BOOK 9. THE INTERCESSION.
CHAPTER 2.
9.2.8. Of Praying to, and praising of Jesus in that Respect.
Of Praying to, and praising of Jesus in that Respect.
Let us pray to, and praise our Jesus in this respect:
1. Let us pray or sue our interest in this intercession: it is a question among the schools; Whether we may conveniently pray to Jesus to pray to his Father in our behalf? And thus far is granted, that we may pray to Christ to make us partakers of his intercessions, and to mingle our prayers with his prayers, that they may find acceptance with God his Father. But that we may use such a form, as 'Ora pro nobis,' "O Christ pray for us," it is looked upon as inconvenient in this respect.
(a). Because "we have no such custom, neither the churches of God," 1 Cor. xi. 6.
(b). Because it savours too much of the error of Arrious Nestorious, and indeed of the Romanists themselves.
(c). Because our prayers are most what directed to Christ in his person or divine substance, whose part is rather to give than to ask; or, if they are directed to Christ as Mediator, and not simply, as the only begotten Son of God, then I see no incongruity, though in the former respect some inconveniency, but that we may pray to Christ to intercede for us, for so he is God and man: and he is considered according to both natures, only the difference of both natures is still to be kept and maintained. Intercession is the office of the whole person of Christ, and of the two natures of Christ; but he performs this office one way according to his divine nature, and another way according to his human nature. I list not to quarrel about niceties, it is thus agreed on all hands, and that is enough to our purpose, that we may call on Jesus, or on God the Father in and through Jesus, that Christ's intercessions may be ours, and that he would make it out to us in a way of assurance every day more and more.
2. Let us praise, let us bless God, and bless Christ for every transaction in heaven for us. It is a wonder to observe what songs of praise were chanted to Christ in heaven, for that one transaction of opening the book, and loosing the seven seals thereof. First, "the four beasts, and then the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints," Rev. v. 8. And they sung a new song, saying. Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, verse 9. And then, the angels round about the throne, whose number was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, verse 11. came on, saying. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, verse 12. And then, every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, came on, saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever, verse 13. And the four beasts, and four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever," verse 14. I cannot tell what other transactions may be in heaven, we have but hints of them here, nor shall we fully or particularly know them till we come to heaven; but for this one transaction of Christ's intercession, we cannot imagine less praise to be given to Christ than for any other. O then let us do this duty on earth, as it is done in heaven! What, is Christ praying for us? O let us be on the exercise of praising him! Is Christ interceding for us? Let us give him the glory of his intercession; heaven is full of his praises, O! Why should not the earth ring with the sound thereof? "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name."