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

Obj. But I cannot pray, says one, therefore how should I persevere? When I go to Prayer, instead ⟨p. 190⟩of praying my Mouth is stopped: What would you have me do?

Obj. But I cannot pray, says one, therefore how should I persevere? When I go to Prayer, instead ⟨p. 190⟩of praying my Mouth is stopt: What would you have me do?

Well, Soul, tho Satan may baffle thee, he cannot so serve thine Advocate. If thou must not speak for thy self, Christ thine Advocate can speak for thee. Lemuel was to open his Mouth for the Dumb, to wit, for the Sons of Destruction, and to plead the Cause of the poor and needy, Prov. 31.8, 9. If we knew the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ so as the Word reveals it, we would believe, we would hope, and would, notwithstanding all Discouragements, wait for the Salvation of the Lord. But there are many things that hinder; wherefore Faith, and Prayer, and Perseverance are made difficult things unto us. But if any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And, God shall fight for you and you shall hold your Peace, was once a good Word to me, when I could not pray.

Fifthly, As we should improve this Doctrine for the Improvement and Encouragement of these Graces: So we should improve it to the Driving of Difficulties down before us, to the getting of Ground upon the Enemy. Resist the Devil, drive him back; this is it for which thy Lord Jesus is an Advocate with God in Heaven, and this is it for the Sake of which thou art made a Believer, on