Ver.9. the lath Chapter of St. JOH1\T, ro3 Secondly, The Nature of Chrift's Interceflion. It is a part of his Prieftty Office, of which there were two Aéts; Oblation and Intercefhort. Oblation was made once on the Altar of the Crois 5 and Interceflron, is the continuation of his Sacrifice, or the prefenting it in Heaven. It muff be explained by Analogy to the Priefts of the Law : The Sacrifice was (lain without the Camp, and then the Priefts were to enter, with the Blood, within the Vail, into the Holy of Holies, with fweet Incenfe, and fo to cattle a Cloud to arise over the Mercy Seat. But Chrift being come, an High Prieft of good thingi to come, by a greater and more plea Tabernacle, not made with hands 5 that is to fay, not of this Building: Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves 5' but by his own Blood he entred in once into the Hoy Place, having obtained eternal Redemption for us. Heb. q. r r; 12. jefus Chrift having offered up him(elf upon the Crofs, where he was both Prieft and Sacrifice, he is gone within the Vail, Not into the Holy Places made with Hands, which are the Figures of the Tree, but into Heaven it Pelf, now to appear before the Prefênce of God for us. Heb. 9. 24. It is not a vocal, but a real Interceffion. Chrift is gone into Heaven, and there prefents his Perlon, both in our Nature and his own, toge- ther with his Merits, lifting up Defires, which are as a Cloud of Incenfe before the Mercy -Seat, for our Comfort and Salvation. Rev. 8. 3. ../Ind another Angel came and flood at the Altar, having a Golden Cenfer, and there was given unto hint much Incenfe, that he Pallid of r it with the Prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar, which was before the Throne. The High Prieft entred not for himfelf, but for the People, having the Nantes of the Twelve Tribes upon his Breaft and Shoulders : So Chrift is 'entred on the be- half of us all, bearing the particular Memorial of every Saint graven upon his Heart. The High Prieft Raid within the Sanl uary for a Ihort time, and fo eerie out to Weft the People : Chrift entred within the Vail at his Afcenfion, and we mull wait till his coming out to biefs us, which will be at the Day of Judgment : All this while he hath his Refidence in Heaven, and then he will open to us, and give us entrance. So that Chrift's Intercef(ìon is, ' A confiant reprefentatien of his Merit far the pardon of our Sins, ' and for our Acceptance 5 together with Jiro-rig Defires conceived in the Humane Nature far the good of the Creature, fir all their Exigencies and Employments, that fo his whole Fur- ' chafe may be applied to us, and we may receive Grace to help in t ime'of need. It is a re- prefenting of his own Merit, the worthinefs of his Perlon; as God-Man, he is the Son of God, yet the Creature's Advocate; and the Merit of his Obedience and Paffion 5 I have glorified thee upon the Earth : As one that was to plead for his Life fhewèd,cebiturs fine manes, his Hand loft in the Service of the State. All this is to the Father, who be- mg appealed, all the reti of the Perlons are appealed ; for they are One, and agree in one. He pleads with God for the application of good Things procured by his Obla- tion, efpecially in dèep Exigencies and Confliets. Chrift hath knowledg at other times, but then he hath a fellow feeling. Heb. q.. 15. We have not an High. Prie that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, but was in all Points tempted at we are, yet without Sin. His Heart is entendred by his own Experience. Thirdly, The Fruits and Benefits of this Interceffion. They are many, I (hall name the chiefeft. 1. This fecures our Juflifïcation, and the pardon of our Sins. Chrift watcheth a- gainft what Objeâions Juflice makes, and againft Satan's Wiles; and that we our felves, by our daily Breaches, may not cart our (elves out of the Favour of God : He juftifieth us againft the Acculations of Enemies, covereth our Sins from the fight of God. Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? It it Chrifi that died, yea, rather that it rifen again, who is even at the right Hand of God, who alfo maketh Interceffion for us. So, Zech. 3. 1,2. There is our Advocate and Acculer 5 He fhiereed me Jo(hua the High Prieft, fianding before the Angel of the Lard, and Satan fianding at his right Hand to refit him. 'nd the Lord faid unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hash chafen Jerufalem, rebuke thee. When we are fummoned by the Juftice of God to defend our (elves againft the Exceptions and Complaints which are preferred againft us, our Attorney appeareth in our Name and Behalf: So when Satan accufeth us Day and Night, he makes up all the Breaches that fall out between God and us. s John 2. f. If any Man fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, even yefus Chri the Righteous When we have mudded the Stream, Chrift maketh all clear again. 2. The Acceptation of all our Perlons, Werks, and Services. f Pet. 2. g, We are made an Holy Priefihoed, to of er np Spirited Sacrifices; areeptable to God by pies Chrift. We
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