And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; (17) Even the spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you (21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (22) Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We here enter upon the great subject of our Lord's Sermon, in what Jesus hath been pleased to teach his Church in relation to the person and glory of God the Holy Ghost. And as the whole efficient government and blessings of the Church are in the hands of this Almighty Lord, we never can be too thankful to our dear Lord, for having dwelt so largely as he hath done, in this and the two following Chapter s, (which are but a continuation of the same Sermon), in instructing the Church concerning his person and ministry. The Reader will perceive by what the Lord Jesus hath said of his coming, and the Father's coming, and the Holy Ghost's coming, and abiding forever with his people, within the compass of those few verses, (see John 14:16-21) how needful it must be to have a proper apprehension of God the Holy Ghost, in his person and character. And I hope that he will not complain of my dwelling too particularly on the subject, while I aim to bring before him scriptural testimonies in proof.
That God the Holy Ghost is a person in the Godhead, is a truth to which the whole body of Scripture bears evidence. Indeed it were hardly necessary to go further than to what those words of Jesus afford in confirmation. Christ calls him another Comforter; consequently a distinct person from Jesus. And as he was to be sent by the Father, consequently also a distinct person from the Father, John 14:26. In both Testaments of Scripture, the personality of God the Holy Ghost is fully proved. He was seen in a bodily shape, like a dove, at the baptism of Christ. Luke 3:22. And there was a visible representation of Him also on the day of Pentecost, when, according to Jesus's promise of Him, he baptized Christ's disciples. Acts 1:5 compared with Acts 2:3. Many times under both dispensations of Scripture, the Old Testament, and the New, the Lord the Holy Ghost was heard to speak. Compare Isaiah 6:8-10 with Acts 28:25-27. Probably the voice which Daniel heard on the banks of Ulai might be God the Holy Ghost. Daniel 8:16. But whether in this instance or not, we are expressly told, that it was the Spirit in the Prophets, when they spake of the sufferings of Christ, and of the glory which should follow. 1 Peter 1:10-11 And the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21. And we are further told, that when Philip was sent into the desert to preach to the Ethiopian; the Spirit spake to him, and said, Go near and join thyself to this chariot. Acts 8:29. So again the Spirit spake to Peter: behold three men seek thee. Acts 10:19. So again, while the Church at Antioch were waiting upon the Lord, the Holy Ghost said; Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts 13:2. Surely these are all personal acts, and which as clearly and fully prove Personal Identity, as the existence and actions of a man demonstrate the reality of the being and nature of a man.
Indeed in addition to those testimonies, by which the certainty of Person is definable; in relation to God the Holy Ghost on this point, it should be further observed, that the qualities ascribed to him, and the affections he is spoken of as exercising; come in proof, to put the matter beyond all doubt. Both actively, and passively, such things are said of him as could never be said but on the certain ground of his being a Person. He is said to create and give life, to uphold, and to destroy. Job 33:4; Psalms 104:29-30. He is promised by Jesus, to act as a teacher; as a witness, and to testify of Him. John 14:26; Romans 9:1; John 15:26. And all the affections of joy and grief, of mind, and will, and power; such as being tempted, resisted, having despite done unto him, and being blasphemed; these are all expressly spoken of in reference to the Person of the Holy Ghost, and what higher proofs can be desired in confirmation of his Personality? Ephesians 4:30; Rom 8:27; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Romans 15:13; Acts 7:51; Acts 7:51; Hebrews 10:29; Mark 3:29. If the Reader considers the subject in the important point of view in which it ought to be considered, he will think with me, that too great a stress, and especially in an age like the present, cannot be laid upon this momentous article of the faith, of every true believer. The Person of God the Holy Ghost is with many scarcely ever considered; and with many more, denied. And yet nothing is more plain in Scripture, than that the Lord the Spirit is a Person, equal in every point of view, with the Father and the Son, in glory, in dignity, and in every divine perfection: and no less equal in acts of love, and grace, towards the Church. Reader! is it not then our highest concern to give the Lord the honor due unto his name; and daily, hourly to hear what the Spirit who speaketh expressly, saith unto the Churches? 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 2:29
From the clear conviction of the Personality of God the Holy Ghost, our next enquiry must be in relation to his eternal power and Godhead. Having fully shewn, that He is a Being, defined by personal properties; it must follow, that he is God: One with the Father and the Son in the essence of Godhead, over all, God blessed forever. A few of the more prominent Scriptures on this point, will abundantly explain and confirm this doctrine. The several names by which the Holy Ghost is distinguished in Scripture, and which he possesseth in common with the Father and the Son, are very high proofs. He is called the Eternal Spirit; in express reference to himself. Hebrews 9:14. And the name of God, is not only his, as One of the Persons in the Godhead, Isaiah 40:28; John 4:24; but with special regard to the Holy Ghost, he that is called the Holy Ghost in one verse, is in the following declared to be God. Acts 5:3-4, Moses declared that it was Jehovah alone, which led Israel in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 32:12. Isaiah confirms the same truth, and saith, that it was the Holy Spirit which led the people with his glorious arm. Isaiah 63:10. The people are said to have tempted the Lord at the waters of Meribah. But the Apostle explains this in reference to the Holy Ghost. Compare Exodus 17:2 with Hebrews 3:7-9. Jehovah declared concerning prophecy, that if there was a prophet among the people, I, the Lord, (said Jehovah) will make myself known unto him in a vision. But an Apostle explains this, and refers the whole gifts of prophecy into the immediate agency of God the Holy Ghost. Compare Numbers 12:6 with 2 Peter 1:21. Are not these decisive evidences in proof?
