2. That we might have a copy of his intercession. Christ is good at interceding ; he gave the world a taste in his last prayer. It is a pledge of those continual groans which, as a mediator of the church, he putteth up for us in heaven. We have an excellent advocate : 1 John ii. 2, ' If any man sin, we have an advocate with the- Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' When thou art in danger of temptation, he saith, ' They are in the world ; keep them from the evil of the world.' When thou art practising holinesss, Christ speaketh a good word of thee behind thy back : ' Father, they keep thy word.' He is a good shepherd, that knoweth the state of his flock, and readily giveth an account to the Father.
3. That these prayers might be a constant fountain and foundation of spiritual blessings. Christ's prayers are as good as so many pro-
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mises ; for he is always heard, John xi. 42. In this prayer, Christ speaketh as God-man. There is not any epwrw, I ask, but 6e\co, I will. Ver. 24, ' Father, I will that they also be with me where I am.' A word, not of request, but of authority. The divine nature givetli a force and efficacy to these prayers. When he prayeth, whole Christ prayeth, God-man ; and as his passion received efficacy from his god- head, so did his prayers : Acts xx. 28, ' Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.' As it was the blood of God, so it is the prayer of God. The godhead is interested in all these actions ; it is the prayer of the Son of God made flesh. The things which he asketh belong to the human nature, yet he prayeth as God. He that heareth with the Father, will be heard by the Father. Christ's prayer is not like the prayers of other holy men recorded in scripture for a form and pattern, but as a fountain of comfort and blessing. This should beget a confidence in the accomplishment of all these promises, the safety of the elect, the success of the word, the unity of the church, and the possession of glory.
4. To commend the duty of prayer. He commanded it before, and commended it by promise : John xiv. 13, 14, ' Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it ;' John xv. 16, ' That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.' Now, to precept and promise he would add his own example. Certainly there are none above ordinances, if Christ the eternal Son of God was not. If Christ, who was of the same majesty and power with his Father, did pray so earnestly and seriously, when, in the light of omnisciency, he saw the fruit of his passion, how much more are prayers necessary for us, under such infirmity of flesh to which we are subject, and such rage of Satan and the world ! In all cases we must use this remedy. They that are above prayer are beyond religion. In his greatest works Christ despised not this remedy. Christ knew his own deliverance, and was sure of it ; yet he will not have it but by prayer. He had an eternal right to heaven and glory, and a new right by purchase, yet he would have his charter confirmed by prayer. And so, though we have assurance of mercy, we must take this course to get it accomplished ; though we have large possessions and a liberal supply, when it is at the table we must receive it as a boon from grace : ' Give us this day our daily bread.' If for no other reason, prayer is necessary for sub- mission to God, and that we may renew the sense of that tenure by which we hold a charter of grace, that by asking we may still take it out of free grace's hands. Christ had a right, yet, because of that mixture of grace with justice in all divine dispensations, he is to ask.
5. That our prayers might be effectual. Christ's prayer is large and comprehensive. We can mention nothing but he has begged it already «i terminis, or by consequence. The prayers of the saints have their efficacy, but not from any virtue in them, but by Clirist's merits, by virtue of his prayers. Now Christ hath consecrated the way, it is like to be successful ; no prayer can miscarry. God may cast out the dross, but he will be sure to receive the prayer. Now he doth not refuse your money, but rubbeth off the filth of it. It is very
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notable that Christ consecrated all ordinances, and made them success- ful by his own obedience. Baptism ; he made the waters of baptism salutary. Hearing ; Christ was one of John's auditors : ' Behold the Lamb of God/ John i. 29. Singing, prayer, receiving the supper ; he loveth the society, ever since he himself was a communicant : Mat. xxvi. 29, ' I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of this vine, until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' Christ doth but act over that ordinance in heaven. So for prayer.