Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last / by Isaac Ambrose ...

CHAP. II.

SECT. I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Intercession.

LET us know Jesus carrying on this great work of our salvation in his Inter∣cession. Is it not a rare piece of knowledge to know what Christ is now do∣ing in Heaven for us on Earth? If I had a weighty suite at Court, on which lay my estate and life, if I knew that I had a friend there that could prevail, and that he were just now moving in my behalf, were not this worth the knowledge? I dare say in the behalf of all believers in the World, Christ is now interceding for us at the right hand of God; ever since his ascension into Heaven he hath been do∣ing this work; it is a work already of above sixteen hundred years; and Summer and Winter, Night and day, without any tiredness of Spirit; Christ hath been still praying, still interceding; Christ's love hath no vacation, no cessation at all: yea, even now whiles you read this, Christ is acting as an Advorate for you, Christ hath your names ingraven, as a seal on his heart; and standing right opposite to the eye of his Father, the first opening of the eye-lids of God is terminated upon the breast of Jesus Christ; Is not this worth the knowledge? O my soul, leave off thy vain studies of natural things! if they do not conduce some way or other to the right understanding of this, they are not worth the while; What is it for an Aristotle to be praised where he is not, and to be damned where he is? O the excellency of the know∣ledge of Jesus Christ! such a knowledge (if true) is no less than saving. Come, study his intercession in all the former particulars; I have run them over, for the work is swoln under my hands, and I would now abbreviate; only remember this, that in Christ's intercession are many secrets which we must never know on this side Heaven; oh take heed of entring into this labarinth without the clew of the Word; above all desire the guidance of the Spirit to enlighten thy darkness, and what ever thou knowest, know it still for thy self.

SECT. II. Of considering Jesus in that respect.

2. LET us consider Jesus carrying on this work of our salvation in his intercessi∣on, many of God's people have found the benefit, and for my part I cannot but approve of it as an excellent, quickning, and enlivening duty to be much in a way of meditation, or consideration; especially when we meet with such a blessed subject as this is;* 1.1 My meditation of him shall be sweet, (saith David) I will be glad in the Lord; it is enough to make a meditation sweet and refreshing, when it is con∣versant about such a subject as Christ's intercession; Is it not as incense, a sweet odour, and perfume with God himself? and shall not each thought of it be sweet to us? come, let us be serious in this duty; and that we may do it throughly; let us con∣sider it in these several particulars. As—

1. Consider of the nature of Christ's intercession: what is it but the gracious Will of Christ fervently desiring that for the vertue of his death, and sacrifice, thy person and performances might be accepted of God? As Christ on earth gave himself to the death, even to the death of the Cross for the abolition sin, so now in Heaven he prayes the Father, by his agony and bloody sweat, by his his cross and passion, by his death and sacrifice, that thy sins may be pardoned, thy service accepted, and thy soul saved. This is the Will of Christ, even thy justification, sanctification, and salvation; ac∣cordingly he presents his Will, Father I will that all those priviledges flowing from my death may be conferred on such a person by name; such a soul is now meditating and con∣sidering of my intercession, and my will is that his very meditation may find acceptance with God. O what workings would be in thy heart and spirit, if thou didst but consider that Christ even now were speaking his Will, that thy person and duty might both find acceptance, and be well-pleasing with God.

2. Consider of the person that intercedes for thee; it is Christ in both Natures; it is thy Mediator; the middle one betwixt God and man; in this respect thou mayst con∣sider him as one indifferent, and equally inclining to either party, like a pair of scales that hang even, neither side lift up, or depressed more than the other;* 1.2 A Mediator is not of one, saith the Apostle, Christ indifferently partook of both Natures, God-head, and Manhood, that so he might be fit to stand in the gap between his Father and us; he is a Priest according to both Natures; he is a Dayes-man wholly for God, and a Dayes-man wholly for us, and on our side.

3. Consider of the person to whom Christ intercedes; is it not to his Father? Thou art sure to speed well, O my soul, for God is the Father of thy Intercessor. If I had a suit to some Majesty, and the Prince would but mediate, I might hope to speed; Christ is Gods's Prince (as I may call him) and in respect of us, The first-begotten of many brethren; And herein is thy rejoycing, that the party offended is Christ's own Father, and, in Christ, thy Father; fathers cannot be cruel to their own dear children; What man amongst you, whom if his son ask bread, he will give him a stone; or if he ask a fish,* 1.3 will he give him a Serpent? If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? and especially if Christ himself ask?

4. Consider of the persons for whom Christ intercedes, it is for all the Elect, and in particular for thee O the sweet of this one meditation! if I knew that my name were written in Heaven, should I not (as Christ bids me) rejoyce in this?* 1.4 oh but what is it to have my name written in the chief part of Heaven? what is it to have my name written in the breast-plate of Jesus Christ? come, read O my soul, is it not thus writ∣ten, Isaac, or Jacob, I have prayed, and I am praying for thee that thy faith fail not? sure I am that I would not part with my hope in the priviledge for all the wide world; the very consideration of this makes me to esteem of all the world as dross, and dogs-meat. And oh that ever the world, or flesh, or devil should steal this meditation out of my heart! Oh that ever I should forget that Christs is gone to Heaven, that he is en∣tred into the Holy of Holies, and that he carries my name into the presence of God the Father! I speak the same to thee that readest, if thou art a Believer, there is no doubt of it, but Christ is speaking a good word to his Father in thy behalf; he can no more forget thee in his intercessions, than a Mother with full breasts can forget her sucking Child, that she should not have compassion on the Son of her womb: Now if ever, look up to Jesus, yea look, and never leave looking, till thou spiest thy own name writ on his heart; it is enough to fix thy soul, and to make it dwell on Jesus Christ thus carry∣ing thee on his shoulders, and bearing thee on his breast plate for a memorial unto his Father in Heaven.

5. Consider of the agreement and difference betwixt Christ's intercessions, and the intercessions of the high Priests of old; they did both intercede, but Christ's intercessi∣ons are ever in a meer transcendent, eminent way: Christ is more faithful in his office and place than ever high Priest was; Christ is more compassionate and pitiful than ever high Priest was; and hence it is that he hath the Title of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.5 one of many com∣miserations; all is mercy, and love, and sweetness, and more than motherly affection that comes from Christ. O my soul, why shouldst thou say with Israel,* 1.6 My way is hid∣den from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over by my God? as if Jesus Christ had left thee out of the count of his people, and out of the roll of those whom he is to look af∣ter. No, no; he is a faithful and merciful High Priest; far above all the high Priests of

the Old Testament; and if they were so careful not to leave out of their breast-plate one name of all the Twelve Tribes; how much more careful is Christ not to leave out thy name in his intercession? from this very Argument of Christ's compassion and Christ's faithfulness,* 1.7 the Apostle calls on us to consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that appointed him, above Aaron, or Moses, or any of the high Priests; why, consider him O my soul; this Gospel-high Priest is well wor∣thy indeed of thy consideration.

6. Consider of the properties of Christ's intercession; is it not heavenly and glori∣ous, effectual and prevailing, and of all other the transactions of our salvation, whilest this world lasts, the most perfective and consummate? O give me the intercessions of Christ above all the intercessions of Men or Angels. I know the Saints on earth pray mutually one for another, but they pray not in their own names, or for their own merits, but in the Name and for the merits of Jesus Christ; and as for the Saints and Angels in Heaven,* 1.8 Cyprian and Jerome seem to grant, that they pray for the state of the Church Militant; but if so, they do it only of charity, as Brethren, not of office as Mediators; they do it only for the Church in general, and not for any particular man or member of the Militant Church; such an intercession as this, so heavenly, so effectual, so perfective of our salvation, so authoritative and publick, found upon the satisfactory merits of the person interceding, is proper only to Christ. I would be glad of the prayers of all the Churches of Christ; O that there were not a Saint on the earth, but that I were by name in his morning, and evening prayer (whosoever thou art that readest, I beseech thee pray for me); but above all, let me have a property in those prayers and intercessions that are proper only to Christ; I am sure then I should never miscarry; Christ's prayers are heavenly, glorious, and very effectual.

7. Consider of the particulars wherein more especially Christ's intercession con∣sists: Is it not in the presenting of his person, blood, prayers, interpellations? is it not in the presenting of our persons, performances, pleas or answers to the ac∣cusations of Sathan? men little think how busie our Mediator, Sponsor, Solicitor, Advocate is now in Heaven for us; men little think that Christ is appearing, and his blood is crying, and his prayers are ascending, and his robe of righteousness is covering us, and the iniquity of our holy things: O my soul, look up, consider Jesus thy Saviour in these respects! I am perswaded, if thou didst but know, if thou couldst but see, what a deal of work Christ hath in hand; and how he car∣ries it on for thy salvation, it would melt thy heart into very tears of joy. Whilst Christ was on earth,* 1.9 and his Mother had lost him, he could then say, Wist ye not that I must go about my Fathers business? now Christ is in Heaven, he is about the same business still; all his employment in Heaven is to intercede for us, that we may be saved: very true, there is much in this intercession of Jesus Christ; it is a Tree of many branches, and every branch fruitful; so that if thou wouldst enlarge thy Meditation in this wide Ocean of delights, there is room enough; but herein I must leave thee in the duty, for I can but point at the several particulars whereon thou mayst en∣large: O think on it, that Christ, and Christ's blood, and Christ's prayers should be all at work! that Christ should play the Advocate, and plead thy cause, and perfume thy duties with his Incense; and take thy person in an unperceivable way to God his Father, and cry there, O my Father be merciful to this sinner, pardon his sin, and save his soul for the sake of Jesus: O blessed mediation! O blessed is the man, that on this blessed ob∣ject knows how to meditate both day and night.

