The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate, Table of contents – Errata
THE CONTENTS OF THIS TREATISE.
THe Apostle's divine Policy, to beget a due regard to his divine Doctrine of Eternal Life. Page 1
The Apostle's Explication of this Expression, viz. The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. Page 2
The Apostle's Exhortation to separation from sin: as a good effect of a good Cause: Viz. forgiveness. ib.
The Apostle's Addition, to prevent misunderstanding, viz. we have an Advocate with the Father. Page 3
This brings to the Text, in which are two great Truths contained. ib.
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. Page 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. Page 6
Seven things supposed in the Office of Advocate. ib.
1. That God as Judge, is on the Throne of Judgment. ib.
2. That Saints are concerned at that Bar. Page 7
3. That Christians have an Accuser. Page 8
4. That sinning Saints dare not appear at this Bar, to plead their own Cause. Page 9
5. That Ch…istians are apt to forget their Advocate, and remember their Judge. Page 10
6. To remember our Advocate, is the way to support Faith, and Hope. Page 11
7. That if our Advocate plead our Cause (though that be never so black) he is able to bring us off. Page 12
The Apostle's triumph in Christ on this account. Page 13
An Exhortation to the difficult task of Believing. Page 14
Christ's Advocateship, declares us to be sorry creatures. Page 16
The Method observed in the ensuing discourse. Page 17
First, To speak of this Advocate's Office. ib.
1. By touching on the Nature of this Office. Page 18
2. By treating of the Order or Place of this Office. Page 19
3. The occasion of this Office: viz. some great sin. Page 21
Christ as Advocate, pleads a bad Cause. Page 23
A good Cause will plead for it self. Page 24
A pestilent passage of a Preacher. Page 25
A bad man may have a good Cause; and a good man may have a bad Cause. Page 26
Christ the righteous pleading a bad Cause, is a Mystery. ib.
The best Saints are most sensible of their sins. Page 27
Second, To shew how Christ does manage his Office. Page 28
1. ALONE, Not by any Proxy, or Deputy. ib.
2. Christ pleads at God's Bar: the Cause cannot be removed into another Court. Page 29
If removed from Heaven, we have no Advocate on Earth. Page 30
In pleading, Christ observes these Rules.
1. He granteth what is charged on us. ib.
2. He pleads his own goodness for us. Page 32
He payeth all our debt down. Page 33
All mouths stopped, who would not have the sinner delivered. Page 34
Christ requires a Verdict in order to our deliverance. ib.
The sinner is delivered, God contented, Satan confounded, and Christ applauded. Page 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. Page 37
Satan rebuked for finding fault therewith. Page 38
2. He pleads God's Interest in his People. Page 39
Haman's mishap in being ingaged against the King's Queen: NB. Page 40
It seems a weak Plea, because of Man's unworthiness: But it's a strong Plea, because of God's worthiness. Page 41
The Elect are bound to God, by a seven-fold cord. Page 42, 43
The weight of the Plea weighed. Page 44
3. Christ pleads his own Interest in them. Page 45
A Parallel between Cattel, in a Pound, and Christ's own Sheep. Page 46
Six weighty Reasons in this Plea. Page 47
1. They are Christ's own. ib.
2. They cost him dear. ib.
3. He hath made them near to himself. Page 48
They are his Spouse, his Love, his Dove: They are Members of his Body. Page 49
A Man cannot spare a Hand, a Foot, a Finger. Page 50
Nor can Christ spare any Member. Page 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. Page 52
5. Christ pleads Satan's enmity against the godly. Page 53
Satan is the Cause of the Crimes he accuses us of. Page 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. Page 58
Eight Considerations to clear that. Page 60, 61
Seven more Considerations to the same end. Page 62, 63
Men care most for Children that are infirm. ib.
