sure that such intercession bas been tried. Is our own such ? 'l'herc may be cus- tomary and too often formal prayers offered by parents, pastors, teachers, for the spiritual ~ood of those about them. But can we say that such prayers are mighty intercessions, like those of Moses and Samuel? 1f we know they have not been such, let ns pause before we conclude that such intercession avails not. But in order to ascertain if our intercession has been real, let us note if we are in' earnest about our own soul's salva- tion. If we care not for our own acceptance before God, how can we be solicitous for that of others? And are our prayers followed up by practical effort in the direction o{ our prayers? Do they lead us to see what can be done to secure the ends for which we pray? Or are they substitutes for such endeavour ? Hence it may very often be that we ask and have not, because we ask amiss. We do not intercede in that real, believ- ing, earnest way which alone has a right to expect the blessing it seeks. It is by no means intercession such as that of Moses and Samuel. 7. But if intercession have been such as theirs, then, though answer may be delayed, we are to believe that it will yet come. Delay is not denial. 8. Neither this verse nor experience sets aside the many promises which encourage such intercession. 9. And experience proves its worth. The Church of to-day is in the main the product of the intercession of the Church that has passed into the heavens. Instead of the fathers have risen up the children. 10. Learn, therefore, (1) if God refuse us temporal blessings, it is because he k □ ows better than we do what is best; (2) how best to deal with transgressors God aloni> knows, and what his wisdom determines none may set aside; (3) that intercession for souls is well pleasing to God and full of hope, since the beloved of God havo been ever distinguished for such intercession, and, above all, God's well-beloved Son.-0. Ver. !.-Great intercessors. I. SucH ARE MENTIONED HERE, Moses, Samuel, etc. (cf. Exod. xvii. 11; x..x.xii. 11; Numb. xiv. 13; Ps. cvi. 23; 1 Sam. vii. 8; viii. 6; xii. 16-23; xv. 11; Ps. xc. 6; Ecclus. xlvi. 6). Noah, Daniel, and Job are mentioned in similar way (Ezek. xiv. 14), and Jeremiah himself (2 Mace. xv. 14). And there have been such oftentimes granted to nations, Churches, families (cf. Mary Queen of Scots saying that she feared John Knox's prayers more than all her enemies). And who i1as not known such intercessors in connection with Christian Churches-men and women whose prayers were amongst the main supports of the life, joy, and strength of those for whom they were offered? II. TnEm VA.LUE IS UNSPEAKABLE. Cf. Abraham praying for Sodom. Though the cities of the plain were destroyed, yet what o.n amount of sin God was ready to pardon in answer to his prayer, if but the conditions which should have been so easy to fulfil had been forthcoming I And "the few names even in Sardis" (Rev. ii.), who can doubt that they, as o.11 such do, warded off for long periods those visitations of God's anger which otherwise would have come upon that Church? And it is not only the evils from which they lefend a Church, but the positive good they confer. Such power with God ill ever accompasied by a consistency and sanctity of character which is blessedly attractive, inspiring, contagious; and as a magnet they gather round them a baa,l of kindred souls, like as our Lord gathered his disciples round himself. Aud thus a -hallowed influence is sent throughout a whole community. III. THEm QUALIFICATIONS. 1. Sympathy with God. Thay must sea sin as God sees it-as utterly hateful and wrong. 'rhere must be no weak condoning of it or any failure to behold it in its true character. If we ask God to forgive sin, iudecd, if we seek forgiveness for wrong done from a fellow-man, are we likely to be acceptable in our request if we regard him who has been wronged as nc,t having much to complain of after all 'l No; he who would wish God to forgive sin must see it as God sees it, and consent to his judgment concerning it. 2. Deep love for those for whom he intercedes. And this cannot be created in a moment. It must be the result of much thought, labour, and pains spent upon them. When we have thus given ourselves to them, we nre sure to love them. Places, persons, things, most unattractive to others are deeply ioved by those who have devoted themselves to them. And all great intercessors have been such, and must be such as become so, not on the spur of the moment or from any mere movement of pity, but as the result of long and loving labour lavished fur their good. 3, Freedom from the guilt of the transgression, the pardon of which ia sought. Under the Old 'l'estament the priest first offered atonement for himself and JEREMIAH, 2C 336 'l'HE BOOK. OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [en. xv. 1-21.
then for the sins of the people. Not until he was purged from sin himself could he intercede for ot.hers. The intercessor must be one untainted with the guilt he prnys to be removed. The prayer of the wicked can never aid. 4. Experimental knowledge both of the blessings which he craves and of the sorrows and sufferings which he intc1·- cedes against. Of our Saviour, the great Intercessor, it is said, " He himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases." He was made" in all points like unto his brethren." The joy of God's love and also, by holy sympathy, the bitterness of the dregs of .th 11 t cup of which the wicked have to drink-were alike known to him. Thus, though he knew no sin, he ,vas made sin for us. It was to him as if all the sin of those he. so loved were his own, so intensely did its shame, its misery, its guilt, fill up his soul. And with human intercessors there must be like experience. 5. Faith in God, which firmly holds to the beliqf that his love for the sinner is deeper than his hatred of the sin. Unless we believe this we can have no hope in interceding either for ourselves or for others. Faith in the infinitude of the love of God is essential. IV. THEIR GREAT EXEMPLAR-the Lord Jesus Christ. See how all the qualifications above named combine in him. CONCLUSION. 1. To the sorrowful and sinful. You need a great intercessor. You have one in Christ.. "Give him, my soul, thy ea.use to plead." 2. To the believer in ~hrist. _Seek to become as Moses and Samuel, and, above all, as our Lord-mighty in mtercess10n.-C.