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

If he pleads as an Advocate for any, he must plead against Satan for them, and so consequently must have some special bottom to ground his Plea upon: I say a bottom better than that upon which the carnal Man stands. Which bottom is, either some special Relation that this Man stands in to God, or some special Law he hath Privilege by: That he may have some ground for an Appeal if need be, to the Justice and Righteousness of God: But none of these things belong to them that are dead in Trespasses and Sins. They stand in no special Relation to God; they are not privileged by the Law of Grace.

Obj. But doth not Christ as Advocate plead for his Elect, tho not called as yet?

Answ. He died •or all his Elect, he prayeth for all his Elect as a Priest: But as an Advocate he pleadeth only for the Children, the called only. Satan objecteth not against God's Election, for he knows it not: But be objecteth against the called, to wit, whether he be truly godly or no, Job 1.9, 10. Zech. 3. or whether they ought not to die for their Transgressions. And for these things he has ⟨p. 208⟩some colour to frame an Accusation against us: (And now 'tis time enough for Christ to stand up to plead,) I say for these things he has some Colour to frame a Plea against us, for there is Sin and a Law of Works, and a Judge too that has not respect of Persons. Now to overthrow this Plea of Satan is Jesus Christ our Advocate: Yea to overthrow it by pleading Law and Justice, and this must be done with respect to the Children only. My little Children, I write unto you that ye sin not: And if any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.