279 DISCOURSE LIII. THE HOLY GHOST A COMFORTER. JOHN, XIV. 16. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. THE words present to us in a little compass, what it is the design of the Scripture to describe at large; namely, the sacred Three united in the work of man's redemption. Here is the Son interceding, the Father granting, and the Spirit coming, as upon this day, to form the church, and ever after to preserve and sanctify it: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." It is impossible to cast the subject into a better method, than that offered by the words themselves, as they stand in the text. They direct us to consider, I. The prayer of Christ: "I will pray the Father." When we read of the Son praying, we may be induced to think that the person praying must necessarily be inferior to the person to whom the prayer is made. We shall reason, as the apostle elsewhere does," Without all doubt the greater is entreated by the less." It is God who is entreated; it is a man who entreats; "there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, who is a man." He is so; but it is "the man Christ Jesus;" it is a man, very differently circumstanced from all men that ever were born, and far above them all it is a man to whom God was pleased to be united; God was in Christ; in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; God manifest in the flesh, the divine WORD made flesh, and dwelling among us; as, to prefigure this great event in old time, Jehovah came down from heaven, and filled the holy temple built for his reception. "Destroy this temple," says Christ, speaking of his body, "and I" (as God-for God only could do so)" will raise it again in three days." The truth is, they who differ from us and oppose us upon this great point, affirm Christ to be man, which we never deny; but they cannot, while allowing the Scripture, disprove his being likewise God, which is what we affirm. "God and man are one Christ," as our church teaches us rightly to confess. While therefore it is a man who mediates, intercedes, and prays, it is this circumstance of his being a man in whom God dwells, and to whom God is in an especial manner united, which gives to his mediation, his intercession, his prayer, that virtue and effect, that force and power, which otherwise they could not have; for what, I beseech you, is the prayer of a man, a mere man, however upright and pure, that it should prevail for the pardon of all other men being sinners, and obtain for them from the Father the gift of the Holy Spirit? And for this reason it is, that they who deny the doctrine of our Lord's divinity, have been forced to deny also that of his priesthood and intercession. If we look forward to the fifteenth chapter of St. John's Gospel, ver. 26, we find the same person who says, in the words of the text, "I will pray the Father, and he shall send a Comforter "-we find him uttering these words-" The Comforter whom I will send from the Father." He therefore who, in one capacity, prays that the Comforter may be sent, in another is the person who sends him, being joined in authority and power with the Father: "He and the Father are one." Many are the passages of this kind, which can be explained and reconciled on no other principle but that adopted and maintained by the church, corcerning the twofold nature of Christ. The Spirit is called, in some places, " the Spirit of the Father;" in others, "the Spirit of the Son:" he proceeded from both. How pleasing, how comfortable a consideration is it, that we have an Intercessor on high; through whose prayer to the Father, not only the good things of this world, redeemed from the curse by him who first created them, and made again salutary and spiritual joy and exultation. Instead of holy, are granted to us anew; but we re-fearing and flying from their enemies, as ceive also the great, the supreme, the un- before, at the apprehension and crucifixion speakable gift, the gift of the divine Spirit, of their Master, they now boldly faced one with the Father and the Son, blessed and glorified for ever more! II. From the Son praying, let us therefore turn our thoughts to the Father granting: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you."-When a son asks, a father can give the one is gracious to prevail, the other easy to be entreated. The request was not preferred in a cold and languid manner. "He made supplication," as the apostle speaks, "with strong crying and tears." And still louder was the vcice of his blood from the earth, "speaking better things than that of Abel;" the one crying for mercy, as the other did for vengeance. them, prepared to stand before rulers, to "speak of God's testimonies even before kings, without being ashamed." They were no longer grieved or offended at the thought of suffering for the truth; they rejoiced in tribulation of that sort, and conceived themselves to have acquired a new dignity, when "counted worthy so to suffer." Such was the mighty change wrought in their minds, through the power of "the Holy Ghost, the Comforter." A change is wrought in the minds of Christians, through every age, by the power of the same divine Spirit. On the ministers of the Gospel he does not indeed confer, immediately and by III. The gift thus