Sermons on Various Subjects Volume 1, Sermon 7
SERMON VII. INTERCESSION every CHRISTIAN'S DUTY.
I THESS. V. 25.
Brethren, Pray for us.
IF we enquire, why there is ſo little Love to be found amongſt Chriſtians, why the very Characteriſtick, by which every one ſhould know that we are Diſciples of the Holy JESUS, is almoſt baniſhed out of the Chriſtian World,—We ſhall find it, in a great Meaſure, owing to a Neglect or ſuperficial Performance of that moſt God-like Part of ſecret Prayer Interceſſion, or imploring the Divine Grace or Mercy in behalf of others.
Some forget this Duty of Praying for others, becauſe they ſeldom remember to pray for themſelves: And even good People, who are conſtant in Praying to their Father which is in Heaven, are often ſo conſtrained and ſelfiſh in their Addreſſes to the Throne of Grace, that they do not enlarge their Petitions for the Welfare of their Fellow Chriſtians as they ought; and thereby fall ſhort of attaining that Chriſtian Charity, that unfeigned Love of their Brethren, which their ſacred Profeſſion obliges them to aſpire after, and without which, though they would beſtow all their Goods to feed the Poor, and even give their Bodies to be burned, yet it would profit them nothing.
Since then theſe Things are ſo, I ſhall from the Words of the Text (tho' originally intended to be more confined) endeavour to ſhew,
I. Firſt, That it is every Chriſtian's Duty to Pray for Others, as well as for himſelf.
II. Secondly, Who are Thoſe that we ought to pray for, and in what Manner we ſhould do it. And,
III. Thirdly, I ſhall offer ſome Motives to ex…ite all Chriſtians to abound in this great Duty of Interceſſion.
I. Firſt then, I ſhall endeavour to ſhew, That it is every Chriſtian's Duty to pray for Others, as well as for Himſelf.
Now Prayer is a Duty founded on Natural Religion; the very Heathens never neglected it, though many Chriſtian Heathens amongſt us do:—And it is ſo eſſential to Chriſtianity, that you might as reaſonably expect to find a living Man without Breath, as a true Chriſtian without the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication.—Thus, no ſooner was St. Paul converted, but behold he prayeth, faith the Lord Almighty. And thus will it be with every Child of GOD, as ſoon as he becomes ſuch: Prayer being truly called, The natural Cry of the New-born Soul.
For in the Heart of every True Believ… there is a Heavenly Tendency, a Divine Attraction, which as ſenſibly draws him to converſe with GOD, as the Load-ſtone attracts the Needle.
A deep Senſe of their own Weakneſs, and of CHRIST'S Fulneſs; a ſtrong Conviction of their Natural Corruption, and of the Neceſſity of renewing Grace; will not let them reſt from crying Day and Night to their Almighty Redeem…, that the Divine Image, which they lo… in Adam, may through his All-powerful Mediat… and the Sanctifying Operations of his bleſſed Spirit, be begun, carried on, aud fully perfected both in their Souls and Bodies.
Thus earneſt, thus importunate, are all ſincere Chriſtians in praying for themſelves: But then, not having ſo lively, laſting, and deep a Senſe of the Wants of their Chriſtian Brethren, they are for the moſt Part too remiſs and defective in their Prayers for them—Whereas, was the Love of GOD ſhed abroad in our Hearts, and did we Love our Neighbour in that Manner in which the Son of GOD our Saviour loveth us, and according to his Command and Example, we could not but be as importunate for their Spiritual and Temporal Welfare, as for our own; and as earneſtly deſire and endeavour that others ſhould ſhare in the Benefits of the Death and Paſſion of JESUS CHRIST as we ourſelves.
Let not any one think, that this is an uncommon Degree of Charity; an high Pitch of Perfection, which every one cannot attain unto; ſince it is no ſuch Thing:—For if we are all commanded to Love our Neighbour (that is every Man) even as ourſelves, nay to Lay down our Lives for the Brethren; then, it is the Duty of all to pray for their Neighbours as much as for themſelves, and by all poſſible Acts and Expreſſions of Love and Affection towards them, at all Times, to ſhew their Readineſs even to lay down their Lives for them, if ever it ſhould pleaſe GOD to call them to it.
