A30121:394
The advocateship of Jesus Christ clearly explained, and largely improved, for the benefit of…
The advocateship of Jesus Christ clearly explained, and largely improved, for the benefit of all believers by John Bunyan ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1688
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 ⟨p. 191⟩Earth, 1 Pet. 5.9. Heb. 12.4. wherefore •as God put this Sword [we have an Advocate] into thy Hand, but to fight thy way through the World. Fight the good Fight of Faith, lay hold on eternal Life: And say I will go in the Strength of the Lord God: And since I have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, I will not despair tho the Iniquity of mine Heels should compass me about, Psal. 49.5.
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