John 16:7

From this to v. 16. we have the first encouragement, whereby Christ sweetens these sad tidings, and labours to mitigate their excessive sorrow. The encouragement is taken from the promise of sending the Holy Spirit, to compense the want of his bodily presence: Concerning whom, 1. He asserts in this verse, that they could not partake of that mercy, but upon his removal. 2. In the following purpose, he propounds the benefits to be expected by the Spirits coming, beyond what they enjoyed by his bodily presence, that so they might be induced to submit to his departure, as making way for the Comforters coming.

In this verse Christ asserts that, however they relished the newes of his departure; yet it was expedient, and for their behoof, that he should remove. Which he cleareth, by shewing the necessary connexion betwixt his departure, and the Spirits coming, who is so excellent a gift. This he instructs, both negatively, that if he did not go away, the Spirit would not come; and positively, that upon his removal he would send him unto them; which is not to be understood, as if they or others could not, or had not received the Spirit before his Ascension; But that the Spirit was not to be poured out so largely upon the members, till after his exaltation and glorification, who is their Head, as chap. 7, 39. Doct. 1. Christs dealing may be very expedient and useful, when yet it is very unsatisfactory to sense; for, what filled their heart with sorrow, is neverthelesse expedient for you, saith he. So that he is to be Judge of what is good for us, and not we our selves. 2. We are, ordinarily, so addicted to our corrupt sense, that the usefulnesse of an afflicted and humbling condition is hardly beleeved, even out of Christs own mouth; Therefore must he so strongly assert it, I tell you the truth, it is expedient. 3. As all Christs Word is of infallible verity, so we are to look on it as such, that it may comfort us under afflictions, and uphold us against the testimony and apprehension of our sense; Therefore doth he lead them to lean on this, as their support, under all tentations to the contrary, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away. 4. As Christ doth nothing for, or to his people, but what is useful and profitable for them; so he is so tender, as not to withhold what is useful, because it satisfieth not their sense, but is grievous to their flesh; as knowing well, that what is profitable will be pleasant in end, however they look on it for present; for, it was of his mercy, that since it was expedient he went away; therefore he did go, let them resent it for present never so sadly. 5. Christs people and their welfare are so dear to him, that in all that he did, and that befel him, and in all the changes of his condition, he was still doing and minding that which was for their profit, for, as it was because it was expedient for them, that he came to earth, and stayed in it; so he went away again, not because he was weary of them and their company, nor yet only because he was to be glorified himself, but, because it is expedient for you that I go away, and be exalted into glory. 6. The Spirit of God, as he is largely communicate under the Gospel, is so sweet an Advocate and Comforter, that his presence may compense the saddest of losses, were it even of the bodily presence of Christ; for, here it is insinuate, that he is such a gift, as it is a great favour to want Christs bodily presence, to make way for his coming; And that, because he is that Comforter, by way of excellencie, above that comfort they had by his bodily presence, and who can comfort beleevers in all places at once, whereas his bodily presence was confined to one place; Therefore, saith he, If I go not away, the Comforter will not come, but if I go, I will send him. 7. As Christs bodily presence is not the most powerful and refreshing way of comfort, however it was needful in its time, and refreshful in its measure; so beleevers are not capable of the full consolations of the Spirit, but by the removal of his bodily presence out of the world; for, not only did he, by his death and going out of the world, merit it, and he must be glorified, and enter into his Kingdome, before his members participate so largely of his fulnesse; but they were so dull while he was with them, that they could not be capable of these comforts, till they were weaned from a bodily presence, and exercised with trouble; Therefore, saith he, If I go not away, the Comforter will not come. So that they who doat still on a corporal presence of Christ, do thereby stop the way of the comforts of a spiritual presence, 8. Christ, by sending of the Spirit after his Ascension, doth not only prove himself true God, the second Person of the blessed Trinity; from whom (as from the Father) the Holy Ghost proceedeth and is sent; But also, That as Mediatour, justice is satisfied by his death; That he, as the Head of beleevers, is glorified, chap. 7.39. and entred in possession of his dignity. Acts 2.33, and, That being thus exalted, he is still mindful of his brethren. So much is imported in this, If I depart, I will send him unto you. 9. Christ being now exalted, there is free access to partake of the Spirit, by all these who do employ him for that effect; for, being departed, he will send him to them who ask him.