Our Bleſſed Saviour as He hath ſet us an Example, that we ſhould follow his Steps in every Thing elſe, ſo hath he more eſpecially in This:—For in that moſt Divine, that moſt Perfect and inimitable Prayer (recorded in the 17th of St. John) which he put up juſt before his Paſſion, we find but few Petitions for his own, though many for his Diſciples Welfare▪ And in that moſt perfect Form which he has been pleaſed to preſcribe us, we are taught to ſay,—not My, but Our Father,—Thereby to put us in mind, that, whenever we approach the Throne of Grace, we ought to pray,—not in our own Name alone, but in the Name of all our Brethren in CHRIST.
Interceſſion then is certainly a Duty incumbent upon all Chriſtians.
II. Whom we are to intercede for, and How this Duty is to be performed, comes next to be conſidered,—under my Second general Head.
1. And firſt, our Interceſſion muſt be univerſal. I will, ſays the Apoſtle, that Prayers, Supplications and Interceſſions, be made for all Men: For as GOD's Mercy is over all his Works, as JESUS CHRIST died to Redeem a People out of all Nations and Languages; ſo, we ſhould pray, that all Men may come to the Knowledge of the Truth, and be ſaved. Many precious Promiſes are made in Holy Writ, that the Goſpel ſhall be publiſhed through the whole World, that the Earth ſhall be covered with the Knowledge of the LORD, as the Waters cover the Sea: And therefore it is our Duty not to confine our Petitions to our own Nation, but to pray that all thoſe Nations, who now ſit in Darkneſs and in the Shadow of Death, may have the glorious Goſpel ſhine out upon Them, as well as upon Us. But you need not that any Man ſhould teach you this, ſince ye yourſelves are taught of GOD, even of JESUS CHRIST himſelf, to Pray, that his Kingdom may come; Part of the Meaning of which Petition is, That GOD's Ways may be known upon Earth, and his Saving Health among All Nations.
2. Next to the Praying for all Men, we ſhould, according to St. Paul's Rule, Pray for Kings; particularly, for our preſent Sovereign King GEORGE, and all that are put … Authority under him: That we may lead quiet Lives, in all Godlineſs and Honeſty,—For, if we conſider how heavy the Burden of Government is, and how much the Welfare of any People depends on the Zeal and godly Converſation of thoſe that have the Rule over them: If we ſet before us the many Dangers and Difficulties, to which Governors by their Station are expoſed, and the continual Temptations they lie under to Luxury and Self-Indulgence; we ſhall not only pity, but pray for them,—That He who preſerved Eſther, David, and Joſiah, unspotted from the World, amidſt the Grandeur of a Court, and gave Succeſs to their Deſigns, would alſo preſerve them Holy and Unblameable, and proſper all the Works of their Hands upon them.
3. But, Thirdly, you ought, in a more eſpecial Manner, to pray for thoſe, whom the Holy Ghoſt hath made Overſeers over You. This is what: St. Paul begs, again and again, of the Churches to whom he writes:—Brethren, ſays he in the Text, Pray for Us; and again, in his Epiſtle to the Epheſians,—Praying always, ſays he, with all Manner of Supplication; and for me alſo, that I may open my Mouth boldly, to declare the Myſtery of the Goſpel. And in another Place, to expreſs his Earneſtneſs in this Requeſt, and the great Importance of their Prayers to Him,—He bids the Church Strive, (or, as the original Word ſignifies, Be in an Agony) together with Him in their Prayers. And surely, if the great St. Paul, that choſen Veſſel, that Favourite of Heaven, needed the moſt importunate Prayers of his Chriſtian Converts; much more do the ordinary Miniſters of the Goſpel ſtand in Need of the Interceſſion of their reſpective Flocks.
And I cannot but in a more eſpecial Manner, inſiſt upon this Branch of your Duty, becauſe it is a Matter of ſuch Importance: For no doubt, much Good is frequently with-held from many, by Reaſon of their neglecting to pray for their Miniſters, which they would have received, had they prayed for them as they ought. Not to mention, that People often complain of the Want of diligent and faithful Paſtors.—But how do they deſerve Good Paſtors, who will not earneſtly pray to GOD for ſuch?
