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 ...

DOCT. That Iesus our High-Priest lives for ever,* 1.1 in the capacity of a potent intercessor in Heaven for believers.

Here we will enquire, First, what it is for Christ to be an in∣tercessor. Secondly, By what acts he performs that work in Hea∣ven. Thirdly, Whence the potency and prevalency of his inter∣cession is. Fourthly, and Lastly, How he lives for ever to make intercession for us.

[ 1] First, What it is for Christ to be an intercessor for us. To inter∣cede in general, is to go betwixt two parties to intreat, argue, and plead with one, for the other. And of this there are two sorts. First, ex charitate, ut fratres. That whereby one Christian prays and pleads with God for another. 1 Tim. 2.1. Secondly, Ex officio, mediatorio, that whereby Christ, as an act of office, presents himself before God, to request for us. Betwixt these two is this difference; that the former is performed not in our own, but anothers name; we can tender no request to God immediately, or for our own sake, either for our selves, or for others. Joh. 16.23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. But the latter which is proper to Christ, is an Intercession with God for us, in his own name, and upon the account of his proper me∣rit. The one is a private act of Charity, the other a publick act of Office. And so he is our Advocate or Court-friend, as Sa∣tan our accuser, or Court-adversary. Satan is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one that charges us before God. 1 Pet. 5.8. And continually endea∣vours

to make breaches between us and God. Christ is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, our Attorney, Advocate or Lidger, that pleads for us and conti∣nues peace and friendship between us, and God. 1 Joh. 2.2. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righteous.

And thus to make intercercession, is the peculiar and incommu∣nicable prerogative of Jesus Christ. None but he can go in his own name to God. And in that sense we are to understand that place, Ezech. 44.2, 3. Then said the Lord unto me, this gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it: because the Lord the God of Israel hath entred in by it, there∣fore it shall be shut. It is for the Prince, the Prince he shall sit in it, to eat bread before the Lord, &c. The great broad gate, called here the Princes gate, signifies that abundant and di∣rect entrance that Christ had into Heaven, by his own merits and in his own name;* 1.2 this faith the Lord shall be shut, no man shall enter in by it; all other men must come thither as it were by collateral or side doors, which looked all towards the Altar, viz. by vertue of the Mediator, and through the benefit of his death imputed to them.

And yet though God hath for ever shut up and bar'd this way to all the children of men, telling us that no man shall ever have access to him in his own name, as Christ the Prince had: How do some notwithstanding, strive to force open the Princes gate? So do they that found the intercession of Saints upon their own works and merits;* 1.3 thereby robbing Christ of his peculiar glory. but all that so approach God, approach a devouring fire. Christ only in the vertue of his blood, thus comes before him; to make intercession for us.

Secondly, We will inquire wherein the Intercession of Christ [ 2] in Heaven consists,* 1.4 or by what acts he performs this Glorious Of∣fice there. And the Scriptures place it in three things.

First, In his presenting himself before the Lord in our names, and upon our accounts. So we read in Heb. 9.24. Christ is en∣tred

into Heaven it self, now to appear in the presence of God for us. The Apostle manifestly alludes to the High-Priests ap∣pearing in the Holy of Holies, which was the figure of Heaven, presenting to the Lord the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel, which were on his breast, and shoulders. Exod. 28.9, 12, 28, 29. to which the Church is supposed to allude, in that request Cant. 8.6. set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm. Now the very sight of Christ, our High-Priest in Heaven, pre∣vails exceedingly with God, and ••urns away his displeasure from us. As when God looks upon the Rainbow, which is the sign of the Covenant; he remembers the earth in mercy. So when he looks on Christ, his heart must needs be towards us upon his account: and therefore in Rev. 4.3. Christ is compared to a Rainbow, encompassing the Throne.

