A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

To avoid the force of this Testimony some (one at least) would have this Intercession of the Spirit, to be the Intercession of the Spirit in Christ for us now at the right Hand of God, so that no Work of the Spirit it self in Believers is intended. Such irrational Evasions will men sometimes make use of, to escape the convincing Power of Light and Truth. For this is such a Description of the Intercession of Christ at the Right Hand of God, as will scarcely be reconciled unto the Analogy of Faith. That it is not an humble, oral Supplication, but a blessed Representation of his Oblation whereby the efficacy of it is continued and applied unto all the particular occasions of the Church or Believers, I have elsewhere declared, and it is the common Faith of Christians. But here it should be reported as the labouring of the Spirit in him with unutterable groans, the highest expression of an humble, burdened, solicitous Endeavour. Nothing is more unsuited unto the present Glorious condition of the Mediator. It is true, that in the Days of his ⟨p. 92⟩Flesh he prayed with strong cries and tears in an humble deprecation of Evil, Heb. 5. 7. But an humble prostration and praying with unutterable groans is altogether inconsistent with his present state of Glory, his fullness of Power, and Right to dispense all the Grace and Mercy of the Kingdom of God. Besides, this Exposition is as adverse to the context as any thing could be invented. Ver. 15. It is said that we receive the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father, which Spirit God sends forth into our Hearts, Gal. 4. 6. And the blessed Work of this Spirit in us, is further described, v. 16, 17. And thereon v. 23. having received the first-fruits of this Spirit, we are said to groan within our selves; to which it is added, that of our selves not knowing what we ought to pray for, [Greek or Hebrew] that very Spirit so given unto us, so received by us, so working in us, makes intercession for us with groans that cannot be uttered. Wherefore without offering violence unto the Context, here is no place for the Introduction of the Intercession of Christ in Heaven, especially under such an expression as is contrary to the nature of it. It is mentioned afterwards by the Apostle in its proper place as a consequent ⟨p. 93⟩