310 To whom. Even to the Sonne and holy Spirit. Dolt, 2. Only by Chrift wee have acceci'e to Cod. Objefl. ruf Objet. itsf . Why Saints on earth joyne in prayers,not in heaven. 1. Epheflans,Chap.z. V E R.18. Comming to God. Let us come before the Lordwith P[limes. Let us draw neare the throneof grace. Hcbr. 4. 16. We bowing the knees ofour hearts doe fpeakto God. 2. Marke to whom it is to be diretled, to the Father; thus Chrift teachcth us in the Lords prayer; our Fa- ther,dc. And iohn 14. Whatfoevier yeeaske theFather inmy name , yee (hall receive it: yet we muff not fo conceive as if the Sonne and the Holy Ghoft were not to bee called on , for things are wifhed from Chrift as well as the Father, and the fpirit is prayed untoas well as either: TheSonne and Spirit arenot indeed expreffed. But the Fa- ther excludethall otherperlons that are pure Creatures, not Periuns,, which have the fame fingular efFence with him. Secondly, thefe are not named, becaufe fuch is the divine difpenfation, that though when one is invocated , all are invocated; yet the Father is fitly a- lone named, becaufe the Sonne hath the part ofa Mediatour,through whom we goe to the Father: and the Spirit , the office of a Sclioole- mafter,teachingwhat topray,and as we ought. Neither hence may it be inferred, thattherefore Saintsare not excluded: For as this or that faidofthe Father dothnot exclude the Sonne and Spirit , each being oneGod with him,foit doth fhutout whatfoever is not God from par- ticipating in that whichis appropriated to him. t Cop. 8, 6. Ynto us thereis butone God, whichis the Father, ofwhom allthings, andone Lord lefus CbriFt,by whom areall things. Marke fecondly, by whom we have acceffe withboldneffe; by Chrifl, andhim only: There is one Mediatour between God andman, Chrifl Iefss: one Mediatour, who bringeth of all forts to God , and maketh our prayers for every kind ofmen to be acceptable, r. Tim. 2. 5. Hee a. lone being able tomakeour prayers welcome to God, and fpecd in the thingsthey intreat : and therefore the Scripture Both found his intercellion in his facrifice. Hegave himfelfe a facrifrce ofafweet finel- ling favourto God, Eph. y. 2. But it will be faid , How is it, then that we pray one for anothert This is no making our felves Mediatours one for another, but a joyningin petition toone Mediatour, love in fellow-members fo requiring; as ifI hada fuit to the King, ifI fhould take two or three to accompanyme in delivering my petition to force one Matter ofre- quefts, this were not tomake his friends Matte requefts, but lo. ving affociateswithhimfelfe going with him. But why then may we not call the Saints at leaft o joyne with us inour feverall petitions to Chrift This particular praying wherein one Chriftian joyneth with ano. ther,is grounded on three reafons, none ofthem being the likewith the Saints departed or Angels. Not frmplyon loveofmember to member, but on love determi- ned to fuch duties as the occafions ofthis liferequireilkw though the Saints are more perfe ì in love, yePthefe particulars of it , they are freedfrom. It isgrounded on theexprefï'e commandement of God, Pray onefor another.
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