8. Consider of the power and prevalency of Christ's intercessions with his Father. Is he not to this puropose a Priest to God, and called thereto by God? is he not the Son of God, yea, God himself? is he not God's Darling? God's Commander, as well as Petitioner? nay, is not the hand of God himself in this design? is not the Fathers heart as much towards us and our salvation, as Christ's own heart? as sure then as Christ is gone into Heaven with thy name engraven on his heart, so sure shalt thou follow him, and be with him where he is. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? who is he that condemneth? where Christ becomes Patron to defend against the sentence of damnation, it is in vain for Sin, or Law, or Sathan, to attempt any thing: for as an innocent person is safe so long as he hath his learned Advocate to answer all Objections; so it is with Believers, who have Christ himself both

Judge and Advocate; a sure Advocate; he ever prevails in whatsoever he under∣takes; he was never yet cast in any suit; he hath for these Sixteen Hundred years carried away all the causes of hundreds, thousands, and millions of souls; why, he is so dear and near to his Father, that he can work him to any thing he will: And O my soul, if thou hast any relation to Jesus Christ, is not here comfort; I dare in the Name of Christ be thy warrant, and give it under my hand, that if Christ pray for thee, Christ will be sure to save thee; he never yet failed, he never will fail in any of his suits to God: Oh consider of this!

9. Consider of the reasons of Christ's intercession; many are given, but this may be sufficient, It is Gods own Ordinance; the very wisdom of God found out this way to save our souls, viz. that an High-Priest should be appointed, who should die for sin∣ners, and afterward present his death to his Father by way of intercession in their be∣half. Some may look upon this as needless, what could not God have pardoned our sins, and saved our souls without a Priest? I shall not dispute God's power, but if any will, let such a one tell me what way could his own wisdome have found out to heaven between the wrath of God, and the sin of man? I believe it would have posed all the wisdom of the world (of Men and Angels) to have reconciled God's mercy in the salvation of man, and his justice in the condemnation of sin; to have poured out hell upon the sin, and yet to have bestowed heaven upon the sinner; now then, if God himself did study to find out this way, and that he hath said, This is my pleasure, that Christ my Son shall be a Priest, and that he shall offer himself, and Present himself and his offering, and his prayer to me for his People: O my soul rest on this as the very ordination of God; admire at the contrivance of God; say, O the depth! question no further, on∣ly Meditate, and ponder, and consider of it till thou feelest Christ's intercession darting its influence and efficacy on thy sin-sick soul.

SECT. III. Of desiring after Jesus in that respect.

3. LEt us desire after Jesus carrying on this work of our salvation in his intercession. I cannot but wonder what a dulness seizeth on my heart, and on all the hearts of the Sons of men, that we have no more longings after Christ, whose heart is ever panting and longing after us. Surely we do not set our selves to find out experimen∣tally the sweetness that is in Christ; if there were not another object to think upon, but only this one of Christ's intercession, is not here enough to put us all into a teem∣ing longing frame? O my soul, rouze up, and set this blessed object before thy face? take a full view of it untill thy affections begin to warm, and thou beginst to cry, Oh for my part in Christ's intercession! Oh I would not be left out of Christ's heavenly prayers for ten thousand worlds! come and be serious! the object is admirably sweet and preci∣ous; long for it, pant after it! God understands the Rhetorick of thy breathing, as well as of thy cry. But what is there in Christ's intercession that is so desirable? I answer—

1. In Christ's intercession lyes the present transaction of our souls salvation. Such passages as hitherto we have spoken of are done and past; the transactions of eter∣nity, were at an end when time began; the transactions of Christ promised, had their period when Christ was incarnate; the transactions of Christ's Birth, and life and death, and resurrection, and ascension, are now above a thousand and six hun∣dred years old; I know the vertue and influence of all these transactions continue, and will continue for ever and ever, but the several actings had their periods; and only Christ's session, and mission of his spirit, and his blessed intercession both were, and now are the very present imployment of Jesus Christ. If it were possible that we could see into Heaven, if with Stephen we could look up steadfastly, and see the Heavens opened; if our eyes by an extraordinary power were carryed through that azure sky, and through all till we come to the Holy of Holies, and to Jesus Christ in his glory; what should we see but Christ interceding, Christ busie with his Father in his poor Saints behalf? now he prayes, now he presents his per∣son, merits, intercession, interpellation, q. d. Father, here are a company of Rebels

justly fallen under thy displeasure, they deserve to be set at an eternal distance from thee, but I must needs have them pardoned, and received into thy bosom; come, make thine own terms, let justice require never so great satisfaction, I have paid a price sufficient for all, and effectual for them; give them what laws thou pleasest, I will undertake they shall observe them; and to this purpose away, away holy spirit, go to such and such souls; enable them to their duties, yea, enable them in duty, and sanctifie them throughout in souls; bodies and spirits. Why, this is the present transaction of Jesus Christ, and therefore most desi∣rable; methinks I long to know what Christ is now a doing in Heaven for my soul; and is it not thus, is not all his time spent either in reading pardons for his redeemed ones; or in presenting petitions from them, and pleading for them. Surely he is still inter∣ceding every day, it is his present work for our souls, O desirable work!

2. In this present transaction lies the application of all Christ's former actings, whe∣ther of his habitual righteousness, or of his active and passive obedience. All those pas∣sages of Christ's incarnation, conception, circumcision, birth, life, and death, which more especially we look upon, as the meritorious causes of our salvation, had been nothing to us, if they had not been applyed by Christ: they were the means of impetration, but Christ's intercession is the means of application: Christ purchased sal∣vation by those precedaneous acts, but he possesseth us of our salvation by this perfec∣tive and consummate act of his intercession. The order of this is laid down by the Apostle,* 1.10 in that first, He learned obedience by the things which he suffered, and then being made perfect, he became the Author (or applying cause) of eternal salvation to all them that obey him; being to this purpose, called of God an High-Priest after the order of Mel∣chizedeck. Now is not this the desirable act above all other acts? Alas! what am I better for a Mine of Gold in such, or such, or such a field, in which I have no propriety at all? I am throughly convinc'd that Christ's merits are most precious merits, but oh that they were mine! Oh that Christ's intercessions would bring the salve, and lay it to my sore! Oh that I could hear that voice from Heaven, My son, I was incarnate for thee, and con∣ceived for thee, and born for thee, and circumcised for thee, and I did the Law, and suffered the penalty for thee; and now I am interceding that thy very soul may have the be∣nefit of all my doings, and of all my sufferings. Why, if Christ's intercessions be the ap∣plying cause, if it bring home to my soul all the former transactions of Christ, saying, All these are thine, even thine, oh how desirable must this intercession be?

3. In this application lies that communion and fellowship which we have with the Fa∣ther and the Son:* 1.11 I pray for these, that as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. Understand this soberly, we cannot think that there should be that oneness in equalitie betwixt God and us, as betwixt God and Christ; no, no, but there is oneness in similitude and reallity, even in this life; by vertue of Christ's inter∣cession we have oneness with God and Christ, not onely in comforts, but also in graces; I pray you mark this: when I speak of communion with God in this life, I mean espe∣cially the communication of grace between God and the soul; on God's part there's a special influence of grace and favour to man; and on man's part, there is a special re∣turn of grace and honour to God. Some trembling souls are apt to think, that all com∣munion with God and Christ consists only in the comforts of the holy spirit, whereas Christians may as really and advantagiously have communion with God in secret convey∣ances of grace, inward supports, in a concealed acceptation of service, in the hidden drawings of the soul God-ward, as in the more open, and comfortable manifestations of God unto the soul; communion with God is a familiar friendship (I speak it in an holy humble sence) now do we not as usually go to a friend for councel and advice, as for comfort and cheering? in a friends bosom we intrust our sorrows as well as our joys. Suppose a soul even spiritually overwhelmed, and ready to break, be taking it self unto God, and venting it self before the Lord; now if afterwards the soul hath no more case, than by the bare lanching of the sore, if God pours in no balm at all, but only gives support; shall we say that this soul in this case hath no communion with God? O yes! in God's secret visits of the soul, and in the souls restless groping after God, though nothing but darkness be apprehended, yet that soul lives in the light of God's countenance; the Sun shines, though a cloud interposeth; God smiles though the soul do not perceive it; or certainly thou hast his strengthening-supporting presence, if not his shining;* 1.12 now this is the fruit of Christ's blessed intercession; and this is the sub∣ject-matter of Christ's intercessions, O my Father, that these may be one in us; I in them, and thou in me; I in them by the influence and power of my Spirit, and

thou in me by the fulness and power of the Godhead. And is not this a most desirable thing?

4. In this communion lyes the vision and fruition of Jesus Christ in glory, grace brings to glory; If communion here, we shall have communion hereafter; and this also is a part of Christ's prayer and intercession, Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am,* 1.13 that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. Jesus cannot be in Heaven long without his Saints; indeed it is impossible that Christ should be in Heaven, and that pieces and bits of Christ-mystical should be in Hell, or yet long on Earth. Christ will draw in his Legs and Members on earth up nearer to the Head; certainly Christ and you that are believers must be under one roof ere long. Is not he gone before to prepare a place, yea, many mansions for you;* 1.14 we think them happy on earth that have their many stately Halls and Palaces; their summer, and their winter-houses. O Christians! how happy will you be when you come to be Lords and Heirs of many stately Mansions in the streets of Heaven? but what speak I of Mansions now I am naming Christ? Mansions are nothing, many Mansions are but little, yea, many Mansions in Christ's Fathers house, are but created chips of happiness, in comparison of that communion which by vertue of Christ's intercession we shall have with Christ. It is the saying of an eminently learned holy Divine,* 1.15 I should refuse hea∣ven (saith he) if Christ were not there; take Christ away from Heaven, and it's but a poor, dark, heartless dwelling; Heaven without Christ would look as the direful land of death. And therefore after Christ had spoke of many Mansions, and of a place that he would prepare for his Saints, he adds further to increase their joy,* 1.16 I will come again (saith he) and receive you unto my self, that where I am, there ye may be also. Mansi∣ons are but as places of bryers and thornes without Jesus Christ, and therefore I would have Heaven for Christ, and not have Christ for Heaven; O this communion with Christ is above all desirable, and this is the subject-matter of Christ's prayer, Father I would have the Saints to be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory. Why, this is the communion which the Saints shall have with Christ, never will their eyes be off-him, never will their thoughts wander after any other objects; O the intimacy that will be then betwixt Christ and Christians! Oh what communication of glory will there be to each other! These shall walk with me (saith Christ) for they are worthy.* 1.17

O my soul, if this be the business of Christ's intercession, if all these particulars are contained in the bowels of this one transaction, how is it that thou art not in a fainting swoon? how is it that thou art not gasping, groaning, sick unto death with the vehement thirst after thy part and portion in Christ's intercession? if there be such a thing as the passion of desire in this heart of mine, O that now it would break out! Oh that it would vent it self with mighty longings, and infinite aspirings after this blessed Object! why Lord I desire, but help thou my faint desires; blow on my dying spark, it is but little; and if I know any thing of my heart, I would have it more; Oh that my spark would flame! why Lord I desire that I might desire; Oh breath it into me, and I will desire after thee.

