They trust to his intercession, who use no others but his, and in the use of his, rest confidently that they shall be accepted. Thus may we, thus must we do. We may do it, because what soever is in us to discourage us, or any way to make us doubt of acceptance, is so abundantly supplied in Christ, as all matter of doubt and fear is thereby taken away. We must do it for the honour of Christ, for the comfort of our own souls. Christ is much honoured by the steadfast faith of his Saints, Thereby the dignity of his person, the merit of his sacrifice, the favour of his Father, the efficacy of his intercession, and other his Divine excellencies are acknowledged. The soul of him that in faith expecteth through Christ acceptation, cannot but be much comforted. This was it that much encouraged, and comforted Stephen, even then when his malicious enemies gnashed on him with their 1teeth, that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. That of Stephen was extraordinary. For the heavens were actually, really opened, and Christ in that body, wherein he was seen on earth, and wherewith he ascended into heaven, appeared unto him, being in the highest heaven. Stephens sight was also extraordinarily quickened, and enabled distinctly to perceive and discern a visible object so far off. Such an extraordinary bodily sight of Christ is not to be expected of us. Yet as truly, and to as great comfort of soul may we with the spiritual eye of the soul, the eye of faith, see Christ sitting in heaven for us: as it is said of Moses, By faith he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 2Thus to eye Christ with his incense, his intercession before God, in dangers and distresses, in fears and perplexities, while we live, when we are giving up the ghost, can not ⟨p. 65⟩but bring unspeakable comfort to the soul.
They trust to his intercession, who use no others but his, and in the use of his, rest confidently that they shalbe accepted. Thus may we, thus must we do. We may do it, because what soever is in us to discourage us, or any way to make us doubt of acceptance, is so abundantly supplied in Christ, as all matter of doubt and feare is thereby taken away. We must do it for the honour of Christ, for the comfort of our owne soules. Christ is much honoured by the stedfast faith of his Saints, Thereby the dignity of his person, the merit of his sacrifice, the favour of his Father, the efficacy of his intercession, and other his Divine excellencies are acknowledged. The soule of him that in faith expecteth thorow Christ acceptation, cannot but be much comforted. This was it that much encouraged, and comforted Stephen, even then when his malicious enemies gnashed on him with their 1teeth, that he saw Iesus standing on the right hand of God. That of Stephen was extraordinary. For the heavens were actually, really opened, and Christ in that body, wherein he was seene on earth, and wherewith he ascended into heaven, appeared unto him, being in the highest heaven. Stephens sight was also extraordinarily quickned, and enabled distinctly to perceive and discerne a visible object so far off. Such an extraordinary bodily sight of Christ is not to be expected of us. Yet as truly, and to as great comfort of soule may we with the spirituall eye of the soule, the eye of faith, see Christ sitting in heaven for us: as it is said of Moses, By faith he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 2Thus to eye Christ with his incense, his intercession before God, in dangers and distresses, in feares and perplexities, while we live, when we are giving up the ghost, can not ⟨p. 65⟩but bring unspeakeable comfort to the soule.
- 1Act. 7. 54, 55.
- 2Heb. 11. 27.