requested and obtained miracle, the gift of divers languages; but was that of a Comforter: "I will pray it is he who inclines them to learn lanthe Father, and he shall give you a Com-guages, for the purpose of understanding forter." the Scriptures; to apply themselves careWith respect to the apostles, this was a fully and conscientiously to the duties and gift eminently in season. Various, as we studies of their profession; to preach with know, are the powers and favors of the force and effect that word which is in the Spirit, suited to the various wants of man- hearts of men as fire, enlightening the dark, kind. To those who are ignorant, he is warming the cold, melting the hard, and the Spirit of knowledge; to those who are purifying the defiled. It is he who "gives perplexed with doubts and difficulties, he them the tongue of the learned," who both is the Spirit of truth; to those polluted by disposes and enables them "to speak a word sin, he is the Spirit of holiness. But the in season to him that is weary " and stands apostles, at the time when our Lord spoke in need of consolation, till, "in the midst these words, were in a state of melancholy of the sorrows that are in his heart, heasorrow had filled their hearts; comfort was venly comforts refresh his soul." Our comthat of which they stood in need: com- mission is the same with that of our blessed fort was promised; and, as upon this day, Master, which he, opened at Nazareth, in a Comforter was sent. Grief chills the the words of Isaiah "The Spirit of the heart, and congeals the spirits: he descend- Lord God is upon me, because the Lord ed therefore in fire, to warm and expand: hath anointed me to preach good tidings to he descended in the form of tongues, bring- the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the ing the word of consolation, that good word, broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the which maketh glad the heart of man. The captives, and the opening of the prison to effect appeared accordingly; for in such a those that are bound; to proclaim the acmanner was the sorrow of the apostles ceptable year of the Lord, to comfort all turned into joy, that when they preached that mourn; to appoint unto them that the Gospel to the people assembled from mourn in Sion, to give unto them beauty different countries, their adversaries said, for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the "These men are full of new wine." But garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, it was not the juice of the grape; in that that they might be called trees of righteousage, and in that country, none being accus-ness, the planting of the Lord, that he might tomed, as St. Peter observed, to drink wine be glorified." in the morning. "These men are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day," or nine o'clock, for they began their reckoning from six. It was therefore wine (to use our Lord's expression) which they had "drunk new in the kingdom of God," they were filled with the Holy Ghost, with spiritual comfort, What a variety of sublime and beautiful expressions is here employed to show, that our Gospel, as it proceeds from the Holy Ghost the Comforter, is and must ever be a Gospel of comfort! But to whom is it such? To many it is not; they find no comfort in it; they hate and dread the sight or thought of it. It is such only to the poor in spirit, to the meek, I have sunk under a trial like this, the church and to the mourners; to those who have must have failed in its very beginning, and been made sensible of their fallen estate, the Gospel have perished from among men, and of the sins they have committed; to had it not been for the promise and the those who by true repentance have cast grant of another Comforter, or Advocate, as out and put away their sins from them; to the word also signifies. these it is a cordial indeed: but a cordial It was expedient that Christ should go can be of no service, it will be of much dis- away; that he should go into heaven, to service, if administered (should any unskil-appear in the presence of God for us, and fully administer it) when the habit is loaded to be our advocate there, to answer the with humors, and the stomach overwhelmed slanders and calumnies of the great accuser and oppressed by crudities. A cordial of the brethren, who accused them before here is not the remedy immediately wanted: the throne; that he should not only do proper discipline must prepare the way this, but rescue and save us even when the for it. accusation was true. "There is one that The Spirit comforts by strengthening, as accuseth you," said Christ, "even Moses." the word, in our language, intimates. He The law accuses and condemns us all, beis the Spirit of power, might, and courage, cause we all have broken it, and are bewhich are conferred upon us, in our due come guilty before God as a lawgiver and a degree and measure, as they were upon the judge. But what saith mercy by the Gosapostles. When convinced of the truth, pel? "Deliver the man; I have found a we are no longer afraid to confess, to de- ransom." Christ was first our priest; he fend, or to practice it, before men, even the offered himself a sacrifice for our sins; and greatest men. We are not ashamed of