CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. This Mediatory prayer of Christ is the ground of all the acceptance of our prayers; Our Prayers if not found in him are provocations rather then appeasements; If a Godly mans Prayer avail much, it is because Christs Prayer availeth much, He is the Altar upon which all the oblations are sanctified, and from hence it is that the Incense of their Prayers are perfumed, so that God finds a sweet savour in them: Alas, what is even in Davids and Pauls prayers but much infirmity; Their prayers need praying over again, when they have ended, they are even to beg pardon of all their holy duties, so that herein we may admire the advantage of being under Christs Mediatory Prayer, in that by it only our Persons and duties are accepted, our prayers live and move in his; There could not be a crying tongue in them did not the Prayers of Christ speak louder? And this may unspeakably support under sad Temptations, when thou canst not pray, thy heart is bound up, Thy affections are faint and cold, Thou criest out, Oh the sins and infirmities of thy Prayers, yet Christs Prayer is full and fervent for thee, There is no Imperfection, no ⟨p. 225⟩fault to be found with him; Oh it's a good refuge to run unto, when thou art almost overwhelmed because of thy dull, formal and distracted Prayers! If Christs Prayer had no more dignity and worth in it then mine hath I were undone for ever.

2. This Mediatory praier of Christ is the ground of all the acceptance of our praiers; Our Praiers if not found in him are provocations rather then appeasements; If a Godly mans Praier avail much, it is because Christs Praier availeth much, He is the Altar upon which all the oblations are sanctified, and from hence it is that the Incense of their Praiers are perfumed, so that God findes a sweet savour in them: Alas, what is even in Davids and Pauls praiers but much infirmity; Their praiers need praying over again, when they have ended, they are even to beg pardon of all their holy duties, so that herein we may admire the advantage of being under Christs Mediatory Praier, in that by it only our Persons and duties are accepted, our praiers live and move in his; There could not be a crying tongue in them did not the Praiers of Christ speak louder? And this may unspeakably support under sad Temptations, when thou canst not pray, thy heart is bound up, Thy affections are faint and cold, Thou criest out, Oh the sinnes and infirmities of thy Praiers, yet Christs Praier is full and fervent for thee, There is no Imperfection, no