_Of the necessity and benefit of |intercession|, considered as an exercise of universal love. How all orders of men are to interceed with God for one another. How such intercession amends and reforms the heart._
1. THAT intercession is a great and necessary part of Christian devotion, is very evident from scripture.
The first followers of Christ seem to support all their love, by prayers for one another.
St. _Paul_, whether he writes to churches, or particular persons, shews that they are the constant subject of his prayers.
Thus to the _Philippians_, _I thank my God upon every remembrance of you: always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy_, Phil. i. 4, 5.
His devotion had also the same care for particular persons, as appears by the following passage: _I thank my God, whom I serve from my forefathers, with a pure conscience, that, without ceasing, I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day_, 2 Tim. i. 3. How holy an acquaintance and friendship was this, how worthy of persons that were raised above the world, and related to one another, as new members of a kingdom of heaven!
2. Apostles and great saints did not only thus bless particular churches, and private persons; but they themselves also received graces from God by the prayers of others. Thus saith St. _Paul_ to the _Corinthians_, _You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf_, 2 Cor. i. 11.
This was the _ancient friendship_ of Christians, uniting and cementing their hearts, not by worldly considerations, or human passions, but by the mutual communication of spiritual blessings, by prayers and thanksgivings to God for one another.
It was this holy intercession that raised Christians to such a state of mutual love, as far exceeded all that had been admired in human friendship. And when the same spirit of intercession is again in the world, this holy friendship will be again in fashion, and Christians will be again the wonder of the world, for that exceeding love which they bear to one another.
For a _frequent_ intercession with God, earnestly beseeching him to forgive the sins of all mankind, to bless them with his providence, enlighten them with his Spirit, and bring them to everlasting happiness, is the divinest exercise that the heart of man can be engaged in.
3. Be daily therefore on your knees in a solemn, deliberate performance of this devotion, praying for others with such _length_, _importunity_, and _earnestness_, as you use for yourself; and you will find all _little_, _ill-natured_ passions die away; and your heart will delight in the common happiness of others, as you used only to delight in your own.
For it is hardly possible for you to beseech God to make any one happy in his glory to all eternity, and yet be troubled to see him enjoy the much smaller gifts of God in this life.
But the greatest benefits of intercession are then received, when it descends to such _particular_ instances as our _state_ and _condition_ in life more particularly require of us.
Tho’ we are to treat all mankind as _neighbour_ and _brethren_, as occasion offers; yet as we can only live in the actual society of a few, and are more particularly _related_ to some than others; so when our intercession is made an exercise of love and care for those amongst whom our _lot_ is fallen, or who belong to us in a _nearer relation_, it then becomes the greatest benefit to ourselves.
If therefore you should always alter your intercessions, according as the _needs_ of your _neighbours_ or _acquaintance_ require; beseeching God to deliver them from such or such particular evils, or to grant them this or that particular gift, or blessing; such intercessions, besides the great charity of them, would have a mighty effect upon your own heart.
4. This would make it pleasant to you to be _courteous_, _civil_, and _condescending_ to all about you, and make you unable to say or do a rude or hard thing to those for whom you had used yourself to be so kind and compassionate in your prayers.
*For there is nothing that makes us love a man so much, as praying for him; and when you can once do this sincerely for any man, you have fitted your soul for the performance of every thing that is kind and civil towards him. This will fill your heart with a generosity and tenderness, that will give you a better and sweeter behaviour, than any thing that is called _fine breeding_ and _good manners_.
By considering yourself as an advocate with God for your neighbours and acquaintance, you would never find it hard to be at peace with them yourself. It would be easy to you to bear with, and forgive those, for whom you particularly implored the divine mercy and forgiveness.