A heavenly conference between Christ and Mary after His resurrection. Wherein the intimate familiarity,…

¹Therefore make this further use of this ascension of Christ, and thereupon his intercession in Heaven for us. He is there to plead our cause, he is there as our surety to appear for us; and not only so, but as a Councillor to plead for us; and not only so, but one of us, as if a Brother should plead for a Brother; and not only so, but a favourite there too: all favourites are not so excellent at counselling perhaps; but we have one that is favourite in Heaven, and is excellent at pleading, that can non-suit all accusations laid against us by the Devil. He is the Son of God, and he is one of us; he appeareth not as a stranger; for a stranger, as the Councillor is perhaps for his Client, but he appears as our Brother. Let us think of the comforts of it. He appears for us to plead ²our Cause, with acception of his person and Cause. For he, before whom he pleadeth, God the Father sent him to take our nature, die and ascend into Heaven for us, to sustain the persons of particular offenders. He must needs hear Christ, tha• sent him for that purpose. Where the ⟨p. 102⟩Judge appoints a Counsel, it is a sign he favoureth the cause. Perhaps we cannot pray, are disconsolate, and vexed with Satan's temptations: the poor Client hath a good cause, but cannot make a good cause of it; but if he get a skilful Lawyer, that is favourable to him, and before a favourable Judge, his comfort is, his Advocate can make his Cause good. If we would confess our sins, as that we must do, we must take shame to our selves in all our distress, and disconsolation of spirit, we must lay open our estates to God, and complain, and then desire God to look upon us, and Christ to plead our cause for us, and answer Satan; and when Satan is very malicious and subtle, as he is a very ³cunning enemy to allege all advantages against us, to make us despair: remember this, we have one in heaven, that is more skilful then he, that is the accuser of the Brethren. That accuseth us to God, and to our own souls, that accuseth every man to himself, and maketh him an enemy to himself. But we have a pleader in heaven, that will take our part against ⟨p. 103⟩