BOOK 9. THE INTERCESSION.
CHAPTER 1.
9.1.4. For whom this Intercession is made.
For whom this Intercession is made.
For whom is this intercession made; I answer, --
1. Negatively, not for the world, "I pray not for the world," John xvii. 9 , saith Christ; whilst Christ was on earth he would not so much as spend his breath, or open his lips for the world, he knew God would not hear him for them; in like manner Christ prays now in heaven "not for the world," he never had a thought to redeem them, or to save their souls, and therefore they have no share in his intercessions; I know the objection, that Christ upon the cross, prayed for the bloody Jews, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," Luke xxiii. 34. but that might be of private duty as man, who in that respect submitted himself to the law of God, which requires, that we forgive our enemies, and pray for them that persecute us, and not of his proper office as Mediator; or if it be referred to the proper mediatory intercession of Jesus Christ, (which I rather think) it will not prove that he prayed for them all universally, but only indefinitely, i.e. only for them that were present at his crucifying, and that in simplicity of heart, and not of affected ignorance, crucified Christ; and accordingly this prayer was heard, when so many of the Jews were converted at Peter's sermon, Acts ii. 41. What needs more? His own words are express, that Christ's intercessions "are not for the world," or reprobates. So much negatively.
2. Positively, Christ's intercession is general, and particular, for all, and every faithful man, I pray for them, "I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine," John xvii. 9. And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, Behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not," Luke xxii. 31, 32. As the high priest went into the sanctuary with the names of the twelve tribes upon his breast, so Christ entered into the holiest of all, with the names of all believers upon his heart, and still he carries them upon his breast, and presents his will and desire unto his Father for them; nor doth he only intercede in general, but Simon, Simon, mark that; whatever thy name is, John, Peter, Thomas, Mary, Martha, if thou art a believer, Christ prays for thee; it is our common practice to desire the prayers one of another, but, O! who would not have a share in the prayers of Jesus Christ? Why, certainly if thou bclievest in Christ, Christ prays for thee, "I have prayed, I will pray for thee, saith Christ, that thy faith fail not."