John 16:10

The next thing whereof the Spirit convinceth the world, is righteousnesse, not their own, but Christs; And that both the righteousnesse of his person, and his righteousnesse as Mediatour, imputed to his people to their Justification. Both these are strongly grounded and concluded from this, that he goeth to the Father, and continueth with him, so that even his disciples see him no more after his ascension. For, 1. When the Spirit, sent from Christ, by his extraordinary operations doth make it manifest that Christ remained not dead, but rose again, and ascendeth and liveth with the Father in glory and Majesty, (as these gifts and operations sent down by him do evidence,) it will necessarily follow, that he was not a seducer and Samaritan, but that righteous One, Who, however he was rejected of men, yet, is approven of God. 2. As Christ laid down his life to purchase righteousnesse for us, which otherwise was unattainable by the works of the Law, Gal. 2.21. so by his resurrection and ascension, and pouring out of the Spirit in large measure, he makes it evident, that he is accepted by the Father in our name, and liveth for ever to apply his righteousnesse unto us, Rom. 4.25. So the scope of this is, That however the world did traduce Christ, and, leaning to their own righteousnesse, did reject him and his righteousness. Yet the Spirits coming, as a fruit of his ascension, shall convince them that he was just and righteous, and that righteousness is to be had only in and through him; And further, this same Spirit, making use of these means, and particularly of the Word, shall convince selfe-condemned sinners, that they ought, and may relie on him for righteousnesse. Whence learn, 1. Even Christ himselfe was not free from the horrid imputations of the foul mouths of traducers, more then his followers; for, his righteousnesse was in debate among them. 2. Whatever be the imputations cast upon Christ and his followers, in their sufferings; yet God will make the issue thereof at last clear them; for, what ever thoughts they had of him while suffering, or what ever pretence they might seem to have, while he was on earth subject to our sinlesse infirmities, yet his going to his Father after that did serve sufficiently to convince them. 3. Christs exaltation with the Father, and the evidences thereof communicate to the Church by the Spirit, do abundantly proclaime him to be that holy and righteous One, of whom it is blasphemy to harbour any prejudice and misconstruction; for, he shall convince the world of righteousnesse, because I go to my Father. 4. It is not sufficient that men be convinced of sin, unless they also be driven to seek righteousness to cover the same; for, this conviction of righteousnesse must follow upon the former, of conviction of sin. And without this, neither a sight of sin, nor acknowledgement of Christ as righteous in his own person, will availe. 5. It is a point which the Spirit hath put beyond all contraversie, that the righteousnesse of fallen man is only in and through Christ; so that all who seek another way of righteousnesse, do go against a clear conviction; for, he shall convince the world of righteousnesse. 6. Imputed righteousnesse is a point whereof the Spirit only can convince men, and make them submit to it. Men are not only naturally ignorant thereof, as not being according to the Covenant of works, Rom. 3.21. but their proud hearts are averse from such a way of it, Rom. 10.13. and selfe-condemned sinners, finding nothing in themselves, are affraied to lean to that which is without them, till the Spirit bear it in upon them, and cause them to close with it: Therefore they must be convinced of the righteousnesse, and that by the Spirit. 7. Christs acceptation with the Father after his suffering, evidenced by the pouring out of the Spirit, doth evidence his righteousnesse to be so perfect and acceptable to the Father, and himselfe in such a capacity to apply his righteousness, and to own them who flee unto him; That selfe-condemned sinners may with confidence rest under the shadow of his righteousnesse: for, so much is imported, in that he will convince of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and there live for ever to make intercession. See Rom. 8.33, 34. 8. Such as would have the comfortable use of Christs righteousness, must not lean to sense or sight, but betake themselves to faith; for so much may be imported in that, ye see me no more, which not only confirmes his going unto, and continuing with the Father, because they see him no more, but finde rich gifts come from him; but sheweth, that in participation of his righteousnesse, they must not expect to have sense satisfied with a bodily sight of him. He saith, ye see me no more, to wit, after his ascension to the Father, till the day of judgement, and though they saw him after his resurrection, yet not in his former state, and but in a transient way.