2. We do not depend upon their prayers, that by the merit of them they should prevail: but we look at it only as a way, wherein the Lord calleth us to wait upon him: so as that when we have done desiring, we look for all blessing from Jesus Christ, even then when we beg the prayers of our friends. When as God was angry with the friends of Job, because they falsely accused Job, chap. 42.7, 8. he bids them take a sacrifice, and go to Job, and he shall pray for you; for him will I accept: but must they now trust upon Job? or upon his acquaintance with God? no verily, but upon the Lord Jesus, who was held forth by the Sacrifice. So that though we crave the help of our brethren's prayers, yet the Lord doth not allow us, to make our friends Mediators between Christ and us; we look not for any thing from them, but from the Lord Jesus Christ alone in that way. Now they look at Mary as able to command the Lord Jesus, (Jube Matter Filium, command thy Son,) and when they pray to this Saint and that Saint, they look that the right and merit, and efficacy of their prayers shall carry all an end: whereas they need a Mediator themselves; and therefore they cannot by their own right be Mediators unto us. But that we might the better understand the mystery of iniquity: do not they make the Saints and Angels the Mediators of their Redemption also? what is the ground of the Popish indulgences? have not they a treasure of Church-merit which they boast of? and therefore have they power, as they say, to grant pardons, and to apply the ⟨p. 242⟩merits of the Saints unto this and that soul: now (mind you) he which is a Mediator of the pardon of my sins, is a Mediator of redemption, and justification; and this is the dangerous gulf into which the Popish Religion sinketh many millions of souls.
2. We do not depend upon their prayers, that by the merit of them they should prevail: but we look at it only as a way, wherein the Lord calleth us to wait upon him: so as that when we have done desiring, we look for all blessing from Jesus Christ, even then when we beg the prayers of our friends. When as God was angry with the friends of Job, because they falsly accused Job, chap. 42.7, 8. he bids them take a sacrifice, and go to Job, and he shall pray for you; for him will I accept: but must they now trust upon Job? or upon his acquaintance with God? no verily, but upon the Lord Jesus, who was held forth by the Sacrifice. So that though we crave the help of our brethrens prayers, yet the Lord doth not allow us, to make our friends Mediatours between Christ and us; we look not for any thing from them, but from the Lord Jesus Christ alone in that way. Now they look at Mary as able to command the Lord Jesus, (Jube Mater Filium, command thy Son,) and when they pray to this Saint and that Saint, they look that the right and merit, and efficacy of their prayers shall carry all an end: whereas they need a Mediatour themselves; and therefore they cannot by their own right be Mediatours unto us. But that we might the better understand the mystery of iniquity: do not they make the Saints and Angels the Mediatours of their Redemption also? what is the ground of the Popish indulgences? have not they a treasure of Church-merit which they boast of? and therefore have they power, as they say, to grant pardons, and to apply the ⟨p. 242⟩merits of the Saints unto this and that soul: now (minde you) he which is a Mediatour of the pardon of my sins, is a Mediatour of redemption, and justification; and this is the dangerous gulfe into which the Popish Religion sinketh many millions of souls.
