[2.] It may be supposed also to include a declared willingness and desire in our behalf to have such requests granted, such sins pardoned. The declaring of his will is a part of his intercession : John xvii 24,
116 SERMON UPON HEBREWS XII. 24.
' Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am.' The like may be conceived in heaven. So Aquinas — Interpellat pro nobis primo Immanitatem quam pro nohis assumpsit representando ; item animce suce sanctissimce desiderium, quod de salute nostra hahvAt, exprimendo. He intercedes for us partly by presenting there his human nature, which he assumed for our sakes, and also by declaring the desire of his holy soul for our welfare. But is there not more ? Certain it is that a proper and formal prayer is not contrary to the human nature of Christ in that glorious estate in which now it is, neither as hypostatically united to the Godhead, nor as glorified. Not to the first, for that he had in via ; yet he offered prayers with tears and strong cries. Not to the second, for Christ's human nature, though glorified, is still a creature inferior to God, and therefore capable of prayer. Indeed, when he was in the form of a servant, there was more subjection than now in heaven, but still he prayeth. Therefore —
[3.] There is an holy, reverend, though inconceivable, act of adora- tion of the sovereign majesty of God, whereby the Mediator, now at the Father's right hand, doth in all his appearing for us, as being the head of the body, adore the power, sovereignty, goodness, and wisdom of God, with respect to the covenant of redemption, and his having merited the benefits due to him thereby, namely, the pardon of our sins, our comfort and peace, the enlargement, safety, and success of his own kingdom : Ps. ii. 8, ' Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.' By virtue of his paid ransom he may call for those blessings which are necessary for those who come to God by him His saying to the disciples oftener than once, ' I will pray the Father for you,' John xiv. 16, implieth some address to God, even in respect to particular persons and particular cases ; an entering of his plea, or a suing out of his own right in their behalf.
[4.] His presenting our prayers and supplications, which we make in the behalf of ourselves to God, after he hath set us a-work by his own Spirit : Rev. 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 ; ' and Heb. viii. 2, XeLTovpjo<i dyiav, ' A minister of holy things.' By his Spirit he furnisheth us with sighs and groans, and then presenteth them to his Father perfumed by his own merit.
Secondly, To instruct us what use to make of this 'blood of sprinkling.'
1. When we are confessing of sin, or reflecting upon sin, and arraign- ing ourselves, as it were, at the bar of our judge, remember, though these sins deserve ill, and speak much ill against us, yet the * blood of sprinkling ' speaks better things. There is hope, and comfort, and peace, and pardon there. Plead Christ's satisfaction to God's justice. Say, Our Lord Jesus Christ did take our sinful debts upon him, and undertake to satisfy for them ; and I know he made full satisfaction. I renounce all other hope of pardon, and rest my soul upon his pre- cious blood. If he be not able to save me, I am contented to perish ; but he is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him.
SERMON UPON HEBREWS XII. 24. 117
Let this be in your tlionglits when God makes you feel the terrors of his justice by an involuntary impression, or you are in a broken-hearted manner moaning for sin.
2. Eemember it when you hear the offers of grace in the gospel ; that God desires not the death of sinners : John v. 24, ' He that hears my word, and believes on me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life.' Surely this is true ; for * the blood of Christ speaks better things than the blood of Abel.' It is exacted of you to sprinkle it on your consciences. Christ shed it that it might be sprinkled.
3. Eemember it in the Lord's supper, as often as that is celebrated, and you hear it repeated, ' Behold the blood of the covenant which was shed for the remission of sins ! ' then say. Surely it is so ; for ' the blood of Christ speaketh better things than the blood of Abel.'
4. Eemember it in your prayers, when you come to God for pardon or any blessing, that you may come with the more confidence : you have the blood of Christ to speak for you. Christ pleads it in heaven, and you must plead it on earth : Heb. x. 19, ' Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.' That bespeaks welcome and audience. Present unto God his Son's blood, and sue for the benefit of it.