BOOK 9. THE INTERCESSION.
CHAPTER 2.
9.2.1. Of Knowing Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Intercession.
Of Knowing Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Intercession.
Let us know Jesus carrying on this great work of our salvation in his intercession. Is it not a rare piece of knowledge to know what Christ is now doing in heaven for us on earth? If I had a weighty suit at court, on which lay my estate and life, if I knew that I had a friend there that could prevail, and that he were just now moving in my behalf, were not this worth the knowledge? I dare say in the behalf of all believers in the world, Christ is now interceding for us at the right hand of God, ever since his ascension into heaven he hath been doing this work: it is a work already of above sixteen hundred years, and summer, and winter, night and day, without any tiredness of spirit, Christ hath been still praying, still interceding, Christ's love hath no vacation, no cessation at all, yea, even now whilst you read this, Christ is acting as an advocate for you, Christ hath your names engraven as a seal on his heart, and standing right opposite to the eye of his Father, the first opening of the eye-lids of God is terminated upon the breast of Jesus Christ; is not this worth the knowledge? O my soul! leave off thy vain studies of natural things! if they do not conduce some way or other to the right understanding of this, they are not worth the while; what is it for an Aristotle to be praised where he is not, and to be damned where he is? O the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! such a knowledge (if true) is no less than saying. Come, study his intercession in all the former particulars; I have run them over, for the work is swoln under my hands, and I would now abbreviate; only remember this, that in Christ's intercession are many secrets which we must never know on this side heaven. Oh! take heed of entering into this labyrinth without the clew of the word; above all, desire the guidance of the Spirit to enlighten thy darkness, and whatever thou knowest, "know it still for thyself."