here fortifie us against his Assaults There is also an Incidency in the best to sin and the bigger Man the bigger Fall for the more hurt and the greater Damage Wherefore it is of as absolute Necessity that an Advocate be provided for the strong as for the weak Any Man He that is most holy most reformed most refined and most purified may as soon be in the Dirt as the weakest Christian. And so far as I can see Satan's Design is against them most I am sure the greatest Sins have been committed by the biggest Saints This way-faring Man came to David's House and when he stood up against Israel he provoked David to number the People 2 Sam. 12.4 7. 1 Chr. 21.1 wherefore they have as much need of an Advocate as have the youngest and most feeble of the Flock What a Mind had he to try a Fall with Peter and how quickly did he break the Neck of Judas The like without Doubt he had done to Peter had not Jesus by stepping in prevented As long as Sin is in our Flesh there is danger Indeed he saith of the young Men that they are strong and that they have overcome the wicked one but he doth not say they have kill'd him as long as the Devil is alive there is Danger and though a strong Christian may be too hard for and may overcome him in one thing he may be too hard for yea and may overcome him two for one afterwards Thus he served David and thus he served Peter and thus he in our Day has served many more The strongest are weak the wisest are Fools when suffered to be sifted as Wheat in Satan's Sieve Yea and have often times been so proved to the wounding of their great Hearts and the Dishonour of Religion To conclude this God of his Mercy hath sufficiently declared the Truth of what I say by preparing for the best the strongest and most sanctified as well as for the least weakest and most feeble Saint an Advocate My little Children I write unto you that you sin not And if any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Obj. But some may object That what has been said as to discovering for whom Christ is an Advocate has been too general and therefore would have me come more to particulars else they can get no Comfoâ—t Ans. Well inquiring Soul so I will and therefore harken to what I say First Wouldest thou know whether Christ is thine Advocate or no I ask Hast thou entertain'd him so to be When men have Sutes of Law depending in any of the King's Courts above they entertain their Attorney or Advocate to plead their Cause and so he pleads for them I say hast thou entertained Jesus Christ for thy Lawyer to plead thy Cause Plead my Cause O God said David Psal. 35.1 and again Lord plead thou my Cause Psal. 43.1 This therefore is the first thing that I would propound to thee Hast thou with David entertained him for thy Lawyer or with good Hezekiah cried out O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me Isa. 38.14 What sayst thou Soul Hast thou been with him and prayed him to plead thy Cause and cryed unto him to undertake for thee This I call entertaining of him to be thine Advocate And I chuse to follow the Similitude both because the Scripture seems to smile upon such a way of Discourse and because thy question doth naturally lead me to it Wherefore I ask again hast thou been with him Hast thou entertained him Hast thou desired him to plead thy Cause Quest. Thou wilt say unto me How should I know that I have done so Answ. I answer art thou sensible that thou hast an Action commenced against thee in that high Court of Justice that is above I say art thou sensible of this For the Defendants and all Gods People are Defendants do not use to entertain their Lawyers but from Knowledge That an Action either is or may be commenced against them before the God of Heaven If thou sayst yea then I ask who told thee that thou standest accused for Transgression before the Judgment-Seat of God I say who told thee so hath the holy Ghost hath the World or hath thy Conscience For nothing else as I know off can bring such Tidings to thy Soul. Again hast thou found a Failure in all others that might have been entertained to plead thy Cause Some make their Sighs their Tears their Prayers and their Reformations their Advocates Hast thou tryed these and found them wanting Hast thou seen thy state to be desperate if the Lord Jesus doth not undertake to plead thy Cause for Jesus is not entertained so long as Men can make shift without him But when it comes to this Point I perish for-ever notwithstanding the Help of all if the Lord Jesus steps not in Then Lord Jesus Lord Jesus good Lord Jesus undertake for me Hast thou therefore been with Jesus Christ as concerned in thy Soul as heartily concerned about the Action that thou perceivest to be commenced against thee Quest. You will say how should I know that Answ. I answer Hast thou well considered the Nature of the Crime wherewith thou standest charged at the Bar of God Hast thou also considered the Justness of the Judge Again I ask hast thou considered what Truth as to Matter of Fact there is in the things whereof thou standest accused Also hast thou considered the Cunning the Malice and Diligence of thine Adversary with the Greatness of the Loss thou art like to sustain Shouldst thou with Ahab in the Book of Kings 1 King. 22.17 18 19 20 21 22. or with the Hypocrites in the sixth of Isaiah Isa. 6.