The Advocateship of Jesus Christ, Table of contents
The Contents of this Treatise.
Page
THe Apostles divine Policy, to beget a due regard to his divine Doctrine of Eternal Life. 1
The Apostles Explication of this Expression, viz. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. 2
The Apostles Exhortation to separation from sin: as a good effect of a good cause: Viz. forgiveness. ib.
The Apostl…s addition, to prevent misunderstanding, viz. we have an Advocate with the Father. 3
This brings to the Text, in which are two great truths contained. 1. A Supposition. viz. that Men in Christ may sin. ib.
2. An Expression, by way of Consolation, in case of Sin: viz. we have an Advocate with the Father. ib.
An Enquiry into the First. Viz. what our Apostle means by Sin: In which is considered, a difference in the Person, and in the Sin. 4, 5
An Enquiry into the Second: viz what it is for Christ to be an Advocate: viz. To plead for another, in a Court of Judicature. 6
Seven things supposed in the Office of Advocate.
1. That God as Judge, is on the Throne of Judgment. ib.
2. That Saints are concerned at that Bar. 7
3. That Christians have an Accuser. 8
4. That sinning Saints dare not appear at this Bar, to plead their own Cause. 9
5. That Christians are apt to forget their Advocate, and remember their Judge. 10
6. To remember our Advocate, is the way to support Faith, and Hope. 11
7. That if our Advocate plead our Cause (tho that be never so black) he is able to bring us off. 12
The Apostles triumph in Christ on this account. 13
An Exhortation to the difficult task of believing. 14
Christ's Advocateship, declares us to be sorry creatures 16
The Method observed in the ensuing discourse. 17
First, To speak of this Advocate's Office. ib.
1. By touching on the Nature of this Office. 18
2. By treating of the Order or Place of this Office. 19
3. The occasion of this Office: viz. some great Sin. 21
Christ as Advocate, pleads a Bad Cause. 23
A good Cause will plead for it self. 24
A pestilent passage of a Preacher. 25
A bad man may have a Good Cause: and a good man may have a Bad Cause. 26
Christ the righteous pleading a Bad Cause, is a mystery. ib.
The best Saints, are most sensible of their Sins. 27
Second, To shew how Christ does manage his 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
…n Order to this, one must know Christ.
…. To be a Friend. 81
…. To be faithful. 82
…II. If one have committed a Cause to Christ. 83
…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 himse…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 own the way of Salvation. 132
III. Many things give our Accuser advantage.
1. Many things relating to the Promises. 133
2. Many things relating to our Lives. 134
3. The threats annexed to the Gospel. 137
IV. To plead about our afflictions for Sins. 139
A Simile of a Man indicted at the Assize: And his malicious Adversary. ib.
An allusion to Abishai, and Shimei who cursed David. 141
V. To plead the efficacy of our Old Titles to our Inheritance, if questionable, because of New Sins. 142
Saints do not sell their Inheritance by Sin. 143
VI. Our Evidences are oft out of our hand: And we recover them by our Advocate. 147
Obj. 1. What need all these Offices, or nice distinctions. 150
Answ. The Wisdom of God is not to be charged with folly. ib.
God's People are baffled with the Devil, for want of a distinct knowledge of Christ in all his Offices. 152
Obj. 2. My Cause being bad, Christ will desert me. 153
Answ. Sin is a deadly obstruction to Faith. ib.
A five-fold Order observed in the exercise of Faith. 154
Obj. 3. But who shall pay the Advocate his Fee? 157
Answ. There is Law and Lawyers too without money. ib.
Christ pleads for the Poor. ib.
David's strange gift to God. 159
Obj. 4. If Christ be my Advocate once, he will always be troubled with me. 160
Answ. He is an Advocate to the utmost.
Vse 1. To consider the Dignity God hath put upon Christ, by Offices, Places of trust, and Titles of honour in general. 162
Vse 2. To consider this Office of an Advocate, in particular: By which consideration these advantages come. 168
1. To see, one is not forsaken for Sin. ib.
2. To take Courage to contend with the Devil. 169
3. It affords relief for discouraged Faith. ib.
4. It helps to put off the Vizard, Satan puts on Christ. 170
A Simile of a Vizard on the Face of a Father. 171
Study this peculiar Treasure of an Advocate.
1. With reference to it's peculiarity. 172
2. Study the Nature of this Office. 173
3. Study its efficacy and prevalency. ib.
4. Study Christ's Faithfulness in his Office. 174
5. Study the need of a share therein. 175
Vse 3. To wonder at Christ's condescention, in being an Advocate for the base and unworthy. 177
Christ's acts in open Court.
1. With an holy, and just God. 179
2. Before all the heavenly Host. 180
3. The Client is unconcerned, for whom the Advocate is engaged. 181
4. The Majesty of the Man, that is an Advocate. 182
Vse 4. Improve this Doctrine to strengthen Grace. ib.
