Ver.2o, the Ilth Chapter of St. JO H N. 295 them; yet there are mani' Things in cómmòn that concern us and them tóó. He had lately Paid, I fanaify my felt for their faker; he would not have that reftráinèd. Id the latter part of the Chapter, all Believers are more efpecially concerned ; yet tome Paffages are intermingled, that do alfo concern the Apoftles; VerC 22. The Glory ethic/ thou haft given me, I have given them. VerC. 25. They have known that thou haft feet me. Verf. 26. I have declared my Name to them, and will declare it. Thus you fee we are partly concerned in all the Prayer; it is a great favour, that he would make men- tion of us to God : As David, when about to die, did not only pray for Saloyy¿'on his Succeffor, but for all the People; Co cloth Chrift; not Only pray for the College bf the Apoftles, to whom the Government of the Church was committed upon his departure; but for all Believers to the end of the World. He prayeth for the Apoftles, ás intrüfted with a great Work, and liable to great danger and hatted 5 but yet he dòtb not neg= led the Church. Secondly; Naively. The Pérfons fed- whom he prays: They art defcribed by thelé Faith, and their Faith is defcribed by the Obje& of it, that believe in me ; and by the Ground and Warrant of it, through their Word. And fo the Points will be two. I; That Believers, and they only, are interefted in Chrift's Prayers. 2. That in the fenfe and reckoning of the Gofpel, they are Believers; that are wrought upon to believe in Chrift through the Word. Doer. t. That Believers; and they Only, are intérefied in Chrifl's Prayers: Tho Chrift Both inlarge the Obje& of his Prayers, yet he (till keeveth within the Pale of the Ele &. He faith, V. 9. I pray not for the World ; and now, j T mrç uointe v; for them that (ball believe in me : He Both not prayfor all, whether they believe or no 5 but only for thofe that (hall believe. Now this Chrift cloth; partly, becaufe his Prayers and his Merit are of equal extent. I faosftify my 'elf for their fakes ; and then, I pray not for thefe only, but for them that fliall believe in me through their Word. Rom.8.33,34 Who fballlay any thing to the charge of God'i Elefl ? It is God that juftifreth : Who is hé that condemneth ? it is Chrifi that died, yea rather that is rifle again,' Who is even it thé right Hand of God, who alfomaketh Intercefonfor us. a John 2. r, 2. 'If any Min fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, yefu.r Chilli the Righteous, and he is the Ì'ropitiatioh fer our Sins. His Prayers on Earth, do but explain the Virtue and Extent of his Sa- crifice, he fueth out whale purchafed, and his Intercefliori in Heaven h but a Re- prefentation of his Merit, both are AN of the fame Office. Partly; becaufe it is not for the Honour of Chrift, that his Prayers fhould fall to the ground; John t t. 42. I know that thou hearefl me always. Shall the Son of God's Love plead in vain, and urge his Merit, and not fucceed ? then farewel' the furenefs and firmnefs of oar Comfort; Now Chrift'sPrayers would fall to the Ground; if he fhould pray for them that (ball never believe. Z1fe t. It is much for the Comfort of them who do already believe. 1 ou may be Pure you are one of. thofe for whom Chrift prayeth, whether Jew or Gentile, Bond or Free. Particulars are under their general : How do we prove John or Thomas to be Children of Wrath by Nature ? all were fo. So Chrift prayeth for all thofe that (hall be- lieve, as much as if he had brought them forth, and let theta before God by Head and Poll. And if Chrift prayed for thee, why is not thy Joy full ? Why did he fpeak thefe things in the World ? It is a Copy of his Interce(fron ; Chrift would fhew,a little before his departure, what he doth for us in Heaven, he fueth out his Purchafe, and pleadeth our Right in Court. It is a fign we have a Room in his Heatr, becaufe we have a Name in his Prayers And what Ble($ngsdoth he leek for? Union with him- felf, Communion with him, in Grace here, in Glory hereafter. It is a Comfott againit all Temptations, Doubts, Dangers ; you are commended to the Fathet's Care. Vfe 2. It is an engagement to others to believe. If he had Commanded force great Thing, ought we not to have done it? This Comfort cannot be made out to you till you have a&ual Faith ; however it is with you in the Purpofe of God, yet you can- not apply this Comfort, till you believe. IA Man fhould make his Will, wherein Rich Legacies fhould be left to all that can prove a Claim, by being that and thus
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