A85428:357
Christ Set Forth
Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tenderness of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tendernesse of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.
London: printed by W.E. and J.G. for Robert Dawlman, 1642
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, Christ is an Advocate for us with Our Father: You may perhaps think there is little in that; but Christ puts much upon it: yea so much, as if that God would however grant all that Christ himself means to ask, whether Christ asked it or no. This you have expressly in John 16. 26, 27. At that day (says Christ) you shall ask in my name, and I say not to you, that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you. To open this place, where he says [at that day;] The day he means through this whole Chapter, is that time when the holy Ghost should be shed upon them: for throughout his discourse, he still speaks of the fruits of his Ascension, and of giving the Comforter, which was done upon his ascending, and was the first fruits of his priestly office in Heaven. Thus Peter informs us, Act. 2. 33. He being (says he) exalted by the right hand of God, and having received (namely by asking, Ask and I will give thee) of the Father the promise of the holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear. Now of that time, when he shall be in Heaven, he says, I ⟨p. 187⟩say not that I will pray for you: which is not meant, that Christ prays not for us in heaven, but rather those very words are the highest intimation, that he would and doth pray for us, that can be. When men would most strongly intimate their purpose of a kindness they mean to do for one, they use to say, I do not say that I love you, or that I will do this or that for you; which is as much as to say, I will surely do it, and do it to purpose. But Christs scope here is, as in the highest manner to promise them that he would pray for them; so withal, further to tell them for their more abundant assurance and security, that besides their having the benefit of his prayers, God himself so loves them of himself, that indeed that alone were enough to obtain any thing at his hands, which they shall but ask in his name; so as he needs not pray for them, and yet he will too. But now in this case, if he himself pray for them, and they themselves in his name, and both unto a Father, who of himself loveth them, and who hath purposed to grant all, before either he, or they should ask; what hope must there needs be then of a good success? this is both the meaning of this place, and a great truth to be considered on by us, to the purpose in hand: