CHAPTER VIII.

THE USE: CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS.

I COME now to make some use of this discourse on the efficacy of Christ's Intercession: And,

First, Let me exhort you to the study of this, as of the other truths of our Lord Jesus. The priestly office of Christ is the first and great thing that is presented to us in the gospel; namely, how that he died for our sins, and gave himself to the cross, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us through him. But now because this priestly office of his is divided into two parts; and because one of them, namely, this of his intercession, is accomplished for us within the veil; therefore (as we say among men, "Out of sight, out of mind") he is too much as to this forgotten by us. We satisfy ourselves with the slaying of the sacrifice; we look not enough after our Aaron as he goes into the holiest, there to sprinkle the mercy-seat with blood upon our account.

God forbid that the least syllable of what I say should be intended by me, or construed by others, as if I sought to diminish the price paid by Christ for our redemption in this world. But since his dying is his laying down his price, and his intercession the urging and managing the worthiness of it in the presence of God against Satan, there is glory to be found therein, and we should look after him into the holy place.

The second part of the work of the high priest under the law had great glory and sanctity put upon it, forasmuch as the holy garments were provided for him to officiate in within the veil; also it was there that the altar stood on which he

offered incense. There was the mercy-seat. And there also were the cherubims of glory, which were figures of the angels, that love to be continually looking and prying into the management of this second part of the priesthood of Christ in the presence of God. For although themselves are not the persons so immediately concerned therein as we, yet the management of it, I say, is with so much grace, and glory, and wisdom, and effectualness, that it is a heaven to the angels to see it. Oh! to enjoy the odorous scent, and sweet memorial, and heart-refreshing perfumes that ascend continually from the mercy-seat to the place where God is, and also to behold how effectual it is to the end for which it is designed, is glorious; and he that is not somewhat led into this by the grace of God, there is a great thing lacking to his faith, and he misseth of many a sweet bit that he might otherwise enjoy.

Wherefore, I say, be exhorted to the study of this part of Christ's work in the managing of our salvation for us. And the ceremonies of the law may be a great help to you as to this; for though they be out of use now as to practice, yet the signification of them is rich, and that from which many believers of the gospel have got much. Wherefore I advise you that you read the five books of Moses often; yea read, and read again, and do not despair of help to understand something of the will and mind of God therein, though you think they are fast locked up from you. Neither trouble your heads though you have not commentaries and expositions; pray and read, and pray and read; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men; also what is from men is uncertain, and is often lost and tumbled over and over by men, but what is from God is fixed as a nail in a sure place. I know there are times of temptation; but I speak now as to the common course of Christianity. There is nothing that so abides with us, as what we receive from God; and the reasons why Christians at this day are at such

EXHORTATION TO DILIGENT IMPROVEMENT.

397

a loss, as to some things, is because they are content with what comes from men's mouths, without searching and kneeling before God, to know of him the truth of things. Things that we receive at God's hand, come to us as things from the minting house; though old in themselves, yet new to us, if they come to us with the smell of heaven upon them.

I speak not this because I would have people despise their ministers; but to show that there is now a-days so much idleness among professors, as hinders them from a diligent search after things, and makes them take up short of that that is sealed by the Spirit of testimony to the conscience. Witness the great decays at this day among us, and the strange revolting from truth once professed by us.

Secondly, As I would press you to an earnest study and search after this great truth, so I would press you to a diligent improvement of it to yourselves, and others. To know truth for knowledge' sake, is short of a gracious disposition of soul; and to communicate truth out of a desire of praise and vain-glory for so doing, is also a swerving from godly simplicity; but to improve what I know, for the good of myself and others, is true Christianity indeed.

Now, truths received may be improved with respect to myself and others, and that several ways.

There

1. To myself, when I search after the power that belongs to those notions that I have received of truth. belongs to every true notion of truth a power. The notion is the shell; the power, the kernel and life. Without this last, truth doth me no good, nor those to whom I communicate it. Hence Paul said to the Corinthians, "When I come to you again, I will not know the speech of them that are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." Search then, after the power of what thou knowest; for it is the power that will do thee good. Now, this will not be got but by earnest prayer, and

much attending upon God. Also thy heart must not be stuffed with cumbering cares of this world; for they are of a choking nature.

Take heed, moreover, of slighting that little that thou hast. A good improvement of a little is the way to make that little thrive; and the way to obtain additions thereto. "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much."

2. Improve them to others; and that by laboring to instil them into their hearts by good and wholesome words, presenting all to them with the authority of the scriptures. Labor also to enforce those instillings on them, by showing them by thy life, the peace they bring, and the glorious effects that they have upon thy soul.

Lastly, Let this doctrine give thee boldness to come to God. Shall Jesus Christ be interceding in heaven? O then, be thou a praying man on earth; yea, take courage to pray. Think thus with thyself, 'I go to God-to God before whose throne the Lord Jesus is ready to hand my petitions to him; yea, he ever lives to make intercession for me.' This is a great encouragement to come to God by prayers and supplications for ourselves, and by intercessions for our families, our neighbors, and enemies. Farewell.

THE NEW BIRTH.

BUNYAN'S LAST SERMON:

PREACHED IN LONDON, JULY, 1688.

WHICH WERE BORN, NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD.-John i. 13.

THESE words have a dependence on what goes before, and therefore I must direct you to it for the right understanding of them. You have it thus: "He (Christ) came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

In the words before us, you have two things. 1. Some of Christ's own nation rejecting him when he offered himself to them. 2. Others of his own receiving him, and making him welcome. Those that reject him, he also passes by; but those "that receive him, he gives them power to become the sons of God." Now, lest any one should look upon it as good luck or fortune, he says, "They were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." They that did not receive him, were only born of flesh and blood; but those that did receive him, they that receive the doctrine of Christ with a vehement desire, they have God to their father.