mitted a person to enter heaven, and to take up his stated residence there under the character of an intercessor, whose plea he has disallowed? It were most absurd to suppose it. The satisfaction of Christ therefore appears to be complete, and consequently his person divine, and therefore his saving power almighty, from his ever living to make intercession. And this the apostle seems plainly to intimate in those memorable words: Who being the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power; having, in consequence of these divine perfections, by himself, that is, by the sacrifice of himself, purged or expiated our sins, sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high* ; which he could never have done under this public character, had his nature been less glorious, and so his atonement less complete. 2. The actual exercise of this intercession, "in such an extent, does farther imply divine perfections," and by consequence a fulness of saving power. I have before observed, that there is the greatest reason to believe, the intercession of Christ is not merely his appearance before God, in the body in which he suffered; but that it is attended with a constant and ardent intention, that his death may be effectual to the purposes designed, not only for his people in general, but for each of them in particular: And I endeavoured to shew you, that it implied a care, correspondent to their various circumstances, that grace might be accommodated to every time of need. Now this plainly implies a knowledge extending itself even to omniscience; a knowledge of the hearts, as well as the conditions of his people; a knowledge of those unutterable breathingst, in which the most valuable part of prayer consists, and of those secret assaults and strugglings, which are often the most painful scenes through which the christian passes. Yet such a knowledge must the great Intercessor have, not only of one particular person, but of each, and of all the children of God that are scattered abroad in the most distant nations of the earth, and all at the same moment of time. Surely we must say, Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, it is high, we cannot attain unto it‡: Especially when we consider it, as joined with the administration of that universal kingdom, over which he is exalted. In this view, the humble soul must fall prostrate before him * Heb. i. 3. Rom. viii. 26. Psal. cxxxix. 6. in the lowliest homage, and cry out, My Lord, and my God* ! Thou art indeed able to save to the uttermost: Nothing can exceed the penetration of thy wisdom, or the extent of thy power." 3. "The perpetuity of Christ's intercession is a farther argument of his ability always to save." In this view the apostle introduces the thought, He is able to save to the uttermost,seeing he ever liveth to make intercession. It is an encouragement to our believing application unto him, as the Lord mighty to save, when we consider, that in the prosecution of so amazing an employ, he fainteth not, neither is wearyt. Had it been the appointment of the Father that he should have retired from the office of an intercessor, after he had attended to it for some few days or years, we must by faith have looked to a past, as the Old Testament saints did to a future transaction: But surely our comfort could not have arisen so high, as it now does, when we reflect," Even at this moment is Christ appearing in heaven for me: He is there as the refuge of his people Throughout all generations‡: And I have all imaginable security of his saving power, because his one offering has so fully completed the work, that he needs not to come down to earth again, by dying to renew the sacrifice that he presented here. No; the efficacy of it is everlasting, as his intercession upon it is perpetual." This seems plainly the apostle's meaning, by what he adds just after the text?— Such an High-priest became us,-who needeth not, as those high-priests under the law, daily to offer ;-having done it once for all, when he offered up himself§. III. It only remains, that I conclude with a few obvious, but important reflections. 1. How admirable, and how amiable, does the blessed Jesus appear, when considered as the great Intercessor of his people! How admirable is he in this view! What an honour is done him in the heavenly world! How dear to the Father does he appear to be; when God will not accept the services of the greatest and best of mankind, unless presented by him; and for his sake will graciously regard the meanest and the vilest sinner! And how great does this Intercessor appear in himself? "Blessed Jesus," may the christian say, "Who is like unto John xx. 28. + Isa. xl. 28. Psal. xc. 1. Heb. vii. 26, 27. thee?"who canst at once sustain so many different relations, and canst fill them all with their proper offices, of duty to thy Father, and of love to thy people! who canst thus bear, without incumbering thyself, without interfering with each other, the priestly censer, and the royal sceptre ! How wise are thy counsels! How extensive thy views? How capacious thy thoughts; and yet at the same time, how compassionate thy gracious heart! That amidst all the exaltations of heaven, all the splendors of thy Father's right hand, thou shouldest still thus graciously remember thine humble followers! That thine eye should be always watchful over them, thine ear be always open to their prayers, thy mouth be ever ready to plead for them, and thine arm to save them! As if it were not love enough to descend and die, unless thou didst for ever live and reign for them, and even glory in being made Head over all for thy church." "But especially," may the christian say, "when I think of thee, blessed Jesus, not only as the intercessor of thy people in general, but as my intercessor; when