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. have the Verdict of the Lord God go out from the Throne against thee I ask thee these Questions because if thou art in the Knowledge of these things to seek or if thou art not deeply concerned about the Greatness of the Damage that will certainly over-take thee and that for-ever shouldest thou be indeed accused before God and have none to plead thy Cause Thou hast not nor canst not let what will come upon thee have been with Jesus Christ to plead thy Cause and so let thy Case be never so desperate thou standest alone and hast no Helper Job 30.13 chap. 9.13 or if thou hast they not being the Advocate of God's appointing must needs fall with thee and with thy Burden Wherefore consider of this seriously and return thy Answer to God who can tell if Truth shall be found in thy Answers better by far than any For 't is he that tries the Reins and the Heart and therefore to him I referr thee But Secondly Wouldest thou know whether Jesus Christ is thine Advocate Then I ask again hast thou Revealed thy Cause unto him I say hast thou Revealed thy Cause unto him For he that goeth to Law for his Right must not only go to a Lawyer
Office. 28 1. ALONE Not by any Proxy or Deputy No Virgin Mary Or Saint or Angel. ib. 2. Christ pleads at Gods Bar the Cause cannot be removed into another Court. 29 If removed from Heaven we have no Advocate on Earth 30 In pleading Christ observes these Rules 1. He granteth what is charged on us ib. 2. He pleads his own goodness for us 32 He payeth all our debt down 33 All mouths stopped who would not have the Sinner delivered 34 Christ requires a Verdict in order to our deliverance ib. The Sinner is delivered God contented Satan confounded and Christ applauded 35 II. How Christ manages his Office of an Advocate against the Adversary by Argument ib. 1. He pleads the pleasure of his Father in his Merits 37 Satan rebuked for finding fault therewith 38 2. He pleads God's Interest in his People 39 Haman's mishap in being ingaged against the Kings Queen N B. 40 It seems a weak Plea because of Man's unworthiness But it 's a strong Plea because of God's worthiness 41 The Elect are bound to God by a seven-fold cord 42 43 The weight of this Plea weighed 44 3. Christ pleads his own Interest in them 45 A Parallel between Cattel in a Pound and Christ's own Sheep 46 Six weighty Reasons in this Plea. 1. They are Christ's own 47 2. They cost him dear ib. 3. He hath made them near to himself 48 They are his Spouse his Love his Dove They are Members of his Body 49 A Man cannot spare a Hand a Foot a Finger 50 Nor can Christ spare any Member 51 4. Christ pleads his right in Heaven to give it to whom he will. ib. Christ will Satan will not Christ's Will stands 52 5. Christ pleads Satan's enmity against the godly 53 Satan is the Cause of the Crimes he accuses us of 55 A Simile of a weak-witted Child ib. 6. Christ can plead those Sins of Saints for them for which Satan would have them damned 58 Eight Considerations to clear that 60 61 Seven more Considerations to the same end 62 63 Men care most for Children that are infirm ib. A Father offended hath been appeased by a Brother turning Advocate 64 Third Head To shew who have Christ for an Advocate Wherein are three things contained 65 I. This Office of Advocate differs from that of a Priest. ib. 1. They difer in Name ib. 2. They differ in Nature 66 3. They differ as to their Extent ib. 4. They differ as to the Persons with whom they have to do ib. 5. They differ as to the Matter about which they are employed ib. 6. Christ as Priest preceeds Christ as Advocate succeeds 67 II. How far this Office of an Advocate is extended In five Particulars 68 III. Who have Christ for their Advocate ib. 1. In general All adopted Children 69 Obj. The Text saith if any Man sin 70 Ans. Any Man is not any of the World But any of the children of God. A difference in Children some bigger than some 73 Christ an Advocate for strong men 74 75 2. In particular to shew if Christ be our Advocate 76 I. If one have entertained Christ to plead a Cause ib. Que. How shall I know that 77 Answ. By being sensible of an Action commenced against thee in the high Court of Justice ib. II. If one have revealed a Cause to Christ. 79 An example of one revealing his Cause to Christ in a Closet 80 â—n Order to this one must know Christ. â— To be a Friend 81 â— To be faithful 82 â—II If one have committed a Cause to Christ. 83 â—n order to this one must be convinced Of Christ's Ability to defend him 84 Of Christ's Courage to plead a Cause ib. Of Christ's Will for this work 85 Of Christ's tenderness in case of his Clients dulness ib. Of Christ's unweariedness 86 IV. If one wait till things come to a legal Issue 87 Que. What is it thus to wait 88 Answ. 1. To be of good Courage Look for deliverance 89 2. To keep his way in waiting ib. 3. To observe his Directions ib. 4. To hearken to future Directions which may come from the Advocate ib. 5. To come to no ill conclusion in waiting viz. that the Cause is lost because one hears not from Court. 