A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 3 · Subpart 1
The Holy-Ghost a Comforter.
John 14.16.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
Vers. 26.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my Name, he shall teach you all things, &c.
THE Comforter, foreign, o… the Advocate: He shall give you another Comforter. The Word [Paracle… ] in the Greek comes from a Word of a large Signification, and consequently may be rendred Advoca…e, Exhorter, or Comforter.
METAPHOR.
A Comforter implies one or more to be in Trouble and Dis…ress, or attended with Sorrow and Affliction: A Man that is not in any Trouble, stands not in need of a Comforter.
II. It implies or holds forth, that those who are troubled, and in a sorrowful condition, are capable of Relief and Succour.
III. Comforter is a Name or Appellation belonging to a Person, or a personal Appellation.
IV. A choice and true Comforter takes care to come unto a Person he loveth, at the greatest time of need, when he is most cast down and discomforted. Thus the Jews came to Mary, to comfort her, when they heard that her Brother Lazarus was dead; and Job's Friends, when he was in the depth of Sorrow, came to comfort him.
V. A Comforter imports a Person able and willing to comfort and relieve such as are in a sorrowful, mournful, and afflicted condition.
VI. A faithful Comforter manifesteth much Love and Tenderness to his oppressed and afflicted Friend; particularly, 1. In coming to him. 2. In supplying the Want he sustains of those things he is deprived of.
VII. A wise Comforter uses many and weighty Arguments to infuse Comfort into a distressed and disconsolate Soul: 'tis not enough to come and give a bare Visit and look upon a Friend, but to take apt and suitable Words and Motives to do it.
VIII. A Comforter sympathizes with him he comes to visit, to comfort him in his Grief and Trouble. Job's Friends lifted up their Voice, Job 2.12, 13.and wept, and they rent every one his Mantle, and sprinkled Dust upon their Heads: So they sat down with him upon the Ground seven days, and seven nights, &c.
IX. A true Comforter will intercede to others, (to administer, support and relief) in whose power it is to succor, as well as himself.
X. A true Comforter will search into a Persons State and Condition, to know how it is with him, that thereby he may the better understand how to speak a word of Comfort to him.
XI A Comforter sometimes is slighted, by the Person or Persons he comes to visit, and administers Succor unto, and all his good and sweet Advice is not regarded for a time.
XII. A Comforter many times keeps his Friends from utter despondency, and wonderfully revives and consolates his Soul, and thereby makes Sighing and Heaviness to fly away.Job 16.5. The moving of my Lips should asswage your Grief, &c.
XIII. A faithful and true Comforter will not only give his distressed and disconsolate Friend a Visit, but if he sees there is need of it, will make his Abode, even stay with him many days; Job's Friends did so.
XIV. A good faithful Comforter is highly esteemed and greatly beloved by his Friend, especially when the worth of him is known, or he is sensible of the Profit and much good rejected by him.
XV. A faithful Comforter will deal plainly with his Friend, and not speak Peace and Comfort when he knows there is not just and good reason so to do, but will reprove sometimes also if he finds cause for it.
Parallel.
THe Saints and People of God are in this World attended with manifold Troubles▪ Afflictions, and Sorrows: Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous; for all the day long have I been plagued, Psal. 73.14and chastened every morning▪ Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, Joh. 16.2…but the World shall rejoyce; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your Sorrow shall be turned into Joy.
II. The Disciples of Christ, tho they mourn here, or are in a sorrowful State, upon many considerations, yet they are capable of Comfort, and fit Subjects of it: They are not such as u…terly refuse, or are una…e to receive Relief and Comfort. Such as have committed the unpardonable Sin, or are already in Hell, are uncapable of receiving true Peace and Comfort; but so it is not with God's People: Whatever their State and Condition is, it admits of Relief, tho through Satan's Temptations they are sometimes backward to take hold of it.
III. The holy Spirit is a Divine Person; he is placed in the same Rank and Order, without any Note of Difference or Distinction, as to a distinct Interest, in the Divine Nature, with the other Divine Persons:Mat. 28.19 Joh. 15.7. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghost. There are three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit; and these three are one. 2. He hath also the Names proper to a Divine Person only, for he is called God:Acts 5.3, 4 Why hast thou lied unto the Holy-Ghost? Thou hast not lied unto Man, but unto God. 3. He hath personal Propertie… assigned him, viz. a Will, He divideth to every Man severally as he will; and an Understanding: The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 4. He is voluntary Author of Divine Properties; he of old cherished the Creation, he formed and garnished the Heavens; he inspired, acted, and spake in and by the Apostles. 5. The same regard is to be had to him in Faith, Worship, and Obedience, as unto the Persons of the Father and the Son; for our being baptized in his Name, is our solemn Engagement to believe in him, yield obedience to him, and worship him, as it puts the same Obligation upon us to the Father and Son.