SECT. IV. Of hoping in Jesus in this respect.

4. LEt us hope in Jesus, carrying on this work of our salvation in his intercession. It is good that a man should hope. Indeed if it were not for hope,* 1.18 the heart would not hold; only look that our hope be true hope: very hypocrites have a kind of hope, but if God's Word be true, The hope of unjust men shall perish.* 1.19—What is the hope of the hypocrite? — Will God hear his cry whe•• trouble cometh upon him? No, no, The hypocrites hope shall perish? his hope shall be cut off, and his trust shall be as a Spiders web. O my soul hope in Jesus, but rest not till thou canst give a reason of thy hope, till thou canst prove that they are the hopes which Grace, and not only Nature hath wrought; that they are grounded upon Scripture-promises, and sound evidences; that they purifie the heart; that the more thou hopest, the less thou sinnest; that they de∣pend on sure and infallible causes, as on the truth, power, and mercy of God; on the merits, mediation, and intercession of Jesus Christ; what? is this last amongst the rest (I mean the intercession of Christ) the spring of thy hope? canst thou follow the

stream, till it brings thee to this Fountain, or Well-head of hope, that now thou canst say; O this intercession is mine? come, search, and try, it is worth the pains; and to put thee out of question, and in a more facile way of discerning, I shall lay down these signs. As—

1. If Christ's intercession be mine, then is the Spirits intercession mine; or if thou wouldst rather argue from the effect to the cause, then thus; if the Spirit's intercession be mine, then is Christ's intercession mine. In this case we need not to ascend up into Heaven to learn the truth, rather let us descend into our own hearts, and look whether Christ have given us of his spirit, which makes us cry unto God with sighs and groans which cannot be expressed; he that will know whether the Sun shine in the Firmament, he must not climb into the clouds to look, rather he must search for the beams thereof upon the earth; which when he sees, he may conclude, that the Sun shines in the Fir∣mament: O come and let us ransack our own consciences; let us search whether we feel the Spirit of Christ crying in us, Abba Father: certainly these two are as the cause and the effect; Christ's intercession in Heaven, and his Spirits intercession on earth are as twins of a birth; or rather such is the concatenation of these two, that Christ's intercession in Heaven breeds another intercession in the hearts of his Saints. It is the same Spirit dwel∣ling in Christ, and in all his Members, that moves and stirs them up to cry, Abba Fa∣ther. Here then is my Argument, if Christ hath put his spirit into thy heart, and if the Spirit hath set thine heart on work to make incessant intercessions for thy self, then is Christ's intercession thine. There is a kind of a round in the carrying on of this great work of intercession; as, 1. Christ intercedes for his people, O that my Spirit might go down! 2. God harkens to the intercession of Christ, Away holy spirit, get thee down into the hearts of such and such. 3. The spirit waits on the pleasure of them both, and no sooner down, but he sends up his intercession back again: Christ cries to God, and God sends the spirit, and the spirit goes and ecchoes in the hearts of Saints to the cries of Christ.* 1.20 Much of this is contained in that one Text, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our heart, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 crying, (as if he meerly acted our tongues) Abba Father, here is God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost, and all are acting their parts on the elect people of God: the Son intercedes, O that my spirit may be given to these; the Father willingly grants, Away holy spirit, and as my Son asketh, enter, and take possession of those sinful hearts; the holy spirit obeys, and no sooner in the hearts of his Saints, but he cryes in them Abba Father; God hears Christ, and the spirit hears God, and the Elect hear the spirit; and now because the Spirit speaks in the Elect,* 1.21 God hears the Elect; much like unto this is that of the prophet, And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth, and the earth shall hear the corn, and wine, and oyl, and they shall shall hear Jezreel. O my soul to the test! hath God sent forth the spirit of his Son into thy heart? hast thou the in-dwelling of the Spirit; and now by the help of the spirit canst thou pray with earnestness, confidence, and an holy importunity? canst thou cry Abba Fa∣ther? Canst thou cry] with earnestness? Father] with confidence? and Abba Father] or Father, Father] with an holy importunity? why, these are the very signs of the spirits intercession. O my soul that thou wouldst deal faithfully with thy own self; canst thou by the help of the spirit go to the Father in the name of Christ? as Christ is gone before into the holy of holies to intercede; so canst thou with boldness follow after,* 1.22 and enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus? Canst thou say God hath gi∣ven me his spirit, and his spirit hath shewed me Christ as my Mediator at the right hand of God; and now under the wing of such a Mediator, I can by the Spirits, assistance go with boldness (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with assuming a liberty) to speak any thing I will in the ears of God? Surely this is the fruit, the effect of Christ's intercession, and therefore thou mayest comfortably conclude, Christ's intercession is mine.

2. If at any time in the midst of duties I am savingly affected, then is Christ's inter∣cession mine. Sometimes it pleaseth God to appear in ordinances, and the soul is com∣forted, quickened, enlarged, affected; why, now I look on this as the efficacy of Christ's Blood, and as the power of Christs intercession; at that very instant that I feel any good in any ordinance of Christ, why, then, even then is Christ prevailing with God his Father for what I feel; then, even then may I boldly say, Now is the Lord Je∣sus, who is at God's right hand in heaven, remembring me a poor worm on earth: Oh now I feel the fruit of his intercession; Oh what is this spirit, power, grace, comfort, sweetness I drink of, but a tast of the hony-comb with the end of my rod, dropping from the inter∣cessions

of Jesus Christ? and if this presence of Christ's Spirit be so sweet, what is himself, then? I know we had need to be wary in laying down this sign, it is clearly proved by an eminent Divine,* 1.23 that sweet motions of heart in holy things are not infallible Evidences of grace: the third kind of hearers are said to receive the Word with joy; they found some sweet and power in the Ordinances of Christ; and Herod heard John gladly; and many for a season rejoyced in John's light and Ministry: Certainly affections in holy ad∣ministrations with delight and joy, may be in those, who yet have no true grace; so it may be that the novelty and strangeness of a doctrine may much affect and delight; or the nature of the doctrine as it is comfortable, without any respect to spiritual operati∣on, may exceedingly affect; or the Ministers abilities, because of his parts, eloquence, elocution, affectionate utterance may much delight, and stir up the hearers affections; fine head-notions may produce some affectionate heart-motions; but what symptome of grace in all this? The sign therefore I lay down of my propriety in Christ's intercessions is not every sweet motion, or every excited affection, but that which is holy, spiritual, heavenly, saving; I may discern much of this, if I will but look into the grounds and effects of my excited, or stirred up affections; if the ground thereof be fetched from Heaven, and in their effect they tend towards Heaven; if they wean my heart from the world; if they elevate and raise up my affections to things above; if they form, and frame my conversation heaven-wards, then may I be assured these motions and affections are of the right stamp; for all such motions are but sparks of that heavenly fire, the the flame whereof is mindful of its own original; they are the fruits of Christ, and they go back to Christ; they work towards their center, they tend towards the place from whence they came; and in this respect O that I could never hear a Sermon, without a savory affection of what I hear! O that I could never go to prayer without some warmth, and heat, and life, and fervency! Oh that in every duty I were savingly af∣fected, that I felt the savour of Christ's ointments, whose name, and whose intercession is as an ointment poured forth! in times of the Old Testament, if they offered up a sacrifice, and a material fire came down from Heaven, and burnt up the sacrifice to ashes, it was a certain testimony that the sacrifice was accepted: Now in the time of the Gospel we must not expect material fire to come down upon our duties, but hath the Lord at any time caus••d an inward and spiritual fire to fall down upon thy heart warming thy spirit in du∣ty? and carrying it up heaven-ward? Surely it so, thou mayest safely conclude, these are the very effects of Christ's intercession; his intercession is mine.

3. If in my heart I feel a holy frame, disposition, inclination; to pray, and cry and intercede for others, especially for the miseries and distresses of the Church of God, then is Christ's intercession mine. We should (as near as we may) in every thing con∣form to Christ; and this conformity is an evidence or sign to us of our interest in Christ: O my soul go down into the inmost closet of thy heart, look what disposition there is in it towards the members of Christ; and thou mayest conclude, there is in Christ's heart the very same disposition towards thee. Ah! do I think there is love in my bosom to∣wards the Saints, and that there is no love in Christ's bosome towards me? what? can I think that my narrow, straitened, sinful bowels are larger than those wide, compassionate, tender bowels of Jesus Christ? as a drop of water is in comparison of the Ocean, and as a gravel-stone is in comparison of the sand, so is my heart to Christ's, and my love to Christ's, and my bowels to Christ's. Come then, and try by this sign; Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life if we love the brethren; he that loveth not his bro∣ther, abideth in death.—Hereby perceive we the love of God,* 1.24 because he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren; is not this plain, if I love the brethren, Christ loveth me; if I feel in my heart an holy disposition to go to God, and to pray, and cry, and intercede for a Saint in misery, surely the Lord Jesus hath as much bowels towards me, to go and intercede for me, and to present my prayers unto God the Father; his intercession is mine.