The Church has ſet a-part Four Seaſons in the Year for this Purpoſe, and to call down a Bleſſing on thoſe who are to be ordained to any Holy Function: But by how very few are the Ember Days obſerved! And if we will not pray to the Lord of the Harveſt, can it be expected, he will ſend forth Labourers into his Harveſt?
Beſides, What Ingratitude is it, not to pray for your Miniſters! For ſhall they Watch and Labour in the Word of Doctrine for you, and for your Salvation, and ſhall not you pray for them in Return? If any beſtow Favours on your Bodies, you think it right, meet, and your bounden Duty, to pray for Them; and ſhall not they be remembred in your Prayers, who daily feed and nouriſh your Souls? Add to all this, that praying for your Miniſters, will be a manifeſt Proof of your believing,—That though Paul plant, and Apollos water, yet it is GOD alone who giveth the Increaſe. And you will alſo find it the beſt Means you can uſe, to promote your own Welfare: Becauſe GOD, in Anſwer to your Prayers, may impart a double Portion of his Holy Spirit to them, whereby they will be qualified to deal out to you larger Meaſures of Knowledge in Spiritual Things, and be enabled more ſkilfully to divide the Word of Truth.
Would Men but conſtantly obſerve this Direction, and when their Miniſters are praying in their Name to GOD,—humbly beſeech him to perform all their Petitions: Or, when they are ſpeaking in GOD's Name to them,—pray that the Holy Ghoſt may fall on all them that hear the Word; we ſhould then find a more viſible good Effect of their Doctrine, and a greater Mutual Love between Miniſters and their People. For Miniſters Hands would then be held up by the People's Interceſſions, and the People will never dare to vilify or traduce thoſe who are the conſtant Subject of their Prayers.
4. Next to our Miniſters, our Friends claim a Place in our Interceſſions; but then we ſhould not content ourſelves with Praying in general Terms for them, but ſuit our Prayers to their particular Circumſtances. When Meriam was afflicted with a Leproſy from GOD, Moſes cried and ſaid, LORD heal her: And when the Nobleman came to apply to JESUS CHRIST, in behalf of his Child, he ſaid, LORD, my little Daughter lieth at the Point of Death, I pray th… come, and heal her. In like Manner, when any of our Friends are under any afflicting Circumſtances, we ſhould endeavour to pray for them, with a particular Regard to thoſe …. For Inſtance, Is a Friend ſick… We ſhould pray, That if it be GOD's good Pleaſure, it may not be unto Death; but if otherwiſe, That he would give him Grace ſo to take his Viſitation, that, after this painful Life ended, he may dwell with him in Life everlaſting. Is a Friend in Doubt in a Matter? We ſhould lay his Caſe before GOD, as Moſes did that of the Daughters of Zelophehad, and pray, That GOD's Holy Spirit may lead him into all Truth. Is he in Want? We ſhould pray, That his Faith may never fail, and that in GOD's due Time he may be relieved. And in all other Caſes, we ſhould not pray for our Friends only in Generals, but ſuit our Petitions to their particular Sufferings and Afflictions; for otherwiſe, we may never ask perhaps for the Things our Friends moſt want
It muſt be confeſſed, that ſuch a Procedure will oblige us ſometimes to break from the Forms we uſe; but if we accuſtom ourſelves to it, and have a deep Senſe of what we ask for, the moſt illiterate Chriſtians will not want Words to expreſs themſelves.
We have many noble Inſtances in Holy Scripture of the Succeſs of this Kind of particular Interceſſion; but none more remarkable than that of Abraham's Servant, in the Book of Geneſis,—who being ſent to ſeek a Wife for his Son Iſaac, prays in a moſt particular Manner in his Behalf.—And the Sequel of the Story informs us how remarkably his Prayer was anſwered. And did Chriſtians now pray for their Friends in the ſame particular Manner, and with the ſame Faith as Abraham's Servant did for his Maſter; they would, no doubt, in many Inſtances, receive as viſible Anſwers, and have as much R…n to bleſs GOD for them … he had.
