Fourthly, 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 xiv. 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 necessary this declaration of the
378 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII.
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 re- lief 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 heaven was to receive him until the times of 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 end 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 un- changeable covenant, Isa. lix. 21 ; and he can no more depart from the church than the everlasting sure covenant of God can be abolished. But it may be objected by such as really inquire into the promises of Christ, and after their accomplishment, for the establishment of their faith, whence it is, that if the Comforter abide always with the church, so great a number of believers do in all ages spend, it may be, the greatest part of their lives in troubles and disconsolation, having no experience of the presence of the Holy Ghost with them as a comforter. But this objection is not of force to weaken our faith as unto the accomplishment of this promise ; for, —
1. There is in the promise itself a supposition of troubles and dis- consolations thereon to befall the church in all ages ; for with respect unto them it is that the Comforter is promised to be sent. And they do but dream who fancy such a state of the church in this world as wherein it should be accompanied with such an assurance of all inward and outward satisfaction as scarce to stand in need of this office or work of the Holy Ghost; yea, the promise of his abiding with us for ever as a comforter is an infallible prediction that believers in all ages shall meet with troubles, sorrows, and disconsolation.
2. The accomplishment of Christ's promise doth not depend as to its truth upon our experience, at least not on what men sensibly feel in themselves under their distresses, much less on what they express with some mixture of unbelief. So we observed before, from that place of the prophet concerning the church, Isa. xl. 27, that " her way was hidden from the Lord, and her judgment passed over from her God ; " as she complained also, " The Lord hath forsaken
CHAP. III.] THE OBJECT OF HIS ACTING IN THIS OFFICE. 379
me, and my Lord hath forgotten me," chap. xlix. 14. But yet in both places God convinceth her of her mistake, and that indeed her complaint was but a fruit of unbelief; and so it is usual in great distresses, when persons are so swallowed up with sorrow or over- whelmed with anguish that they are not sensible of the work of the Holy Ghost in their consolation.
3. He is a comforter unto all believers at all times, and on all oc- casions wherein they really stand in need of spiritual consolation. But yet if we intend to have experience of his work herein, to have the advantage of it or benefit by it, there are sundry things required of ourselves in a way of duty. If we are negligent herein, it is no wonder if we are at a loss for those comforts which he is willing to administer. Unless we understand aright the nature of spiritual consolations, and value them both as sufficient and satisfactory, we are not like to enjoy them, at least not to be made sensible of them. Many under their troubles suppose there is no comfort but in their removal, and know not of any relief in their sorrows but in the tak- ing away of their cause. At best they value any outward relief be- fore internal supports and refreshments. Such persons can never receive the consolation of the Holy Spirit unto any refreshing experi- ence. To look for all our comforts from him, to value those things wherein his consolations do consist above all earthly enjoyments, to wait upon him in the use of all means for the receiving of his influ- ences of love and grace, to be fervent in prayer for his presence with us and the manifestation of his grace, are required in all those to- wards whom he dischargeth this office. And whilst we are found in these ways of holy obedience and dependence, we shall find him a comforter, and that for ever.