4. If I am called, justified, sanctified, then is Christ's intercession mine: are not these the subject matter of Christ's intercession? I pray (saith Christ) that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.—I pray that thou wouldst sanctifie them through the truth!* 1.25 neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word or preaching; Father I will that those whom thou hast given me, be with me in glory. He first prayes that we may be called and justified, and then he prayes that we may be sanctified and saved: he holds at both ends of this golden chain of our salvation; the one end is hanged at his breast, where the names of all his Saints are written; and the

other end is at his heart that he may be the Author and finisher, the first and last, the beginning and ending of our souls salvation: alas! there is nothing in us, in our reach here below; the first stirrings of grace is up in Heaven at the right hand of the Father; and the far end of any gracious thought is as far above us, as the heart of Christ is above the earth: Come then, sith all hangs on this great pin of Christ's intercession; let us search and try, are we called? do we believe on the Son? are we sanctified in some measure? are we kept from the evil, that sin may not have dominion over us? hath Christ put up these prayers in our behalf, that now we feel (as it were) and ex∣perience the truth of Christ's prevailings with his Father in our hearts and lives? O sure signs that Christ's intercession is ours; away, away, all diffidence, doubting, wavering fluctuating hopes; a soul thus grounded may with Paul cast the ganlet, and bid defi∣ance to all the world,* 1.26 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect, who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, and who also maketh intercession for us.

SECT. V. Of believing in Jesus in that respect.

5. LEt us believe in Jesus, as carrying on this great work of our salvation in his in∣tercession; wounded spirits are full of scruples, and thus they cry, My sins will never be forgiven; have not I sinned against God, and Christ, and the Spirit of Christ? had I not my hands imbrued in the blood of his Son? and have not I trodden under foot the blood of God? and will that blood that I have shed, and trod on, intercede for my pardon? Had I but gone so far as the Jews did, who indeed killed and crucified Christ, I might have had some hopes, because they knew not what they did, and therefore Christ prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. But alas! I sin∣ned,* 1.27 and I knew well enough what, and wherein I have sinned: had they known (saith the Apostle) they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but alas I knew it, and I was fully convinced that the commission of every sin is a crucifying of Christ, and yet against knowledge, and judgment, and light, and checks of my own conscience, I have cru∣cified the Lord of glory,* 1.28 and is not the Apostle express? it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,—if they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucifie to themselves, the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame, Oh I fear my name is not in the roll of those for whom Christ inter∣cedes, I have crucified him afresh, and will he intercede for such a dead dog as I am? I cannot believe. Silence, unbelief! be not tyrannical to thy self, for Christ will not, sin shall do thee no hurt, nor Sathan, no nor God himself, for Jesus-Christ can work him to any thing; if he but open his wounds in heaven, he will so work his Father, that thy wounds on earth shall close up presently. O but I have sinned against light; and what then? I hope thou hast not sinned willfully, maliciously, despightfully against the light: the Apostle tells us, that if we sin willfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth,* 1.29 there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain looking for of judg∣ment, and fiery indignation. These two Texts in Heb. 6.4. and 10.26. are parallel, and give light to each other; and therefore unless thy sin be the unpardonable sin, un∣less willfully, maliciously, and despightfully, thou hast crucified Christ, as some of the Jews did, never pass a doom of final condemnation on thy soul: what is there no difference betwixt a sin done willfully, or purposely, of malice with delight; and aginst the feeling of thy own conscience; and a sin done of meer ignorance, incon∣sideracy, infirmity, or through a strong temptation, though against light it self? I know there is a light given in by God's Word, and some beam of the Holy Ghost, which yet never penetrated so far as to transform and regenerate the soul wholly to God's Image; and in such a case a man may fall away even into an universal fall, a general Apostasie; but dost thou not hope better things of thy self than so? I suppose thou dost; O then believe! O believe thy part in Christ's intercession! and for the directi∣ons of thy faith, that thou mayst know how, or in what manner to believe, observe these particulars in their order. As—

1. Faith must directly go to Christ.

2. Faith must go to Christ as God in the flesh.

3. Faith must go to Christ as God in the flesh made under the Law.

4. Faith must go to Christ made under the directive part of the Law by his life, and under the penal part of the Law by his death.

5. Faith must go to Christ as put to death in the flesh, and as quickned by the Spi∣rit.

6. Faith must go to Christ as quickened by the Spirit, and as going up into glo∣ry, as sitting down at God's right hand, and as sending the Holy Ghost; of all these before.

7. Faith must go to Christ as interceding for his Saints; this act of Christ is for the application of all the former acts on Christ's part; and our faith closing with it, is for the application of this, and all other the actings of Christ on our part. Now is our faith led up very high; if we can but reach this, we may say, our faith stands very lofty, when it may at once see earth and heaven; when it may see all that Christ hath acted for it here, and all that Christ doth act, and will act in heaven for it hereafter. It is not an ordinary, single, particular act of faith that will come up to this glorious mystery, no, no; it is a comprehensive, perfective act; it is such an act as puts the soul into a condi∣tion of glorious triumph, Who shall condemne?* 1.30 it is Christ that will save me to the utter∣most, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for me. That same word [to the uttermost] is a good word, and well put in; it is a reaching word, and extends it self so far, that thou canst not look beyond it: let thy soul be set on the highest mountain that ever any creature was yet set on, and there let thy soul take in, and view the most spacious prospect both of sin, and misery, and difficulties of being saved, that ever yet any poor humbled soul did east within it self, yea, joyn to these all the objections, and hinderances of thy salvation, that the heart of man can suppose or invent against it self; lift up thy eyes, and look to the ut∣most thou canst see, and Christ by his intercession is able to save thee beyond the horizon, and furthest compass of thy thoughts, even to the utmost, and worst case the heart of man can possibly suppose; it is not thy having lain long in sin, or long under terrors and despairs; it is not thy having sinned often under many enlightnings, that can hinder thee from being saved by Christ; Do but remember this same word [to the uttermost] and then put in what exception thou wilt, or canst. O the holy triumphs of that soul that can but act its saith on Christ's intercession! why, this is the most perfect and consummate act of Christ's Priestly office; this argues thy Christ to be a perfect Mediator, and being a perfect Mediator, no condition can be desperate; And being made perfect, (saith the Apostle) he became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;* 1.31 now therefore lead up thy faith to this blessed object, and thou hast under consideration the whole of Christ, and the total of Christ's actings in this world from first to last; in re∣spect of mediation this is the Coronis, the up-shot, the period, the consummation, the perfection of all.

8. Faith in going to Christ as interceding for us, it is principally and mainly to look to the purpose, end, intent, and design of Christ's intercession: now the ends of Christ as in the reference unto us, are these.—

1. That we might have communion and fellowship with the Father, and the Son. I pray for these, that as thou Father art in me, and I in thee,* 1.32 they also may be one in us.

2. That we might have the gift of the Holy Ghost; I will pray the Father,* 1.33 and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth.

3. That we might have protection against all evil,* 1.34 I pray (saith Christ) that thou wouldst keep them from the evil. Some may object, are not the faithful Subject to evils, corruptions, and temptations still? how then is that part of the intercession of Christ made good unto us? I answer, the intercession of Christ is presently available, only it is conveyed in a manner suitable and convenient to our present condition, so as there may be left room for another life; and therefore we must not conceive all presently done; it is with us as with Malefactors doomed to death, suppose the Supreme power should grant a pardon to be drawn; though the grant be of the whole thing at once, yet it cannot be written but word after word, and line after line; so the grant of our protection against all evil is made unto Christ at first, but in the execution thereof, there is line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little; we

know Christ prayed for Peter, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; yet Pe∣ter's faith did shake and totter; the prayer was not, that there might be no failing at all, but that it might not utterly and totally fail; and in that respect Peter was pro∣tected.

* 1.354. That we might have free access to the Throne of Grace; So the Apostle, Seeing then we have a great high-Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession,* 1.36 and come boldly to the Throne of grace. And again, Having therefore boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, and having an high Priest over the House of God, let us draw near with a true heart in a full assurance of faith.

5. That we might have the inward interpellation of the Spirit, which is, as it were, the Eccho of Christ's intercession in our heart:* 1.37 The Spirit maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. It is the same Spirit groans in us, which more distinctly and fully in Christ,* 1.38 prayeth for us. These things I speak in the world (saith our Saviour) that they might have my joy filled in themselves. q. d. I have made this prayer in the world, and left a record and pattern of it in the Church, that they feel∣ing the same heavenly desires kindled in their own hearts, may be comforted in the work∣ings of that Spirit of prayer in them, which testifieth to their souls the quality of that intercession which I make for them in the Heaven of Heavens; certainly there is a de∣pendance of our prayer on Christ's prayer: as it is with the Sun, though the body of it abide in the Heavens, yet the beams of it descend to us here on earth; so the inter∣cession of Christ, though as tyed to his person, it is made in Heaven; yet the groans, and desires of the touched heart, as the beams thereof, are here on earth.

6. That we might have the sanctification of our services; of this the Levitical Priests were a type,* 1.39 For they bear the iniquity of the holy things of the children of Israel, that they might be accepted; and he is the Angel of the Covenant, who hath a golden Censer to offer up the prayers of the Saints. Some observe a three-fold evil in man, of every of which we are delivered by Christ: First, an evil of state or condition under the guilt of sin: Secondly, an evil of nature under the corruption of sin: Thirdly, an evil in all our services by the adherency of sin; for that which toucheth an unclean thing, is made unclean thereby. Now Christ by his righteousness and merits justifieth our per∣sons from the guilt of sin; and Christ by his Grace and Spirit doth in measure purifie our faculties from the corruption of sin; and Christ by his incense and intercession doth cleanse our services from the adherency of sin; so that in them the Lord smells a sweet favour; and both we and our services find acceptance with God.

