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

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.

This therefore is another thing by which thou mayst know that thou hast Christ for thine Advocate; If thou hast heartily, and in very Deed, revealed thy Cause unto him.

Now they that do honestly reveal their Cause to their Lawyer, will endeavour to possess him, as I hinted before, with the worst: They will, with Words, make it as bad as they may, for, think they, by that Means I shall prepare him for the worst that mine Enemy can do. And thus Souls deal with Jesus Christ. See the fifty first Psalm, also the thirty eighth, with several others that might be named, and see if God's People have not done so. I said, saith David, That I would confess my Transgressions against my self, ⟨p. 83⟩