A Father offended, hath been appeased, by a Brother turning Advocate. Page 64
Third Head, To shew, who have Christ for an Advocate: Wherein are three things contained. Page 65
I. This Office of Advocate, differs from that of a Priest. ib.
1. They differ in Name. ib.
2. They differ in Nature. Page 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. Page 67
II. How far this Office of an Advocate is extended: In five Particulars. Page 68
III. Who have Christ for their Advocate. ib.
1. In general: All adopted Children. Page 69
Obj. The Text saith, if any Man sin. Page 70
Answ. Any Man, is not any of the Wo…ld: But any of the children of God.
A difference in Children: some bigger than some. Page 73
Christ an Advocate for strong men. Page 74, 75
2. In particular, to shew if Christ be our Advocate. Page 76
I. If one have entertained Christ to plead a Cause. ib.
Quest. How shall I know that? Page 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. Page 79
An Example of one revealing his Cause to Christ in a Closet. Page 80
In Order to this, one must know Christ,
1. To be a Friend. Page 81
2. To be faithful. Page 82
III. If one have committed a Cause to Christ. Page 83
In order to this, one must be convinced.
1. Of Christ's Ability to defend him. Page 84
2. of Christ's Courage, to plead a Cause. ib.
3. Of Christ's Will for this Work. Page 85
4. Of Christ's tenderness, in case of his Clients dulness. ib.
5. Of Christ's unweariedness. Page 86
IV. If one wait till things come to a legal Issue. Page 87
Quest. What is it thus to wait? Page 88
Answ. 1. To be of good Courage. Look for deliverance. Page 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. Page 90
6. To wait waking: Not sleeping. ib.
Ordinances, and Minister compared to a Posthouse, and Carriers of Letters. Page 91
The Clients comfortable conclusion about his Advocate, and Cause. ib.
But yet doubting and desponding. Page 92, 93
The Author's reply to, and comply with the Clients conclusion: And his Council in the case. Page 94
Fourth Head, To shew the Clients Privileges, by the benefit of this Office of Advocate. Page 95
Priv. 1. The Advocate pleads a price paid. ib.
Of a rich Brother, and his poor Brethren. Page 96
Of the ill-conditioned Man, their Enemy. ib.
Farther cleared, by three considerations. Page 97
Priv. 2. The Clients Advocate pleads for himself also; both concerned in one bottom. Page 99
1. He pleads the price of his own Blood. ib.
2. He pleads it for his own Page 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. Page 101
Answ. Christ cannot lose one. Page 102
Priv. 3. The Plea of Satan is groundless. ib.
Satan must be cast over the Bar. Page 103
A Simile of a Widow owing a Sum of Money. Page 105
Of an old Law nulled by a new Law. Page 106
Satan pleads by the Old Law: Christ by the New. ib.
Priv. 4. Is consequential. The Clients Accuser, must need be overthrown. Page 107
The Clients solemn Appeal to the Almighty. Page 108
In case the accused have no Advocate, Satan prevails. ib.
Priv. 5. The Advocate hath pity for his Client: And indignation against the A…cuser. Page 109
Men chuse an Advocate, who hath a Quarrel against their Adversary. Page 110
Priv. 6. The Judge counts the Accuser his Enemy. Page 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. Page 112
He pleads before the God, and all the Host of Heaven. Page 113
He is the old Friend of Publicans, and sinners. ib.
He pleads a Cause, bad enough to make Angels blush. Page 114
Love will do, and bear, and suffer much. Page 115
Priv. 8. The Advocate is alway ready in Court. Page 116
He appears consider the Presence of God. Page 117
Priv. 9. T… Christ …cate will not be blinded with Bribes. … Page 118
Priv. 10. The Advocate is Judge in the Client's Cause. Page 120
Joseph's Exaltation was Israel's Advantage. Page 121
God's care of his Peoples welfare. Page 122
Priv. 11. The Advocate hath all that is requisite for an Advocate to have. Page 123
Last Head, To shew the necessity of Christ for our Advocate. Page 124
I. To vindicate the Justice of God, against the cavils of the Devil. Page 125
Satan charges God with unjust Words, Actions. Page 126
God is pleased with his design to save sinners. ib.
