The advocateship of Jesus Christ clearly explained, and largely improved, for the benefit of…

1. Thou must know him to be a Friend and not an Enemy unto whom thou openest thy Heart; and, until thou comest to know, That Christ is a Friend to thee, or to Souls in thy Condition, thou wilt never reveal thy Cause unto him: Not thy whole Cause unto him. And it is from this, That so many that have Soul-Causes hourly depending, before the Throne of God; and that are in Danger, every day, of eternal Damnation, forbear to entertain Jesus Christ for their Advocate, and so wickedly conceal their Matters from him. But he that hideth his Sins shall not prosper, Prov. 28.13. This therefore must first be believed by thee, before thou wilt reveal thy Cause unto him.

2. A Man, When his Estate is called into Question, I mean his Right and Title thereto, will be very cautious, specially if he also questions his Title to it himself, unto whom he reveals that Affair. He must know him to be one that is not only friendly, but faithful, to whom he reveals such a Secret as this. Why thus it is with Christ and the Soul. If the Soul is not somewhat persuaded of the Faithfulness of Christ, to wit, that if he can do him no good, he will do him no harm, he will never reveal his Cause unto him; But will seek to hide his Counsel from the Lord.

2. A Man, When his Estate is called into Question, I mean his Right and Title thereto, will be very cautious, specially if he also questions his Title to it himself, unto whom he reveals that Affair. He must know him to be one that is not only friendly, but faithful, to whom he reveals such a Secret as this. Why thus it is with Christ and the Soul. If the Soul is not somewhat perswaded of the Faithfulness of Christ, to wit, that if he can do him no good, he will do him no harm, he will never reveal his Cause unto him; But will seek to hide his Counsel from the Lord.