7. That we might have the pardon of all sin. It is by vertue of Christ's intercession that a Believer sinning of infirmity hath a pardon of course, for Christ is his Advocate to plead his case; or if he sin of presumption, and the Lord give repentance, he hath a pardon at the hands of God the Father by vertue of this intercession in a way of justice. And to this end rather is Christ called an Advocate than a Petitioner;* 1.40 If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father. The work of an Advocate differs from the work of a Petitioner; an Advocate doth not meerly petition, but he tells the Judge what is Law, and what ought to be done, and so doth Christ. O my Father (saith Christ) this soul hath indeed sinned, but I have satisfied for his sins, I have payed for them to the full; now there∣fore in a way of equity, and justice, I do here call for this mans pardon. If this were not so, our estate would be most miserable, considering that for every sin committed by us after repentance, we deserve to be cast out of the love and favour of God our Father for ever and ever.

8. That we might have continuance in the state of grace, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.* 1.41 Some that dissent from us in the point of perseverance, object, that in our Saviour's Prayer for Peter there was somewhat singular; but we say, that in this Prayer there is nothing singular, which is not common to all the faithful, and unto such as are given unto Christ of the Father; they alledge that this priviledge was granted to Peter as an Apostle; but we say, that if it was granted to Peter, as an Apostle, then it was common to Peter and Judas, in that both were Apostles. They alledge further, that Christ prayes not for the absolute perseverance of Believers, but after a sort, and upon condition. But we say the Prayer of Christ is certain, and not suspended: in this Prayer his desire is not for Peter that would presevere, but his desire is for Peter that he should persevere; the object of the thing for which Christ prayes, is distinct from the thing it self prayed for.

9. That we might have the salvation of our souls in the day of Jesus;* 1.42 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they might behold my glory. Why, this is the main end in respect of us, our glory; and indeed herein is the main piece of our glory, to behold this glory! Oh to see the Lord Jesus Christ glo∣rified, as he shall be glorified, must be a glorious thing; What is it to see his glory, but to behold the lustre of his Divinity through his humanity? In this respect our ve∣ry eyes shall come to see God, as much as is possible for any creature to see him: we may be sure God shall appear through the humanity of Christ, as much as is possible for the Divinity to appear in a creature; and therefore Men and Angels will be conti∣nually viewing of Christ. I know there is another glory of Christ which the Father will put upon him; Because he humbled himself, therefore God will exalt him,* 1.43 and give him a name above every name; and we shall see him in this glory. O the ravishing sight of Saints! Christ is so lovely, that the Saints cannot leave, but they must, and will follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes: there shall be no moment to all eternity, wherein Christ shall be out of sight to so many thousand thousands of Saints; now this is the glory of the Saints above; as a Queen that sees the Prince in his glory, she delights in it, because it is her glory; so the Church, when she shall see Christ her Husband in his glory she shall rejoyce in it, because she looks upon it as her own: Is not this a blessed end of Christ's intercession? why, hither tend all the rest; all the other ends end in this; and for this above all Christ intercedes to his Father, Father,* 1.44 I would have my Saints with me, O that all the daughters of Zion may behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith thou hast crowned him in the day of his Espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Only one Question, and I have done; how should I set my faith on work to act on Christ's intercession for these ends? I answer,—

1. Faith must perswade it self that here is a vertue in Christ's intercession. Certainly every passage, and acting of Christ hath its efficacy, and therefore there is vertue in this; it is full of juyce, it hath a strong influence in it.

2. Faith must consider that it is the design of God, and the intendment of Christ, that this intercession should be for the good of those that are given to Christ. O there's enough in Christ, enough in Christ's intercession to convey communion, the Spirit, protection, free access to the Throne of Grace, a Spirit of prayer, pardon of sins, con∣tinuance in grace, salvation of souls to the Saints, and people of God, through all the world; and this is the design of God, that Christ's intercession should be as the foun∣tain whence all these streams must run, and be conveyed unto us.

3. Faith must act dependantly upon the intercession of Christ for these very ends, this is the very nature of Faith, it relyes upon God in Christ, and upon all the actings of Christ, and upon all the promises of Christ: so then, Is there a desirable end in Christ's intercession which we aim at? O let us act our Faith dependantly; let us rely, stay, or lean upon Christ to that same end; let us roul our selves, or cast our selves upon the very intercession of Jesus Christ: Saying, O my Christ, there is enough in thee, and in this glorious intercession of thine, and therefore there will I stick, and abide for ever.

4. Faith must ever and anon be trying, improving, wrestling with God, that vertue may go out of Christ's intercession into our hearts. I have heard Lord, that there is an Office erected in heaven, that Christ, as Priest, should be ever praying, and in∣terceding for his people: O that I may feel the efficacy of Christ's intercession! am I now in prayer? O that I could feel in this prayer, the warmth, and heat, and spiritual fire, which usually falls down from Christ's intercession into the hearts of his! Lord warm my spirit in this duty; give me the kisses of thy mouth; O that I may now have communion with thee, thy Spirit upon me, thy protection over me! O that my pardon may be sealed, my grace confirmed, my soul saved in the day of Jesus! In this method, O my soul, follow on; and who knows but God may appear e're thou art aware? howsoever be thou in the use of the means, and leave the issue with God.

SECT. VI. Of loving Jesus in that Respect.

6. LEt us love Jesus, as carrying on this great work of our salvation in his intercession. Now two things more especially will excite our love. 1. Christ's love to us. 2. Our propriety in Christ. For the first, many acts of Christ's love have appeared be∣fore, and every one is sufficient to draw our loves to him again. As—

1. He had an eternal love to man; he feasted himself on the thoughts of love, de∣light, and free-grace to man from all eternity; since God was God (O boundless du∣ration) the Lord Jesus in a manner was loving and longing for the dawning of the day of the Creation; he was (as it were) with child of infinite love to man before he made the world. Some observe, that the first words which ever Christ wrote, were, Love to Believers: and these were written with glory, for it was before gold was, and they were written upon his bosom, for then other books were not.

2. In the beginning of time he loved man above all creatures, for after he had made them all, he then speaks as he never did before, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,* 1.45 and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattel, and over all the earth; and though man at that very instant un∣made himself by sins, Christ's love yet was not broken off, but held forth in a promise till the day of performance, The seed of the woman shall bruise the Serpents head, and in thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed.

3. In the fulness of time his love was manifested; the seed then blossomed, and the birth came out in an high expression of love; the man-child, the love of Christ was born,* 1.46 and saw the light. After that (saith the Apostle) the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared. I shall not need sure to instance in succeeding passages; so far as we have gone, we have clearly seen Christ's life was a perfect mir∣ror of his love, as there is no beam in the Sun, in which there is no light, so there was no act in the life of Christ, but to a spiritual eye it shines with the light of love. But above all, O the love of Christ in his death! ask a Malefactor, if the Princes Son should go to his Father, and say, Father, I confess this wretch hath deserved to dye, but I see a willingness in thee that he should live; only I perceive it sticks with thy ju∣stice; why, for that, Father, here I am; and to satisfy thy justice I will dye my self, only let this poor wretch live to the glory of thine, and my free grace. Ask (I say) the Malefactor what kind of love were this? Surely Christ dyed for our sins, and Christ rose again for our justification, and he ascended, and sate down at God's right hand, and sent down his holy Spirit, and all for us; there was not one passage in all these transactions, but held forth the breakings and breathings out of a strong fire of love.

4. At this time there is a coal of burning love in the breast of Christ: this fire was indeed from everlasting, but the flames are as hot this day as ever; now it is that Christ loves, and lives; And wherefore lives? but only to love us, and to intercede for us. Christ makes our salvation his constant calling; he is ever at his work. Yester∣day, and to day, and for ever: there is not one hour in the day, nor one day in a year, nor one year in an age, wherein Christ is not busie with his Father in this hea∣venly imployment of interceding for us. He loved us before he died for us, his love being the cause why he died for us; and he loves us still, in that now he intercedes for us: it is as much as to say, Christ hath loved us, and he repents not of his love: love made him dye for us, and if it were to do again, he would dye over again; yea, if our sins had so required, that for every elect person Christ must have dyed a several death, Love, love would have put him willingly upon all these deaths; O the loves of Christ towards our poor souls! If I might but stay, and take some turns in this large Field of love: How many thousands of particulars might I draw out of Scripture, ex∣pressing Christ's love to us in this respect? though he be in Heaven, yet by vertue of his intercession, he bears us in his hands: yea, he leads us by the hand, and arms too. I taught Ephraim to go, taking them by their arms, but they knew not that I healed them; he dandles us on his knees,* 1.47 he bears us on his wings; As an Eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, and beareth them on

her wings, so the Lord alone doth lead us; he carries us on his shoulders, as the man found his sheep, and laid it on his shoulders rejoycing. Nay, I must yet come nearer,* 1.48 for Christ by his intercession sets us nearer yet; His left hand is under us,* 1.49 and his right hand doth imbrace us; he wears us in Heaven, as a bracelet about his arms, which made the Spouse cry out, O set me as a seal upon thine arm;* 1.50 he stamps and prints us on the palms of his hands, Behold I have graven thee on the palms of my hands;* 1.51 as if our names were written in letters of blood upon Christ's flesh; he sets us as a seal upon his heart, that is the expression of the Spouse too, O set me as a seal upon thine heart; Nay,* 1.52 so preci∣ous are the Saints to Jesus Christ, that they lodge in Heaven in his bowels, and in his heart; for they dwell in Christ, Hereby we know that we dwell in him;* 1.53 and they dwell in God, and dwell in love, For God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. I know not what more to say; you know the manner of the high Priests, was to carry the names of the children of Israel into the Holy of Holies on their shoulders, and on their breasts: but was it ever heard, that any high Priest, besides the great high Priest of our profession, should carry the names of thousands, and millions on his shoulders, and on his arms, and on his hands, and on his wings, and on his bosom, and on his heart, nay in his heart, and in his bowels, as a memorial before the Lord? O unmatchable love!

