they were first preached, and that there were no special graces or eloquence in the preachers that can account for it. In truth, the world was " reproved and con- vinced," in spite of itself ; and even those who did not become believers became better men. Surely this also was partly what our Lord had in view when He said to Ilis discij^les, " When the Holy Ghost comes. He shall convince the world of sin, and righteousness, and judg- ment."
Let us leave the whole passage, deep and difficult as It is, with a thankful remembrance of one comfortable promise which it contains. "The Spirit of truth," says our Lord to His weak and half-informed followers, " shall guide you into all truth." That promise was for our sakes, no doubt, as well as for theirs. What ever we need to know for our present peace and sanctifica- tion, the Holy Ghost is ready to teach us. All truth in science, nature, and philosophy of course is not included in this promise. But into all spiritual truth that is real- ly profitable, and that our minds can comprehend and bear, the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to guide us. Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Ghost. We must not won- der if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book, if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In tliis, as in many other things, "we have not because we ask not."
Notes. John xvi. 8-15.
8. — [A77d when lie is come.] These words would be rendered more literally, " And He having come." Here, as in other places, we must remember that the " coming " of the Holy Ghost does not mean His coming for the first time into the world. He was in all the old Testament saints, and no one ever believed or served God without His grace. Wherever there has been a true ser- vant of God, there has been the Holy Ghost. The " coming " here mentioned means His coming down with larger power and infiaence on all mankind after the ascension of Christ, and spe-