5. But farther, as we ought thus to intercede for our Friends, ſo in like Manner muſt we alſo Pray for our Enemies. Bleſs them that Curſe you, ſays JESUS CHRIST, and pray for them that deſpitefully uſe you, and perſecute you. Which Commands he enforced in the ſtrongeſt Manner by his own Example, when in the very Agonies and Pangs of Death, he prayed even for his Murderers,—Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!—This, it muſt needs be confeſſed, is a difficult Duty, yet not impracticable to thoſe, who have renounced the Things of this preſent Life, (from an inordinate Love of which alone all Enmities ariſe) and who knowing the terrible Woes denounced againſt thoſe who offend CHRIST's Little Ones, can, out of real Pity, and a Senſe of their Danger, pray for thoſe by whom ſuch Offences come.
6. Laſtly, and to conclude this Head,—We ſhould Intercede for all that are any Ways afflicted in Mind, Body, or Eſtate;—for all who deſire, and ſtand in need of our Prayers,—and for all who do not pray for themſelves.
And Oh! that all who hear me, would ſet apart ſome Time every Day for the due Performance of this moſt neceſſary Duty!—In Order to which,
I ſhall now proceed to the Third general Thing propoſed; namely,
III. To ſhew the Advantages, and offer ſome Conſiderations to excite you to the Practice of Daily Interceſſion.
1. And Firſt, it will fill your Hearts with Love one to another.—He that every Day intercedes at the Throne of Grace for all Mankind, cannot but in a ſhort Time be filled with Love and Charity to all: and the frequent Exerciſe of his Love in this Manner, will inſenſibly enlarge his Heart, and make him Partaker of that exceeding Abundance of it which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD! Envy, Malice, Revenge, and ſuch like helliſh Tempers, can never long harbour in a gracious Interceſſor's Breaſt;—But He will be filled with Joy, Peace, Meekneſs, Long Suffering, and all other Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit. By frequently laying his Neighbour's Wants before GOD, He will be touched with a Fellow-Feeling of them;—He will rejoice with thoſe that do rejoice, and weep with thoſe that weep.—Every Bleſſing beſtowed on Others, inſtead of exciting Envy in him, will be looked on as an Anſwer to his particular Interceſſion, and fill his Soul with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory.
Indeed I will not affirm, that this bleſſed Temper of Mind can be acquired all at once: No,—as other Graces, ſo muſt this Chriſtian Love be obtained by Degrees. But do you abound in Acts of general and particular Interceſſions; and when you hear of your Neighbour's Faults, inſtead of relating them to, and expoſing them before others,—Lay them in ſecret before GOD. and beg of him to correct and amend them. When you hear of a notorious Sinner, inſtead of thinking, You do well to be angry; beg of JESUS CHRIST to convert and make him a Monument of his Free Grace; and you cannot imagine what a bleſſed Alteration this Practice will make in your Heart, and how much you will increaſe Day by Day in the Spirit of Love and Meekneſs towards all Mankind!
But, further to excite you to the conſtant Practice of this Duty of Interceſſion; conſider the many Inſtances given us in Holy Scripture, of the Power and Efficacy of it. Great and excellent Things are there recorded as the Effects of this divine Employ. It has ſtopped Plagues, it has opened and ſhut Heaven; and has frequently turned away GOD's Fury from his People. How was Abimelech's Houſe freed from the Diſeaſe GOD ſent amongſt them, at the Interceſſion of Abraham! When Phineas ſtood up and prayed, how ſoon did the Plague ceaſe! When Daniel humbled and afflicted his Soul, and interceded for the LORD's Inheritance, how quickly was an Angel diſpatched to tell him, his Prayer was heard! And to mention but one Inſtance more, how does GOD own himſelf as it were quite overcome with the Importunity of Moſes, when he was interceding for his idolatrous People,—Let me alone, ſays GOD!
