyer, a Miniſter, and a Merchant. The Child having very good parts; the Merchant ſaies, He will make a very good Merchant: the Lawyer ſaies, He will make a very good Lawyer: and the Miniſter ſaies, He wil make a very good Scholar: according to their three Relations, or Places, or Office, or work, their interpretation is. So now, if three men, of three ſeveral Trades, whoſe work lies about wood, come and behold a fine green-tree: One man ſaies, It is good for this: And another ſaies, It is good for that: and the third ſaies, It is good for another uſe: according to his Place, and Calling, will his interpretation be. So now, when a poor ſoul comes before God: Moſes (the Law) looks upon him: And the Devil looks upon him: And Jeſus Chriſt looks upon him: The work of the Law, is to Condemn; The work of the Devil, to Accuſe; And the work of Jeſus Chriſt, is to Intercede, it is the work of his office. Now therefore, aſſoon as the Devil ſees ſuch a ſoul, Oh (ſaies he) here's a fine inſtrument for me, here's a fit ſubject for me to injoy. Aſſoon as Moſes ſees this man, Here's a fine ſubject for me to condemne unto all Eternity. But when Jeſus Chriſt looks upon ſuch a ſoul, ſaies he, Heres a fine ſoul for me to ſave unto all Eternity, to intercede for: why? becauſe it is his Office, and what a man does by office, he interprets accordingly. Therefore what the p. 47Lord Jeſus Chriſt does, he does by office, and he does it readily, and willingly. And I will give you one demonſtration of it; It was the end why Jeſus Chriſt was taken into Heaven, into the Holy of Holieſt; that he might Intercede. According to the Scriptures mentioned before, in Heb. 9.24. For Chriſt is not entered into holy places made with hands, but into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. He does not ſay thus, Chriſt is now gone to Heaven, to be glorified there; Chriſt is now gone to Heaven, to injoy the boſome of his Father, for his own happineſs. No, but he is gone into Heaven to appear in the preſence of God for us. This is the end of his aſcention. And ſo again in the 7. of the Hebrews, Wherefore, he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for us. What? is he in Heaven to be glorified there? No, but the end why Chriſt is in Heaven, Is to make interceſſion for poor ſinners: And therefore, he muſt needs be infinitly willing to do this, becauſe it is the end of his going thither, into the Holy of Holieſt. Oh therefore, be of good comfort, all you that do come unto God by him, for he is willing to intercede for you. And let not any thing diſcourage you: It may be you will complain, and ſay Oh! but I am much oppoſed here in this world. What matter, ſo long as Jeſus Chriſt does intercede for me in Heaven, and ſpeaks good words unto God the Father for me in heaven; what though I be oppoſed by men? It may be you will complain, and ſay, Oh! but I am much tempted, and cannot pray. Be humbled for it; but yet know this, That when you cannot pray, Chriſt prayes for you; and he prayes that you may pray. It may be you complain, and ſay, Oh! but I labour under ſuch and ſuch corruptions, and the Devil he is buſie with me, exceeding buſie, and I cannot overcome them: and the Devil ſtands at my right hand for to tempt me, and to lead me into ſuch and ſuch ſins. Wel, be it ſo, yet notwithſtanding, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is at the right hand of our Father, and he is ſet down at the right hand of God the Father, till all enemies be made his footſtool; p. 48and your ſins are his enemies: And therefore be of good comfort, O all ye people of the Lord. Is there ever a poor myrtle-tree, a ſoul that growes in a bottom, in a poor dark condition? be of good comfort, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our great High-Prieſt, he is entered into Heaven, into the Holy of Holieſt, there to intercede with God the Father for thee.

I but, Queſt. you will ſay unto me: Does not this conduce to our Grace, and Holineſs too? and how does it do it?

This Interceſſion of Jeſus Chriſt; Anſ. this work of the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt, and the conſideration thereof, it does conduce exceedingly unto our Grace, and Holineſſe. For.

