N01732:122
Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when…
Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when the author attained to the eightieth year of his age. II. A dying testimony to the sovereign grace of God in the salvation of his elect, containing three sermons. III. Believers encouraged to pray from the consideration of Christs interceding for them, and with them. / By Increase Mather, D.D ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1719
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
PROP. IV. As Christ does intercede for Believers, so it is on the account of His Merit, and Mediation, that their Prayers are accepted with God. The Prayers of Believers are very acceptable to God, He takes delight in hearing them. David therefore said, Let my prayer be as incense. Incense was a sweet perfume, very delightful to the senses; let my Prayer be so, says David. The reason why the Prayers of Believers are so, is because of the much incense that cometh out of the ⟨p. 112⟩Angels hand. Hence the Prayers of the Saints are so grateful to God: alas! there is many times that in their Prayers which is unsavoury, that He might say to them, Your incense is an abomination to me; and threaten them as He did the Jews, I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. God might say so of our Prayers that have so much sinful Infirmities in them, and in the best of them too: How come they then to be so acceptable to God? It is because of Jesus Christ, He by His Incense does take away the ill savour of our Prayers, and does present to God, that, that is highly pleasing to Him. It is therefore said, Rev. 5. 8. There were golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of Saints. Golden vials; there were Censers made of Gold that the Incense was put into: the Prayers of Saints are very Odoriferous, very pleasing to God. How comes that to pass? It is because Christ Intercedes with them and for them. Christs Intercession will always prevail. Whatever Christ does ask for, it will certainly be granted. Suppose the thing to be never so Miraculous. Did He not say to Peter, If I ⟨p. 113⟩would pray to my Father for it, He would presently send an […] my of Angels to defend my twelve Disciples: Yea, twelve Legions of them, as many as made a Roman Army, and more if I would but pray for it, Mat. 26. •3. And did He not say to God? Joh. 11. 42. I know that thou bearest me always. What Christ does Intercede for it is always accepted with God. That His Intercession is prevalent, and shall be regarded, and answered, is evident from several things.