Secondly, Christ performs his intercession-work in Heaven, not by a naked appearing in the presence of God only, but also by presenting his blood, and all his sufferings to God, as a mo∣ving plea on our account.* 1.5 Whether he make any proper oral intercession there, as he did on earth, is not so clear; some incline to it, and think it's countenanced by Zech. 1.12, 13. where Christ our intercessor presents a proper vocal request to the Father, in the behalf of his people. Saying, O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have mercy on Ierusalem, and on the Cities of Iudah, against whom thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years; and the Lord answered him with good and comfortable words. And so, Act. 2.23. As soon as he came to Heaven, he is said (and that as the first fruits of his Intercession) to obtain the promise of the Holy-Ghost. But sure I am, an Interceding voice, is by an usual prosopopeia attributed to his blood; which in Heb. 12.24. is said to speak better things than the blood of Abel. Now Abels blood, and so Christs, do cry unto God, as the hire of the La∣bourers unjustly detained; or the whole creation, which is in bondage through our sins, are said to cry and groan in the ears of the Lord. Iam. 5.4. Rom. 8.22. not vocally, but efficati∣ously. A rare illustration of this Efficatious Intercession of Christ in Heaven, we have in that famous story of Amintas, who ap∣peared as an Advocate for his brother Aechylus, who was strong∣ly accused, and very likely to be condemned to die. Now Amin∣tas having performed great services, and merited highly of the Common-Wealth; in whose service one of his hands was cut off

in the Field:* 1.6 he comes into the Court on his brothers behalf, and said nothing; but only lifted up his arm, and shewed them cubi∣tum sine manu, an arm without an hand; which so moved them without a word speaking, that they freed his brother immediately.

And thus if you look into Revel. 5.6. you shall see in what posture Christ is represented visionally there, as standing between God and us. And I beheld and loe in the midst of the Throne, and four beasts; and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb, as it had been slain. (i. ••.) bearing in his glorified body, the marks of his death,* 1.7 and sacrifice. Those wounds he received for our sins on earth, are as it were still fresh bleeding in Heaven. A moving and prevailing argument it is with the Father, to give out the mercies he pleads for.

Thirdly, and Lastly; He presents the prayers of his Saints to God, with his merits; and desires that they may for his sake be grant∣ed. He causes a cloud of incense to ascend before God, with them. Revel. 8.3. All these were excellently Typed out by the going in of the High-Priest before the Lord, with the names of the Children of Israel on his breast; with the blood of the Sa∣crifice; and his hands full of incense, as the Apostle explains them in Heb. 7. and Heb. 9.

Thirdly, And that this Intercession of Christ is most potent, successful, and prevalant with God, will be evinced both from the [ 3] qualifications of this our Advocate, from his great interest in the Father, from the nature of the pleas he useth with God: and from the relation and interest believers have both in the Fa∣ther to whom, and the Son by whom this intercession is made.

First, our Intercessor in the Heavens is every way able and fit for the work, he is ingaged in there. What ever is desirable in an Advocate, is in him eminently. It is necessary that he who under∣takes to plead the cause of another, especially if it be weighty and intricate should be wise, faithful, tender-hearted, and one that concerns himself in the success of his business. Our Advocate Christ wants no wisdom, to manage his work. He is the wisdom of God; yea only wise, Jude 25. There's much folly in the best of our duties, we know not how to press an argument home with God; but Christ hath the art of it. Our business is in a wise hand. He is no less faithful, than wise; therefore he is called a faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God. Heb. 2.17. He assures us we may safely trust our concerns with him. Joh. 14.2.

In my Fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. Q. D. do you think I will deceive you? Men may cheat you, but I will not: your own hearts may, and daily do deceive you; but so will not I. And for tender hearted∣ness, and sensible resentments of our conditions▪ there is none like him. Heb. 4.15. For we have not an High-Priest which can∣not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are; yet without sin. We have not one that cannot sympathize,* 1.8 so it is in the Greek: and on pur∣pose that he might be the better able to sympathize with us, he came as near to our conditions, as the holiness of his nature could permit. He suffered himself to be in all points tempted like as we are, sin only excepted.

And then for his concernment, and interest in the success of his suit; he not only reckons, but hath really made it his own interest. Yea, more his own, than it is ours. For now by reason of the mysti∣cal union, all our wants and troubles are his. Eph. 1.23. Yea, his own glory and compleatness as mediator, is deeply interessed in it. And therefore we need not doubt but he will use all care, and di∣ligence in that work. If you say so he may, and yet not speed for all that: for it depends on the fathers grant. True, but then,

Secondly, Consider the great interest he hath in the Father, with whom he so intercedes. Christ is his dear Son, Col. 1.13. the beloved of his soul, Eph. 1.6. betwixt him and the Father with whom he intercedes; there is an unity not only of nature, but will; and so he always hears him. Ioh. 11.42. Yea, and he said to this his dear Son, when he came first to Heaven; Ask of me, and I will give thee Psal. 2.8. moreover,

Thirdly, He must needs speed in his suit, if you consider the nature of his intercession, which is Just and reasonable for the matter; urgent and continual for the manner of it: the mat∣ter of his request is most equal. What he desires is not desired gratis, or upon terms unbecoming the holiness and righteousness of God to grant. He desires no more, but what he hath deserved,

and given a valuable consideration to the Father for. And so the Justice of God doth not only oppose, but furthers and pleads for the granting and fulfilling his requests.

