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

3. There is also the Threatenings that are annexed to the Gospel; and they fall now under our Consideration. They are of two sorts, such as respect those who altogether neglect and reject the Gospel, or those that profess it, yet fall in, or from that Profession thereof.

3. There is also the Threatnings that are annexed to the Gospel; and they fall now under our Consideration. They are of two sorts, such as respect those who altogether neglect and reject the Gospel, or those that profess it, yet fall in, or from that Profession thereof.

The first sort of threatening cannot be pleaded against the Professors of the Gospel as against those that never professed it. Wherefore he betaketh himself to manage those Threatenings against us that belong to those that have professed and that have fallen in, or from that Profession, Psal. 109.6. Joshua fell in it, Zech. 3.1, 2. Judas fell from it. And the Accuser stands at the Right Hand of them both to resist them before the Judgment of God. To resist them by pleading the Threatenings against them. To wit, that God's Soul should have no Pleasure in •hem, [If any Man draws back my Soul shall have no Pleasure in ⟨p. 138⟩them.] Here's a Plea for Satan, both against one and t'other, they are both Apostatized, both drawn back, and he is subtle enough to manage it. Ay but, Satan, here is also Matter sufficient for a Plea for our Advocate against thee, for as much as the next Words distinguish betwixt drawing back, and drawing back unto Perdition; every one that draws back doth not draw back unto Perdition, Heb. 10.38, 39. Some of them draw back from, and some in the Profession of the Gospel. Judas drew back from, and Peter in the Profession of his Faith: Wherefore Judas perishes, but Peter turns again, because Judas drew back unto Perdition, but Peter yet believed to the saving of the Soul. Nor doth Jesus Christ when he seeth 'tis to no boot, at any time step in to endeavour to save the Soul. Wherefore, as for Judas for his backsliding from the Faith, Christ turneth him up to Satan, and leaveth him in his Hand. Saying, when he shall be judged let him be condemned, and let his Prayer become Sin,