I think, that thou hast espoused my character and my cause, vile and obnoxious as it is; and that thou art recommending my poor broken services, which I daily blush to present before thee; and art using thine interest and thine authority in the world above, to complete my salvation, which thou hast begun? What shall thy poor servant say unto thee? All these astonishing and kind regards to me, who am unworthy to wash the feet of the least of thy followers! Shall not the wonders of such condescending grace engage my gratitude to all eternity? My praises now are so exceeding feeble, and so low, I am almost ashamed to offer them: O when shall those noble praises begin, which I hope ere long to offer in that world of perfection, to which thy gracious intercession is bringing me?" 2. With what holy joy may the christian reflect on his interest in such an Intercessor ! Methinks we should be often entering into this pleasurable thought. The Lord Jesus is pleading for us above, and he ever lives to make intercession there. We had pious friends, who were once bearing us on their hearts before God in prayer; but they are now sleeping in the dust: Our dear religious parents, our holy ministers, our guides and companions in the ways of God! We have no warrant to expect any farther assistance I i VOL. II. from their prayers. In this sense, Abraham is ignorant of us, and Israel does not, and cannot, acknowledge us*: But Christ is an ever-living Intercessor, without whose interposition theirs had been vain, and in comparison with whom we have none on earth, or in heaven to desire. Let papists commit themselves to the patronage of angels and saints, and by a voluntary and offensive humility, intreat them to intercede with God, or to intercede with Christ, in their favour: As Christ has by one offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified+; so by one continued intercession, in which he needs and admits no associate, he for ever secures them. 3. With what holy boldness may the christian draw near to God, in dependance on such an Intercessor ! We have daily important errands to the throne of grace; and perhaps hardly any thing would more promote the success of them, than to lift up a cheerful and believing eye, as expecting to receive something from God's hand‡. A consciousness of our own numberless imperfections and defects, may indeed discourage us; a sense of our guilt might even fright us away. But when we see Jesus standing before the throne, in such a posture, in such a character, surely we may venture near; and when most awed, and most dismayed, may encourage ourselves in him. This is an inference which the apostle draws, and which he repeats again and again : Seeing we have a great Highpriest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God; let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of needs; for surely, neither mercy to pardon, nor grace to strengthen, will now be with-held. Having therefore boldness, (as he elsewhere expresses it) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by that new and living way which he hath consecrated for us,— let us draw near: And Oh that we might ever do it with a true heart, since there is so blessed a foundation laid for a full assurance ef faith||! 4. What reason is there to adore the divine wisdom and goodness, in appointing so excellent a way, at once, to promote our humility, and our confidence! You have seen, how justly it may establish our faith, to Isa. Ixiii. 16. + Heb. x. 14. Acts iii. 5. Heb. x. 19-22. consider, that though we are unworthy for whom any thing should be done, yet Christ is worthy: And I may add, that in appointing him to be our Intercessor, God hath declared his own favourable regard to us, and we may comfortably conclude, that The Father himself loveth us. Yet this love is manifested, as in a very gracious, so also in a very humbling way. This token of divine displeasure against sin is yet upon us, that we are not allowed to draw near to him in our own name, or to expect the least favour for our own sake; but he still keeps us at an humble distance, nor will he permit us to see his face, unless our elder brother be with us+: And as he treated Eliphaz and his companions, saying, My wrath is kindled against you; take now an offering, and go to my servant Job, and he shall pray for you, and him will I accept; lest I deal with you after your folly: Thus God refuses to look on the best of our offerings, if they do not pass through another more acceptable hand. How awful a reflection, and how wise a provision, to promote that humility, which so well becomes pardoned rebels, before the only injured Majesty of heaven! This is, as he expresses it by Ezekiel§, That we may remember our way, and be confounded, and never open our mouths any more, because of our shame, even when he is pacified towards us for all that we have done. Lastly, How powerfully should this comfortable doctrine operate on our minds, to promote our love to this great Intercessor, and our zeal for his honour and glory! "Blessed Lord," should each of us say, "dost thou remember such a worthless worm amidst all thine honour and joy above, and shall not I remember thee, the King of glory? Where should my heart be but with thee? On what should I Set my affections, but on those things which are above, where thou sittest at the right-hand of God? My righteousness, and my strength, mine advocate, and my guardian! Shall I be unmindful of thee? While thou art pleading my cause in heaven, shall I not be joyfully willing to plead thy sacred and honourable cause on earth? Rather, much rather, may I forget the powers of reason, and lose the faculty of speech, than neglect to use them for thee: Rather may my Tongue cleave * John xvi. 27. + Gen. xliii. 5. Col. iii. 1, 2. Job xlii. 7,8. |