00p PREFACE

PREFACE
The words of Jesus are precious words, whether he speaks to his people of his Father — or speaks to his Father for them. In his Word . . .
he unfolds his will,
he reveals his love, and
he displays his sympathy. But in his prayer for them, as their Intercessor, just before he offered up himself as their sacrifice — he appears to open his whole heart to them. About this prayer, there appears a peculiar sanctity. Its tenderness is most touching. Its depths are profound. Its pathos is exquisite.

It breathes of heaven.

It is full of love — infinite, eternal, fraternal love. It is the love of one who is God — and therefore loves with all the strength of the divine nature; it is the love of one who is human — and therefore loves with all the tenderness of pure and holy humanity. O Jesus, your love is astonishing — it passes knowledge! To lead the mind of the devout believer into a knowledge of the mind of Jesus, and into the enjoyment of his love — is the DESIGN of this work. It is an attempt to enter a little into the meaning of Jesus, in the prayer he offered to his Father before he suffered, in order that we may have fellowship with him. In these pages, there is no attempt to be profound, or to pry into the secrets of God — but a simple endeavor to comprehend something of the Savior’s meaning, in order that we may understand and enjoy more of his love. The subject has been studied prayerfully, and in order to profit — it must be read prayerfully.

Long discourses are condensed into short portions, that those who have little time, may have no just cause to complain of their length, or lay aside the work because time is scarce. The simplest style has been adopted, that the exhausted mind may not be taxed, or the poor of the Lord’s family be unable to understand. May the Lord bless these pages to . . .
the Savior’s honor,
the believer’s comfort,
the seeker’s encouragement,
and the lost sinner’s conversion. And now, O most gracious God — to you do I dedicate this feeble work. Give your sanction to it; send your Holy Spirit to accompany the reading of it; and use, O use it . . .
to exalt your beloved Son,
to spread abroad the savor of his knowledge,
and to save souls from death,
for your mercy’s sake. Amen.
James Smith