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

Priv. 3. Thirdly, The Plea of Satan is groundless; and that's another Privilege. For, albeit thou hast sinned, yet, since Christ before has paid thy Debt, and also paid for more; since thou hast not yet run beyond the Price of thy Redemption; it must be concluded, That Satan wants a good bottom to ground his Plea upon, and therefore must, in Conclusion, ⟨p. 103⟩fail of his Design. True, there is Sin committed, there is a Law transgressed; but there is also a Satisfaction for this Transgression, and that which super-abounds. So tho there be Sin, yet there wants a Foundation for a Plea. Joshua was clothed with filthy Garments, but Christ had other Garments prepared for him; Change of Raiment: Wherefore Iniquity, as to the Charge of Satan, vanishes. And the Angel answered and said, Take away the filthy Garments from him, [This intimates that there was no Ground, no sufficient Ground for Satan's Charge;] and to him, he said, behold, I have caused thine Iniquity to pass from thee, and will clothe thee with Change of Raiment, Josh. 3.4. Now, if there be no Ground, no sound and sufficient Ground, to build a Charge against the Child upon, I mean, As to Eternal Condemnation, for that's the thing contended for; then, as I said, Satan must fall like Lightning to the Ground, and be cast over the Bar, as a corrupt, and illegal Pleader: But this is so, as, in part, is proved already, and will be further made out by that which follows. They that have, indeed, Christ to be their Advocate are themselves, by Virtue of another Law, than that against which they have sinned, secured from the Charge that Satan brings in against them. I granted before that the Child of God has ⟨p. 104⟩sinned, and that there is a Law that condemneth for this Sin: But here is the thing, this Child is removed by an Act of Grace into, and under another Law. For we are not under the Law, Rom. 6.14. chap. 8.1. and so consequently there is now no Condemnation for them: Wherefore, when God speaketh of his dealing with his, he saith, it shall not be by their Covenant, Ezek. 16.61. That is, not by that of the Law; they then being not under the Law. What if a Plea be commenced against them, a Plea for Sin, and they have committed Sin; a Plea grounded upon the Law, and the Law takes Cognisance of their Sin? Yet, I say, the Plea wants a good bottom, for that the Person, thus accused, is put under another Law.