THE METHOD OBSERVED IN THE DISCOURSE. FIRST, TO SPEAK OF THIS ADVOCATE'S OFFICE
THE METHOD OBSERVED IN THE DISCOURSE. FIRST, TO SPEAK OF THIS ADVOCATE'S OFFICE
Seventh Privilege.-The client's Advocate hath good courage; he will set his face like a flint.-He pleads before the God, and all the host, of heaven.-He is the old friend of publicans and sinners.-He pleads a cause bad enough to make angels blush.-Love will do, bear, and suffer much
Ninth Privilege.-The Advocate will not be blinded by bribes
Tenth Privilege.-The Advocate is a judge in the client's cause.-Joseph's exaltation was Israel's advantage.-God's care of his people's welfare
Eleventh Privilege.-The Advocate hath all that is requisite for an advocate to have
FIFTH.-LAST HEAD.-TO SHOW THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST FOR OUR ADVOCATE
First.-To vindicate the justice of God against the cavils of the devil.-Satan charges God with unjust words and actions.-God is pleased with his design to save sinners
Second.-There is a law to be objected against us.-Christ appeals to the law itself.-Christ is not ashamed to own the way of salvation
Third.-Many things give our accuser advantage.-1. Many things relating to the promises.-2. Many things relating to our lives.-3. The threats annexed to the gospel
Fourth.-To plead about our afflictions for sins.-A simile of a man indicted at the assizes, and his malicious adversary.-An allusion to Abishai and Shimei, who cursed David
Fifth.-To plead the efficacy of our old titles to our inheritance, if questionable because of new sins-Saints do not sell their inheritance by sin
Sixth.-Our evidences are oft out of our hand, and we recover them by our Advocate
SIXTH.-OBJECTIONS REMOVED
First Object.-What needs all these offices or nice distinctions? -Answ. The wisdom of God is not to be charged with folly.-God's people are baffled with the devil for want of a distinct knowledge of Christ in all his offices
Second Object.-My cause is bad, Christ will desert me.-Answ. Sin is deadly destruction of faith.-A five-fold order observed in the exercise of faith
Third Object.-But who shall pay the Advocate his fee?-Answ. There is law, and lawyers too, without money.-Christ pleads for the poor.-David's strange gift to God
Fourth Object.-If Christ be my Advocate once, he will always be troubled with me.-Answ. He is an Advocate to the utmost
SEVENTH.-USE AND APPLICATION
Use First.-To consider the dignity God hath put upon Christ by offices, places of trust, and titles of honor in general
Use Second.-To consider this office of an Advocate in particular; by which consideration these advantages come:-1. To see one is not forsaken for sin.-2. To take courage to contend with the devil.-3. It affords relief for discouraged faith.-4. It helps to put off the visor Satan puts on Christ.-A simile of a visor on the face of a father.-Study this peculiar treasure of an advocate.-(1.) With reference to its peculiarity.-(2.) Study the nature of this office.-(3.) Study its efficacy and prevalency.-(4.) Study Christ's faithfulness in his office.-(5.) Study the need of a share therein
Use Third.-To wonder at Christ's condescension, in being an Advocate for the base and unworthy.-Christ acts in open court, 1. With a holy and just God.-2. Before all the heavenly host.-3. The client is unconcerned for whom the Advocate is engaged.-4. The majesty of the man that is an Advocate
Use Fourth.-Improve this doctrine to strengthen grace. 1.To strengthen faith.-2. To encourage to prayer.-3. To keep humble.-4. To encourage perseverance. -Object. I cannot pray; my mouth is stopped.-Answ. Satan cannot silence Christ.-5. Improve this doctrine to drive difficulties down
Use Fifth.-If Christ pleads for us before God, we should plead for him before men.-Nine considerations to that end -The last reserve for a deadlift
Use Sixth.-To be wary of sin against God.-Christianity teaches ingenuity. 2 Christ is our Advocate, on free cost.-A comely conclusion of a brute.-Three considerations added
Use Seventh.-The strong is to tell the weak of an Advocate to plead their cause.-A word in season is good Use Eighth.-All is nothing to them that have none to plead their cause.-An instance of God's terrible judgment.-Object. There is grace, the promise, the blood of Christ; can these save, except Christ be Advocate?-Answ. These, and Advocate, and all, are little enough.-Christ no Advocate for those who have no sense of or shame for sin.-Object. Is not Christ an Advocate for his elect uncalled?-Answ. He died, and prayeth, for all his elect, as Priest; as Advocate, pleads for the called only