This ſufficiently ſhews, I could almoſt ſay the Omnipotency of Interceſſion, and how we may, like Jacob, wreſtle with GOD, and by an holy Violence prevail both for ourſelves and others. And no doubt 'tis owing to the ſecret and prevailing Interceſſions of the few righteous Souls who ſtill remain among us, that GOD has yet ſpared this miſerably ſinful Nation: For were there not ſome ſuch Faithful ones, like Moſes, left to ſtand in the Gap,—We ſhould ſoon be deſtroyed, even as was Sodom, and reduced to Aſhes like unto Gomorrah.
But, to ſtir you up yet farther, to this Godlike Exerciſe of Interceſſion, conſider that, in all Probability, it is the frequent Employment even of the glorified Saints: For though they are delivered from the Burden of the Fleſh, and reſtored to the glorious Liberty of the Sons of GOD, yet as their Happineſs cannot be perfectly conſummated 'till the Reſurrection of the laſt Day, when all their Brethren will be glorified with them,—We cannot but think they are often importunate in beſeeching our heavenly Father, ſhortly to accompliſh the Number of his Elect, and to haſten his Kingdom. And ſhall not we, who are on Earth, be often exerciſed in this divine Employ with the glorious Company of the Spirits of juſt Men made perfect? Since our Happineſs is ſo much to conſiſt in the Communion of Saints in the Church Triumphant above, ſhall we not frequently intercede for the Church Militant here below; and earneſtly beg, that we may all be one, even as the Holy JESUS and his Father are One; that we may alſo be made perfect in one!
To provoke you to this great Work and Labour of Love,—Remember that it is the never ceaſing Employment of the holy and highly-exalted JESUS himſelf, who ſits at the Right Hand of GOD to hear all our Prayers and to make continual Interceſſion for us! So that he who is conſtantly employed in interceding for others, is doing that on Earth, which the Eternal Son of GOD is always doing in Heaven.
Imagine therefore, when you are lifting up holy Hands in Prayer for one another,—That you ſee the Heavens opened, and the Son of GOD in all his Glory, as the Great High Prieſt of your Salvation, offering up and pleading for you, the all-ſufficient Merit of his Sacrifice before the Throne of his heavenly Father!—Join then Your Interceſſions with his, and beſeech him, that they may through him come up as Incenſe, and be received as a Sweet-ſmelling Savour, acceptable in the Sight of GOD! This Imagination will ſtrengthen your Faith, excite a holy Earneſtneſs in your Prayers, and make you wreſtle with GOD, as Jacob did, when He ſaw him Face to Face and his Life was preſerved; as Abraham, when he pleaded for Sodom; and as JESUS CHRIST himſelf, when he prayed, being in an Agony, ſo much the more earneſtly the Night before his bitter Paſſion!
And now, Brethren, What ſhall I ſay more, ſince you are taught of JESUS CHRIST himſelf, to abound in Love, and in this good Work of Praying one for another?—However, I cannot but recommend to you one general Means in order … make your interceſſion more effectual, that … To … ſuch Lives as may make your Prayers accepted in the Beloved. The effectual fervent Prayer of a Righteous Man availeth much, faith St. James. You ſhall go to my Servant Job, ſays GOD, and he ſhall pray for you. It is this, it is this, my Brethren, muſt make your Interceſſions pierce the Clouds! For the Prayers of the Wicked are an Abomination unto the LORD. Would you therefore prevail with GOD for Others, Be holy even as GOD is holy yourſelves: Labour daily after freſh Degrees of Grace, and your Interceſſions will acquire freſh Degrees of Acceptance and Efficacy in Heaven. Do but walk as becomes the Goſpel of JESUS CHRIST; Be but in Earneſt about Working out your own eternal Salvation; and your Interceſſions will then come forth as Incenſe before GOD, and the lifting up of your Hands be as an Evening Sacrifice.—Though ever ſo mean, though as poor as Lazarus, You will then become Benefactors to all Mankind; Thouſands, and Twenty-times Ten Thouſands, will then be bleſſed for your Sakes! and after You have employed a few Years in this Divine Exerciſe here, You will be tranſlated to that happy Place, where you have ſo often wiſhed others might be advanced; and be exalted to ſit at the Right Hand of our All-powerful, All-prevailing Interceſſor, in the Kingdom of His Heavenly Father hereafter!
