4. As the Apostle supposeth a Judge, crimes, and an Accuser: So he also supposeth, that those here-in concerned, to wit, the sinning Children, neither can, nor dare attempt to appear at this Bar themselves, to plead their own Cause before this Judge, and against this Accuser. For if they could, or durst do this, what need they have an Advocate; for an Advocate is of use to them, whose cause themselves neither can, nor dare appear to plead. Thus Job prayed for an Advocate to plead his Cause with God, Job 16.20.21. And David cries out, Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant, O God, for in thy sight shall no Man living be justified, Psal. 143.1, 2, 3. Wherefore 'tis evident that Saints neither can, nor d•re adventure to plead their cause. Alas the Judge is the Almighty, and Eternal God. The Law broken, is the holy and perfect Rule of God, in it self a consuming Fire. The Sin is so odious, and a thing so abominable, that 'tis enough to make all the Angels blush to hear it but so much as once mentioned in so holy a place as that is, where this Great God doth sit to judge. This Sin now hangs about the neck of him, that hath committed it, yea it covereth him, as doth a mantle: The Adversary is bold, cunning, and ⟨p. 10⟩audacious, and can word a thousand of us into an utter Silence in less than half a quarter of an hour. What then should the Sinner (if he could come there) do at this Bar to plead? Nothing, nothing for his own Advantage. But now comes in his Mercy, he has an Advocate to plead his Cause. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. That's the fourth thing: But again,
4. As the Apostle supposeth a Judge, crimes, and an Accuser: So he also supposeth, that those here-in concerned, to wit, the sinning Children, neither can, nor dare attempt to appear at this Bar themselves, to plead their own Cause before this Judge, and against this Accuser. For if they could, or durst do this, what need they have an Advocate; for an Advocate is of use to them, whose cause themselves neither can, nor dare appear to plead. Thus Job pray'd for an Advocate to plead his Cause with God, Job 16.20.21. And David cries out, Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant, O God, for in thy sight shall no Man living be justified, Psal. 143.1, 2, 3. Wherefore 'tis evident that Saints neither can, nor d•re adventure to plead their cause. Alas the Judge is the Almighty, and Eternal God. The Law broken, is the holy and perfect Rule of God, in it self a consuming Fire. The Sin is so odious, and a thing so abominable, that 'tis enough to make all the Angels blush to hear it but so much as once mentioned in so holy a place as that is, where this Great God doth sit to judge. This Sin now hangs about the neck of him, that hath committed it, yea it covereth him, as doth a mantle: The Adversary is bold, cunning, and ⟨p. 10⟩audacious, and can word a thousand of us into an utter Silence in less than half a quarter of an hour. What then should the Sinner (if he could come there) do at this Bar to plead? Nothing, nothing for his own Advantage. But now comes in his Mercy, he has an Advocate to plead his Cause. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. That's the fourth thing: But again,
