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I. WHAT IS THE IDEA OF AN ADVOCATE WHEN THE TERM IS USED TO EXPRESS A GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE OR RELATION? An advocate is one who pleads the cause of another; who represents another, and acts in his name; one who uses his influence in behalf of another by his request.

II. PURPOSES FOR WHICH AN ADVOCATE MAY BE EMPLOYED.

1. To secure justice, in case any question involving justice is to be tried.

2. To defend the accused.

3. To secure a pardon when a criminal has been justly condemned and is under sentence.

III. THE SENSE IN WHICH CHRIST IS THE ADVOCATE OF SINNERS.

IV. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN HIS BEING THE ADVOCATE OF SINNERS.

1. His being employed at a throne of grace and not at the bar of justice, to plead for sinners, as such, and not for those who are merely charged with sin but the charge not established.

2. His being appointed by God as the Advocate of sinners implies a merciful disposition in God.

3. That the exercise of mercy on certain conditions is possible.

4. That there is hope for the condemned.

5. That there is a governmental necessity for the interposition of an advocate; that the sinner's relations are such, and his character such, that he cannot be admitted to plead his own cause in his own name.

V. THE ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ADVOCATE UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.

1. He must be the uncompromising friend of the government.

2. He must be the uncompromising friend of the dishonoured law.

3. He must be righteous; that is, he must be clear of any complicity in the crime of the sinner.

4. He must be the compassionate friend of the sinner — not of his sins, but of the sinner himself.

5. He must be able sufficiently to honour the law, which sinners by their transgression have dishonoured.

6. He must be willing to volunteer a gratuitous service.

7. He must have a good plea. He must be able to present such considerations as shall really meet the necessities of the case, and render it safe, honourable, glorious in God to forgive.

VI. WHAT HIS PLEA IN BEHALF OF SINNERS IS.

1. It should be remembered that the appeal is not to justice. Since the fall of man God has suspended the execution of strict justice upon our race.

2. Christ's plea for sinners cannot be that they are not guilty.

3. Christ as our Advocate cannot, and need not, plead a justification.

4. He may not plead what will reflect, in any wise, upon the law.

5. He may not plead anything that shall reflect upon the administration of the Lawgiver. In that ease, instead of insisting that the sinner should repent, virtually the Lawgiver would be called upon Himself to repent.

6. He may not plead any excuse whatever for the sinner in mitigation of his guilt, or in extenuation of his conduct.

7. He cannot plead as our Advocate that He has paid our debt, in such a sense that He can demand our discharge on the ground of justice.

8. But Christ may plead His sin-offering to sanction the law, as fulfilling a condition upon which we may be forgiven.

9. But the plea is directed to the merciful disposition of God. He may point to the promise made to him in Isaiah 52:13 to the end, and Isaiah 53:1, 2.

10. He may plead also that He becomes our surety, that He under takes for us, that He is our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; and point to His official relations, His infinite fulness, willingness, and ability to restore us to obedience and to fit us for the service, the employments, and enjoyments of heaven.

11. He may urge as a reason for our pardon the great pleasure it will afford to God to set aside the execution of the law. "Mercy rejoiceth against judgment." Judgment is His strange work; but He delighteth in mercy.

12. He may urge the glory that will redound to the Son of God, for the part that He has taken in this work.

13. He may plead the gratitude of the redeemed and the profound thanks and praise of all good beings.Conclusion:

1. You see what it is to become a Christian. It is to employ Christ as your Advocate, by committing your cause entirely to Him.

2. He is an Advocate that loses no causes.

3. The safety of believers. Christ is always at His post.

4. The position of unbelievers. You have no advocate. God has appointed an Advocate; but you reject Him.

5. I ask, Have you retained Him? Have you, by your own consent, made Him your Advocate?

6. Do any of you say that you are unable to employ Him? But remember, the fee which He requires of you is your heart. All may employ Him, for all have hearts.

7. He tenders His services gratuitously to all, requiring nothing of them but confidence, gratitude, love, obedience.

8. Can any of you do without Him?

9. Have any of you made His advocacy sure by committing all to Him? If you have, He has attended to your cause, because He has secured your pardon; and the evidence you have in your peace of mind.

(C. G. Finney.)

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KJV: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

WEB: My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.