Works of John Bunyan – The Greatness of The Soul, And Unspeakableness 0f the Loss Thereof; How Christ Manages The Office Of An Advocate.132

 

THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE WHO HAVE CHRIST FOR AN ADVOCATE

Eleventh Privilege. The advantage that he has in having the Lord Jesus as his Advocate is very great. Thy Advocate has the cause, has the law, has the judge, has the purse, and so consequently has all that is requisite for an Advocate to have since together with these he has heart, he has wisdom, he has courage, and loves to make the best improvement of his advantages for the benefit of his client; and that which adds to all is that he can prove the debt paid, about which Satan makes such ado—a price given for the ransom of my soul and for the pardon of my sins. Lawyers do make a great deal of it when they can prove that that debt is paid for and their client is sued at law. Now this Christ Jesus himself is witness to; yea, he has paid it, and that out of his own purse, for us, with his own hands, before and upon the mercy seat, according as the law requireth (Lev 16:13–15; Heb 9:11–24).

What then can accrue to our enemy? or what advantage can he get from his thus vexing and troubling the children of the Most High? Certainly nothing, but, as has been said already, to be cast down; for the kingdom of our God is a kingdom of grace, and the power of his Christ will prevail. Samson's power lay in his hair, but Christ's power to deliver us from the accusation and charge of Satan lies in the worth of his undertakings. And hence it is repeated, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb," and he was cast out and down (Rev 12:10–12). And thus much for the privileges that those are made partakers of, who have Jesus Christ as their Advocate.