The Fountain of Life Opened

Here we will enquire, First, what it is for Christ to be an intercessor. Secondly, By what acts he performs that work in Heaven. Thirdly, Whence the potency and prevalency of his intercession is. Fourthly, and Lastly, How he lives for ever to make intercession for us.

First, What it is for Christ to be an intercessor for us. To intercede in general, is to go betwixt two parties to entreat, argue, and plead with one, for the other. And of this there are two sorts. First, ex charitate, ut fratres. That whereby one Christian prays and pleads with God for another. 1 Tim. 2.1. Secondly, Ex officio, mediatorio, that whereby Christ, as an act of office, presents himself before God, to request for us. Betwixt these two is this difference; that the former is performed not in our own, but another's name; we can tender no request to God immediately, or for our own sake, either for our selves, or for others. Joh. 16.23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. But the latter which is proper to Christ, is an Intercession with God for us, in his own name, and upon the account of his proper merit. The one is a private act of Charity, the other a public act of Office. And so he is our Advocate or Court-friend, as Satan our accuser, or Court-adversary. Satan is [Greek or Hebrew], one that charges us before God. 1 Pet. 5.8. And continually endeavours ⟨p. 155⟩to make breaches between us and God. Christ is [Greek or Hebrew], our Attorney, Advocate or Ledger, that pleads for us and continues peace and friendship between us, and God. 1 Joh. 2.2. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

First, What it is for Christ to be an intercessor for us. To intercede in general, is to go betwixt two parties to intreat, argue, and plead with one, for the other. And of this there are two sorts. First, ex charitate, ut fratres. That whereby one Christian prays and pleads with God for another.