Augustine of Hippo

He will then be our judge who is now our advocate. Listen to John: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, he says, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I have written these things to you so that you may not sin: and if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins. If you had a case to be pleaded before a judge, and instructed an advocate, were received by the advocate, and he pleaded your case as he could; and if he did not finish it, and you heard that judge approaching, how much would you rejoice, because he could be your judge who a little before had been your advocate? And now he prays for us, he intercedes for us; we have him as advocate, and we fear the judge? Rather, because we have sent the advocate before us, we should securely hope for the judge to come.