hazard above, he dare not appear there, before the
highest court, for he hath already succumbed on earth. When Christ was
here, the prince of the world was judged and cast out, and so he will
never once put in an accusation into heaven, because he knoweth our
faithful advocate is there, where nothing can pass without his knowledge
and consent. And this is a great comfort, that all inferior sentences in
thy perplexed conscience, which Satan, through violence hath imposed upon
thee, are rescinded above in the highest court, and shall not stand to thy
prejudice, whoever thou be that desirest to forsake sin and come to Jesus
Christ.

But how doth Christ plead? Can he plead us not guilty? Can he excuse or
defend our sins? No, that is not the way. That accusation of the word and
law against us is confessed, is proven, all is undeniably clear, but, he
pleads satisfied, though guilty,--he presents his satisfactory sacrifice
and the savour of that perfumes heaven, and pacifieth all. He shows God's
bond and discharge of the receipt of the sum of our debt, and thus is he
cleared, and we absolved. Therefore I desire you, whoever you are that are
challenged for sin, and the transgression of the law, if ye would have a
solid way of satisfaction and peace to your consciences, take with your
guiltiness. Plead not "not guilty." Do not excuse or extenuate, but
aggravate your guilt. Nay, in this you may help Satan, accuse yourselves,
and say that you know more evil in yourselves than he doth and open that
up before God. But in the meantime, consider how it is managed above.
Plead thou also "satisfied in Christ though guilty," and so thou mayest
say to thy accuser, "If thou hast any thing to object against me, why I
may not be saved, though a sinner, thou must go up to the highest tribunal
to propone it, thou must come before my judge and advocate above, but
forasmuch as thou dost not appear there, it is but a lie, and a murdering
be."

Now this is the way that the Spirit advocates for us in our consciences,
John xiv. and xv. 26. {~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} is rendered here "Advocate," there
"Comforter." Both suit well, and may be conjoined in one, and given to
both, for both are comfortable