Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-11-18

CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
fOrlginal.]
CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE.

fold. First, to show, in the future ages of the
world, the exceeding richness of Gods grace ;
and, second, to redeem sinners from the curse
of violated law and reinstate them in Gods
favor and friendship. AS redeemer, Christ
executes the Office of prophet, of a priest
and Of king. As a prophet, he instructs his
people by his word and spirit; as priest, he
offered up himself sin offering for his people
and makes continual intercession for them at
the mercy seat on high; as a king, he rules
his people, defending them from all his and
their enemies.
Part of Christ's mediatorial work was de-
signed to be accomplished on earth, and part
in Heaven. On earth, he lived, suffered and
died but in Heaven, at the right hand of the
majesty on high, he makes continual interces-
sion in behalf of his blood bought inheritance.
Evidently, when our Saviour died upon the
cross, his work as priest here upon earth was
finished. He then, after his resurrection, as
cended to Heaven, where, according to the
general scope of theScriptures, he will remain
until his second coming, at the last day, to
Judge the world in righteousness. In answer
to his request, God the father, gave the church
the Comforter, the spirit of truth, to abide
with them forever, and to lead them into all
truth.
Such being the case, with eminent proprie'
ty, we, of the present day, may be said to live
under the dispensaton of Gods holy spirit.
AS once cruci6ed but now risen and glori-
ously exalted redeener, Jesus Christ now ap-
pears at the throne of God as an advocate in
behalf of his people. That this is the doc
trine Of the Scriptures, no one acquainted
with their teachings will, for moment, ques'
ton. 1t is true that the Holy Spirit is often
spoken of in.the Scriptures as an advocate.
Both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are
called by the same name and designated by
the same title. Thus, in John, IA: l6, the
Saviour says: 81 will pray the father and he
shall send you another comforter" and in lst
John, 2: l, we have these words, '"1f any man
(meaning any believer) sin, we have an advo-
cate with the father" The word used in the
original is paraclets. In the first case it is
translated comforter, and manifestly means
the Holy Spirit in the second instance, it is
rendered advocate, and means Jesus Christ,
because it is so said.
With strict propriety and in full accord
with the teachings of the Bible, we may say
that believers have two advocates
Christ and the Holy Spirit. We shall not
undertake to show wherein the pleadings of
these advocates, in behalf of poor. erring be-:
levers, may be distinguished. They do not
differ. Still, they are not in every respect the
same. The object and design Of both advo-
Gates is the same; but they may be distin.
guished thus: The Holy Spirit pleads the
merits of Jesus Christ, while Jesus Christ
pleads his own merits.
With regard to Jesus Christ as an advocate,
the following particulars are worthy of notice.
lst. The advocacy of Jesus Christ teaches us
that the only mode of approach to God, is
through mediator. This fact is demonstra-
ted by all that Jesus Christ has done, and is
still doing, as the Redeemer and Saviour Of
sinners. When Adam sinned, all direct COM
munication between God and man was forev-
er cut off, This is taught by the Psalmist,
when he says: "There is forgiveness with thee
(God) that thou mayest be feared" To fear
God means to reverence and adore him as God.
God does not propose that any Of Adams
race shall worship in any other way than
through redeemer, and the only redeemer
which God recognizes is Jesus Christ. No
worship no matter how devout, which is OF:
fered to God in any name except the name of
Jesus, is acceptable to God. On the contra
ry, it issin. 1t is idolatry, or daring presump'
ton. Every acceptable prayer is offered in
the name of Jesus All the blessings of this
life, and that which is to come, are granted by
God to the believer in answer to the interces
sorry prayer of Jesus. God proposes to do
nothing for any of Adams race only on the
application of his son.
I'd. The intercession of Jesus Christ, in be
half of his people, is of the nature of de.
mand founded upon right. Hence in John
17:24, he uses these words: "Father, | will
that those whom thou hast given me may be
with me where I an" and in this instance
the mode or manner of intercession is by sta
ting his will. 81 will" he says Jesus claims
the salvation of his people as right He
died for them, and for them he rose again
from the dead. They are his by right of pur.
chase.
Sd. Jesus Christ never forgets his people.
"He that keepeth Israel, shall neither slum'
Der nor Sleep" He is always at the mercy
seat, ready to advocate the cause Of his poor
SHINING people. He does not, like the High
Priest of old, 60 once year into the holy of
holies, but is continually there. Jesus, the
advocate, meyer can forget his people. This
is beautifully and strongly expressed by the
prophet Isaiah. "Can q woman forget her
sucking child, that she should not have COM
passion on the son of her womb? Yea, they
may forget, yet will 1 not forget thee. Be-
hold I have craven thee upon the palms of
my hands," The allusion here, no doubt, is
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