Christ's Work of Intercession

He is there to plead our cause. He is there as our surety to appear for us, and not only so, but as a counsellor 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 brother too. All favourites are not so excellent at counselling perhaps, but we have one that is favourite in heaven, and is excellent at pleading, who can non-suit all accusations laid against us by the devil. Let us think of the comforts of it. He pleads before God the Father, who sent him to take our nature, die, and ascend into heaven for us, to sustain the persons of particular offences. He must hear Christ, that sent him for that purpose. Where the judge appoints a counsel, it is a sign he favours the cause. Perhaps we cannot pray, are disconsolate, and vexed with Satan's temptations. The poor client has a good cause but cannot make a good cause of it. But if he gets a skilful lawyer, that is favourable to him, and being before a favourable judge, his comfort is that his advocate can make his cause good. So, we confess our sins, as we must do; and we lay open ourselves to God; and 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 cunning enemy to allege all advantages against us, to make us despair, remember this: we have one in heaven who is more skilful than he ‘that is the accuser of the brethren' (Rev. 12:10), that accuses us to God and to our own souls, that accuses every man to himself and makes him an enemy to himself. But we have a pleader in heaven who will take our part against the accuser of our brethren, and quiet us at length in our consciences. Perhaps we may be troubled for a while, to humble us; but remember that he is in heaven purposely to plead our cause.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Heavenly Conference, pp. 73-74
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