Methinks this love of Christ should now change my soul into a Globe or Mass of Di∣vine love towards Christ, as it were by the Spirit of the Lord. Methinks a sight of Christ in his presenting himself, and his sacrifice to his Father for me, should so enamour my soul as that I should delight in no other sight but this; then is a Christian sweetly ex∣ercised, when as the golden Ball of Divine Love is tossed to and again betwixt Christ's bosom and his; and in this respect it is a wonder that before this I am not sickned, and overcome with love, and ready to cry out with the Spouse, O stay me with flaggons,* 1.54 and comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love. O I am wounded with the arrows of love, so as neither grave, nor death, nor hell; neither Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come can ever lick these wounds, or enbalm, or bind them up. O my Christ, my Lord, my Jesus, What should I do but yield over my self as a Spouse under the power of her husband? what should I do but lose my self in such a deep Ocean of loves, stronger than wine, hotter than coals of Juniper, which hath a most vehement flame?

2. Another motive of our love to Christ, it is our propriety in Christ.* 1.55 Ye are not your own, said the Apostle of us; and he is not his own, may we say of Christ: If any ask how may this be? I answer, That the soul in loving Christ is not her own, and in regard of loving, Christ is not his own; every one makes over it self to another; and propriety or interest to it self on both sides ceaseth: My Beloved is mine, and I am his,* 1.56 saith the Spouse; not as if Christ should leave off to be his own, or to be a free God, when he becometh ours; no, no; but he so demeans himself in respect of his loves, as if he were not his own; he putteth on such relations, and assumes such offices of engage∣ment, as if he were all for us, and nothing for himself; thus he is called a Saviour, a Redeemer, a King, a Priest, a Prophet, a Friend, a Guide, an Head, an Husband, a Leader, Ransomer, Intercessor; and what not of this nature?

O my soul come hither, and put thy little candle to this mighty flame; if thou hadst ten hearts, or as many hearts in one, as there are elected Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth, all these would be too little for Jesus Christ: only go as far as thou canst, and love him with that heart thou hast, yea love him with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and all thy might; and as Christ in loving thee, is not his own, so let thy soul in loving Christ be not her own; Come, love thy Christ, and not thy self; possess thy Christ, and not thy self; enjoy thy Christ, and not thy self; live in thy Christ, not in thy self; so∣lace thy self in Jesus Christ, not in thy self; say with the Apostle,* 1.57 I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Certainly, if ever thou comest to love Christ truly, thou canst not but deny thy self, and all created lovers. This love will screw up thy soul, so high above the world, and above thy flesh, and above thy self, and above all other lovers, that nothing on this side Christ, whether in heaven or on earth, will come in competition with him. Suppose a man in the top of a Castle higher than the third Region of the Air, or near the Sphere of the Moon, should look down to the fairest and sweetest Meadows, or to a Garden rich with Roses and Flowers, of all sweet colours and delicious smells; certainly he should not see or feel any sweet∣ness, pleasantness, colour, smell, because he is so far above them; so the soul filled

with the love of Christ is so high above all created lovers, that their loveliness cannot reach or ascend to the high and large capacity of a spiritual soul. O for a soul filled up with all the fulness of God! O for a soul stretched out to its widest capacity, and cir∣cumference for the entertainment of God!* 1.58 O my soul, that thou wert but able to com∣prehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge! Surely if Christ be mine, if his death be mine, his resurrection mine, his ascension mine, his session mine, his intercession mine, How should I but love him with a singular love? farewel world, and worldly glory; if Christ come in room, it is time for you to vanish; I shall little care for a Candle when the Sun shines fair and bright upon my head: What? is my name written on the heart of Christ? doth he wear me as a Favour and Love-token about his arms and neck? is he at every turn presenting me and my duties to his heavenly Father?* 1.59 O thou hast ravished my heart, my King, my Jesus, thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, and with one chain of thy neck.

Suppose, O my soul, thou hadst been with Christ when he washed his Disciples feet, and that he should have come, and have washed thy feet; Would not thy heart have glowed with love to Jesus Christ? why, Christ is now in glory, and now he takes thy filthy soul, and dirty duties, and washes (as it were) the feet of all, that he may present them to his Father; thou canst not shed a tear, but he washes it over again in his precious blood, and perfumes it with his glorious intercessions. Oh what cause hast thou to love Jesus Christ? Oh you that never loved Christ, come, love him now; and you that have loved Christ a little, O love him more: Above all, let me, O my soul, charge upon thee this duty of love; O go away warmed with the love of Christ, and with a love to Christ.

SECT. VII. Of joying in Jesus in that respect.

7. LEt us joy in Jesus, as carrying on this work of our salvation in his intercession. Surely this is glad tydings of great joy: when wicked Haman procured let∣ters from King Ahasuerus for the destruction of all Jews, then Esther, the Queen, makes request to the King, that her people might be saved, and Haman's letters re∣voked;* 1.60 And the King said to her, What wilt thou Queen Esther? and what is thy re∣quest, and it shall be given thee? O the joy of Jews at this happy tidings! Then the City of Shushan rejoyced, and was glad; then the Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour; in every province, and in every City, whithersoever the Kings Com∣mandment, and his Decree came, the Jews had joy, and gladness, a feast, and a good day. Is not this our very case? was there not a Law against us, an hand-writing of Ordinances, a sentence of a double death, of body and soul? had not Satan, as wick∣ed Haman, accused us, and sought by all means our condemnation? but yet behold, not only an earthly Esther, but Jesus the Son of God was willing for our sakes to come down from Heaven; and he it was that took away the hand-writing of Ordinan∣ces, and cancelled it upon the Cross, that ascended into Heaven, and there makes re∣quests for us, and he it is in whom his Father is well pleased; never comes he to his Father, but he obtains the grace of the golden Scepter; no sooner he cryes, I will that these poor souls may be eternally saved; but his Father answers, Amen; Be it so: be it, O my Son, even as thou pleasest. O that we could joy at this! O that we could imitate the Jews! O that light, and gladness, and joy, and honour, would possess our souls! if at Christ's birth was such, and so much joy, because a Saviour was proclaimed: Is not our joy to be heightened, when salvation is effected? if the first act of Christ's mediation was so joyous, shall not the last act of his mediation be much more joyous?—But I hear many objections, which keep back joy, they are as bars and hindrances at the doors of many heavy hearts, that joy cannot enter in; I shall instance in some.

O I am much opposed here in this world (sayes one) men are as wolves, and de∣vils;* 1.61 Dogs have compassed me, the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they have no bowels; they persecute, reproach, revile, so that I am killed all the day long —

And what then? what matters oppositions of men, so long as Christ doth intercede for thee in Heaven? O remember Christ's bowels; it may be he suffers men to be merciless on earth, that thou mayst look up, and behold how merciful he is who sits above; and tell me, hast thou no experience of this truth? doth not relief strangely come in now and than? why, write upon the forehead of such favours, I have a merciful, and com∣passionate Mediator in heaven.

O I am much tempted (sayes another) that I cannot pray; had I now the key of prayer, I could then unlock the cabinet where all God's treasures lye, and take out what I pleased; but alas, my prayers are dull, and weak, and dry, and without spirit and life, I cannot pray.—If so, be humbled for it; and yet know this, that when thou canst not pray, Christ then prayes for thee, and he prayes that thou mayst pray: And tell me, hast thou no experience of this truth? hath not sometimes thy spirit been enlarged in prayer? hast thou not sometimes felt thy heart warmed, or savingly affect∣ed? hast thou not sometimes in prayer been lifted up above thy self, and above the world? conclude then, My Intercessor above hath sent me this gift and Spirit; it is not I, but Christ's Intercession that by an admirable and secret operation hath given me the Spirit to help my infirmity; these are the intercessions of the Spirit of Christ, and they are the very Eccho of the intercessions of Christ in his own person.

O but I labour under such, and such corruptions (sayes another) and the Devil is busie, exceeding busie, and he exceedingly prevails; how am I overcome with these corruptions, and with these and these sins? It may be so, and yet do not altogether de∣spond; for Jesus Christ is at God's right hand, and there he sits till all his enemies be made his foot-stool; and what? are not thy sins his enemies? O be of good comfort, for Christ will prevail; it is one piece of his prayer that he puts up for thee,* 1.62 To keep thee from evil; and surely he will either keep thee from it, or keep thee in it, that in the issue thou shalt have the victory.* 1.63 Those that thou gavest me I have kept (saith Christ) and none of them is lost; if he undertake for thee, thou art safe and sure; His Covenant is everlasting, even the sure mercies of David: and therefore if yet thou dost not, certainly thou shalt feel the vertue of Christ's intercession; sin must be subdued, hell-gates shall not prevail against thee, he will not quench thy sparks until he bring forth judgment unto victory.