1. To strengthen Faith. ib.
2. To encourage to Prayer. 184
3. To keep humble. 186
4. To encourage to perseverance. 188
Obj. I cannot pray: My Mouth is stopp'd. 189
Answ. Satan cannot silence Christ. 190
5. Improve this Doctrine to drive Difficulties down. ib.
Vse 5. If Christ pleads for us before God; we should plead for him before Men. 191
Nine Considerations to that end. 192
The last Reserve for a dead lift. 193
Vse 6. To be wary of Sin against God. 194
Christianity teaches Ingenuity. ib.
Christ is our Advocate on free-cost. 195
A comely conclusion of a Brute. 198
Three Considerations added. ib.
Vse 7. The strong are to tell the weak of an Advocate to plead their Cause. 199
1. Many things relating to the Promises. 133
2. Many things relating to our Lives. 134
3. The threats annexed to the Gospel. 137
IV. To plead about our afflictions for Sins. 139
A Simile of a Man indicted at the Assize: And his malicious Adversary. ib.
An allusion to Abishai, and Shimei who cursed David. 141
V. To plead the efficacy of our Old Titles to our Inheritance, if questionable, because of New Sins. 142
Saints do not sell their Inheritance by Sin. 143
VI. Our Evidences are oft out of our hand: And we recover them by our Advocate. 147
Obj. 1. What need all these Offices, or nice distinctions. 150
Answ. The Wisdom of God is not to be charged with folly. ib.
God's People are baffled with the Devil, for want of a distinct knowledge of Christ in all his Offices. 152
Obj. 2. My Cause being bad, Christ will desert me. 153
Answ. Sin is a deadly obstruction to Faith. ib.
A five-fold Order observed in the exercise of Faith. 154
Obj. 3. But who shall pay the Advocate his Fee? 157
Answ. There is Law and Lawyers too without money. ib.
Christ pleads for the Poor. ib.
David's strange gift to God. 159
Obj. 4. If Christ be my Advocate once, he will always be troubled with me. 160
Answ. He is an Advocate to the utmost.
Vse 1. To consider the Dignity God hath put upon Christ, by Offices, Places of trust, and Titles of honour in general. 162
Vse 2. To consider this Office of an Advocate, in particular: By which consideration these advantages come. 168
1. To see, one is not forsaken for Sin. ib
2. To take Courage to contend with the Devil. 16…
3. It affords relief for discouraged Faith. ib
4. It helps to put off the Vizard, Satan puts on Christ. 170
A Simile of a Vizard on the Face of a Father. 171
Study this peculiar Treasure of an Advocate.
1. With reference to it's peculiarity. 172
2. Study the Nature of this Office. 173
3. Study its efficacy and prevalency. ib.
4. Study Christ's Faithfulness in his Office. 174
5. Study the need of a share therein. 175
Vse 3. To wonder at Christ's condescention, in being an Advocate for the base and unworthy. 177
Christ acts in open Court.
1. With an holy, and just God. 179
2. Before all the heavenly Host. 180
3. The Client is unconcerned, for whom the Advocate is engaged. 181
4. The Majesty of the Man, that is an Advocate. 182
Vse 4. Improve this Doctrine to strengthen Grace. ib.
1. To strengthen Faith. ib.
2. To encourage to Prayer. 184
3. To keep humble. 186
4. To encourage to perseverance. 188
Obj. I cannot pray: My Mouth is stopp'd. 189
Answ. Satan cannot silence Christ. 190
5. Improve this Doctrine to drive Difficulties down. ib.
Vse 5. If Christ pleads for us before God; we should plead for him before Men. 191
Nine Considerations to that end. 192
The last Reserve for a dead lift. 193
Vse 6. To be wary of Sin against God. 194
Christianity teaches Ingenuity. ib.
Christ is our Advocate on free-cost. 195
A comely conclusion of a Brute. 198
Three Considerations added. ib.
Vse 7. The strong are to tell the weak of an Advocate to plead their Cause. 199
A word in season is good. ib.
Vse. 8. All is nothing to them that have none to plead their Cause 202
A doleful cry of a Doctor (of great note for godliness) when on the Bier in the Church to be buried, viz. I am accused at the Judgment of God. The People ran all away amazed. The next day, he arose again and cried, I am judged at the just Judgment of God. The People ran away again fearfully frighted. The third day he arose and cried (more dolefully). I am condemned at the just Judgment of God. Vide vitam Brunonis. 203
Obj. There is Grace, the Promise, the Blood of Christ, cannot these save, except Christ be Advocate? ib.
Answ. These, and Advocate and all little enough. 204
Christ no Advocate for such as have no Sense of, and Shame for Sin. 206
Obj. Is not Christ an Advocate for his Elect, uncalled? 207
Answ. He died, and prayeth for all his Elect, as Priest: as Advocate, pleads for the called only. ib.