Here you must remember that the Father is under a covenant-tye, and bond to do what he asks; for Christ having fully per∣formed the work on his part▪ the mercies he intercedes for are as due, as the hire of the labourer is, when the work is faith∣fully done. And as the matter is just, so the manner of his in∣tercession is urgent, and continual. How importunate a suiter he is, may be easily gathered from that specimen or handsel gi∣ven of it in Ioh. 17. and for the constancy of it, my text tells us, he ever lives to make Intercession. 'Tis his great business in Heaven, and he follows it close. And to close all,

Fourthly, Consider who they are for whom he makes Inter∣cession. The friends of God. The children of God. Those that the Father himself loves, and his heart is propense, and rea∣dy enough to grant the best and greatest of mercies to; which is the meaning of Ioh. 16.26, 27. the Father himself loveth you. And it must needs be so, for the first corner stone of all these mercies was laid by the Father himself in his most free election: He also delivered his Son for us, and how shall he not with him, freely give us all things? Rom. 8.32. So then, there can remain no doubt upon a considering heart; but Christ is a prevalent and successful Intercessor in Heaven. There only remains one thing more to be satisfied, and that is.

Fourthly, In what sense he is said to live for ever to make in∣tercession. Shall he then be always at his work? Imployed in begging new favours for us to eternity? How then shall the people of God be perfect in Heaven, if there be need of Christs Inter∣cession to eternity for them?

I answer, by distinguishing the essence, and substance of Christs offices, from the way and manner of Administration. In the first sense it is eternal, for his mediatory Kingdom, as to the essence of it, is to abide for ever. Christ shall never cease to be a Mediator. The Church shall never want an Head. For of his Kingdom there shall be no end, Luk. 1.33. However, Christ as Mediator, being employed in a kind of subordinate way, 1 Cor. 3.23. when he shall have accomplished that design, for which he became a Mediator: then shall he deliver up the King∣dom (in the sence we spake before) to the Father, and so God

shall be all in all, 1 Cor. 15.24. Then shall the divinity of Christ which was so empty and obscured in his undertaking this temporary dispensatory Kingdom, be more gloriously manifest∣ed, by the full possession, use and enjoyment of that natural, di∣vine, eternal Kingdom, which belongs to all three co-essential, and co-equal persons, reigning with the same Power, Majesty and glory in the unity of the divine essence; and common Acts, in all and over all; infinitely, and immutably for ever.

And so Christ continues to be our Mediator, and yet that af∣fords no argument, that our happiness shall be incompleat: but rather argues the perfection of the Church, which thenceforth shall be governed no more as now it is, nor have any further use of Ordinances; but shall be ruled more immediately, glori∣ously, triumphantly and ineffably in the world to come. The sub∣stance of his mediatorship is not changed, but the manner of the administration only.

Vse 1.

* 1.9Doth Christ live for ever in Heaven to present his blood to God in the way of intercession for believers? How sad then is their case, that have no interest in Christs blood; but instead of its pleading for them cries to God against them, as the despisers and abusers of it! Every unbeliever despises it. The Apostate treads it underfoot. He that is an intercessor for some, will be an accuser of others. To be guilty of a mans blood, is sad; but to have the blood of Jesus accusing, and crying to God against a soul, is unspeakably terrible. Surely when he shall make inquisition for blood, when the day of his vengeance is come, he will make it appear by the Judgements he will execute, that this is a sin never to be expiated; but vengeance shall pursue the sinner to the bottom of Hell. Ah what do men and women do, in rejecting the gra∣tious offers of Christ! What, tread upon a Saviour! and cast con∣tempt by unbelief and hardness of heart upon their only remedy! I remember I have read of an harlot that kill'd her child, and said that it smiled upon her when she went to stab it. Sinner, doth not Christ smile upon thee, yearn upon thee in the Gospel, and wilt thou as it were stab him to the heart, by thine infideli∣••y! Wo, and alas for that man, against whom this blood cries in Heave••.

Vse 2.

