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

2. And now to treat of the Order or Place that this Office of Christ hath, among the rest of his Offices, which he doth execute for us, while we are here in a State of Imperfection: And I think it is an Office that is to come behind, as a Reserve, or for an Help at last, when all other Means shall seem to fail. Men do not use to go to Law, upon every Occasion; or, if they do, the Wisdom of the Judge, the Jury, and the Court, will not admit that every Brangle and foolish Quarrel ⟨p. 20⟩shall come before them; but an Advocate doth then come into Place, and then to the Exercise of his Office, when a Cause is counted worthy to be taken notice of by the Judge, and by the Court. Wherefore he, I say, comes in the last Place, as a reserve, or help at last to plead; and by pleading to set that right by Law, which would otherwise have caused an increase to more doubts and to further Dangers.

2. And now to treat of the Order or Place that this Office of Christ hath, among the rest of his Offices, which he doth execute for us, while we are here in a State of Imperfection: And I think it is an Office that is to come •ehind, as a Reserve, or for an Help at last, when all other Means shall seem to fail. Men do not use to go to Law, upon every Occasion; or, if they do, the Wisdom of the Judge, the Jury, and the Court, will not admit that every Brangle and foolish Quarrel ⟨p. 20⟩shall come before them; but an Advocate doth then come into Place, and then to the Exercise of his Office, when a Cause is counted worthy to be taken notice of by the Judge, and by the Court. Wherefore he, I say, comes in the last Place, as a reserve, or help at last to plead; and by pleading to set that right by Law, which would otherwise have caused an increase to more doubts and to further Dangers.

Christ as Priest, doth always works of Service for us; because in our most spiritual things there may faults and Spots be found, and these he taketh away of Course by the Exercise of that Office. For he always wears that Plate of Gold upon his Fore-head before the Father, whereon is written, Holiness to the Lord. But now, besides these common Infirmities, there are Faults that are highly gross and foul, that oft are found in the Skirts of the Children of God. Now these are they that Satan taketh hold on, these are they that Satan draweth up a Charge against us for. And to save us from these, it is, that the Lord Jesus is made an Advocate. When Joshua was clothed with filthy Garments, then Satan stood at his right Hand to resist him, and then the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord Jesus pleaded for his Help,