have an ADVOCATE with the Father; Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Thus John connects 66 cleansing from all sin," just as Paul connects "deliverance from all wrath," with the Life of Christ as our advocate, as well as with the Death of Christ as our propitiation.

"Of the things which we have spoken, THIS IS THE SUM; we have such an High Priest, set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens:" an interceding, as well as an atoning Mediator; and our complete salvation from all sin and all wrath, depends upon applying to Him in both capacities.

Now you are somewhat prepared to contemplate the glory of the Saviour's Intercession for you now see that it is as essential

to your salvation, as His sacrifice! It is, in fact, the continued application of that sacri

fice unto the soul, just as His crucifixion was the one offering of it to God. Thus He ever lives to bestow, what he once died to obtain. Or, as the old Divines express it, "whilst the impetration of all the blessings of the covenant is by the death of Christ, the application of them is by the life of Christ."

I have (I fear) tried your patience, and even seemed tantalizing your expectations, by leading you thus round and round “the golden Altar" of Intercession, which is before the throne, without having once attempted to unveil its glories. I feel this, in common with you. It is not, however, lost time: for,see how much better we understand and appreciate the Work of Christ in heaven! The idea of His appearing for us there, and praying for us there, if always pleasing, is now as

momentous in importance, as it is pleasing in fact. We feel now, that the Intercession of Christ is a provision for more than our support and consolation, in the day of trouble: for more than our escape, in the hour of temptation; for more than purifying our prayers, by its "much incense." It is also and equally the provision of God, for the continuance of mercy to pardon sins against Grace; and for the continuance of the Spirit to sanctify us, as well as to help our infirmities. Thus, we cannot regard it now, as merely a pleasing fact, which may be very useful in seasons of trial and temptation. Jesus " ever liveth to make Intercession for us;" because we for ever need both mercy and grace to our souls, whatever be the state of our health, our spirits, our temporal affairs, or even our piety: for when all these are in their "best estate," we can no more do without His intercession,

than when they are in their lowest and worst

estate.

It would have been of no permanent use, to have taken you to the Glass of Christ's interceding glory, before you had torn off from your face, and thrown away, those veils which hid from your sight, more than one half of your need of his prayers. The glory of His CENSER, like the glory of His CROSS, cannot be clearly seen, until the need of them be deeply felt. But now, it is as easy for you to behold it, as for me to show it. Indeed, you want no assistance from me, now that you stand "with open face," before the Mirror of revelation. You cannot but see in that glass, the glory of the Saviour's condescension, in thus remembering you for ever: the glory of His sympathy, in thus pitying you for ever: the glory of His patience, in thus bearing with you for ever the glory of His love, in thus praying

1

for you for ever: the glory of His holiness, in

This, all

thus suing out for you, and carrying on in you, conformity to his own image! this glory shines in His Intercession. And, that it is transforming glory, I appeal to your own heart at this moment: you are not unwilling to pray now. Your heart is praying! You will not shun the

nor hurry away from it.

Mercy-seat to-night,

Well; why not look at this glory of Christ, every morning and evening? Consider: you must think of something, if you would keep up the habit of coming to the throne of grace. You never do approach it without some motive or reason. Now the question is, what is the best motive? Happily, this is not a matter of opinion or conjecture. God has settled and set forth the grand influential motive to regular prayer thus" Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, who is passed into the