A Body of Practical Divinity

Branch 2. See whence it is that the Prayers of the Saints are so powerful with God. Jacob, as an Angel, prevailed with God; Moses's Prayer tied God's hands; Precibus suis tanquam vinculis ligatum tenuit Deum; Let me alone, Exod. 32.10. Whence is this? It is Christ's Prayer in Heaven makes the Saints Prayers so available. Christ's Divine Nature is the Altar on which he offers up our Prayers, and so they prevail. Prayer, as it comes from the Saints, is but weak and languid; but when the Arrow of a Saint's Prayer is put into the Bow of Christ's Intercession, now it pierceth the Throne of Grace.

Branch 2. See whence it is that the Prayers of the Saints are so powerful with God. Iacob, as an Angel, prevailed with God; Moses's Prayer tied God's hands; Precibus suis tanquam vinculis ligatum tenuit Deum; Let me alone, Exod. 32.10. Whence is this? It is Christ's Prayer in Heaven makes the Saints Prayers so available. Christ's Divine Nature is the Altar on which he offers up our Prayers, and so they prevail. Prayer, as it comes from the Saints, is but weak and languid; but when the Arrow of a Saint's Prayer is put into the Bow of Christ's Intercession, now it pierceth the Throne of Grace.

Branch 3. It shows where a Christian must chiefly fix his Eye when he comes to prayer, viz. on Christ's Intercession. We are to look up to the Mercy-seat, but to hope for Mercy through Christ's Intercession. We read Levit. 6. That Aaron made the Atonement as well by the Incense as the Blood. We must look to the Cloud of Incense, viz. the Intercession of Christ. Christian, Look up to thy Advocate, one that God can deny nothing to: A word from Christ's Mouth is more then if all the Angels in Heaven were interceding for thee. If a Man had a Suit depending in the Court of Chancery, and had a skilful Lawyer to plead, this would much encourage him. Christ is now at the Court appearing for us,