XV. 26 ; xvi. 7. Neither translation expresses its full meaning. It signifies invoked, called upon for help. The Paraclete is, there- fore, in the comprehensive sense of the word, a helper, whatever may be the specific nature of the aid affbrded. As, however, the guilty, the ignorant, the friendless, when arraigned before a tri- bunal of justice, need above all things an advocate ; one who will undertake their cause ; present a plea in their behalf; and use all his influence to secure their acquittal ; it is in this sense especially that Christ is set forth as our TrapdK\r]To<;. He is our advocate. He appears at the bar of God for us. He pleads our cause. He pre- sents his work of obedience and suffering as the ground of our jus- tification. He exerts his influence, the influence of his character as the Son of God in whom the Father is ever well pleased, and whom He heareth always, as well as the influence due to Him in virtue of the covenant of redemption, and the perfect fulfilment of its conditions, to secure for his people all the good they need. It is, therefore, especially in passages which speak of justification, and of judicial process, that Christ's intercession is brought into view. (See Romans viii. 34 ; 1 John ii. 1.)
§ 2. Its Nature.
As to the nature of Christ's intercession, little can be said. There is error in pressing the representations of Scripture too far ; and there is error in explaining them away. This latter error is chargeable on many of the later theologians, who teach that the Scriptures intend, by the intercession of Christ, nothing more than his continued intervention or agency in the salvation of his people. Many of the Lutheran theologians, on the other extreme, err in insisting that this intercession of our Lord in our behalf in heaven is voealis, verbalis, et oralis. Sounds and words suppose an atmos- phere and a body, which is flesh and blood, which Paul says can- not inherit the kingdom of God. The Reformed theologians abstain from these extremes, and consider it enough to say that the intercession of Christ includes — (1.) His appearing before God in our behalf, as the sacrifice for our sins, as our High Priest, on the ground of whose work we receive the remission of our sins, the gift of tlie Holy Spirit, and all needed good. (2.) Defence against the sentence of the law and the charges of Satan, who is the great accuser. (3.) His offering Himself as our surety, not only that the demands of justice shall be shown to be satisfied, but that his people shall be obedient and faithful. (4.) The oblation of the persons of the redeemed, sanctifying their prayers, and all their
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594 PART III. Ch. X. — intercession OF CHRIST.
services, rendering them acceptable to God, tlirough tlie savour of . his own merits.
§ B. Its Objects.
As to the objects of Christ's intercession, the Lutherans make a distinction between his intercession as general and special. He intercedes generally for all men, and specially for the elect. The former is assumed on the authoi'ity of Luke xxiii. 34, where Christ is represented as praying for his murderers, saying, " Fatlier for- give them ; for they know not what they do." It is said to be due to the intercession of Christ that the wicked are not imme- diately cut off, that they have the Gospel ])reached to them, and every opportunity afforded them of i-eturning unto God. That there is, however, an intercession of which the people of Christ alone are objects, Lutherans themselves are constrained to admit, as our Lord Himself says : " I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me." (John xvii. 9, 20.) So far as the intercession of Christ is part of his official work as the High Priest of our profession. He intercedes only for those who accept Him as their priest, and whom He represents in the covenant of redemption. This follows from the nature of his office as Priest, from his own express declaration, and from the fact that his inter- cession is certainly efficacious. Him the Father heareth always. If He interceded for all, all would certainly be saved.
§ 4. Intercession of Saints.
There is but one Mediator between God and man, and but one High Priest through whom we draw near to God. And as in- tercession is a priestly function, it follows that Christ is our only intercessor. But as there is a sense in which all believers are kings and priests unto God, which is consistent with Christ's being our only king and priest; so there is a sense in which one believer may intercede for another, which is not inconsistent with Christ's being our only intercessor. By intercession in the case of believers is only meant that one child of God may pray for another or for all men. To intercede is in this sense merely to pray for. But in the case of Christ it expresses an official act, which none who does not fill his office can perform. As under the old economy one Israelite could pray for his brethren, but only the High Priest could enter within the veil and officially interpose in behalf of the people ; so now, although we may pray, one for another, Christ only can appear as a priest before God in our behalf and plead his