Firſt, 1What a mighty incouragement is here unto all poor ſinners, for to come unto Jeſus Chriſt? He ever liveth to make Interceſſion for thoſe that come unto God by him: Oh! then, who would not come unto God by Chriſt? who would not come unto Jeſus Chriſt? Me thinks a poor ſinner ſhould ſay, Indeed my ſins were ſo great, that I was afraid for to come unto God: But now I hear, that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is in Heaven, to make interceſſion, for all thoſe that come unto God by him; Though I have been a Drunkerd, now I wil go unto God by Chriſt: And though I have been a Swearer, and though I have been an unclean wanton, yet I will go unto God by Chriſt. Indeed, I thought that my time was paſt; for I have been an Old Swearer; and I have been an Old Drunkard; and I have been an Old Sabbath-breaker; and I have been a ſinner ſo long, that I was even afraid of going to God at all; and thought there was no mercy, nor no pardon for me: But ſeeing now, that this is true, That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is in Heaven, to make interceſſion for all thoſe that come unto God by him; Well, through the Lords grace, now I will go unto the Lord Chriſt, I will go unto Jeſus Chriſt: I indeed, am a young man, and I thought it was to no purpoſe to go unto God, God would not regard poor ignorant ones, and I am a poor ignorant creature, and p. 49thought it was to no purpoſe for me to go unto God: But now I underſtand this, That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is in Heaven to make interceſſion for all thoſe that come unto God by him: Well then, Though I am ignorant, yet will I go unto God by Chriſt: and though I am but a poor young thing, and ſcarce underſtand the termes of Religion; yet will I go unto God by Chriſt. Oh! come unto Chriſt, come unto Chriſt: Behold here, in the Name of the Lord, I ſtand and make invitation to poor ſinners; Come poor Drunkard, Swearer, Sabbath-breaker, Unclean heart; the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is in Heaven to make interceſſion for all that come unto God by him; and will not you come? Oh! how will you anſwer it at the great day? when it ſhall be ſaid, The Lord Jeſus Chriſt made a tender, and offer of mercy to you, and you would not accept of it, you would not come unto him. Here is matter of great Incouragment unto all poor ſinners to come unto Jeſus Chriſt.

Again Secondly, The more I apprehend, 2or ſee with a ſpiritual eye, That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt does appear in Heaven for me▪ the more am Fingaged to appear upon earth for him. (Mark I pray, that you may ſee how this does conduce unto Grace, and Holineſs.) Ah! ſhall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt appear in Heaven, before Saints, and Angels, and God the Father for my ſoul? and ſhal I be afraid to appear before poor worms for him? Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt own me in Heaven? and ſhall not I own him upon earth? Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as the great High-Prieſt, take my name, and carry it upon his breaſt into the preſence of God the Father? and ſhall not I take the Name of Chriſt, and hold it forth to the world? Oh! I beſeech you conſider, what a mighty ingagement is here, to ſtand to and appear for the Lord Chriſt, and to own his Cauſe in theſe backſliding times; becauſe he is now in Heaven appearing for you, and making interceſſion for you.

Thirdly, The more I confider, or apprehend, 3That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt does lay out himſelf for me, the more am I ingaged p. 50to lay out my ſelfe for him. The Scripture ſaies, He ever liveth to make interceſſion for you. He laies out his whole Eternity for you. Me thinks we have here before us, the greateſt argument in the world for to make us to walke cloſely with God in Chriſt: For, ſhall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſpend of his Eternity for me? and ſhall not I ſpend of my whole time for him? He Ever liveth: he Ever liveth to make interceſſion. Before the world was made, his delight was in the habitable parts of the earth, among the children of men. He laid out himſelf in delighting upon you before the world was made. Well, in due time, he comes down into the world; and here while he was upon the earth, he laid out himſelf fully for you. Then he Dies, and goes up to Heaven, and (ſaies he) I go to prepare a place for you. He was at work for you, before the world began; Then he comes down upon the earth, and here he ſpends all his time for you: And now that he is gone to Heaven; the text ſaith, He ever liveth to make interceſſion for you: he ſpends off all his eternity for you. Oh! does not the Lord Jeſus grutch me Eternity, to ſpend off his Eternity for my ſoul? and ſhall I grutch the Lord Jeſus Chriſt a little time, to ſpend a little time for him? Surely, people don't think what Chriſt is doing in Heaven for them, (you that are Saints eſpecially) if you did, you could not be padling in the world ſo much. Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be appearing in Heaven for me? and ſhall I be digging in the world? Shall he be making mention of my name unto God the Father, and interceding for me? and ſhall I be ſinning againſt him? ſhall I be contending with his children? ſhall I now be joyning with his Enemies? ſhall I be oppoſing his waies? Oh! if people would but think, what the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is doing in heaven for them, they could not rebel ſo in the world againſt him as they do. Wherefore, that you may be kept from your ſins, & kept frō the world, think of theſe things. The Apoſtle ſaies, Theſe things have I written unto ye, that ye ſin not: and if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. And ſo p. 51ſay I to you, I have been here delivering to you this Doctrine, concerning the Prieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt: and theſe things have I preach't unto you, that you ſin not. And therefore, that you may be kept from ſin, and your hearts made more Holy; think of the Prieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt, he is gone into Heaven to make interceſſion for you. And thus have I diſcovered the Second Particular of the Prieſtly Office of Jeſus Chriſt. A Third follows.