90 6. To wait waking Not sleeping ib. Ordinances and Ministers compar'd to a Post-house and Carriers of Letters 91 The Clients comfortable conclusion about his Advocate and Cause ib. But yet doubting and desponding 92 93 The Authors reply to and comply with the Clients conclusion And his Council in the case 94 Fourth Head. To shew the Clients Privileges by the benefit of this Office of Advocate 95 Priv. 1. The Advocate pleads a price paid ib. Of a rich Brother and his poor Brethren 96 Of the ill-conditioned Man their Enemy ib. Farther cleared by three considerations 97 Priv. 2. The Clients Advocate pleads for himseâ—f also both concerned in one bottom 99 1. He pleads the price of his own Blood. ib. 2. He pleads it for his Own. 100 A Simile of a lame Horse ib. Of Men going to Law for a thing of little worth ib. Obj. I am but one 101 Answ. Christ cannot lose one 102 Priv. 3. The Plea of Satan is groundless ib. Satan must be cast over the Bar. 103 A Simile of a Widow owing a Sum of Money 105 Of an Old Law nulled by a New Law. 106 Satan pleads by the Old Law Christ by the New. ib. Priv. 4. Is consequential The Clients Accuser must need be overthrown 107 The Clients solemn appeal to the Almighty 108 In case the accused have no Advocate Satan prevails ib. Priv. 5. The Advocate hath pity for his Client And indignation against the Accuser 109 Men chuse an Advocate who hath a Quarrel against their Adversary 110 Priv. 6. The Judge counts the Accuser his Enemy 111 To procure the Judges Son to plead is desirable ib. Priv. 7. The Clients Advocate hath good courage He will set his Face like a Flint 112 He pleads before the God and all the Host of Heaven 113 He is the Old Friend of Publicans and Sinners ib. He pleads a Cause bad enough to make Angels blush 114 Love will Do and Bear and Suffer much 115 Priv. 8. The Advocate is alway ready in Court. 116 He appears NOW in the Presence of God. 117 Priv. 9. The Advocate will not be blinded with Bribes 118 Priv. 10. The Advocate is Judge in the Clients Cause 120 Joseph's Exaltation was Israel's advantage 121 God's care of his Peoples welfare 122 Priv. 11. The Advocate hath all that is requisite for an Advocate to have 123 Last Head. To shew the necessity of Christ for our Advocate 124 I. To vindicate the Justice of God against the cavils of the Devil 125 Satan charges God with unjust Words Actions 126 God is pleased with his design to save Sinners ib. II. There is Law to be objected against us 128 Christ appeals to the Law it Self 130 Christ is not ashamed to
Wherefore Secondly The Occasion of his exercising of this Office of Advocate is as hath been hinted already when a Child of God shall be found guilty before God of some heinous Sin of some grievous thing in his Life and Conversation For as for those Infirmities that attend the best in their most spiritual Sacrifices if a Child of God were guilty of ten thousand of them they are of Course purged through the much Incense that is always mixed with those Sacrifices in the golden Censer that is in the Hand of Christ And so he kept clean and counted upright notwithstanding those Infirmities And therefore you shall find that notwithstanding those common Faults the the Children of God are counted good and upright in Conversation and not charged as Offenders David saith the Text did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his Life save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite 1 Kin. 15.5 But was David in a strict Sense without Fault in all things else No verily But that was foul in a higher degree than the rest and therefore there God sets a blot Ay and doubtless for that he was accused by Satan before the Throne of God For here is Adultery and Murder and Hypocrisie in David â—s doings Here is notorious matter a great Sin and so a great Ground for Satan to draw up an Indictment against the King and a thundering one to be sure shall be preferred against him This is the time then for to Christ stand up to plead For now there is room for such a Question can David's Sin stand with Grace or is it possible that a Man that has done as he has should yet be found a Saint and so in a Saved State Or can God repute him so and yet be Holy and Just Or can the Merits of the Lord Jesus reach according to the Law of Heaven a Man in this Condition Here is a Case dubious here 's a Man whose Salvation by his foul Offences is made doubtful Now we must to Law and Judgment wherefore now let Christ stand up to plead I say now was David's Case dubious Psal. 51. he was afraid that God would cast him away and the Devil hoped that he would and to that end charged him before God's Face if perhaps he might get Sentence of Damnation to pass upon his Soul. But this was David's Mercy he had an Advocate to plead his Cause by whose Wisdom and Skill in Matters of Law and Judgment he was brought off of those heavy Charges from those gross Sins and delivered from that