from their pravers. 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 so is 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. 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 ust: 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. Job xlii. 7,8. 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 so is 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. 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. from their pravers. 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 so is 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. |