IV. So the holy Spirit comes unto a gracious Person in the time of greatest Need, when he is most dejected and discomforted, whether it be under Temptation, Affliction, or Persecution, for Christ's sake. Hence the Apostle saith▪ When we came into Macedonia,2 Cor. 7.7 our Flesh had no Rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were Fightings, and within were Fears: Nevertheless, God that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us, &c. I will not leave you comfortless, I will come unto you.Jo….
V. The holy Spirit is able and willing at all times to comfort sincere Christians in their Afflictions. Such is the Power, Ability, and Efficacy of the Spirit upon this account, th…t 'tis more c…pable and able to comfort Believers, than the bare bodily Presence of the Lord Jes… is able to do: Nevertheless, I tell you the Truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, Joh. 16.7.pray mind the Reason our Saviour gives of it: For if I go not, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him.
VI. The holy Spirit doth manifest much Love and Tenderness to Believers, which appears, 1. In his coming to them that are poor and contemptible in the eyes of the World. 2. By making up the Want of Christ's bodily Presence. 3. In bearing Repulses from them; how often hath the Spirit been slighted, and his Motions rejected, instead of being friendly entertained, when in Love he comes to them.
VII. The Holy Spirit doth not only come and give poor Believers a bare Visit in their Distresses, but also uses fit and suitable ways and means to comfort and support their Souls, He shall bring all things unto your Remembrance that I have spoken unto you; Joh. 14.26Joh. 16.…5He shall take of mine and shall sh…w it unto you, and he shall shew you things to come ▪ &c. The Spirit usually comforteth Believers in and under their Sorrows and Afflictions.
(1.) By shewing them whatsoever Christ hath done and suffered for them.
(2.) By opening and applying the gracious Promises of Christ unto them, he shall bring whatsoever I have said to your Remembrance.
(3.) By sealing up Christ's Love unto them; As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. 'Tis no sign they are hated by Christ, or not in his Love and Affection, that they are chastised and so often under this and the other exercise of Affliction; and this the Spirit labours either by his Word, or Ministers, and other ways to convince them of.
(4.) By shewing from the Word that the like Afflictions, if not greater, many of God's Children have met with before them, or are now under, knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World; what are thy Sorrows, saith the Spirit, to those that holy Job and many of the Blessed Martyrs met with?
(5.) By shewing them the Design and gracious End of God in all his Dispensations and Afflictions; he doth it not simply for his own Pleasure as an Act of Soveraignty, But for our Profit, that we might be partakers of his Holiness. This is the fruit of all,Heb. 12. the taking away of your Sins, 'tis for the trial of your Graces, saith the Spirit.Job 23. When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as Gold. 'Tis to convince the Devil and wicked Men, that you are sincere and upright Ones, and do not follow Christ for Loaves. Doth Job (saith Satan) fear God for nought. But put forth thine hand now, Job 19.1…and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy Face. God, saith the Spirit, hath brought this and the other Trouble upon thee, to clear thy Innocency, and to shew that Satan is a Liar.
(6.) By shewing them that all their Afflictions are but short lived, that they will soon be over, they will last but for a Moment.
(7.) That they will add to their Advantage here and hereafter. Our light Affliction which is but for a Moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. 2 Cor. 4.1…'Tis, saith the Spirit, to shew forth the excellent nature of true Grace; Faith, Love, and Patience never shine forth in their proper Lustre and Glory, until they come under exercise. The trial of your Faith is much more precious than Gold that perisheth, 1 Pet. 1.7.tho it be tried with Fire. And it will hereby be found unto Praise, Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
(8.) … …irit comforteth Believers, by shewing them that all their Sorrows will in a little … be turned into Gladness. Now ye are sorrowful, but I will see you again, and your Hear… shall rejoyee, and your Joy no Man taketh away from you. Ye shall be sorrowful, but you … shall be turned into Joy. Those that go forth weeping, bearing precious Seed, shall doubtless come again rejoycing, bringing their Sheaves with them. Isa. 61.2, 3▪God will give unto them (saith the Spirit) that mourn in Zion, Beauty for Ashes, the Oil of Joy for Mourning, the Garments of Praise for the Spirit of Heavines…, that they may be called Trees of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he ma… … glorified.