Oh but I am in a suffering condition (sayes another) and there is none that regards, or takes pity on me; all my friends have dealt treacherously with me, among all my Lovers there is none to comfort me: they have heard, that I sigh, and there is none to refresh me; I stand for Christ, but there is none stands by me; I own him, but there is none owns me. Bleeding Christian, bear up! is not Christ's intercession a sufficient answer to this case? alas thou wouldst be pitied for all thy weaknesses; why, know that compassion is natural to Jesus Christ: he is a merciful high Priest, and can be no other to thee; God ordained him to officiate in such a Tabernacle as wherein thou dwellest, he was in all things like unto thee, sin only excepted; it may be thou art in want, and so was Christ, he had no house; thou art persecuted, and so was Christ; sin loads thee, and so it did Christ. A Christians condition needs compassion, and Christ knows how much, and it is his work continually to lay it open above; O my Fa∣ther, thus, and thus it is with the Militant Church, not a Member in it, but he is under sin and affliction; see here the tears, hearken to the sighs, and groans, and chatterings, and mournings of my Doves below; I present here their persons and performances; and oh that they may find acceptance through my merit! Some speak of Heavens Musick, some tell us of Saints and Angels singing and warbling in lively notes the praises of Christ in Heaven; and if any such thing be, certainly, it is ear-tickling, heart-ravishing musick; O the melody, O the joy of Saints to hear such heavenly ayres with heavenly ears! but be it as it will be, of this I am confident, that Heaven it self yields no such musick as is the intercession of Jesus Christ; this (if any thing in Heaven do it) makes me∣lody in the ears of God, and of all celestial Spirits, Saints or Angels: And (O my soul) suppose thy self within the compass, if now thou couldst but hear what thy Je∣sus is saying in thy behalf: Is not this a brand newly pluck'd out of the fire? was not this poor soul but the other day in a state of nature, defiled with sin, within a step of hell? and did not I send my Spirit to recall him? was not this precious blood shed for the redemption of him? and what though sin stick and cleave to him to this day, yet have I not given thee charge to take away his filthy garments from him, and to cloath him with changes of ray∣ment,

even with the shining robes of mine own righteousness? O my Father, let this soul live in thy sight! O cast him not away for whom I have suffered, and done all this, I can∣not rest satisfied without his society, I am not right till he is with me in glory; he is my darling, my purchase, my portion, my delight, and therefore let him be saved. Is not this enough to cause thy very heart to leap in thy bosom? Bonaventure fondly reports, that Francis hearing an Angel a little while playing on an Harp, he was so moved with extraordinary delight, that he thought himself in another world. O but suppose thou shouldst hear the voice of Jesus thy Intercessor thus pleading for thee, wouldst thou not be cast into an extasie? would not this fill thee with joyes unspeakable, and full of glory?—Come, realize this meditation? certainly if thou art Christ's, he is thus, or in some other manner interceding for thee; as sure as Christ is in Hea∣ven, he is pleading with his Father in Heaven on thy behalf: O the joyes, the joyes, the joyes that I should now feel!—Tell me, is it not a comfort, for a poor beg∣gar to be relieved at a rich man's door? we are all beggars in regard of Heaven, and Jesus Christ doth not only come forth and serve us; but he takes us poor beggars by the hand, and leads us in to his heavenly Father: Oh what comfort is here!

SECT. VIII. Of praying to, and praising of Jesus in that respect.

8. LEt us pray, and praise our Jesus in this respect.

1. Let us pray or sue our interest in this intercession: it is a question amongst the Schools, whether we may conveniently pray to Jesus, to pray to his Fa∣ther in our behalf? And thus far is granted, that we may pray to Christ to make us partakers of his intercessions, and to mingle our prayers with his prayers, that they may find acceptance with God his Father.* 1.64 But that we may use such a form, as ora pro nobis, O Christ pray for us, it is looked upon as inconvenient in this respect. 1. Be∣cause cause we have no such custom, neither the Churches of God. 2. Because it favours too much of the error of Arrius, Nestorius, and indeed of the Romanists themselves. 3. Because our prayers are most-what directed to Christ in his person or divine subsistence, whose part is rather to give, than to ask; or if they are directed to Christ as Media∣tor, and not simply as the only begotten Son of God, then I see no incongruity (though in the former respect some inconvenience) but that we may pray to Christ to intercede for us; for so he is God and man; and he is considered according to both Na∣tures; only the difference of both Natures is still to be kept and maintained; intercessi∣on is the office of the whole person of Christ, and of the two natures of Christ. But he performs this office one way according to his Divine nature, and another way ac∣cording to his humane nature. I list not to quarrel about niceties; it is thus agreed on all hands, and that is enough to our purpose, that we may call on Jesus, or on God the Father in and through Jesus, that Christ's intercessions may be ours, and that he would make it out to us in a way of assurance every day more and more.

2. Let us praise; let us bless God, and bless Christ for every transaction in Heaven for us. It is a wonder to observe what songs of praise were chanted to Christ in Heaven for that one transaction of opening the Book, and loosing the seven Seals thereof: first, The four beasts,* 1.65 and then the four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the Saints, and they sung a new song; saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.—And then the Angels round about the Throne, whose number was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, came on, saying, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.— And then every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, came on, saying, blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever; and the four beasts, and four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. I cannot tell what other transactions may be in Heaven, we have but hints of them here, nor shall we fully or particularly know them till we come to Heaven; but

for this one transaction of Christ's intercession, we cannot imagine less praise to be given to Christ than for any other; O then let us do this duty on earth, as it is done in Hea∣ven! what, is Christ praying for us? O let us be on the exercise of praising him; is Christ interceding for us? let us give him the glory of his intercession; Heaven is full of his praises, O why should not earth ring with the sound thereof? Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.

SECT. IX. Of conforming to Jesus in that respect.

9. LEt us conform to Jesus in respect of his intercession. I cannot think but in every action of Christ there is something imitable of us. And as to the present work, I shall instance only in these few particulars. As—

1. Christ appears in Heaven for us; let us appear on earth for him. Is there not equity, as well as conformity in this duty? O my soul, consider what thy Christ is doing, consider wherein the intercession of Jesus Christ consists! is not this the first part of it? why, he appears in Heaven before Saints and Angels, and before God his Father in thy behalf; and art thou afraid to appear before worms, mortals, dust and ashes in his cause, or for his truth? shall Jesus Christ own thee in Heaven? and wilt thou not own Jesus Christ here in this world? shall Jesus Christ, as thy great high Priest, take thy very name, carry it upon his breast into the presence of God? and wilt not thou take the Name of Christ, and hold it forth in profession and practise to all men? Oh what a mighty engagement is here to stand to Christ, and to appear for Christ, and to own his cause in these backsliding-times; in that Christ, who sits at the right hand of God, is willing and ready to appear in person for us, both as a Mediator, and Sponsor, and Solicitor, and Advocate, and Leiger Embassador?

2. Christ spends all his time for us and our salvation, let us spend all our time for him, and in his service; the Apostle tells us, that He ever lives to make intercession for us;* 1.66 it is not for a day, or a month, or a year, but he lives for ever upon this account; for ever (i.e.) during all the time from his Ascension until the end of the world; he is still interceding; he spends of all that time for us, and shall we think it too much time to spend a few dayes that we have here to live upon the earth for him? one thinks this the greatest Argument in the world to make us to walk closely with God in Christ; He spends of his eternity for us, and shall not we spend of our whole time for him? surely people do not think what Christ is doing in Heaven for them; if you who are Saints would but seriously consider, that Christ this Sabbath, this day of rest, is at his work, that without any weariness or intermission from morning till evening, and from evening till morning he is ever, ever interceding; how would this engage you in his service? Ah Christians! if you should continue praying, praising, reading, hearing all this day without any intermission or breaking off. Oh what weariness! O how would you say, When will the day be done, when will the Sabbath be at an end? Well, but Christ is not weary of serving you; this Sabbath, and the last Sabbath, and the other Sabbath, and every Sabbath, when you had done your duties, he took your persons, and duties, and presented all unto his Father; he prayed over your prayers, and continued praying, and saying, Lord accept of a short, poor, lean, imperfect service done on earth for my sake, and for those merits sake, which I am continually presenting to thee here in heaven. Oh why do we not come up to this conformity? Oh why are we so uncomformable to the actings of Christ? he is preparing Mansions for us in Heaven, and are we digging in this world? he is making mention of our names to God, and are we sinning against him and God? his blood cryes, O that these souls may be saved; and shall our sins cry, It is just that these souls should be damned? O mind the exemplar! Christ spends all his time for you, do you spend all your time for him: we cannot but judge this to be most equal, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who ever lives to make intercession for them.

3. He prayes for us, and for all believers, to his Father; let us pray for our selves, and for all our brethren, and for all sorts of men, though they be our enemies, for we were no better to ••esus Christ: Learn of me (saith Christ) and so far as he is imitable let us follow him; doth Christ pray? let us pray; doth he pray for us and others? let us

pray for our selves,* 1.67 and then let us pray one for another, I exhort therefore (saith the Apostle) that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.* 1.68 And come, lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left, said the King to Isaiah; and Wrestle together in prayer for me, said Paul; and Give the Lord no rest till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth, said the Prophet: Christ intercedes, and there is no question but we should intercede for the living Saints. Brethren pray for us,* 1.69 said the Apostle; whosoever thou art that readest, I beseech thee remember me in thy prayers, it may be thou art nearer God, and more in favour with God than such a poor sinner as I am; as Mordecai set Ester on work to intercede for him with the King, and for his people; so 'tis our duty to crave the prayers of such who are upon better terms (possibly) with the Lord, than we our selves are at the present; Only I could wish thy prayers at such a time, when thy heart is got nearest to God, by special stirrings of faith and love; I suppose thou canst not have a spirit, and power of prayer, but sometimes or other thou art (as it were) in the lap of Christ, upon the Spouses knee, in the Beloveds bosom; O then make a request for an unworthy one; O then, if ever, intercede for me, because then I read Christ's own intercession in thy intercession; what is thy prayer then but as the eccho of Christ's prayer, the Amen to Christ's intercessions; which he makes in heaven? Christians! 'tis our duty to put one another upon praying one for another, Christ intercedes for us, and so should we intercede for his, called, or uncalled, if so they belong to the election of grace.

