to you. There are two parts of this promise, 1. Of teaching, 2. Of bringing to remembrance. Of his teaching 1 shall speak afterwards, when I come to treat of his anointing us. His bringing the things to remembrance that Chrift fpake, is the first general promife of him as a Comforter, He fhall make you mind all these things; now this alfo may be confidered two ways. 1. Meerly in refpect of the things spoken themfelves. So our Saviour here promifeth his apoftles, that the Holy Ghost should bring to their minds by an immediate efficacy, the things that he had fpoken, that by his infpiration they might be enabled to write and preach them for the good and benefit of his church. So Peter tells us, 1 Pet. i. 21. Holy men of God fpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft; that is, in writing the fcripture. Apo pneumatos agiou pheromenoi; " borne up by him,' carried beyond themselves, to speak his words, and what he indited to them. The apoftles forgot much of what Chrift had faid to them, or might do fo; and what they did retain in a natural way of remembrance, was not a fufficient foundation to them to write what they fo remembred, for a rule of faith to the church. For the word of prophefy, is not from any man's proper impulfe; it comes not from any private conception, underftanding, or remembrance. Wherefore Chrift promises that the Holy Ghoft fhall do this work, that they might infallibly give out what he had delivered unto them. Hence that expreffion in Luke i. 3. Having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, is better rendered, Having obtained perfect knowlege of things from above; noteing the rise and spring of his fo understanding things, as to be able infallibly to to give them out in a rule of faith to the church, than the beginning of the things themselves fpoken of; which the word itfelf will not eafily allow of. 2. In refpect of the comfort of what he had fpoken; which feems to be a great part of the intendment of this promife. He had been speaking to them things fuited for their confolation; giving them precious promises of the fupplies they fhould have from him in this life; of the love of the Father, of the glory he was providing for them; the fenfe and comfort whereof is unfpeakable, and the joy arifing from them, full of glory. But, faith he, I know how unable you are to make ufe of thefe things for your own confolation; the Spirit therefore shall recover them upon your minds in their full ftrength and vigor for that end, for which I fpeak them. And this is one caufe why it was expedient for believers that Chrift's bodily abfence, fhould be fupplied by the prefence of the Spirit. Whilft he was with them, how little efficacy on their hearts had any of the heavenly promifes he gave them? when the Spirit came, how full of joy did he make all things to them? That which was his peculiar work, which belonged to him by vertue of his office, that he alfo might be glorified, was referved for him. And this is his work to the end of the world, to bring the promises of Chrift to our minds and hearts, to give us the comfort of them, the joy and fweetness of them, much beyond that which the difciples found in them, when Chrift in perfon fpake to them; their gracious influence being then reftrained, that, as was faid, the difpenfation of the Spirit might be glorified; fo åre the next words to this promife, ver. 27. my peace I leave with you, peace I give unto you. The Comforter being fent to bring what Chrift faid, to remembrance, the confequent of it is peace, and freedom from trouble of heart: whatever peace, relief, comfort, joy, fupportment, we have at any time received from any work, promife, or thing done by Christ, it all belongs to this difpenfation of the Comforter. In vain fhould we apply our natural abili ties to remember, call to mind, confider the promises of Chrift: without fuccefs would it be; it is fo daily: but when the Comforter doth undertake the work, it is done to the purpose. How we have peculiar communion with him herein; in faith and obedience, in the confolation received, in and by the promises of him brought to mind, fhall be afterwards declared. This in general is obtained. Our Saviour Jefus Chrift leaving the efficacy even of thofe promifes, which in perfon he gave to his apoftles in their great diftrefs, as to their confolation, unto the Holy Ghoft, we may fee the immediate fpring of all the fpiritual comfort we have in this world, and the fellowship which we have with the Holy Ghoft therein. Only here, as in all the particulars following the manner of the Spirit's working, this thing, is always to be born in mind, and the intereft of his power, will, and goodnefs in his working; he hath this, 1. Powerfully, or effectually, 2. Voluntarily, 3. Freely. 1. Powerfully. And therefore doth comfort from the words and promises of Christ, sometimes break in through all oppofition, into the fadest and darkest condition imaginable; it comes and makes men fing in a dungeon, rejoice in flames, glory in tribulation, it will into prifons, racks, through temp tations, tations, and the greatest distresses imaginable: whence is this? to pneuma energei; the Spirit works effectually, his power is in it; he will work, and none fhall let him. If he will bring to our remembrance the promifes of Chrift for our confolation, neither Satan nor man, fin nor world, nor death fhall interrupt our comfort. This the faints who have communion with the Holy Ghoft, know to their advantage, fometimes the heavens are black over them,, and the earth trembles under them; publick, perfonal calamities and diftreffes appear fo full of horror, and darknefs, that they are ready to faint with the apprehenfions of them. Hence is their great relief, and the retrivement of their fpirits; their confolation nor trouble depend not on any outward condition, nor inward frame of their own hearts; but on the powerful and effectual workings of the Holy Ghoft; which by faith they give themfelves up unto. new 2. Voluntarily. Diftributing to every one as he will: and therefore is this work done in. fo great: variety, both as to the fame perfons, and diverfe.. For the fame perfon, full of joy fometimes in a great diftrefs, full of confolation; every promife brings: fweetnefs, when his preffures are great and heavy:: another time in the leaft trial,. feeks for comfort, fearches the promife, and it is far away. The reafon is, the Spirit diftributes as he will. And fo with divers perfons; to fome each promife is full of lifeand comfort; others tafte little all their days, all! upon the fame account. And this faith efpecially regards in the whole bufinefs of confolation: it depends on the fovereign will of the Holy Ghost, and fo is not tied unto any rules, or courfe of procedure. Therefore doth it exercise itself in waiting, upen 1i3 upon him, for the seasonable accomplishment of the good pleasure of his will. 3. Freely. Much of the variety of the difpenfation of confolation by promises, depends on this freedom of the Spirit's operation. Hence it is that comfort is given unexpectedly, when the heart hath all the reafons in the world to look for distress and forrow; thus fometimes it is the first means of recovering a backfliding foul, who might juftly expect to be utterly caft off. And these confiderations are to be carried on, in all the other effects and fruits of the Comforter; of which afterwards. And in this first general effect or work of the Holy Ghoft towards us, have we communion and fellowfhip with him. The life and foul of all our comforts lye treasured up in the promises of Chrift. They are the breafts of all our confolation. Who knows not how powerlefs they are in the bare letter, even when improved to the uttermoft, by our confiderations of them, and meditation on them: as alfo how unexpectedly they fometimes break in upon the foul, with a conquering, endearing life and vigor: here faith deals peculiarly with the Holy Ghost: it confiders the promises themselves; looks up to him, waits for him, confiders his appearancés: in the word depended on, owns him in his work and efficacy. No fooner doth the foul begin to feel the life of a promise, warming his heart, relieving, cherishing, fupporting, delivering from fear, entanglements, or troubles, but it may, it ought to know, that the Holy Ghoft is there; which will add to his joy, and lead him into fellowship with him. 2. The next general work feems to be that of, John xvi, 14. The Comforter fhall glorify me, for he Ball |