Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/311

 Rh and sealed but word after word, and line after line, and action after action: so the grant of our holinesse is made unto Christ at first, but in the execution thereof, there is line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little; such an order by Christ observed in the distribution of his Spirit and grace, as is most suteable to a life of faith, and to the hope we have of a better Kingdome. I have prayed for thee, that thy faith faile not, saith Christ to Peter, yet we see it did shake and totter: the prayer was not that there might be no failing at all, but that it might not utterly and totally faile.

2. Hereby they are assured of the pardon of their daily infirmimities,infirmities, [sic] and their rising againe if they fall. If any man sinne of infirmity, he hath a pardon of course granted, for Christ is his Advocate to pleade his cause, 1 Joh. 2. 1. If any man slip of weakenesse, he shall rise againe, for Christ hath prayed for him, that his faith might not faile, Luk. 22. 31, 32.

3. All the workings and comforts of the Spirit in our hearts which we enjoy, are the fruits of Intercession. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, or Advocate, that he may abide with you for ever, even the spirit of truth, Joh. 14. 16, 17. who shall leade the faithfull into all truth, and inable them to plead their cause against the calumnies of the devill, and accusations of the world: who doth teach them to sigh and groane unto God for mercy, speake unto his highnesse in prayer, furnisheth them with wisedome and prudence in every condition, directeth them to grapple in all temptations, serve God in all estates, raiseth the desires to heaven, formeth Christ upon the heart, enflameth with the love and comfort of the truth, healeth, reneweth, reviveth, preserveth, strengtheneth, supporteth, and sealeth up unto eternall life.

4. The fourth benefit is free accesse to the throne of grace, and assured hope of all blessings here, and heaven hereafter. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Sonne of God, let us hold fast our profession, and come boldly unto the throne of grace, Heb. 4. 14, 16. And againe, This man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sinnes for ever, sate downe on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstoole: from whence the Apostle inferreth, Having therefore boldnesse to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, and