eternal Condemnation that by the Law of Sin and Death was due thereto This is then the occasion that Christ taketh to plead as Advocate for the Salvation of his People to wit the Cause he pleadeth the Cause of his People Not every Cause but such and such a Cause the Cause that is very bad and by the which they are involved not only in Guilt and Shame but also in danger of Death and Hell. I say the Cause is bad if the Text be true if Sin can make it bad yea if Sin it Self be bad If any Man sin we have an Advocate An Advocate to plead for him for him as considered guilty and so consequently as considered in a bad Condition 'T is true we must distinguish between the Person and the Sin and Christ pleads for the Person not the Sin but yet he cannot be concerned with the Person but he must be with the Sin for tho the Person and the Sin may be distinguished yet they cannot be separated He must plead then not for a Person only but for a guilty Person for a Person under the worst of Circumstances If any Man sin we have an Advocate for him as so considered When a Man's Cause is good it will sufficiently plead for it self yea and for its Master too specially when it is made appear so to be before a Just and Righteous Judge Here therefore needs no Advocate the Judge himself will pronounce him righteous This is evidently seen in Job Thou movest me against him this said God to Satan to destroy him without a Cause Job 2.3 Thus far Job's Cause was good wherefore he did not need an Advocate his Cause pleaded for its self and for its owner also But if it was to plead good Causes for which Christ is appointed Advocate then the Apostle should have written thus If any Man be righteous we have an Advocate with the Father Indeed I never heard but one in all my Life preach from this Text and he when he came to handle the Cause for which he was to plead pretended it must be good and therefore said to the People see that your Cause be good else Christ will not undertake it But when I heard it Lord thought I if this be true what shall I do and what will become of all this People yea and of this Preacher too Besides I saw that by the Text the Apostle supposeth an other Cause a Cause bad exceeding bad if Sin can make it so And this was one Cause why I undertook this work When we speak of a Cause we speak not of a Person simply as so considered For as I said before Person and Cause must be distinguished Nor can the person make the Cause good but as he regulates his Action by the Word of God If then a good a righteous man doth what the Law condemns that thing is bad and if he be indicted for so doing he is indicted for a bad Cause and he that will be his Advocate must be concerned in and about a bad Matter and how he will bring his Client off therein doth lie the Mystery I know that a bad Man may have a good Cause depending before the Judge and so also good Men have Job 31. but then they are bold in their own Cause and fear not to make mention of it and in Christ to plead their Innocency before the God of Heaven as well as before Men Psal. 71.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 1.23 Gal. 1.20 Phil. 1.8 But we have in the Text a Cause that all Men are afraid of a Cause that the Apostle concludes so bad that none but Jesus Christ himself can save the Christian from it It is not only sinful but Sin it self If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Wherefore there is in this Place handled by the Apostle one of the greatest Mysteries under Heaven To wit That an innocent and holy Jesus should take in hand to plead for one before a just and righteous God that has defiled himself with Sin. Yea that he should take in Hand to plead for such an one against the fallen Angels and that he should also by his Plea effectually rescue and bring them off from the Crimes and Curse whereof they were verily guilty by the Verdict of the Law and Approbation of the Judge This
could I do any thing to make this Advocate part of Amends I could think I might have Benefit from him but I have nothing what say you to this Answ. Similitudes must not be strained too far but yet I have an Answer for this Objection Theâ—e is in some Cases Law for them that have no Money ay Law and Lawyers too And this is called a suing in Forma Pauperis and such Lawyers are appointed by Authority for that Purpose Indeed I know not that it is thus in every Nation but 't is sometimes so with us in England and this is the way altogether in the Kingdom of Heaven before the Bar of God. All is done there for us in Forma Pauperis on free cost For our Advocate or Lawyer is thereto designed and appointed of his Father Hence Christ is said to plead the Cause not of the rich and wealthy but of the Poor and Needy not of those that have many Friends but of the Fatherless and Widow not of them that are fat and strong but of those under sore Afflictions Prov. 22 2â— 23. chap. 23.10 11. chap. 31.9 He shall stand at the right Hand of the Poor to save him from them that condemn his Soul Psal. 109.31 or as it is in the Margent from the Judges of his Soul. This then is the manner of