be- then went, with his own blood, into the ing singular at any time in doing our duty, holy places, to make atonement for those, nor offended and grieved because we cannot as sinners, whose innocence otherwise, as have the approbation of those whose appro-advocate, he could not defend. On this foot bation is not worth having; since of what he went to reinstate us in the favor of God; consequence to a wise man is the opinion to take possession of heaven for us, as our of such as he thinks and knows to be, in this particular matter, not wise? Tongues were given to be employed in speech; and they should be employed (by the ministers of Christ more especially) with all freedom and boldness, in telling the people of their sins, calling them to repentance, and proclaiming to all the Gospel of pardon and peace. Such is the gift prayed for by the Son, and bestowed on the church by the Father: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you a Con.forter." surety and representative, "the first-born among many brethren;" to prepare a place for us against that great and joyful day, when he shall return in like manner as he went, to receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also. In the meantime, while this was doing above, there was need of another Advocate, or Comforter, below; and he supplied the absence of his body by the presence of his Spirit; so that in all our troubles, under every possible calamity that can befall us, IV. He is styled in the text, "another there is help at hand, both in heaven and Comforter." While Christ continued to be on earth; in heaven, Christ mediating; on present in person with his disciples, he was earth, the Spirit comforting. Of this latter their Comforter. But, as he had informed it is said, that he also "maketh intercession them, he was about to leave them, to as- for us with groanings that cannot be utcend into that glory from whence he de- tered," praying with us and in us, “bearscended, "the glory he had with the Father ing witness with our spirit, that we are the before the world was," the church there- children of God," adopted sons, redeemed fore would find herself in a melancholy, from the world, and evidenced to be so, by forlorn, and widowed state. "How can the testimony of a conscience purged from the children of the bride-chamber fast" (or sin, through faith and the spirit of holimourn,) said he, "while the bridegroom is ness. "My conscience," says the apostle, with them? But the days will come, when" beareth me witness in the Holy Ghost;" the bridegroom shall be taken away from an expression which answers exactly to them; and then shall they mourn in those that other, "the Spirit witnesseth with our days." The days immediately following spirit, that we are the children of God." Christ's ascension, were to be days of darkness and sorrow, of great tribulation, and severe persecution, first from Jews, and then from Gentiles. The disciples must We come now to the last clause in my text; "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." We may consider this as spoken by Christ and to whom he has sacrificed his eternal of the Holy Spirit, in contradistinction to interests, will exclaim in the anguish of dehimself. I go away, but he shall abide. spair-may no person here present ever The enjoyment of good, when obtained, know it but by description!" Surely, may be, and generally is, damped and dimin- miserable comforters are ye all !" ished by the apprehension of losing it again. The disciples found that their blessed Master was about to be taken from them. They might fear the same respecting this other Comforter who was promised, lest he too should, after a while, forsake them. But this was not to happen. The Son vouchsafed to descend from heaven for a certain purpose, and for a certain time necessary to accomplish that purpose: then he returned back to his celestial mansion. Though the disciples had known Christ after the flesh, yet henceforth they were to know him so no more. The office graciously sustained by the Spirit, in the scheme of man's redemption, requires his constant abode and superintendence. Of the perpetuity of his influence we are therefore assured, "to our great and endless comfort." And herein it is, that heavenly comforts differ from earthly ones. These may be used for a time; but they perish with the using, and we must look for others. Riches make themselves wings; of a still more uncertain tenure are fame and honor: and pleasures are more fleeting than either. They flutter about us, for a little while, in the season of health and prosperity. But the day of sickness and trouble must come ; and then, where are they, or what can they avail? Between us and the world the curtain will be soon drawn for ever; the things of the world can be of no farther concern or service. To the mind's eye will appear, above, the Judge in glory; below, the earth in flames. Pain will distract, conscience will accuse, and friends will forsake. The man of the world, looking round on those perishing idols whom he had worshipped, In such comforts, therefore, put not your trust, for they will undoubtedly fail you in time of need. They are winter-brooks, overflowing when there is least occasion, but in the burning heat of summer, the thirsty