However, I cannot but in an eſpecial manner preſs this upon you now, becauſe all Ye, amongſt whom I have now been Preaching, in all Probability will ſee me no more:—For I am now g… ing (I truſt under the Conduct of GOD's Moſt Holy Spirit) from You, knowing not what ſhall befall me: I need therefore your moſt importunate Interceſſions, that nothing may move me from my Duty, and that I may not count even my Life dear unto myſelf, ſo that I may finiſh my Courſe with Joy, and the Miniſtry I have received of the Lord JESUS to teſtify the Goſpel of the Grace of GOD!
Whilſt I have been here, to the beſt of my Knowledge I have not failed to declare unto … the whole Will of GOD:—And though my Preaching may have been a Savour of Death unto Death to ſome; yet I truſt it has been alſo … Savour of Life unto Life to Others; and therefore I earneſtly hope that thoſe will not fail to remember me in their Prayers. As for my own Part, the many unmerited Kindneſſes I have received from you, will not ſuffer me to forget You: Out of the Deep, therefore, I truſt ſhall my Cry come unto GOD; and whilſt the Winds and Storms are blowing over me, unto the LORD will I make my Supplication for You. For it is but a little while, and We muſt All appear before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST; where I muſt give a ſtrict Account of the Doctrine I have preached, and You of your Improvement under it. And Oh! that I may never be called out as a ſwift Witneſs, againſt any of th…ſe my dear Brethren in CHRIST, for whoſe Salvation I have ſincerely though too faintly, longed and laboured!—
It is true, I have been cenſured by ſome as … and ſelfiſh View… … it is a ſmall Matter with me to be judged by Man's Judgment;—I hope my Eye is ſingle, but I beſeech you, Brethren, by the Mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, pray that it may be more ſo!—and that I may increaſe with the Increaſe of Grace in the Knowledge and Love of GOD through JESUS CHRIST our Lord.
And now, Brethren, what ſhall I ſay more?—I could wiſh to continue my Diſcourſe much longer; for I can never fully expreſs the Deſire of my Soul towards you!—Finally, therefore, Brethren, Whatſover Things are Holy, whatſoever Things are Pure, whatſoever Things are Honeſt, whatſoever Things are of Good Report: if there be any Conſolation in CHRIST, if any Fellowſhip of the Spirit, if any Hopes of our appearing to the Comfort of each other at the awful Tribunal of JESUS CHRIST,—Think of the Things that you have heard, and of theſe which Your Paſtors have declared and will yet declare unto You; and continue under their Miniſtry to work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trembling:—So that whether I ſhould never ſee you any more, or whether it ſhall pleaſe GOD to bring me back again at any Time, I may always have the Satisfaction of knowing that your Converſation is ſuch as becometh the Goſpel of CHRIST.
I almoſt perſuade myſelf, that I could willingly ſuffer all Things, ſo that it might any ways promote the Salvation of your precious and immortal Souls;—And I beſeech You, as my laſt Requeſt, Obey them that have the Rule over You in the Lord; and be always ready to attend on their Miniſtry, as it is your bounden Duty. Think not that I deſire to have myſelf exalted at the Expence of another's Character; but rather think this—Not to have any Man's Perſon too much in Admiration; but eſteem all your Miniſters highly in Love, as they juſtly deſerve for their Work's Sake.
And now, Brethren, I commend you to GOD, and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an Inheritance amongſt all them that are ſanctified. May GOD reward you for all your Works of Faith, and Labours of Love, and make you to abound more and more in every good Word and Work towards all Men. May he truly convert all that have been convinced, and awaken all that are Dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins! May he confirm all that are wavering! And may you all go on from one Degree of Grace unto another, till you arrive unto the Meaſure of the Stature of the Fulneſs of CHRIST; and thereby be made meet to ſtand before that GOD, in whoſe Preſence is the Fulneſs of Joy, at whoſe Right Hand there are Pleaſures for ever more! Amen! Amen!