We come now to the third point, viz. the consolation, If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, &c. as if he had said, how can it be that we should not sin? he had taught the contrary, and told them he wrote those things, that they might not sin, but yet for all that, notwithstanding their best care and endeavour, it could not be but they would sin; but here is the comfort, if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, &c. he doth not say any man hath an Advocate with the Father, but I, and you, and such as we are, we have an Advocate with the Father; now what is an Advocate? sometimes it is applied to the Holy Ghost, sometimes to the Son; to the Holy Ghost, John 14.16. he is called [Greek or Hebrew], both because he is a Comforter, and because he is an Advocate, how? not in pleading our case before the Father, but by pleading in our hearts, in giving us the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 8.26. as in Law, he may be said to be our Advocate that draws our petitions for us; the Holy Ghost doth not plead for us in heaven, but he draws our petitions for us, so that they are accepted in heaven, Rom. 8.27. he doth speak good things from God to us, and good things from us to God, 1 Cor. 2.3. he tells us of our peace with God, and our comfort, and helps us to plead with God.
We come now to the third point, viz. the consolation, If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, &c. as if he had said, how can it be that we should not sin? he had taught the contrary, and told them he wrote those things, that they might not sin, but yet for all that, notwithstanding their best care and indeavour, it could not be but they would sin; but here is the comfort, if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, &c. he doth not say any man hath an Advocate with the Father, but I, and you, and such as we are, we have an Advocate with the Father; now what is an Advocate? sometimes it is applyed to the Holy Ghost, somtimes to the Son; to the Holy Ghost, John 14.16. he is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, both because he is a Comforter, and because he is an Advocate, how? not in pleading our case before the Father, but by pleading in our hearts, in giving us the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 8.26. as in Law, he may be said to be our Advocate that draws our petitions for us; the Holy Ghost doth not plead for us in heaven, but he draws our petitions for us, so that they are accepted in heaven, Rom. 8.27. he doth speak good things from God to us, and good things from us to God, 1 Cor. 2.3. he tells us of our peace with God, and our comfort, and helps us to plead with God.
