The Fountain of Life Opened

Secondly, Hence draw abundant encouragement against all heartstraightnings, and deadness of spirit in prayer. Thou complainest thy heart is dead, wandering, and contracted in duty. O but remember Christs blood speaks, when thou canst not: it can plead for thee, and that powerfully; when thou art not able to speak a word for thy self: to this sense that Scripture speaks, Can. 3.6. Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness in pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh, and frankincense, all the powders of the Merchant? The duties of Christians go up many times as pillars, or clouds of smoke from them, more smoke, than fire. Prayers smoked, and sullied with their offensive corruptions: but remember Christ perfumes them with myrrh, &c. he by his intercession, gives them a sweet perfume.

Secondly, Hence draw abundant encouragement against all heartstraightnings, and deadness of spirit in prayer. Thou complainest thy heart is dead, wandring, and contracted in duty. O but remember Christs blood speaks, when thou canst not: it can plead for thee, and that powerfully; when thou art not able to speak a word for thy self: to this sense that Scripture speaks, Can. 3.6. Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness in pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrh, and frankincense, all the powders of the Merchant? The duties of Christians go up many times as pillars, or clouds of smoke from them, more smoke, than fire. Prayers smoked, and sullied with their offensive corruptions: but remember Christ perfumes them with myrh, &c. he by his intercession, gives them a sweet perfume.

¹Thirdly, Christs intercession is a singular relief to all that come unto God by him, against all sinful damps, and slavish fears from the justice of God. Nothing more promotes the fear of reverence. Nothing more suppresseth unbelieving despondencies, and destroys the spirit of bondage. So you find it, Heb. 10.19, 20, 21. Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say his flesh; And having an High-Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart [Greek or Hebrew], in full assurance of faith: Or let us come unto God, as a Ship comes with full sail into the Harbour. O what a direct, and full gale of encouragement doth this intercession of Christ give, to the poor soul that lay a ground, or was wind-bound before.