4. Christ takes our prayers, and mingles them with his own prayers, intercessions, incense, and so presents all as one work mingled together unto God the Father; O let this be our care to put up all our prayers to God in the Name of Christ, and to stay our selves upon the intercessions of Christ; when all is done, let us beg the ac∣ceptance of our prayers, not for our sakes, nor for our prayers sake; but for his sake, who perfumes our prayers, by interweaving them with his prayers. Many a poor soul is many time afraid to pray to God for want of the due consideration of this conformity; such a one goes to prayer, and he looks upon it as it lyes upon his own heart, or as it comes from himself, and then he cries, Oh what a poor, weak, sinful, imperfect, impenitent prayer is this? well, but if this weak prayer of thine be once mingled with the glorious and heavenly prayer of Jesus Christ, the weakness will soon vanish, and thy prayer will find acceptance with God the Father; it is with your pray∣ers and duties as it is with your fire; your kitchin-fire is troubled with abundance of smoak, but if ever it could ascend into the element of fire above, it would smoak no more; so your prayer while it lies upon your own hearth, there's a great deal of smoak in it, but if ever it get up into the hands of Jesus Christ, there it is in its own element, and so it is freed from all its smoak, and so the weakness of it is done away. O conform to Christ in this point; he will not present thy prayers to God, but he will first mingle it with his own prayers; no more shouldst thou present a prayer to God but in Christ's Name, considering that all thy prayers find acceptance in, for, and through the intercession of Jesus Christ. If it were not for this, I profess I knew not how to answer the cavils of our dissolute adversaries, who throw down prayers, as of no use at all; for us they object—

Thou canst not pray (say they) by thy own confession without some defect, imper∣fection,* 1.70 sin: and if so, there is need of a new prayer, to beg pardon for the defects of that prayer; and then another prayer to heal the flaws of that prayer; and then ano∣ther to do as much for that; and so in infinitum; by this means there would be an infi∣nite progression without any stop at any prayer to all.

* 1.71I answer, This Objection were valid if there were no intercession of Christ to stay our selves, and our prayers on: but as we grant requests many times for some friends sake, rather than for the parties sake; so God doth alway grant requests for Christ's sake, never for our own sakes: Thou objectest there are many defects in our prayers as made by us: but I answer, there is no defects in the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ, for whose sake alone they are granted of God; and therefore our prayers be∣ing made in Christ's Name, they may stay their heads in Christ's bosom; in this respect we need not still to run our selves in a Circle, this being the last resolution, Christ's me∣rits, and Christ's intercession. Christ offers up our persons and wooden prayers in his golden Censer to his Father; Christ's intercession therefore is that which doth the deed. Now to say our prayers are of no use, it is all one as to say his intercession is of no use; not that we are so good, that he cannot take exception against us, and our prayers;

but because Christ is so good, and his intercession for us is so good, that he neither can, not will take exception against him, or his intercession for us; and in this case Christ and Christians make one person (as it were) in law; his intercession for us; and our inter∣cessions for our selves, are but one intercession: and indeed he so mingles them that they seem but one, for the smoak of the incense, and the prayers of the Saints ascend up together before God out of the Angels hand, Rev. 8.4.* 1.72

5. Christ pleads the cause of his people, and answers all the accusations of Satan against them; Oh let us plead for them for whom Christ pleads, and answer the accusati∣ons of Satans, or his instruments against their persons, or their wayes. We have a strange generation of men abroad, whose very Religion consists in rayling, reviling, reproach∣ing the Servants of the living God; not the best men, nor the best Ministers under Hea∣ven escape them; Are they not all, say they,† 1.73 Wolves, Dogs, Hirelings, Priests of Baal, Covetous, Carnal, Damned; and what not? Are they not all, say they (as the Devil said of Joshua) cloathed with filthy garments? defiled totally, utterly defiled with the pol∣lutions of Babylon? Christian! when you hear this language, learn you to conform to Christ; go you first to God with the Lords own plea, Now the Lord rebuke thee O Sa∣tan, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee: Zach. 3.2. And then go on in vindication of their persons and their cause; are they not precious, gracious, holy able, shining, and burning lights? it may be some of their persons have been faulty; but say of such, Is not this a brand newly pluck'd out of the fire? failings, and humane frailties have been in the best, yea in most of the Prophets and Apostles; but shall we therefore condemn to hell the generation of God's dear Children? or howsoever it may be with their persons, yet is not their cause and office of Christ's own institution? in this respect he that despiseth you, despiseth me, saith Christ, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me, Luke 10.16. Are not the Ministers of Christ as stars in the right hand of Christ? they that would do them any deadly harm, must pluck them thence. Chri∣stians! conform you to Christ in this point; you see how Satan stands at the right hand of our Joshua's to resist them, now then plead you their cause, and answer the Adversa∣ries accusations.

6. Christ by his intercession saves us to the uttermost, Heb. 7.25. O let us serve him to the uttermost; surely all we can do is too little to answer so great a love as this. Oh Christians! why should it be esteemed a needless thing to be most rigorously consci∣onable, and exactly circumspect? Christ payed our debt to the uttermost farthing, drunk every drop of our bitter cup, and now presents all unto his Father by way of intercessi∣on, and saves us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, throughly, to the uttermost; why should not we labour to perform his service, and to fulfil every one of his commandments, throughly and to the uttermost also? certainly there is a duty which concerns us Christians, as to be hot in Religion, Rev. 3.16. to be zealous of good works, Tit. 2.14. to walk circumspectly, or precisely, as the word carries it, Eph. 5.15. to be fervent in spirit, Rom. 12.11. to strive to enter in at the strait gate, Luke 13.24. to contend for the faith, Jude 3. with an holy kind of violence to lay hold upon the Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 11.12. Oh what ever men should be afraid of taking God's part too much, or fighting too valiantly un∣der the Colours of Christ, of being too busie about the salvation of their own souls, of being singular (as they call it) in the duties of Religion; I observe men are content to be singular in any thing, save in the service of God; you desire and labour to be singularly rich, and singularly wise, and singularly valorous, and singularly proud; but you can by no means endure singularity or eminency in zeal, and the Lord's service; in matters of Religion you are resolved to do as the most do, though in so doing you damn your own souls, Mat. 7.13. O come and learn this lesson of Christ, he saves us to the uttermost, and let us serve him to the uttermost; with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our might.

Thus far we have looked on Jesus in his intercession, our next work is our last work, which is to look on Jesus as carrying on the great work of our salvation for us in his coming again, the very end of time to all eternity; he hath no more now to do, but to judge the Saints, and to lead them into glory, and to deliver up his Kingdom to his Father, and so to live with his redeemed ones for ever, and ever, and ever.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 104.34.
• * 1.2

  Gal. 3.20.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 7.9, 10, 11.
• * 1.4

  Luke 10.20.
• * 1.5

  James 5.11.
• * 1.6

  Isa. 40.27.
• * 1.7

  Heb. 3.1, 2.
• * 1.8

  Cypr. Epist. Hier. lib. ad∣vers. Vigil.
• * 1.9

  Luke 2.49.
• * 1.10

  Heb. 5.8, 9, 10.
• * 1.11

  John 17.21.
• * 1.12

  John 17.23.
• * 1.13

  John 17.24.
• * 1.14

  John 14.2.
• * 1.15

  Sam. Ruther∣ford.
• * 1.16

  John 14.3.
• * 1.17

  Rev. 3.4.
• * 1.18

  Lam. 3.26.
• * 1.19

  Prov. 11.7. Job 27.8, 9. Job 8.13, 14.
• * 1.20

  Gal. 4.6.
• * 1.21

  Mosea 2.21.
• * 1.22

  Heb. 10.19.
• * 1.23

  Mr. Burges of Assurance. Mat. 13.20. Mark 16.20. John 5.35.
• * 1.24

  1 John 3.14.16.
• * 1.25

  John 17, 15, 17, 20, 24.
• * 1.26

  Rom. 8.34.
• * 1.27

  1 Cor. 2.8.
• * 1.28

  Heb. 6.4, 6.
• * 1.29

  Heb. 10.26, 27.
• * 1.30

  Goodwin, Christ set forth.
• * 1.31

  Heb. 9.5.
• * 1.32

  John 17.21.
• * 1.33

  John 14.16, 17.
• * 1.34

  John 17.15.
• * 1.35

  Heb. 4.14, 16.
• * 1.36

  Heb. 10.23.
• * 1.37

  Rom. 8.26.
• * 1.38

  John 17.13.
• * 1.39

  Exod. 28.38. Rev. 8.3.
• * 1.40

  1 John 2.1.
• * 1.41

  Luke 22.32.
• * 1.42

  John 17.24.
• * 1.43

  Rev. 14.4.
• * 1.44

  Cant. 3.11.
• * 1.45

  Gen. 1.26.
• * 1.46

  Tit. 3.4.
• * 1.47

  Isa. 40 11. Hos. 11.3. Deut. 32.11, 12.
• * 1.48

  Luke 15.5.
• * 1.49

  Cant. 2.6.
• * 1.50

  Cant. 8.6.
• * 1.51

  Isa. 49.16.
• * 1.52

  Cant. 8.6.
• * 1.53

  1 John 4.13. 1 John 4.16.
• * 1.54

  Cant. 2.5.
• * 1.55

  1 Cor. 6.19.
• * 1.56

  Cant. 2.16.
• * 1.57

  Gal. 2.20.
• * 1.58

  Eph. 3.18, 19.
• * 1.59

  Cant. 4.9.
• * 1.60

  Esther. 5.3. —8.15, 16, 17.
• * 1.61

  Psal. 22.16.
• * 1.62

  John 17.15.
• * 1.63

  Ver. 12. Isa. 55 3.
• * 1.64

  1 Cor. 11.6.
• * 1.65

  Rev. 5.8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.
• * 1.66

  Heb. 7.25.
• * 1.67

  1 Tim. 2.1.
• * 1.68

  Isa. 27.4. Rom. 15.30. Isa. 62.7.
• * 1.69

  1 Thes. 5.25.
• * 1.70

  Object.
• * 1.71

  Answ.
• * 1.72

  Rev. 8.4.
• † 1.73

  I lately re∣ceived a paper wherein the Quakers gave the Ministers of Christ these following names. Conju∣rers, Thieves, Robbers, Anti∣christs, Witches, Blind guides, Devils, Lyars Baal's Priests, Sir-Simonds, Dissemblers, Ʋpholders of the seven head∣ed, and ten∣horned beasts, a Viperous, and Serpentine ge∣neration, bloody Herodians, Blasphemers, Scarlet-colou∣red beasts, Ba∣bylons Mer∣chants, Busie∣bodies, Whited Walls, Painted Sepulchres, Ra∣vening Wolves, Persecutors, Ty∣rants, Greedy dogs, Pharisees.