2d Fruit. The unction of the Spirit, 1 John ii. 20., " Ye have an unction from the Holy One." This unction or anointing is nothing else but the work of sanctifica- tion in the heart whereby the Spirit makes us partake of the divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4. Such as speak of the philosopher's stone, suppose it to have such a property, that when it toucheth the metal it turns it into gold: such a property hath the Spirit of God upon the soul ; when it toucheth the soul, it puts it into a divine nature, it makes it to be holy and to resemble God. The sanctifying work of the Spirit is the fruit of Christ's intercession, John vii. 39., " The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Je- sus was not yet glorified." Christ being glorified and in heaven, now he prays the Father, and the Father sends the Spirit, who pours out the holy anointing upon the elect.
3(i Fruit. The purification of our holy things. It is Christ's work in heaven, not only to present his own prayers to his Fa-
ther, but he prays over our prayers agam, Rev. viii. 3., " Another angel came, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar." This angel was Christ ; he takes the golden censer of his merits, and puts our prayers into this censer, and with the incense of his intercession makes our pray- ers go up as a sweet perfume in heaven. It is observable, Lev. xvi. 16., " Aaron shall make atonement for the holy place." This was typical, to shew that our holy duties need to have atonement made for them. Our best services, as they come from us, are mixed with corruption, as wine that tastes of the cask, Isa. Ixiv. 6., " they are filthy rags ;" but Christ purifies and sweet- ens these services, mixing the sweet odours of his intercession with them ; and now God accepts and crowns them. What would become of our duties without an high priest? Christ's intercession doth to our prayers as the fan to the chaff, it winnows it from the corn ; so Christ winnows out the chaff which intermixcth with our prayers.
^th Fruit. Access with boldness unto the throne of grace, Heb. iv. 16. We have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, let us go, — come boldly to the throne of grace ; we have a friend at court that speaks a good word for us, and is fol- lowing our cause in heaven, therefore let this animate and encourage us in prayer. We think it too much boldness ; what, such sinners as we to come for pardon, — we shall be denied ! This is a sinful modesty : did we indeed come in our own name in pray- er, it were presumption, but Christ inter- cedes for us in the force and efficacy of his blood. Now, to be afraid to come to God in prayer, is a dishonour to Christ's inter- cession. »
bth Fruit. The sending the Comforter, John xiv. 16., " I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter." The comfort of the Spirit is distinct from the a- nointing; this comfort is very sweet, — sweeter than tine honey-drops from the comb, — it is the manna in the golden pot, it is vinum in pectore, — a drop of this hea- venly comfort is enough to sweeten a sea of worldly sorrow, — it is called " the ear-
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nest of the Spirit," 2 Cor. i. 22. An earnest assures one of the wliolc sum. The Spirit gives us an earnest of lieaven in our hand. Whence is this comforting work of the Spirit ? Thank Clirist's intercession for it : ' I will pray the Father, and he shall send the Comforter.'
Qtk Fruit. Perseverance in grace, John xvii. 11., "Keep through thy own name those whom thou hast given me." It is not our prayer, or watchfulness, or grace that keeps us, hut it is God's care and niainte- nancy ; he holds us, that we do not fall a- way. And, whence is it God preserves us? It is from Christ's intercession ; " Father keep them." Tliat prayer of Christ for Peter, is the copy of his prayer now in hea- ven, Luke xxii. 32., " I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Peter's faith did fail in some degree when he denied Christ; but Christ prayed that it might not totally fail. The saints persevere in believ- ing, because Christ perseveres in praying.
11 th Fruit. Absolution at the day of Judgment. Christ shall judge the world, John v. 22., " God hath committed all judg- ment to the Son." Now sure those that Christ hath so prayed for, he will absolve when he sits upon the bench of judicature. Will Christ condemn those he prays for ? Believers are his spouse ; will he condemn his spouse?
Use \f;t. Branch 1. See here the con- stancy of Christ's love to the elect. He did not only die for them, but intercedes for them in heaven ; when Christ hath done <^yi"g» ^'6 Jiath not done loving ; he is now at Avork in heaven for the saints ; he carries their names on his breast, and will never leave praying till that prayer be granted, John xvii. 24., " Father, I will, that those whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am."