SEASONS OF INVOKING CHRIST. 113
as saints and angels — rejecting also the aids of the Spirit to comply with imaginations of their own, whose assistance herein they more approve of
But this is the nature and method of ordinary solemn evangeli- cal invocation. So it is declared, Eph. ii. 18, " Through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." It is the Father unto whom we have our access, whom we peculiarly invocate; as it is expressed, chap. iii. 1 4-1 6, " For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would gTant you," &c. But it is through him — that is, by Christ in the exercise of his mediatory office — that we have this access unto the Father ; we ask in his name, and for his sake, John xiv. 13, 14, xvi. 23, 24. They did so of old, though not in that express exercise of faith which we now attain unto. Dan. ix. 17, " Hear, O Lord, and have mercy, for the Lord's sake." All this are we enabled unto by one Spirit — through the aids and assistance of the Spkit of grace and supplication, Rom. viii. 26, 27. So that prayer is our cr}ang — " Abba, Father," by the Spirit of the Son, Gal. iv. 6. This is farther declared, Heb. iv. 15, 16, x. 19-22. Herein is the Lord Christ considered, not absolutely with respect unto his divine person, but with respect unto his office, that through " him our faith and hope might be in God," 1 Peter i. 21.
Wherefore, it being our duty, as hath been proved, to invocate the name of Christ in a particular manner, and this being the ordi- nary solemn way of the worship of the church — Ave may consider on what occasions, and in what seasons, this peculiar invocation of Christ, who in his divine person is both our God and our Advocate, is necessary for us, and most acceptable unto him.
(1st,) Times of great distresses in conscience through temptations and desertions, are seasons requiring an application unto Christ by especial invocation. Persons in such conditions, when their souls, as the Psalmist speaks, are overwhelmed in them, are continually solicitous about compassion and deliverance. Some relief, some refreshment, they often find in pity and compassion from them who either have been in the same condition themselves, or by Scripture light do know the terror of the Lord in these things. When their complaints are despised, and their troubles ascribed unto other causes than what they are really sensible of, and feel within them- selves— as is commonly done by physicians of no value — it is an aggravation of their distress and sorrow. And they greatly value every sincere endeavour for relief, either by counsel or prayer. In this state and condition the Lord Christ in the Gospel is proposed as full of tender compassion — as he alone who is able to relieve
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114 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
them. In that himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is touched with a feehng of our infirmities, and knows how to have compassion on them that are out of the way, Heb. ii. 18, iv. 15, v. 2. So is he also, as he alone who is able to succour, to relieve, and to deliver them. "He is able to succour them that are tempted," chap. ii. 18. Hereon are they drawn, constrained, encouraged to make appli- cations unto him by prayer, that he would deal with them according to his compassion and power. This is a season rendering the dis- charge of this duty necessary. And hereby have innumerable souls found consolation, refreshment, and deliverance. A time of trouble is a time of the especial exercise of faith in Christ. So himself gives direction, John xiv. 1, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." Distinct actings of faith on Christ are the great means of supportment and relief in trouble. And it is by especial invocation, whereby they put forth and exert themselves.
An instance hereof, as unto temptation, and the distress where- with it is attended, we have in the apostle Paul. He had " a thorn in the flesh," "a messenger of Satan to buffet" him. Both expressions declare the deep sense he had of his temptation, and the perplexity wherewith it was accompanied. " For this cause he besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him," 2 Cor. xii. 7, 8. He applied himself solemnly unto prayer for its removal, and that fre- quently. And it was the Lord — that is, the Lord Jesus Christ — unto whom he made his apphcation. For so the name Lord is to be interpreted — if there be nothing contrary in the context — as the name of God is of the Father, by virtue of that rule, 1 Cor. viii. 6, "To us there is one God, the Father; and one Lord Jesus Christ." And it is evident also in the context. The answer he received unto his prayer was, "My grace is sufficient for thee ; for my power [strength] is made perfect in weakness." And whose power that was, who gave him that answer, he declares in the next words, " Most gladly there- fore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me;" that is, the power of him on whom he called, who gave him that answer, " My power is made perfect in weakness."