The point in dispute is a nice and delicate one, and will probably never be settled. On the one hand we must take care that we do not forget that our Lord Jesus Christ does take a special interest in His believing people, and does do special things for tliem which He does not do for the wicked and unbelieving. — On the other hand we must not forget that our Lord pities all, cares for all, and has x>rovided salvation sufficient for all mankind. There is no escaping the text which says of the wicked that they " deny the Lord that bought them." (2 Peter ii. 1.) The most fair and honest interpreta- tion of the text, " God so loved the world " (John iii. 16), is to regard " the world " as meaning all mankind.
The whole dispute turns, as is often the case in such dis- putes, on the meaning we put on a word. If by "intercession" we mean vaguely and generally the whole mediatorial work of Christ on behalf of mankind, it is then true that Christ inter- cedes for all, both good and bad ; and this text before us must mean, " I pray at this moment sj)ecially for my people, and am only thinking of them." — If, on the other hand, we mean by " intercession " that special work which Christ does for His people, in order to carry them to heaven, after calling, pardon- ing, justifying, renewing, and sanctifying them, it is then plain that Christ intercedes for none but believers, and that the words before us mean, " I pray now, as always, specially for my disciples, and not for the world."
If I must give an opinion, I must own that I decidedly hold the second or last view of which I have spoken. I believe that Christ never, in the fullest sense of the word, " makes inter- cession " for the wicked. I believe that such intercession is a peculiar privilege of the saints, and one grand reason of their continuance in grace. They stand, because there is One in heaven who actively and effectually intercedes.
I will give place to no one in maintaining that Jesus loves all mankind, came into the world for all, died for all, provided re- demption suificient for all, calls on all, invites all, commands all to repent and believe ; and ought to be offered to all — freely, fully, unreservedly, directly, unconditionally — without money and without price. If I did not hold this, I dare not get into a pulpit, and I should not understand how to preach the Gospel.
But while I hold all this, I maintain firmly that Jesus does ppecial work for those who believe, which He does not do for others. He quickens them by His Spirit, calls them by His grace, washes them in His blood — justifies them, sanctifies them, keeps them, leads them, and continually intercedes for them — that they may not fall. If I did not believe all this, I should be a very miserable, unhappy Christian.
Holding this opinion, I regard the text before us as one which describes our Lord's special intercession for His people ; and I take the meaning to be simply, " I pray for them, as my peculiai