The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Vse 2.

Doth Christ live for ever to make intercession; Hence let belie∣vers f••tch relief,* 1.1 and draw encouragement against all the causes and grounds of their fears, and troubles. For surely this answers them all.

First, Hence let them be encouraged against all their sinful in∣firmities, and lamented weaknesses. 'Tis confessed, these are sad things; they grieve the spirit of God, sadden your own hearts, cloud your evidences; but having such an High-Priest in Heaven, can never be your ruine. 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not: And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righ∣teous. [My little children] children, especially little children; when first beginning to take the foot, are apt to stumble at every straw. So are raw, young, and unexperienced Christians; but what if they do? Why though it must be far from them to take incouragement so to do, from Christ and his intercession; yet if by surprizal, they so sin, let them not be utterly discouraged; for we have an Advocate. He stops whatever plea may be brought in against us by the Devil, or the Law; and answers all by his satisfaction. He gets out fresh pardons for new sins. And this Advocate is with [the Father] he doth not say with his Father, though that had been a singular support in it self, nor yet with our Father, which is a sweet encouragement singly consider∣ed, but with [the Father] which takes in both to make the encou∣ragement full. Remember ye that are cast down under the sense of sin, that Jesus your friend in the Court above, is able to save to the uttermost. Which is as one calls it, a reaching word; and extends it self so far that thou canst not look beyond it.

Let thy soul be set on the highest mount,* 1.2 that any creature was ever yet set upon; and inlarged to take in view the most spatious prospect both of sin, and misery, and difficulties of being saved; that ever yet any poor humble soul did cast within it self; yea, joyn to these all the hindrances and objections that the heart of man can invent against it self, and salvation; lift up thine eyes, and look to the utmost thou canst see; and Christ by his inter∣cession is able to save thee beyond the Horizon and utmost compass of thy thoughts; even to the utmost.

Secondly, Hence draw abundant encouragement against all heart∣straightnings, and deadness of spirit in prayer. Thou complain∣est thy heart is dead, wandring, and contracted in duty. O but remember Christs blood speaks, when thou canst not: it can plead for thee, and that powerfully; when thou art not able to speak a word for thy self: to this sense that Scripture speaks, Can. 3.6. Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness in pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrh, and frankincense, all the powders of the Merchant? The duties of Christians go up many times as pillars, or clouds of smoke from them, more smoke, than fire. Prayers smoked, and sullied with their offensive corruptions: but remem∣ber Christ perfumes them with myrh, &c. he by his intercession, gives them a sweet perfume.

* 1.3Thirdly, Christs intercession is a singular relief to all that come unto God by him, against all sinful damps, and slavish fears from the justice of God. Nothing more promotes the fear of re∣verence. Nothing more suppresseth unbelieving despondencies, and destroys the spirit of bondage. So you find it, Heb. 10.19, 20, 21. Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Iesus; by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say his flesh; And having an High-Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in full assurance of faith: Or let us come unto God, as a Ship comes with full sayl in∣to the Harbour. O what a direct, and full gale of encourage∣ment doth this intercession of Christ give, to the poor soul that lay a ground, or was wind-bound before.

Fourthly, The intercession of Christ gives admirable satisfacti∣on and encouragement to all that come to God, against the fears of deserting him again by Apostacy. This my friends, this is your principal security against these matters of fear. With this he relieves Peter, Luk. 22.31.32. Simon, (saith Christ) Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy fath fail not. q. d. Satan will fan thee, not to get out thy chaff, but boult out thy flower. His

temptations are levell'd against thy faith; but fear not, my prayer shall break his designs, and secure thy faith from all his attempt upon it. Upon this powerful intercession of Christ, the Apostle builds his triumph, against all that threatens to bring him, or any of the Saints again into a state of condemnation. And see how he drives on that triumph, from the resurrection, and session of Christ at the Fathers right hand; and especially from the work of intercession, which he lives there to perform. Rom. 8.34, 35. Who is he that condemneth, it's Christ that died; yea, rather that's risen again: who is even at the right hand of God, who al∣so maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ?

Fifthly, It gives sweet relief against the defects and wants that yet are in our sanctification. We want a great deal of faith, love, heavenly mindedness, mortification, knowledge. We are short, and wanting in all. There are the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the remains, or things wanting, as the Apostle calls them. 1 Thes. 3.10. Well if grace be but yet in it's weak beginnings, and infancy in thy soul, this may incourage, that by reason of Christs intercession, it shall live, grow, and expatiate it self in thy heart. He is not only the au∣thor, but the finisher of it. Heb. 12.2. He is ever begging new and fresh mercies for you, in Heaven; and will never be quiet till all your wants be supplied. He saves 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the uttermost: (i. e.) as I told you before, to the last, per∣fective, compleating act of salvation. So that this is a fountain of relief against all your fears.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vse 2.
• * 1.2

  Goodwins Triumph. p. 263.
• * 1.3

  If Jesus be the Media or of the New co∣venant, Belie∣vers may go with boldness, and look the justice of God in the face; for your debt is satisfied. So long as a man is in debt, he steals by the prison door in the dark; but if his surety have paid the debt, he dares come (as you say) and whet his knife at the Counter-door. Christ your ••ure∣ty hath paid the debt; you may go with boldness, and look justice in the face, the Devil, and all the Serjeants of Hell in the face. Mr. W. B. in his Treatise of Christ and the Cove∣nant. p. 98.