John 15:26–27

The third and last argument of consolation, obviating this scandal, is, That however he had suffered injustly, & lien under many aspersions cast upon him by the world, and much hatred of his person and doctrine from them: Yet all these should be wiped off by the coming of the Spirit, who should testifie of him, and make his person and doctrine to be acknowledged in the world. And they themselves should be enabled to bear witness concerning him, having been with him from the beginning. As for the conjunction of the Spirits witnessing and theirs, it is thus to be understood; That the Spirit being poured out on them, should enable them to bear witnesse of him, and should be assisting to them therein; partly, by his extraordinary work upon themselves, and the miraculous works accompanying their doctrine; and, partly, by accompanying their testimony with conviction upon many, and with his inward seal upon the hearts of beleevers.

From v. 26. (omitting what hath been said of this Comforter, and Spirit of truth, on Chap. 14 16, 17.) Learn, 1. As the Father and Son are two distinct persons in the Godhead, so the Holy Ghost is the third person, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, for, he is sent, and cometh and testifieth, which are things proper to a person; and he proceedeth from the Father, and the Son sendeth him from the Father, which necessarily supposeth his proceeding from him; because this order of operation and sending by the Son from the Father, followeth upon the order of his subsistence. 2. The great doctrine of the Gospel, is, to hold out Christ, what he is, that men do not mistake or calumniate him, but may embrace and beleeve in him; for, in this, all these witnesses must concurre, to testifie of me. 3. The doctrine of the Gospel, concerning Christ, is so great a mystery, that it is very hardly beleeved and received in the world; for, so much is imported in that there must be so many witnesse. So 1 Tim 3.16. it is a mystery, that he is beleeved on in the world. 4. Neither the hearing of Christ himself preach, nor the sight of his glorious miracles, will work on a people, without the concurrence of the Spirit poured out: Therefore, albeit Christ had these witnesses. v. 22, 24. yet it is needed further, that the Spirit testifie of him. 5. The Spirit of the Lord did sufficiently vindicate Christs glory, and confirme the truth of the Gospel, by his miraculous operations in the primitive times; for, by this mean, was Christ testified of, and to this doth Christ remit his disciples for their encouragement. 6. Not only did the Spirit afford sufficient matter of confirmation and conviction, in these his extraordinary operations, but where he pleaseth to carry these in on hearts, he will either make men savingly acknowledge the excellency of a despised Christ, or, at least, convince them thereof; for, this prediction, He shall testifie of me, imports, not only that he shall afford sufficient matter of testimony, but, that eventually also it should be, one way or other, effectual on many.

From v. 27. Learn, 1. The Spirit beareth no testimony unto Christ, but with, and according to the testimony given by the Apostles in their doctrine and writings; for, they are conjoyned here, he shall testifie, and ye also shall bear witnesse. See Act. 5.32. 2. It is the great work, and high honour, of Apostles and Ministers, to commend Christ, and to bear witness of his excellency, against all calumnies, prejudices, and misconstructions, of one or other; for, it is their work, to bear witnesse 3. Such as would be faithful witness-bearers of Christ, have need of much of the Spirit, to enable, assist, and accompany them; Therefore, the one must go before, and with the other, he shall testifie, and ye shall bear witnesse. 4. It may confirme our faith in embracing the Apostles testimony of Christ, that what they delivered concerning him, they were eye and ear witnesses thereof, and they intended not to deceive us; as may appear from the nature of their doctrine, so crosse to our humours; by their not seeking their own ease or interest in preaching it; by not going into corners with their testimony, but avowing openly what was openly done, none daring refute them; and, by their harmony among themselves; for, they are sit witnesses, because ye have been with me from the beginning. See 1 Joh. 1.1. Hence it was that only such a one was chosen to supply Juda’s roome, Act. 1.21, 22. 5. As God admits any of us to know any thing of Christ, we are bound to witnesse the same, in our places and stations: for, so much may this general teach us, ye shall bear witnesse, because ye have been with me, &c.