Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

BUT 2dly. The Work of a Comforter is principally ascribed unto him. For, (1) That he is ⟨p. 12⟩principally under this Name intended as a Comforter, is evident from the whole Context and the occasion of the Promise. It was with respect unto the Troubles and Sorrows of his Disciples, with their Relief therein, that he is promised under this Name by our Saviour. I will not, saith he, leave you Orphans, Chap. 14. 18. Though I go away from you, yet I will not leave you in a desolate and disconsolate Condition. How shall that be prevented in his Absence, who was the Life and Spring of all their Comforts? Saith he, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you [Greek or Hebrew], Ver. 16. that is, Another to be your Comforter. So he renews again his Promise of sending him under this Name, because Sorrow had filled their Hearts upon the Apprehension of his Departure, Chap. 16. 7, 8. Wherefore he is principally considered as a Comforter: And, as we shall see further afterwards, this his principal Work, most suited unto his Nature, as he is the Spirit of Peace, Love and Joy. For he who is the Eternal, Essential Love of the Divine Being, as existing in the distinct Persons of the Trinity, is most meet to communicate a Sense of Divine Love with Delight and Joy unto the Souls of Believers. Hereby he sets up the Kingdom of God in them, which is Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17. And in nothing doth he so evidence his Presence in the Hearts and Spirits of any, as by the Disposal of them unto Spiritual Love and Joy. For shedding abroad the Love of God in our Hearts, as Rom. 5. 5. He produceth a Principle and Frame of Divine Love in our Souls, and fills us with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. The Attribution therefore of this Name unto him, the Comforter, evidenceth that ⟨p. 13⟩he performs this Work in the way of an Office.

BUT 2dly. The Work of a Comforter is principally ascribed unto him. For, (1) That he is ⟨p. 12⟩principally under this Name intended as a Comforter, is evident from the whole Context and the occasion of the Promise. It was with respect unto the Troubles and Sorrows of his Disciples, with their Relief therein, that he is promised under this Name by our Saviour. I will not, saith he, leave you Orphans, Chap. 14. 18. Though I go away from you, yet I will not leave you in a desolate and disconsolate Condition. How shall that be prevented in his Absence, who was the Life and Spring of all their Comforts? Saith he, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you , Ver. 16. that is, Another to be your Comforter. So he renews again his Promise of sending him under this Name, because Sorrow had filled their Hearts upon the Apprehension of his Departure, Chap. 16. 7, 8. Wherefore he is principally considered as a Comforter: And, as we shall see further afterwards, this his principal Work, most suited unto his Nature, as he is the Spirit of Peace, Love and Joy. For he who is the Eternal, Essential Love of the Divine Being, as existing in the distinct Persons of the Trinity, is most meet to communicate a Sense of Divine Love with Delight and Joy unto the Souls of Believers. Hereby he sets up the Kingdom of God in them, which is Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost,