THE METHOD OBSERVED IN THE DISCOURSE. FIRST, TO SPEAK OF THIS ADVOCATE'S OFFICE
First, By touching on the nature of this office
Second, By treating of the order or place of this office
Third, The occasion of this office, viz., some great sin.-Christ, as Advocate, pleads for a bad cause.-A good cause will plead for itself.-A bad man may have a good cause, and a good man may have a bad cause.-Christ, the righteous, pleading for a bad cause is a mystery.-The best saints are most sensible of their sins.-A pestilent passage of a preacher
SECOND, TO SHOW HOW CHRIST DOES MANAGE HIS OFFICE
First, How he manage his office of Advocate with the Father.-1. ALONE, not by any proxy or deputy.-2. Christ pleads at God's bar; the cause cannot be removed into another court.-If removed from heaven, we have no advocate on earth.-3. In pleading, Christ observes these rules: (1.) He grants us what is charged on us.-(2.) He pleads his own goodness for us.-He payeth all our debts down.-All mouths stopped, who would not have the sinner delivered.-(3.) Christ requires a verdict in order for our deliverance.-The sinner is delivered, God contented, Satan confounded, and Christ applauded
Second, How Christ manages his office of an Advocate against the adversary by argument.-1. He pleads the pleasure of his Father in his merits.-Satan rebuked for finding fault therewith.-2. He pleads God's interest in his people.-Haman's mishap in being engaged against the king's queen.-N. B. It seems a weak plea, because of man's unworthiness; but it is a strong plea, because of God's worthiness.-The elect are bound to God by a sevenfold cord.-The weight of the plea weighed
Third, Christ pleads his own interest in them.-A parallel between cattle in a pound and Christ's own sheep.-Six weighty reasons in this plea.-1. They are Christ's own.-2. They cost him dear.-3. He hath made them near to himself.-(a.) They are his spouse, his love, his dove; they are members of his body.-(b.) A man cannot spare a hand, a foot, a finger.-Nor can Christ spare any member.-4. Christ pleads his right in heaven to give it to whom he will.-Christ will; Satan will not; Christ's will stands.5. Christ pleads Satan's enmity against the godly.-Satan is the cause of the crimes he accuses us of.-A simile of a weak-witted child.-6. Christ can plead those sins of saints for them, for which Satan would have them damned.-Eight considerations to clear that.-Seven more considerations to the same end.Men care most for children who are infirm.-A father offended has been appeased by a brother-turning advocate
THIRD HEAD.-TO SHOW WHO HAVE CHRIST FOR AN ADVOCATE; WHEREIN ARE THREE THINGS CONTAINED
First, This office of advocate differs from that of a priest.-1. They differ in name.2. They differ in nature.-3. They differ as to their extent.-4. They differ as to the persons with whom they have to do.-5. They differ as to the matter about which they are employed.-6. Christ, as Priest, precedes; Christ, as Advocate, succeeds
Second, How far this office of an advocate is extended, in five particulars
Third, Who have Christ as their Advocate.-1. In general, all adopted children.-Object. The text saith, "If any man sin."-Answ. "Any man," is not any of the world; but any of the children of God.-A difference in children; some bigger than some.-Christ an Advocate for strong men.-2. In particular, to show if Christ is our Advocate-(1.) If one has entertained Christ to plead a cause.-Quest. How shall I know that?-Answ. By being sensible of an action commenced against thee in the high court of justice.-(2.) If one has revealed a cause to Christ.-An example of one revealing his cause to Christ, in a closet -In order to this, one must know Christ, (a.) To be a friend.-(b.) To be faithful.-(3.) If one has committed a cause to Christ.-In order to do this, one must be convinced, (a.) Of Christ's ability to defend him.-(b.) Of Christ's courage to plead a cause.-(c.) Of Christ's will for this work.-(d.) Of Christ's tenderness in case of his client's dullness.-(e.) Of Christ's unweariedness-(4.) If one waits till things come to a legal issue. What is it thus to wait?-Answ. (a.) To be of good courage; look for deliverance.-(b.) To keep his way in waiting.(c.) To observe his directions. (d) To hearken to further directions that may come from the advocate.-(e.) To come to no ill conclusion in waiting, viz., that the cause is lost, because one hears not from the court.-(f.) To wait waking, not sleeping.-Ordinances and ministers compared to a post house and carriers of letters The client's comfortable conclusion about his advocate and cause but yet doubting and desponding.-The author's reply to, and compliance with, the client's conclusion; and his counsel in the case
FOURTH HEAD-TO SHOWS THE CLIENT'S PRIVILEGES, BY THE BENEFIT OF THIS OFFICE OF ADVOCATE
First Privilege.-The Advocate pleads a price paid a rich brother and his poor brethren.-Of the ill-conditioned man, their enemy.-Further cleared by three considerations
Second Privilege.-The client's Advocate pleads for himself also; both are concerned in one bottom.-1. He pleads the price of his own blood.-2. He pleads it for his own simile of lame horse.-Of men going to law for a thing of little worth. I am but one.-Answ. Christ cannot lose one
Third Privilege. The plea of Satan is groundless.-Satan must be cast over the bar. a simile of a widow owing a sum of money an old law nulled1 by a new law -Satan pleads by the old law; Christ by the new
Fourth Privilege.-Is consequential; the client's accuser must needs be overthrown.-The client's solemn appeal to the Almighty.-In case the accused has no advocate, Satan prevails
Fifth Privilege: The Advocate has pity for his client and indignation against the accuser.-Men choose an advocate who hath a quarrel against their adversary
Sixth Privilege: The judge counts the accuser as his enemy.-To procure the judge's son to plead is desirable
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