John 14:25–26

The sixth benefit which they shall reap by the Spirit, it, instruction and teaching as he is the Spirit of truth. And that however Christ had taught them all things necessary, and yet they continued rude and incapable, and his doctrine was very dark to them, as appeareth by the many questions they had lately started, v. 5, 8, 22. yet the Holy Ghost should effectually and clearly teach them all things, and bring to remembrance what he had spoken, but they, through ignorance, negligence, or sorrow, had forgotten. It is not needful for us to determine, whether these all things, to be taught by the Spirit, be the same with these all things, which Christ had said, which the Spirit not only brings to remembrance, but doth make them plain unto them? or, whether, beside what Christ had said, and the Spirit brings to remembrance; some particulars were remitted to the Spirits immediate and extraordinary teaching of the Apostles, as ch. 16.12, 13? For in this it sufficeth us to know, that these all things, be what they will, were revealed to the Apostles for the good of the Church, and by them to the Church in writing; so that there is no room left for traditions, or extraordinary and immediate revelations; Nor is it to be expected that the Spirit, who brings Christs doctrine to remembrance, as true and excellent, will reveal and teach any new thing contrary to what Christ said, which were to make the Spirit to contradict himselfe Yet, if we consider the matter narrowly, we will finde that the Scripture warrants us rather to assert, that these all things which the Spirit taught them, were the same which Christ had said. For chap. 15.15. Christ made known to them all that he had heard of his Father, namely, which is necessary for the Church to know, and Acts 1.3. Christ, after his Resurrection, continued with them fourty dayes, instructing them, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God, and that so fully, as their Commission is limited to whatsoever he had already commanded them, Matth. 28.20. It is true, the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7.12, 25, 40. mentions somewhat wherein he gave direction, being guided by the Spirit, to which the Lord had not so expressely spoken; But in that he relates especially to things that had not been determined in the Law of Moses, nor to what Christ had said; and however it be, these particulars are not sufficient to make so general a distinction betwixt the expressions. And so here is held forth a twofold work of the Spirit in reference to Christs doctrine, 1. Whereas Christ had revealed to them the summe of all Christian Religion, and yet they were not capable thereof; therefore the Spirit was sent to enlighten their understanding, and to explain these things more fully and distinctly, which Christ had spoken summarily, as they were able to hear them; And of this is that to be understood, chap. 16.2. not of any new doctrine or articles of faith, but of the more distinct explication of what he had delivered. 2 The Spirit by this teaching, did bring to the Apostles remembrance, for their further confirmation, that these things had been spoken by Christ, though then they did not understand them, and afterwards forgat them, as chap. 2.22. and 12.16. Doct. 1. The seed of the Word may be sowen, whereof yet no visible fruit may appear for a time; as here is to be seen in Christs speaking to the disciples, who for a time were not much (if at all) bettered by it. 2. The Word of the Lord may not be operative and fruitful, even in the godly, for a time, and when they first hear it, which yet afterward may do much good; for, Christ soweth the seed among the disciples, which yet took not effect till the Spirit was poured out, and then it did good. 3. The efficacy of the Word doth not alwayes accompany the outward Ministry, not doth it depend upon the ability and livelinesse of the Teacher, unlesse the Spirit do accompany it in the hearts of hearers; for, albeit even Christ (considered as an outward Teacher,) spake these things, being present with them, yet the Comforter is needed to make them effectual. 4. It is the Holy Spirit only who makes the Ministry and outward teaching effectual, and who, where he cometh, doth freely, fully, and effectually, make the Word plain and livelie to beleevers: for, albeit Christs Ministry took not effect in them at first, yet here is the remedy, the Comforter shall teach you. He is a remedy against grosse ignorance and errour, against our not making progresse in knowledge, against our ignorancie and inadvertencie through astonishment in trouble, and against our perplexities through the multitude of dark steps in our path. All which should stir us up to seek after, and entertain such a Teacher 5. As the Spirit is the great Comforter of his Church, particularly by his teaching, which all tends to their comfort; so he is a Comforter to none, to whom he is not also a Sanctifier; for, the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, in respect of his sanctifying operation. 6. The special benefits, (and particularly, the Spirit) bestowed upon beleevers, are given through the mediation of Christ, and serve to be tokens of his love and remembring them in his Kingdome; for faith he. The Father will send him in my Name. 7. The Apostles were fully instructed by the Spirit, in all things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, so that in the matter of Religion, nothing is to be hearkened unto, beside, or contrary to that which God revealed to them, and by them to the Church; for, He shall teach you all things 8 The true Spirit of Christ taught the Apostles no other thing, but what Christ had said unto them; nor doth he teach beleevers any thing but what Christ hath taught, by his Prophets, himself, and his Apostles: for, these all things which he shall teach, are all things whatsoever I have said unto you, as hath been cleared. 9. Christs disciples are frequently subject to forgetfulnesse of what Christ saith unto them; occasioned, partly, by their ignorance, ch. 12.16. partly, by the little interest and felt need they have of what the Word saith; partly, by their slothfull negligence, being taken up with other things; and partly, by their trusting to their own understanding and memory; Therefore need they to have all things brought to remembrance. 10. The ignorance, dulness, and forgetfulnesse, of disciples doth lose them many a fair opportunity, and would irrecoverably deprive them of fair advantages, if mercy prevented it not; for, Christ, their wealth is away before they knew what it meant, and they are left ignorant and forgetful of what he had taught. 11. Such as are humbled under the sense of their ignorance, and do seek after, and entertain the presence of the Spirit, will finde him a remembrancer of saving truths, which they have heard, as they need them; for, He shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.