traveller, who has recourse to them for the relief of his necessity, finds them dry. Nay, when they are with you in their highest perfection, their insufficiency is ever experienced, though it may not be owned. No circle of pleasure is so complete, as not to leave a frightful void, to supply which, something of a far different and superior kind is required. This has been repeatedly, and in sorrow of heart, complained of by persons possessing all that the world could give them, and finding nothing more of that sort to ask or desire; yet has their existence become so wretched, that many of them have been tempted, and some prevailed upon, so far as lay in their power, to put a period to it; confessing themselves weary of treading the round of dissipation and insignificance, and willing rather to risk the torments of another world, than sustain the miseries of this, with all its enjoyments full blown before them. Seek, then, for comforts which never fatigue or cloy; for comforts which, like the manna bestowed on the church in the wilderness, come down from heaven fresh every morning as they are wanted, suited to every taste, and satisfying every capacity. Seek for comforts which abide for ever, attending you through sickness, pain, age, and death, to that land of promise, where the manna ceases to descend only because you are admitted to the presence of Him from whom it descended, and the streams become needless when you can drink at the fountain. DISCOURSE LIV. GOVERNMENT OF THE THOUGHTS. PROVERES, IV. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. THE heart in the body is the well-spring] of life. From thence the blood proceeds, and thither it returns. Purge the fountain, therefore, and the streams will flow pure. When we treat of the mind, we use the same word, to denote that centre and source from which all our thoughts issue, as when we say, a man has a good heart, or a bad heart. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, and the hand acteth. He who never thinks any evil, will never speak any, or do any. Above all things, then, watch well your thoughts. "Keep the heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Purge the fountain, and the streams will flow pure. But is this possible? it will be askedThoughts are volatile things; they arise without or against one's will; and you may as well tell us to imprison the wind, as to keep them in order, when they are risen. The task is difficult, but not so difficult. It is difficult, but the greater will be the glory of performing it. It has been done, and therefore may be done again. It is not impossible, for then it had never been commanded. "Keep the heart with all diligence," do your best, and, by God's grace, you will succeed. The right government of the thoughts, to be sure, requires no small art, vigilance, and resolution. But it is a matter of such vast im'portance to the peace and improvement of the mind, that it is worth while to be at some pains about it. For a little consideration will show us, that our happiness or unhappiness depends generally upon our own thoughts. What happens without us does not produce either one or the other, but our thought and apprehension about it. The same kind of accident which deprives one person of his reason, will give little or no concern to another; nor can any affliction, perhaps, befall the children of men, which some have not borne with cheerfulness and ease. It will be readily allowed, that a man who has so numerous and turbulent a family to govern, which are too apt to be at the command of his passions and appetites, ought not to be long from home. If he be, they will soon grow mutinous and disorderly under the conduct of those headstrong guides, and raise great clamors and disturbances, sometimes on very slight occasions indeed. And a more dreadful scene of misery can hardly be imagined, than that which is occasioned by such a tumult and uproar within; when a raging conscience, or inflamed passions, are let loose, without check or control. A city in flames is but a faint emblem, or the mutiny of intoxicated mariners, who have murdered their commander, and are destroying one another. The torment of the mind, under such an insurrection and ravage, is not easy to be conceived. The most revengeful person in the world cannot wish his enemy a greater. A wise heathen very justly observes, that a man is seldom rendered unhappy by his ignorance of the thoughts of others; but he that does not attend to the motions of his own, is certainly miserable. Yet look around you, and what do you behold? People ranging and roving all the world over, ransacking every thing, gazing at the stars above, digging into the bowels of the earth below, diving into other men's bosoms, never considering all the while, that the care of their own minds is neglected. He who spends so much of his time abroad, must expect to find strange doings when he comes home. A very ingenious and sensible writer has observed, that the selection of our thoughts is of equal consequence with the choice of our company. Permit me to adopt his ideas as the ground-work of the following discourse, adding withal such other other reflections as have occurred in a course of meditation on the subject. *The Emperor MARCUS ANTONINUS. |