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

4. THIS Dispensation of the Spirit is unchangeable. Unto whomsoever he is given as a Comforter, he abides with them for ever. This our Saviour expressly declares in the first Promise he made of sending him as a Comforter in a peculiar manner. John 14. 16. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. The Moment of this Promise lieth in his unchangeable Continuance with the Church. There was indeed a present occasion rendering ⟨p. 41⟩necessary this Declaration of the unchangeableness of his Abode. For in all this Discourse, our Saviour was preparing the Hearts of his Disciples for his Departure from them, which was now at hand. And whereas he lays the whole of the Relief which in that Case He would afford unto them, upon his sending of the Holy Ghost, he takes care not only to prevent an Objection which might arise in their Minds about this Dispensation of the Spirit, but also in so doing to secure the Faith and Consolation of the Church in all Ages. For as he himself who had been their immediate, visible Comforter during the whole Time of his Ministry among them, was now departing from them, and that so, as that the Heavens were to receive him until the time of the Restitution of all things, they might be apt to fear that this Comforter who was now promised unto them might continue also only for a Season, whereby they should be reduced unto a new Loss and Sorrow. To assure their Minds herein, our Lord Jesus Christ lets them know that this other Comforter should not only always continue with them unto the ends of their Lives, Work and Ministry, but abide with the Church absolutely unto the Consummation of all things. He is now given in an Eternal and Unchangeable Covenant, Isa. 59. 21. and he can no more depart from the Church, than the everlasting, sure Covenant of God can be abolished.

4. THIS Dispensation of the Spirit is unchangeable. Unto whomsoever he is given as a Comforter, he abides with them for ever. This our Saviour expresly declares in the first Promise he made of sending him as a Comforter in a peculiar manner. John 14. 16. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. The Moment of this Promise lyeth in his unchangeable Continuance with the Church. There was indeed a present occasion rendring