II. There is Law to be objected against us. Page 128
Christ appeals to the Law it self. Page 130
Christ is not ashamed to own the way of Salvation. Page 132
III. Many things give our Accuser advantage Page 133
1. Many things relating to the Promises. ib.
2. Many things relating to our Lives. Page 134
3. The threats annexed to the Gospel. Page 137
IV. To plead about our afflictions for sins. Page 139
A Simile of a Man indicted at the …ssize: And his malicious Adversary. ib.
An allusion to Abishai, and …i…ain, who cursed David. Page 141
V. To plead the efficacy of our Law. …i…les to our Inheritance, if questionable, because of new sins. Page 142
Saints do not sell their Inheritance by sin. Page 143
VI. Our Evidences are oft out of our hand and we recover them by our Advocate. Page 147
Obj. What need all these Offices, or nice Distinctions? Page 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. Page 152
Obj. 2. My Cause being bad, Christ will desert me. Page 153
Answ. Sin is a deadly destruction to Faith. ib.
A five-fold Order observed in the exercise of Faith. Page 154
Obj▪ …. But who shall pay the Advocate his …? Page 157
Answ. There is Law and Lawyers too without money. ib.
Christ pleads for the Poor. ib.
David's strange gift to God. Page 159
Obj. 4. If Christ be my Advocate once, he will always be troubled with me. Page 160
Answ. He is an Advocate to the utmost. Page 162
Vse 1. To consider the Dignity God hath put upon Christ, by Offices, Places of Trust, and Titles of Honour, in general. ib.
Vse 2. To consider this Office of an Advocate in particular: By which consideration these advantages come. Page 168
1. To see one is not forsaken for sin. ib.
2. To take courage to contend with the Devil. Page 169
3. It affords relief for discouraged Faith. ib.
4. It helps to put off the Vizard, Satan puts on Christ. Page 170
A Simile of a Viza… on the Face of a Father. Page 171
Study this peculiar Treasure of an Advocate.
1. With reference to its peculiarity. Page 172
2. Study the Nature of this Office. Page 173
3. Study its efficacy and prevalency. ib.
4. Study Christ's Faithfulness in his Office. Page 174
5. Study the need of a share therein. Page 175
Vse 3. To wonder at Christ's condescention, in being an Advocate for the base and unworthy. Page 177
Christ acts in open Court.
1. With an holy, and just God. Page 179
2. Before all the Heavenly Host. Page 180
3 The Client is unconcerned, for whom the Advocate is engaged. Page 181
4. The Majesty of the Man, that is an Advocate. Page 182
Vse 4. Improve this Doctrine to strengthen Grace. ib.
1. To strengthen Faith. ib.
2. To encourage to Prayer. Page 184
3. To keep humble. Page 186
4. To encourage to perseverance. Page 188
Obj. I cannot pray: My Mouth is stopped. Page 189
Answ. Satan cannot silence Christ. Page 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. Page 191
Nine Considerations to that end. Page 192
The last Res…e for a dead lift Page 193
Vse 6. To be wary of sin against God. Page 194
Christianity teaches Ingenuity. ib.
Christ is our …ocate on free cost. Page 195
A comely conclusion of a Brute. Page 198
Three Considerations added. ib.
Vse 7. The strong are to tell the weak of an Advocate to plead their Cause. Page 199
A word in season is good. ib.
Vse 8. All is nothing to them that have none to plead their Cause. Page 202
An Instance of God's terrible Judgment. Page 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. Page 204
Christ no Advocate for such as have no Sense of, and Shame for sin. Page 206
Obj. Is not Christ an Advocate for his Elect, uncalled? Page 207
Answ. He died, and prayeth for all his Elect, as Priest; as Advocate, pleads for the called only. ib.
ERROR.
Page 167. line 10. for Matter, read Water.