A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

5. This Praying of Christ at present is no other but such as may become him who sits down at the Right hand of the Majesty on High There must therefore needs be a great difference as to the outward manner between his present Intercession in Heaven and his Praying whilst he was on the Earth, especially at some seasons. For being encompassed here with Temptations and Difficulties he cast himself at the foot of God with strong cries, tears and supplications, Chap. 5. 7. This would not become his present glorious state, nor is he liable or exposed unto any of the causes or occasions of that kind of treating with God. And yet at an another time whilst he was in this world, he gave us the best estimate and Representation of his present Intercession that we are able to comprehend. And this was in his Prayer recorded, John 17th. For therein his confidence in God, his Union in and with him, the Declaration of his Will and Desires, are all expressed in such a manner, as to give us the best understanding of his present Intercession. For a created nature can rise no higher to express an Interest in God, with an Oneness of mind and Will, than is therein declared. And as the Prayers with cries and tears, when he offered himself unto God, were peculiarly Typed by the Fire on the Altar; so was this solemn Prayer represented by that cloud of Incense wherewith the High Priest covered the Ark and the Mercy-seat at his entrance into the most holy place. In the virtue of this holy cloud of incense did he enter the Holy places not made with hands. Or we may apprehend its Relation unto the Types in this Order. His Prayer, John 17th. was the preparation of the sweet Spices whereof the Incense was made and compounded, Exod. 30. 34. His Sufferings that ensued thereon were as the breaking and bruising of those Spices wherein all his Graces had their most fervent exercise, as Spices yield their strongest savour under their bruising. At his entrance into the Holy place this Incense was fired with Coals from the Altar; that is, the efficacy of his Oblation wherein he had offered himself unto God, through the Eternal Spirit, rendered his Prayer as Incense covering the Ark and Mercy-seat, that is procuring the fruits of the Atonement made before God.

5. This Praying of Christ at present is no other but such as may become him who sits down at the Right hand of the Majesty on High There must therefore needs be a great difference as to the outward manner between his present Intercession in Heaven and his Praying whilst he was on the Earth, especially at some seasons. For being encompassed here with Temptations and Difficulties he cast himself at the foot of God with strong cryes, tears and supplications, Chap. 5. 7. This would not become his present glorious state, nor is he liable or exposed unto any of the causes or occasions of that kind of treating with God. And yet at an another time whilst he was in this world, he gave us the best estimate and Representation of his present Intercession that we are able to comprehend. And this was in his Prayer recorded,