Jesus Christ with Men He doth freely what he doth not for Price nor Reward I have raised him up says God And I will direct all his Ways he shall build my City and he shall let go my Captives not for Price nor Reward Isa. 45.13 This I say is the manner of Jesus Christ with Men he pleads he sues in Forma Pauperis gratis and of meer Compassion And hence it is that you have his Clients give him thanks for that is all the Poor can give I will greatly praise the Lord with my Mouth I will praise him among the Multitude for he shall stand at the right Hand of the Poor to save him from them that condemn his Soul Psal. 109.30 They know but little that talk of giving to Christ except they mean they would give him Blessing and Praise He bids us come freely take freely and tells us that he will give and do freely Rev. 22.17 chap. 21.6 Let him have that which is his own to wit thy self for thou art the Price of his Blood. David speaks very strangely of giving to God for Mercy bestowed on him I call it strangely because indeed 't is so to Reason What says he shall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits I will take this Cup and call for more Psal. 116.12 13. God has no need of thy Gift nor Christ of thy Bribe to plead thy Cause Take thankfully what is offered and call for more That 's the best giving to God. God is rich enough Talk not then of giving but of receiving for thou art poor Be not too high nor think thy self too good to live by the Alms of Heaven And since the Lord Jesus is willing to serve thee freely and to maintain thy Right to Heaven against thy Foe to the saving of thy Soul without Price or Reward Let the Peace of God rule in thee to the which thou art also called as is the rest of the Body and be thou thankful Col. 3.15 This then is the Privilege of a Christian we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous One that pleadeth the Cause of his People against those that rise up against them of his Love Pity and meer good Will. Lord open the Eyes of dark Readers of disconsolate Saints that they may see who is for them and upon what Terms Obj. 4. But if Christ doth once begin to plead for me and shall become mine Advocate He will always be troubled with me unless I should of my self forsake him for I am ever in Broils and Suits of Law Action after Action is laid upon me and I am sometimes ten times in a Day summoned to answer my Doings before God. Answ. Christ is not an Advocate to plead a Cause or two nor to deliver the Godly from an Accusation or two He delivereth Israel out of all his Troubles 2 Sam. 22.28 and chuses to be an Advocate for such Therefore the Godly of old did use to make from the Greatness of their Troubles and the abundance of their Troublers an Argument to the Lord Christ to send and lend them help Have Mercy upon me said David consider my Trouble which I suffer of them that hate me Psal. 9.13 And again Many are they that rise up against me many there be that say of my Soul there is no help for him in God Psal. 3.1 2. Yea the Troubles of this Man were so many and great that his Enemies began to triumph over him saying There is no help for him in God ver 7. But could he not deliver him or did the Lord forsâ—ke him No no thou hast smitten saith he all mine Enemies upon the Cheek-bone thou hast broken the Teeth of the ungodly And as he delivereth them from their Troublers so alâ—o he pleadeth all their Causes O Lord â—aith the Church thou hast pleaded the Causes â—f my Soul thou hast redeemed my Life Lam. â— 58 Mark troubled Christian thou â—ayst thou hast been arrested oft times in a Day and as often summoned to appear at God's Bar there to answer to what shall be â—aid to thy Charge And here for thy Encouâ—agement thou readest that the Church hath â—n Advocate that pleadeth the Causes of her â—oul that is all her Causes to deliver her He knows that so long as we are in this World we are subject to Temptation and Weakness and through them made guilty â—f many bad things Wherefore he hath preâ—ared himself to our Service and to abide â—ith the Father an Advocate for us As Soloâ—on saith of a Man of great Wrath Prov. 19. â—9 so it may be said of a Man of great Weakâ—esses and the best of Saints are such he â—ust he delivered again and again Yea maâ—y a time saith David did he deliver them Psal. â—06 44 45. to wit more than once and twice â—nd he will do so for thee if thou entertain 〈◊〉 to be thine Advocate Thou talkest of â—aving of him but then whither wilt thou 〈◊〉 all else are vain things things that cannot â—rofit 1 Sam. 12.20 21 22 23. and he â—ill not forsake his People tho their Land be 〈◊〉 with Sin against the holy One of Israel Jer. 51.5 I know the modest Saint is apt to be abash'd to think what a troublesome one he is and what a make-work he has been in God's House all his Days And let him be filled with holy blushing but let him not forsake his Advocate Having thus spoken to these Objections let us now come to make some use of thâ— whole and Vse 1. First I would exhort the Children 〈◊〉 consider the Dignity that God hath put upon Jesus Christ their Saviour For