A85428:360
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.
The Intercession therefore of Christ must needs speed, when Gods heart is thus of it self prepared to us. In Isaiah 53. 10. it is said, The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand: If our salvation be in Christs hand, it is in a good hand; but if it be the pleasure of the Lord too, it must needs prosper. And it is said of our hearts and prayers, that He prepareth the heart, and heareth the prayer; much more therefore when his own heart is prepared to grant the suit, will he easily ⟨p. 191⟩hear it. When one hath a mind to do a thing, then the least hint procures it of him: So a father having a mind to spare his child, he will take any excuse, any ones mediation, even of a servant, a stranger, or an enemy, rather then of none. Now when Christ shall speak for us, and speak Gods own heart, how prevalent must those words needs be? Davids soul longing to go forth unto Absalom, (2 Sam. 13. ult.) whom notwithstanding (for the honour of a Father, and a Kings State-policy, and to satisfy the world) he had banished the Court for his Treason; when Joab perceived it, that the Kings heart was towards Absalom, (Chap. 14. 1.) and that the King only needed one to speak a good word for him, he suborns a woman, a stranger (no matter whom, for it had been all one for speeding) with a made tale to come to the King; and you know how easily it took and prevailed with him, and how glad the Kings heart was of that occasion: even so acceptable it was to him, that Joab could not have done him a greater kindness; and that Joab knew well enough. Thus it is with Gods heart towards us, Christ assures us of it, and you may believe him in this case, for Christ might have took all the Honour to himself, and made us beholding to himself alone for all Gods kindness to us; but he deals plainly, and tells us that his Father is as ready as himself; and this for his Fathers honour and our comfort; And therefore it is that, John 17. in that this prayer so operated on this discourse, he pleads our ⟨p. 192⟩election, John 17. 6. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; Thou commendedst them unto me, and badest me pray for them, and I do but commend the same to thee again. In the High-priests breast-plate when he went into the Holy of Holies, were set twelve stones, on which were written the names of the twelve Tribes: