Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

The foundation of all our Communion with the Holy §. 1 Ghost, consisting in his mission, or sending to be our Comforter by Jesus Christ; the whole matter of that Economy or dispensation is firstly to be proposed and considered, that so we may have a right understanding of the truth enquired after. Now the main promise hereof, and the chief considerations of it, with the good received, and evil prevented thereby, being given and declared in the beginning of the 16. Chap. of John, I shall take a view of the state of it, as there proposed.

THe foundation of all our Communion with the Holy §. 1 Ghost, consisting in his mission, or sending to be our Comforter by Jesus Christ; the whole matter of that Oeconomy or dispensation is firstly to be proposed and considered, that so we may have a right understanding of the truth enquired after. Now the maine promise hereof, and the chiefe considerations of it, with the good received, and evill prevented thereby, being given and declared in the beginning of the 16. Chap. of Iohn, I shall take a view of the state of it, as there proposed.

Our blessed Saviour being to leave the world, having acquainted his Disciples among other things, what Entertainment §. 2 in general they were like to find in it, and meet withal, gives the Reason why he now gave them the doleful tidings of it, considering how sad and dispirited they were upon the mention of his departure from them. v. 1. These things have I said unto you that you should not be offended. I have, (saith he, given you an acquaintance with these things (that is the things which will ⟨p. 258⟩come upon you, which you are to suffer) before hand, least you who (poor souls) have entertained expectations of another state of affairs, should be surprised, so as to be offended at me, and my doctrine, and fall away from me. You are now forewarned, and know what you have to look for. Yea, saith he, v. 2. having acquainted you in general, that you shall be persecuted, I tell you plainly, that there shall be a combination of all men against you, and all sorts of men will put forth their power for your ruin. They shall cast you out of the Synagogue, and the time shall come, that whosoever kills you, will think that he doth God good service. The Ecclesiastical power shall Excommunicate you, they shall put you out of their Synagogues; and that you may not expect relief from the power of the magistrate against their perversity, they will kill you; and that you may know that they will do it to the purpose, without check or control, they will think that in killing you, they do God good service, which will cause them to act rigorously, and to the utmost.