VeR. 9.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 247
liis hand lost in the service of the state. All this is to the Father, who being appeased, all the rest of the persons are appeased ; for they are one, and agree in one. He pleads with God for the application of good things procured by his oblation, especially in deep exigencies and con- flicts. Christ hath knowledge at other times, but then he hath a fellow- feeling : Heb. iv. 15, ' We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' His heart is entendered by his own experience.
3. The fruits and benefits of this intercession. They are many ; I shall name the chiefest.
[1.] This secures our justification and the pardon of our sins. Christ watcheth against what objections justice makes, and against Satan's wiles, and that we ourselves, by our daily breaches, may not cast our- selves out of the favour of God. He justifieth us against the accus- ations of enemies, covereth our sins from the sight of God : Kom. viii. 34, ' Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.' So Zecli. iii. 1, 2, there is our advocate and accuser : ' He showed me Joshua, the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee.^ When we are summoned by the justice of God to defend ourselves against the exceptions and complaints which are preferred against us, our attorney appeareth in our name and behalf ; so when Satan accuseth us day and night, he makes up all the breaches that fall out between God and us : 1 John ii. 1, ' If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous.' When we have mudded the stream, Christ maketh all clear again.
[2.] The acceptation of all our persons, works, and services : 1 Peter ii. 5, ' We are made an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.' We communicate with Christ in all his offices ; we are spiritual priests, consecrated to him by baptism. The ordinary priests were first consecrated in the great laver before they were to offer sacrifices ; so we are purified and cleansed in the laver of regeneration, and then offer to God these sacrifices. As Christ was temple, priest, and sacrifice, so are we. God dwelleth in us as in a temple : 2 Cor. vi. 16, 'Ye are the temple of the living God ; ' ' As the godhead dwelt in Christ bodily,' Col. ii. 9. We are consecrated to be priests to God, being sanctified by him, cleansed in the laver of his blood, our persons received into favour. And then we offer ourselves, bodies, services to God ; and so we perform duties acceptable to him ; because when we act the priest, Christ acteth it over again, presents our services to God in his censer : Eev. viii. 3, ' Another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.' He puts no filth nor dross into his golden censer. As the priests under the law were to examine the sacrifice before it was offered to the Lord, so doth Christ examine our services, not to reject them, but to better them in
248 SERMONS upox JOHN xvii. [Ser. XII.
liis own oblation ; and so by his intercession our duties and all tlie good works of our lives are recommended to God.
[3.] It encouragetli us to come to the throne of grace with boldness. God would have prayer in heaven to encourage us to prayer on earth ; Christ is always with God to set on every request. This is the coi)y of Christ's intercession. Besides, you have the groans of the Spirit in your hearts : Rom. viii. 26, ' The Spirit itself maketh intercession in us, with groaniugs that cannot be uttered.' Christ is our advocate, the Spirit our notary, we the solicitors : Isa. Ixii. 6, 7, 'Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest,' &c. We may know what Christ is doing for us in heaven by the work upon our hearts. Oh ! then, let us never rest till we have an interest in his intercession. This is the great prop of our faith and confidence, to know that we are comprehended in Christ's prayers. You have a friend in court, he hath liberty of immediate access, he is a favourite, the Father loveth him, and you for his sake. Our friend prayeth to our dear Father for his own children. When Joab saw the thing was pleasing to David, he interceded for Absalom, 2 Sam. xiv. 1, God can deny him nothing ; if you have ten thousand accusers it is no matter, your advocate will answer all their accusations. Never leave till you get it evidenced that it is your privilege; choose him, go to God by him, ratify God's appointment by your own choice. Faith is a consent ; wait for the Spirit's intercession ; those groans will end in joys. It is the great comfort of the church that we have such a mediator, who will effectually plead our cause with the Father.