(9.) The Spirit comforteth by shewing Believers that all their Sorrows … in this World, the wicked have all their sweet things here, and the godly have their bitter things here; but as the wicked shall have nothing but bitter hereafter, so the godly shall have nothing but sweet hereafter. Son, remember that thou in thy life time, Luk. 16.receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
(10.) The Spirit comforteth by convincing Believers, that God doth not punish them as their Sins do deserve; He hath visited thee little or nothing (saith Elibu) so the Word will bear it▪ The least Mercy is more than we deserve, He hath not dealt with us after our Sins, nor rewarded us according …o our Iniquitie….
VIII. The holy Spirit sympathizes with every gracious Soul in their Distresses and Troubles (according as God in his Word speakes to our Capacities,) In all their Afflictions he was afflicted; his Soul was grieved for Israel. And in that of the eighth Chapter to the Romans, the Spirit particularly is said to sigh and groan after such a sort that cannot be uttered▪ Rom 8.26and hence the Apostle exhorts the Saints not to grieve the holy Spirit of God,Eph. 4.30. whereby they are sealed to the day of Redemption.
IX. Likewise the holy Spirit also helps our Infirmities; Rom. 8.26, 27.for we know not what to pray for as we ought: But the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groans, which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh Intercession for the Saints, according to the Will of God. Rom. 8.26, 27. Hence the word Advocate or Comforter.
X. The holy Spirit searches the Heart and Reins of every Soul he comes to comfort,Psal. 239.23. Jer. 17.10. Rom. 8.27.26. 1 Cor. 2.10. to discover the State and Condition of a Person to him; David crys out, Search me, O God, and know my Heart, &c. I the Lord search the Heart, &c. He that searches the Heart, &c. The Spirit searches all things, &c.
XI. So the holy Spirit is sometimes slighted and grieved,Eph. 4.30. through the Power of Temptation, by a Believer, and his sweet and heavenly Advice is not minded, nor followed as it ought to be, but all Comfort is rejected for a time, but afterwards (tho sometimes long first,) the Soul with Joy takes hold of it.
XII. The Holy Spirit keeps the Heart of a Believer from utter Despondency, and greatly revives and consolates him; hence the Apostle saith,2 Thes. 2.16. God hath given us everlasting Consolation, and good hope through Grace; we are troubled on every side, but not in Distress, 2 Cor. 4.8.we are perplexed but not in despair. I have seen his ways and will heal him also and restore Comforts to him, &c.Isa …7.18.
XIII. The holy Spirit knows there is an absolute necessity for him not only to give the Saints a Visit and immediately be gone, but also to abide with them always, for they cannot be without his glorious Presence one Moment: It's true sometimes they may be without his eminent comforting Presence, which causes the Church to cry,Lam. 1.1…. the Comforter that should relieve my Soul is far from me, yet his supporting Presence is ever with them. I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, &c. and he is said to dwell in us, and to make his Abode with us. But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the Dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the Dead, shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
XIV. The Holy Spirit is exceedingly prized, and much beloved by every godly Man, but more especially when they find by Experience the great Worth of him, and the great Good and Profit they receive by his means.
XV. The Holy Spirit deals faithfully with every Man, he will not speak Peace to any Person but to those to whom it doth belong, nor at a time when the Soul is fallen into any Sin, or under some great Temptation to sin, but will at such times rather rebuke and reprove them. The Spirit is first, a Spirit of burning, and then a Spirit of Consolation: the humble sincere and broken-hearted Ones he comforts and revives.
METAPHOR.
ANother Comforter, tho wise and very compassionate, and every way capable to speak Words to a disconsolate Person, yet finds sometimes the Condition of his Friend to be such, that all he can say and do will not take place, nor administer present Relief to him, but after all, remains very sad and disconsolate.
II. Another Comforter many times misses the Case of a poor, afflicted Person, and thereby cannot accomplish the Work; this did Job's Comforters, they mistook his Case, whereby they proved miserable Comforters to him.
III. Other Comforters are many times wearied out, and leave their Friends in the midst of their Sorrow.
IV. Another Comforter may be absent, nay, at a great distance when his poor distressed Friend stands in most need of him; besides, he can visit but a few Persons at one and the same time, and cannot be at above one Place at once.
