2. In respect of the Comfort of what he had spoken; which §. 4 seems to be a great part of the intendment of this promise. He had been speaking to them things suited for their consolation; giving them precious promises of the supplies they should have from him in this life; of the Love of the Father, of the Glory he was providing for them; the sense and comfort whereof is unspeakable, and the joy arising from them, full of Glory. But, saith he, I know how unable you are to make use of these things for your own consolation; The Spirit therefore shall recover them upon your minds in their full strength and vigour for that end, for which I speak them. And this is one cause why it was expedient for Believers that Christ's bodily absence, should be supplied by the presence of the Spirit. Whilst he was with them, how little Efficacy on their hearts had any of the heavenly promises 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 virtue of his Office, that he also might be glorified, was reserved for him. And this is his work to the end of the World, To bring the promises of Christ to our minds and hearts, to give us the comfort of them, the ⟨p. 275⟩joy and sweetness of them, much beyond that which the Disciples found in them, when Christ in person spake them to them; their gracious influence being then restrained, that, as was said, the dispensation of the spirit might be glorified; so are the next words to this promise, v. 27. My peace I leave with you, peace I give unto you. The comforter being sent to bring what Christ said, to remembrance, the consequent of it is Peace, and freedom from trouble of heart: what ever peace, relief, comfort, joy, supportment, we have at any time received from any work, promise, or thing done by Christ, it all belongs to this dispensation of the Comforter. In vain should we apply our natural abilities to remember, call to mind, consider the promises of Christ: Without success would it be; it is so 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 consolation received, in and by the promises of him brought to mind, shall be afterwards declared. This in general is obtained.
2. In respect of the Comfort of what he had spoken; which §. 4 seems to be a great part of the intendment of this promise. He had been speaking to them things suited for their consolation; giving them pretious promises of the supplies they should have from him in this life; of the Love of the Father, of the Glory he was providing for them; the sense and comfort whereof is unspeakable, and the joy arising from them, full of Glory. But, saith he, I know how unable you are to make use of these things for your own consolation; The Spirit therefore shall recover them upon your minds in their full strength and vigour for that end, for which I speake them. And this is one cause why it was expedient for Believers that Christ's bodily absence, should be supplied by the presence of the Spirit. Whilest he was with them, how little Efficacy on their hearts had any of the heavenly promises 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 also might be glorified, was reserved for him. And this is his work to the end of the World, To bring the promises of Christ to our minds and hearts, to give us the comfort of them, the ⟨p. 275⟩joy and sweetnesse of them, much beyond that which the Disciples found in them, when Christ in person spake them to them; their gratious influence being then restrained, that, as was said, the dispensation of the spirit might be glorified; so are the next words to this promise, v. 27. My peace I leave with you, peace I give unto you. The comforter being sent to bring what Christ said, to remembrance, the consequent of it is Peace, and freedome from trouble of heart: what ever peace, reliefe, comfort, joy, supportment, we have at any time received from any work, promise, or thing done by Christ, it all belongs to this dispensation of the Comforter. In vaine should we apply our naturall abilities to remember, call to mind, consider the promises of Christ: Without successe would it be; it is so 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 consolation received, in and by the promises of him brought to mind, shall be afterwards declared. This in generall is obtained.
