by John Bunyan

in ePub, .mobi and .pdf formats

This book is about the meaning of the word 'intercession' and the benefits of this intercession of Christ and its perpetuity. Christ lives as High Priest to be the intercessor for man and only those who are on the brink of damnation are able to realize and reap this benefit of intercession.

'WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM.'—HEBREWS 7:25.

The apostle, in this chapter, presenteth us with two things; that is, with the greatness of the person and of the priesthood of our Lord Jesus.

First, He presenteth us with the greatness of his person, in that he preferreth him before Abraham, who is the father of us all; yea, in that he preferreth him before Melchisedec, who was above Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

Second, As to his priesthood, he showeth the greatness of that, in that he was made a priest, not by the law of a carnal commandment, but by the power of an endless life. Not without, but with an oath, by him that said, 'The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec'; wherefore, 'this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.' Now my text is drawn from this conclusion, namely, that Christ abideth a priest continually. 'Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.'

In the words, I take notice of four things: FIRST, Of the intercession of Christ—He maketh intercession. SECOND, Of the benefit of his intercession—'Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost,' &c. THIRD, We have also here set before us the persons interested in this intercession of Christ—And they are those 'that come unto God by him.' FOURTH, We have also here the certainty of their reaping this benefit by him; to wit, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them—'Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.'

Bunyan wrote extensively on topical theological and practical matters, issues that faced the church in his time, which face us still. The Intercession of Christ is one of these works. In it Bunyan traces the nature of Jesus' intercession, who it should affect, the benefits it gives us and how effective that intercession is. Bunyan is also keen to show the interferences of the doctrine on such subjects as backsliding, how Christ's intervention is affected when we continue to sin, and there sins of God's people worse than the sins of others.

Table of Contents

Advertisement by the Editor

HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST - HEBREWS 7:25.

I. OF THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST

II. OF THE BENEFITS OF CHRIST'S INTERCESSION

- Christ Saves to the Uttermost

- In Christ's ability to save, lieth our safety

- Inferences from the benefits of Christ's intercession

- Why the Justified Need an Intercessor

III. THE PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST

IV. EVERY SINCERE COMER CERTAIN OF SALVATION

THE USE