Doth Christ live for ever to make intercession; Hence let belie∣vers f••tch relief,* 1.10 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,* 1.11 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.

* 1.12Thirdly, 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.

Vse 3.

Doth Christ live for ever to make intercession,* 1.13 then let those who reap on earth the fruits of that his work in Heaven, draw instruction thence about the following duties, to which it leads them as by the hand.

First,* 1.14 Do not forget Christ in an exalted state. You see though he be in all the glory above, at Gods right hand, an enthron'd

King, he doth not forget you. He like Ioseph remembers his bre∣thren in all his glory. But alas how oft doth advancement make us forget him? as the Lord complains in Hosea 13.5, 6. I did know thee in the Wilderness, in the Land of great drought; but when they came into Canaan, According to their pastures, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was ex∣alted; therefore have they forgotten me. As if he had said, O my people, you and I were better acquainted in the Wilderness. When you were in a low condition, left to my immediate care; living by daily faith; Oh then you gave me many a sweet visit; but now you are filled, I hear no more of you. Good had it been for some Saints, if they had never known prosperity.

Secondly, Let the intercession of Christ in Heaven for you, en∣courage you to constancy in the good ways of God. To this duty it sweetly encourages also. Heb. 4.14. Seeing then that we have a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens, Iesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our profession. Here is incouragement to perseverance on a double account. One is, that Jesus our head is already in Heaven, and if the head be above water, the body can∣not drown. The other is from the business he is there imployed about, which is his Priesthood; he is passed into the Heavens, as our great High-Priest to intercede, and therefore we cannot miscarry.

Thirdly, Let it incourage you to constancy in prayer: O do not neglect that excellent duty, seing Christ is there, to present all your petitions to God. Yea, to perfume as well as present them. So the Apostle Heb. 4.16. infers from Christs intercession. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.

Fourthly, Hence be encouraged to plead for Christ on earth, who continually pleads for you in Heaven. If any accuse you, he is there to plead for you. And if any dishonour him on earth, see that you plead his interest, and defend his honour. Thus you have heard what his intercession is, and what benefits we receive by it.

Blessed be God for Iesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct.
• * 1.2

  See D••odati and our Eng∣lish Annot. in Loc.
• * 1.3

  Pet. Lombard Lib. 4. dist. 45.
• * 1.4

  Quid v••ò sibi ve••it hic 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, pro nobis & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, videndum est. Re••••icit ad 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 portificis veteris, qui i gressus intra velum, d••cebatur apparere in consfectu Dei. pro populo; quatenus se cum sanguine h••rei piacularis pre∣sentabat Deo, & precibus suis supplex orabat, u•• propter sanguinem non illum hircin••m; sed il o repre∣sentatum, Christi Mediatoris fundendum, propitius esset peccatis suis, & populi. Doct. Pereus in loc.
• * 1.5

  Voluntate ac desiderio s o ardenti qu••n∣admodum in terris antea se∣cerat, ita & i•• Coelis apud pa∣trem mor••is s••a vim, atque ••ffi∣catiam novis ad salutem ap∣pli••a••i postul••t. Synops puri∣or. Theol. p. 346.
• * 1.6

  Aelian. Hist. lib 5 cap. 19.
• * 1.7

  De••da••i i•• Loc.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Though he cannot weep, or grieve now as he did on earth, yet he can ••ove now, as much as ever he loved: and therefore he looks down from Heaven upon every particular m••mber. He seeth that this man want•• this grace, and that man wants that; and the oth••r is in danger of this corruption, or that temp••ati••n. A••d i•• daily caryi••g on the cure. You see n••t your Physitian, he stands out of your sight, but he seeth you, and it is he that doth all f••r you, that is done. ••••xters Treatise of Co••version.
• * 1.9

  Vse 1.
• * 1.10

  Vse 2.
• * 1.11

  Goodwins Triumph. p. 263.
• * 1.12

  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.
• * 1.13

  Vse 3.
• * 1.14

  He doth not forget us though he be exalted to his glory, for he is not like the poor silly creature that cannot bear exaltation without being puffed up, and forgeting both themselves, their friends, and their God. No, his ex∣altation is Spiritual and Heavenly, perfecting his humane nature to the greatest height it is ca∣pable of—he was never more tender of Ierusalem when he wept over it, or of his people when he wept, bled, and died for them; than he is now tender over his in glory. Mr. Baxters Treatise of Convers. p. 184.