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

3. As the Text supposeth that there is a Judge, and Crimes of Saints: So it supposeth that there is an Accuser: one that will carefully gather up the Faults of good Men, and that will plead them at this Bar against them. Hence we read of the Accuser of the Brethren, that accuseth them before God day and night, Rev. 12.10, 11, 12. For Satan doth not only tempt the godly Man to sin; but, having prevailed with him, and made him guilty, he packs away to the Court, to God the Judge of all, and there addresses himself to accuse that Man, and to lay to his charge the heinousness of his offence: pleading against him the Law that he has broken, the light against which he did it, and the like. But now, for the relief and support of such poor People; the Apostle by the Text presents them with an Advocate. That is, with one to plead for them, while Satan pleads against them: With one that pleads for Pardon, while Satan by accusing seeks to pull Judgment, and Vengeance upon our Heads. If any Man sin, we have an Advocate ⟨p. 9⟩with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous That's the Third thing.

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