120
OF CHRIST'S INTERCESSION.
calls Lis sufferings a baptism ; he was to be (as it were) baptized in his own blood ; and how did he thirst for tliat time? ' How am I straitened ?' O then, let us be willing to suffer for Christ ! Christ hath taken away the venom and sting of the saints' suffer- ings : there is no wrath in their cup. Our sufferings Christ can make sweet. As there was oil mixed in the peace-offering, so God can mix the oil of gladness with our suf- ferings. " The ringing of my chain is 8weet music in my ears," Landgrave of Hesse. Life must be parted with shortly ; what is it to part with it a little sooner, as a sacrifice to Christ, as a seal of sincerity, and a pledge of thankfulness ?
Use 6th. Of consolation. This sacrifice of Christ's blood may infinitely comfort us. This is the blood of atonement ; Christ's cross is cardo salutis, Calv. " The hinge and fountain of our comfort." 1. This blood comforts in case of guilt ! O, saith the soul, my sins trouble me ! why, Christ's blood was shed for the remission of sin, Mat. xxA'i. 5. Let us see our sins laid on Christ, and then thev are no more ours but his. — 2. In case of pollution. Christ's blood is an healing and cleansing blood : (L) It is healing, Isa. liii. 5., " With his stripes we are healed." It is the best weapon- salve, it heals at a distance : Though Christ be in heaven, we may feel the virtue of his blood healing our bloody issue. (2.) And it is cleansing : It is therefore compared to fountain-water, Zech. xiii. 1. The word is a glass to shew us our spots, and Christ's blood is a fountain to wash them away ; it turns leprosy into purity, 1 John i. 7., ** The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all our sin." There is indeed one spot so black, that Christ's blood doth not wash away, viz. the sin against the Holy Ghost. Not but that there is virtue enough in Christ's
blood to wash it away ; but he who hath sinned that sin will not be washed, he con- temns Christ's blood, and tramples it under foot, Heb. X. 29. Thus we see what a strong cordial Christ's blood is ; it is the anchor-hold of our faith, tiie spring of our joy, the crown of our desires, and the only support both in life and death. In all out fears, let us comfort ourselves with the pro- pitiatory sacrifice of Christ's blood : Christ died both as a purchaser and as a ciniquer- or : 1. As a purchaser, in regard of God having by his blood obtained our salvation. 2. And as a conqueror, in regard of Satan ; the cross being his triumphant chariot, wherein he hath led hell and death cap- tive.
Use ult. Bless God for this precious sa- crifice of Christ's death, Ps. ciii. 1., " Bless the Lord, O my soul !" And for wliat doth David bless him ? " Who redeemeth thy life from destruction !" Christ gave him- self a sin-offering for us; let us give our- selves a thank-offering to him. If a man redeem another out of debt, will not he be grateful ? How deeply do we stand obliged to Christ, who hath redeemed us from hell and damnation ! Rev. v. 9., " And tliey sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and open the seals ; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood." Let our hearts and tongues join in concert to bless God, and let us shew thankfulness to Christ by fruit- fulness ; let us bring forth (as spice-tiecs) the fruits of humility, zeal, good works. This is to live unto him Avho died for us, 2 Cor. V. 15. The wise men did not only worship Christ, but presented him with gifts : gold, and frankincense, and myrrh, Mat. ii. 11. Let us present Christ with the fruits of righteousness which are unto the glory and praise of God.
^^%»%*»*V*%-*^%%^%^*^%^%^^^%^V^V^%^%ifcV^^-%%^V^^^%^^^V*%%***^*^%^*'VV*%^*^*^^*^*^V%*^^^*^*^^'**^^^^^*'*'*^*^*^^^
OF CHRIST'S INTERCESSION.
Rom. viii. 34, WIio also maketh intercession for us.
II. WHEN Aaron entered into the holy | makes a melodius sound in the ears of God. plac-e, his hells gave a sound : so Christ I Christ, though he be exalted to glory, hath having entered iiito heaven, his intercession I not laid aside his bowels of compassion, but
OF CHRIST'S INTERCESSION.
12]
is still mindful of his body mystical, as Jo- seph was mindful of his father and bre- thren, wlicn he was exalted to the court. " Who also maketh intercession for us." To intercede is to make request in the be- half of another. Christ is the great master of requests in heaven ; Cliristus est Catlio- licus liatris Sacerdoa, Teutul.
Quest. What are the qualifications of our intercessor ?
Alls. 1. He is holy, Heb. vii. 26., " For such an high priest became us, who is holV) undefiled, separated from sinners." " Christ knew no sin," 2 Coi*. v. 21. He knew sin in its weight, not in the act. It was requisite that he, who was to do away the sins of others, should himself be with- out sin. Holiness is one of the precious stones which shine on the breastplate of our high priest.