June 14

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.—John xlv. 16.

THE disciples were greatly distressed at the prospect of losing the personal presence of their Master. But he cheered their down-cast spirits with the assurance, that, although he was going away from them, they should not be left orphans. Another comforter should come to supply his place, and abide with them for ever. This comforter is the Holy Spirit.

First. The Spirit is a comforter by applying and representing 15*

Christ absent unto the soul again. For, 1. The Spirit carries a Christian heart up to Christ in heavenly affections and conversation. As a piece of earth, when it is out of its place, doth ever move to the whole earth; so a sparkle of Christ's Spirit will naturally move upward unto him, who hath "the fullness" in him. A stone though broken all to pieces in the motion, will yet, through all that peril and violence, move to the centre: so though the nature of man abhor, and would of itself decline the passages of death, yet the apostle desired "to be dissolved, and to be taken asunder, that by any means he might be with Christ," who is the centre of every Christian's desire. 2. The Spirit brings Christ down to a Christian, forms him in his heart, evidences him, and the virtue of his passion, and resurrection, to the conscience, in the powerful dispensation of his holy ordinances. Therefore when our Saviour speaks of sending the Holy Spirit, he adds, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you;—when the world seeth me not, yet ye see me." This notes the presence of Christ by his Spirit with the church: but there is more than a presence, there is an inhabitation: "At that time ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."

Secondly. The Spirit is a comforter by a work of sweet and fruitful illumination, not only giving the knowledge, but the love and comfort of the truth to a Christian; making him "with open face behold, as in a glass, the glory of God," and thereby "transforming him into the same image from glory to glory." The light of other sciences is like the light of a candle, nothing but light: but the knowledge of Christ by the Spirit, is like the light of the sun, which hath influences and virtues in it. And this is that which the apostle calls "the Spirit of revelation, in the knowledge of God:" for though there be no prophetical, nor extraordinary revelations by dreams, visions, ecstacies, or enthusiasms; yet, according to the measure of spiritual acuteness of vision, and diligent observation of Holy Scriptures, there are still manifold revelations or manifestations of Christ to the soul. The secret and intimate acquaintance of the soul with God, the heavings, aspirings, and harmony of the heart with Christ, the sweet illapses and flashes of heavenly light upon the soul, the knowledge of the depths of God, and of Satan, of the whole armor of God, and the strong man, of conflicts of Spirit, protection of angels, experiences of mercy, issues of temptation and the like, are heavenly and constant revelations out of the Word, manifested to the souls of the faithful by the Spirit.

Thirdly. The Spirit is a comforter in those effects of "joy and peace," which he works in the heart. For joy is ever the fruit and companion of the Spirit; and the joy of the Spirit is like the intercession of the Spirit, "unspeakable and glorious," not like the joy of the world, which is empty, false, and deceitful,—full of vanity, vexation, insufficiency, unsuitableness to the soul—mingled with fears of disappointment and miscarriage, with tremblings and guilt of conscience, with certainty of period and expiration; but clear, holy, constant, unmixed, satisfactory, and proportionable to the compass of the soul,—more gladness than all the world can take in the "increase of their corn and wine."

"Wilt thou not the promise seal, Good and faithful as thou art,— Send the Comforter to dwell Every moment in our heart? Yes, thou must the grace bestow: Truth hath said it shall be so."