Christ Set Forth

In the fifth place, yet further to evidence his love, he not only bids them thus to pray to him, and in his name upon all occasions, but he assureth them, that he himself will pray for them: and observe but the manner of his telling them this; it is in the most insinuating, persuasive expressions to convey his heart in to them, that men use to utter, when they would intimate the deepest care and purpose to do a thing. Chap. 16. 26. At that day (namely, after his Ascension) ye shall ask, &c. (says he) and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you; no, not I. (I mentioned it afore, I will but add this illustration to it.) It is such a speech as men use, when they would express the greatest reason that another hath, to rest confident and assured of their love; [I do not love you, no not I.] It is an expressing a thing by its contrary, which is most emphatical. As when we say of a man, that hath the greatest good turn done him that can be, [You are shrewdly hurt:] It is such an expression as Paul used to the Corinthians: I converted your souls when you thought not of it; I caught you with guile, [forgive me this wrong.] So says Christ here, I say not that I will pray for you, when the truth is, that it is the chiefest work that he doth in heaven; He lives ever to intercede: as he ever lives, so to intercede ever, and never to hold his peace till sinners are saved. (But the work of Christ in heaven is a subject deserves and will take up a distinct and large discourse; I will ⟨p. 22⟩therefore speak no more of it now) neither will I mention any more particulars out of this his Sermon. Read but over those 3. Chapters, (the 14, 15, and 16.) for in them you have the longest Sermon of his that is recorded; and he stood the longest upon this theme, of any other, because indeed his heart was more in it, then in any point that he ever preached on.

In the fift place, yet further to evidence his love, he not onely bids them thus to pray to him, and in his name upon all occasions, but he assureth them, that he himselfe will pray for them: and observe but the manner of his telling them this; it is in the most insinuating, perswasive expressions to convey his heart in to them, that men use to utter, when they would intimate the deepest care and purpose to doe a thing. Chap. 16. 26. At that day (namely, after his Ascension) ye shall ask, &c. (sayes he) and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you; no, not I. (I mentioned it afore, I wil but add this illustration to it.) It is such a speech as men use, when they would expresse the greatest reason that another hath, to rest confident and assured of their love; [I doe not love you, no not I.] It is an expressing a thing by its contrary, which is most emphaticall. As when we say of a man, that hath the greatest good turn done him that can be, [You are shrewdly hurt:] It is such an expression as Paul used to the Corinthians: I converted your soules when you thought not of it; I caught you with guile, [forgive mee this wrong.] So sayes Christ here, I say not that I will pray for you, when the truth is, that it is the chiefest work that he doth in heaven; He lives ever to intercede: as he ever lives, so to intercede ever, and never to hold his peace till sinners are saved. (But the work of Christ in heaven is a subject deserves and will take up a distinct and large discourse; I wil