V. Other Comforters can speak to the Ear, but scarce able to reach the Heart; Spira had many words of Comfort spoke to his Ear, but they could not speak to his Heart.
Disparity.
THe Holy Spirit sometimes finds gracious Persons very much disturbed and cast down under heavy Pressures of Affliction, and that no other can comfort him; yet when he comes to a Resolution to relieve, and refresh and comfort him, all his Sorrow, Temptations and Disquietments flie away. Let a Saint be never so sad, if the Spirit sees it is a fit time to speak Peace and Comfort to him, he doth it effectually. If he speak Peace, who can cause Sorrow? For I have satiated the weary Soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful Soul. Jer. 31.25.
II. But the Holy Spirit never doth, nor can mistake any Person's Condition. Being God, he knows, and is the Searcher of the Heart; all things lie naked and open to his Eyes. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.
III. But the Holy Spirit cannot be wearied nor tired out. The Creator of the Ends of the Earth fainteth not, there is no searching of his Ʋnderstanding.Isa 40.28.
IV. But the Holy Ghost is omnipresent. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Psal. 138▪ 7.or, whither I shall fly from thy Presence? He is always near, and at hand, and needs none to bring him News how it goes with any Person. Being the Omniscient God, He can visit Thousands, and ten Thousands at one and the same time; is every where, not circumscribed nor limited to Place.
V. The Spirit can speak to the Heart of a poor Sinner. I will (saith God) allure her, and bring her into the Wilderness, and speak comfortable Words unto her. Hos. 2.4.In the Hebrew, foreign, loquar super Cor, or, ad Cor ejus, I will speak to her Heart. In this the Holy Spirit infinitely excels all othe… Comforters, he can in a moment cause all Sorrow to cease, by speaking to the Heart.
Inferences.
WE may infer from hence, the great Love of Christ to his own People, he will not leave them comfortless, nor send one to them that is not able to speak Peace, or administer true Comfort and Consolation to their Souls.
II. It should teach us in our trouble, to cry for the Holy Comforter to come unto us.
III. It reproves such, who deny the Holy Ghost to be God, and a Divine Person▪ this being an Appellation that properly belongs to a distinct Person.
IV. Let us take heed we never grieve the Holy Spirit, who is such a choice and blessed Friend to us.
V. It may also caution every Soul against receiving Comfort, when God by the Spirit speaks it not to then.
1. The Holy Spirit speaks not Comfort to any unconverted Soul, who love, and live in their Sins, but rather Terror.
2. The Holy Spirit speaks not Comfort to carnal and loose Professors, and Hypocrites in the Church,Mat. 25.3. Isa. 33.14. that have Lamps and no Oil, the Name of Christ upon them, but not his Nature in them; much Knowledge, but want Charity: Fearfulness will (saith the Spirit) surprize the Hypocrite.
3. The Spirit speaks no Comfort to an Apostate and Backslider in Heart and Life; he tells them, They shall be filled with their own ways, and led aside with the Workers of Iniquity.Psal. 125.5
4. The Spirit speaks no Comfort to the moralized Person, who wholly rests upon his own Righteousness, and sees no need of a Saviour, nor of the Righteousness of God, which is by Faith in Jesus Christ.
5. The Spirit speakes no Comfort to Persecutors and Murderers of the Godly, — to cursed Plotters and Haters of the true Religion, and Lovers of Idolatry; such that worship the Beast, and are Followers of the Romish Church, or Upholders of the same: They (the Spirit saith) shall drink of the Wrath of God, and be tormented with Fire and Brimstone for ever and ever.Rev. 14.9, 10, 11.
But the Spirit speaks comfort to all true penitent ones; to such, who tho they have been great Sinners, yet now loath themselves in a true and thorow sense thereof, and forsake it.
1. To those who do believe and wholly rely upon Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation.
2. To those who desire to be holy as well as happy, to have their Sins mortified as well as pardoned, to be sanctified as well as saved, to live to God here as well as to live with God hereafter.
3. To such who are universal in their obedience, that take up their Cross and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
4. To such that obey the Precepts of God, as well as believe the Promises.
5. In a word, To all sincere and upright ones.
Quest. How doth the Spirit speak Comfort to the Souls of Men?
Answ. 1. Usually by bringing Christ's Word and Promises to their remembrance.
2. By using many Arguments, some of which I have hinted at already.
3. By his shining Influences, sweet and comfortable Operations upon the Soul.
4. By sealing up Christ's Love, and giving good hope and assurance of Eternal Life unto them.