knowledge, but as sons, making known to us all the truth of God. (Gal. iv. 6.)
It is worth notice that in the Greek it is literally, " guide into all THE truth ; " as if it specially meant *' the truth concerning Me."
Poole remarks that the Greek word rendered " guide," is one of great emphasis, signifying not only a guide who will dis- cover truth as the object of the understanding, hut one who will bow the will to the doctrines of truth.
{For. ..not speak...IIimself... hear. ..speak.'] Here begins a list of things said about the Holy Ghost, which our weak capaci- ties can hardly take in.
The clause before us seems meant to show the close and in- timate union existing between the Spirit and the two other Persons in the blessed Trinity. " He shall not speak from Himself, independently of Me and my Father. He shall only speak such things as He shall hear from us."
The phrases " speak " and " hear " are both accommodations to man's weakness. The Spirit does not literally " speak " or literally " hear." It must mean, " His teachings and guidings shall be those of One who is in the closest union with the Father and the Son."
" Of Himself " does not mean *' about Himself," but " from Himself."
{He will show. ..things to come.] The second thing said about the Spirit, is that He will show " things to come." I can only suppose that this points to the prophetical revelation of the future of the Church which the Spirit was to impart to the dis- ciples. He did so when He inspired St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Jude, and St. John to prophecy. The expression probably includes the destruction of Jerusalem, the removal of the Mosaic dispen- sation, the scattering of the Jews, the calling in of the Gentile Churches, and the whole history of their rise, progress, and final decay.
14. — {He. ..glorify Me.] The third thing said of the Spirit, is that He shall " glorify Christ." He shall continually teach, and lead, and guide disciples to make much of Christ. Any relig- ious teaching which does not tend to exalt Christ, has a fatal defect about it. It cannot be from the Spirit.
{He shall receive. ..mine... s7i020 you.] This is the fourth thing said of the Spirit in this place. He will take of the truth about Christ, and show it or reveal it to disciples. I can attach no other meaning to the phrase " mijie." It is in the singular number, — " that thing which is mine," — and I cannot see what it can mean but " truth concerning Me."
Aiford remarks, " This verse is decisive against all additions
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