To the names by which the Holy Ghost is declared to be God, must be added, the attributes and perfections which confirm the same: everyone of which is discoverable as being His, in common with the Father and the Son. The Power of Jehovah is manifested in all the departments of nature, providence, grace, and glory. And hence while we are told, that it is God which worketh in his people, both to will and to do of his good pleasure, we are as expressly told, that it is the Spirit which worketh in them, and divideth to every man severally as he will. Compare Philippians 2:13 with 1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Corinthians 12:11. The same holds good in the exercise of every other attribute. The Lord's unceasing and everlasting Presence. Psalms 139:1-19. Wisdom. Jude 1:25; Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:17. Life-giving, Soul-renewing. Strength, Job 33:14; John 6:63; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 8:11. In short, there is not one perfection of Jehovah definable of God-head, but what we find in Scripture, ascribed to the Holy Ghost.
And what tends yet further to the confirmation of the doctrine, and must, if properly considered, forever silence every doubt, is this, that the Holy Ghost is spoken of as possessing and exercising those Almighty Perfections in the same acts as the Father and the Son. The Father is said to have life in himself. John 5:26. The Son is said to be the life and light of men. John 1:4. And the Holy Ghost is said to give life. 2 Corinthians 3:6; Psalms 105:29-30. And, as in time, so in eternity; for while eternal life is said to be the gift of God the Father, Romans 6:23. eternal life is said to be in the Son, 1 John 5:11 and another scripture saith, that it is of the Spirit, believers in Christ shall reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8. And what is the natural and unavoidable result of these and the like testimonies, but what the same holy scripture hath elsewhere declared, that there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these Three are One. 1 John 5:7. Hence all the blessed consequences which follow. The Church is baptized into the joint name of the Holy Three in One. Matthew 28:19. The Church is blessed in their joint name. 2 Corinthians 13:14. Redemption equally ascribed. 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 5:30. Justified. Romans 8:33; Rom 4:25; 1 Corinthians 6:11. Sanctified. Jude 1:1; Heb 13:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13. And the glory to which the Church will be ultimately brought, the result of the whole. Ephesians 1:4; 2Co 8:23; 2 Peter 1:1-4
From all these undeniable testimonies in confirmation of the person and Godhead of the Holy Ghost, may be added the special and personal office of His, in the everlasting covenant, which tends to endear him to the Church, in equal degrees of affection, in common with the Father and the Son, as well as to entitle Him to an equal degree of adoration, love, obedience, and praise, to all eternity. I need not in this place dwell upon those several covenant offices which peculiarly mark the character of God the Holy Ghost, some of which Jesus hath noted in this Sermon, and will meet us in their proper place. I am now simply endeavouring to establish, from scriptural proofs, the certainty of his person and Godhead. And therefore I shall only for the present observe, that the Personal act of the Holy Ghost, in the great work of the regeneration of the Church, be-comes an equal demonstration of love, and power, with those of the Father's choice of the Church, in giving the Church to his dear Son: and the Son's taking into union with himself his Church, redeeming her, when in the time-state of her being, she had fallen into sin, and became justly exposed to divine wrath. Until this act of regeneration is wrought, the child of God is unconscious of his high birth, and character. He knows nothing of the Father's love, or the Son's grace, respecting the purposes of Jehovah towards the Church from all eternity. And although that everlasting love of God, like the river spoken of Psalms 46:3, had been always running; and in the Person of Christ had passed through his very heart, in love to his people: yet the whole was hidden from every individual of the Church, until by regeneration, the sinner dead in trespasses and sins had his eyes opened, to behold the fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. Then, and not before, the streams of that river are discovered, which make glad the city of God. Eph 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; Jude 1:1; Titus 3:4-5; Zechariah 13:1
The several sweet and blessed office characters of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus hath noticed in this Chapter, I postpone the consideration of, to the succeeding Chapter s. Enough, I hope, hath been advanced in this, and from scriptural authority, to establish the certainty of His Person, Godhead, and the part he hath in the everlasting Covenant. Here for the present I rest, to attend to a few other points contained in this Chapter, which must not be wholly passed by. See John 15:1; John 16:1; John 17:1
I beg the Reader to notice, what the Lord Jesus hath here said, in respect to his coming to them again, after his departure. He promised that he would not leave them comfortless, or as Orphans. And though the Holy Ghost would come, and abide with them forever, yet this should not supersede his visits. Reader! do not lose sight of this, for it is very blessed. See Song of Solomon 2:10, etc. Revelation 3:20
And I beg the Reader to notice no less, what a sweet promise follows, in what Jesus hath said, that while men of the world who on his departure would see him no more, his people his redeemed should have a spiritual apprehension of his everlasting presence. Because I live ye shall live also. Not only in his eternal nature and Godhead doth the Son of God live, but as God-Man-Mediator, and as such is the life of his people: for they, as members of his body, live in him, and live from him, and live upon him, and live to him. All the springs of spiritual life are in Him. All the springs of eternal life are in Him also. Yea, said Jesus, as if to intimate somewhat more; At that day, meaning that day when the Holy Ghost should come upon them and open to their minds the clearer apprehension of these things; ye shall know, that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. What words are here! Who shall undertake to explain the full extent of the oneness and union which they express? Those unions between the Father and the Son, and between Christ as Christ (that is, God and Man in one Person) and his people, had been from everlasting. But in that day, (saith Christ), when the Holy Ghost shall more fully open to your view my Person and Glory; ye shall know it. Reader! ponder well the subject. Oh! that the Lord the Holy Ghost may unfold the blessedness of it, more and more, to my heart.
I beg the Reader not to overlook with what tenderness God the Holy Ghost hath mentioned the name of his faithful servant Judas, (or Jude), that he might not for a moment be mistaken for the traitor. Not Iscariot! It is in my esteem a very great mark, of the love and regard of the Holy Ghost to his people.