John 16:8

The benefits to be reaped by the Spirits coming, (which would richly compense his departure) are three; The first relates to the world, whom the Spirit will convince of three great points, sin, righteousnesse, and judgement; which being here named only, are distinctly insisted upon in the three following verses, and the grounds upon which they shall be convinced of every one of them, and the evidences thereof, produced.

For clearing of this purpose a little, Consider, First, as for the Act here ascribed to the Spirit, of reproving, or rather, convincing, I take it to import, not only his offering and affording sufficient meanes, which might convince men, but also the successe of these means, and his effectual and actual convincing of them thereby; And that not only by illuminating them with knowledge, which may be without conviction; nor yet by bearing in challenges and reproofes only, for there may be challenges and reproofes without through conviction; But further, by arguing them out of their principles and grounds to a contrary opinion, (as the word imports) and bearing in of truth so, as they are put to silence, and cannot in reason gainsay it.

Secondly, as for the object of this work of the Spirit, by the world, who shall be convinced, I understand men in the world; and particularly, men in the state of nature, and yet unconverted, whether they be elect or reprobate, and that not a few, but many of them: All which are frequentlie expressed in Scripture by the name of the world.

Thirdly, as for the nature, scope and tendencie of this work of conviction, what it shall produce or tend to, there is some difficultie in determining thereof; for some, however they speak of this conviction of the world in general, as a common work, yet in explication of the particulars, whereof they are to be convinced, they restrict it to the world of the Elect, whom the Spirit convinceth of these things in order unto, and in working of their Conversion, as shall be after cleared. Others again, do restrict all of it to the reprobates, who get no more but conviction, or, at least, do understand it of a work of conviction of these particulars, common to both Elect and reprobates, whereby the Spirit beareth witnesse unto Christ, and the truth of Christian Religion among men; whether the Lord carry them on a farther length, or let the work sist only there. I do conceive it most suitable to understand it as comprehending both of these, both what is common to elect and reprobates, and what the Spirit further works upon the elect in the work of their Conversion. And for clearing hereof, and the scope of the whole purpose. I shall speak a little to a few things. 1. It would be considered, that however the purpose here mentioned, do relate to what the Spirit will work upon the world; yet Christs scope in speaking of it, is to encourage his disciples, as appears from v. 7. It is expedient for you that I go away, for I will send the Comforter to you, and be shall convince the world. They were much sadned with the apprehension of his removal, and that in his absence they were to be engaged in a difficult service of the Ministry, and of standing for him, wherein they might probably expect much hazard and difficulty, and little successe; they being but weak men; their Master, for whom they stood, but despised, as a seducer and mock King, even among the Jewes; their message very unpleasant, as being so contrary to flesh and blood, and the principles universally received, and carnal interests of men: and consequently, the opposition to be made unto them, very strong, violent and universal. Now to guard against all these, Christ giveth this encouragement (among others) that they should receive the Spirit, by whom this raging world should be convinced, and so their opposition taken off, or blunted and made easie. 2. This being Christs scope in this encouragement, it is most safe to extend this promised conviction to all the effects of their Ministry, and of the Spirits work accompanying the same, both on the Elect and Reprobates; And, that we so take in his common work upon them, who are reprobates, and continue still in the state of nature, notwithstanding that work; as we seclude not his saving work in gathering and drawing in the Elect; for, as it was to be a comfort to them, to see the Spirit so owning them, as even the world should be convinced: so it would be much more comfortable to them, when the Spirit should make that conviction saving on any, and so not only take off, or blunt their opposition, but make them real friends, 3. It would be considered, (for clearing the purpose) what were the means of working this conviction, or the operations of the Spirit in bringing about the same, for the encouragement of the disciples. These were many, without, and extrinsecal unto the persons convinced, if taken one by one; as namely, the extraordinary endowments conferred in large measure upon the Apostles, whereby they, who were known to be unlearned mean men, were enabled to speak with many tongues, and to preach learnedly, powerfully and boldly; Their daily preachings (being thus endowed) of the sweet doctrine of the Gospel; and the Law in subordination thereunto; and that notwithstanding all their sufferings and ill usage, which they went through with invincible courage and fortitude; The many miracles and cures wrought by their hands; The casting out of devils; The gifts of the Spirit conferred by the laying on of their hands; The silencing of Satans oracles through the world, by the sound of their Ministry; and, The glorious effects of their doctrine, where it was received, by destroying the kingdom and power of Satan, and bringing in of light, holinesse, and consolation. Unto these (and divers others) without them, several operations are to be added, which were wrought in, or upon, the persons convinced; As namely, extraordinary cures wrought upon some of themselves, both Elect and reprobate; Common and clear illumination, and temporary gifts, conferred upon both of them, and some of them in an extraordinary measure; Strong impressions to take notice of these operations of the Spirit without them; Together with saving operations accompanying all these upon the hearts of the Elect. 5. The effects of these means and operations, or the conviction it selfe wrought thereby, to the encouragement of the Apostles, come next to be considered. And as these means were extraordinary, so the effects were to be answerable. For if we look upon the History of the Acts, which containeth a signal accomplishment of this prediction, we will finde strange effects following upon the pouring out of the Spirit, even in these who were not converted, at least not as yet; Some were pricked at the heart, who had not yet attained to evangelical repentance, Acts 2.37. with 38. Some, in the gall of bitterness, did desire to share with the Apostles in their great priviledges, Acts 8.18, 19. Some upon their thrones were almost perswaded to be Christians, by a prisoner in a chain, Acts 26.28. some had strange changes, illuminations, and flushes, for a time, who yet were not converted, as is to be supposed of many, who were drawn in by the Apostles preaching, and of others who afterward did, and daily do embrace the Gospel; Some were forced to magnifie them, who did not joyne with them, Acts 5.13. Some would have worshipped them, who were yet Pagans, Acts 14.10, 11. Some were astonished with what was done by the Apostles, Acts 8.14. and with their fortitude and abilities, Acts 4 13. and were non plussed in their resolutions what to do with them, when they were in their power, Acts 4.16, 17. yea, and so bridled, that they were affraid to meddle with them, Acts 5, 34, 35. unto all which, and many more wounderful effects of these operations, may be added, That the Elect did not only share in these common operations, but were in due time, (by these means, and particularly by the Word) savingly convinced and brought to Christ and fixed upon him. All which conviction though it be attributed to the world, and was indeed very general in processe of time; Yet it is to be understood with this necessary limitation that some, yea many, remained still in their stupidity, and were not effectually convinced for all this; Yea, some who were convinced, were yet not bridled, but given up to contradict, and blaspheme against the holy Ghost, for the trial and exercise of the Apostles, and other professours, and that the Spirit might magnifie his power in them, and convince the world, by their invincible courage and patience, and Gods preserving of them many times, and making the work prosper in their hands in the midst of their sufferings, more then if these malicious men had never opposed them.

Fourthly, as for the particulars whereof they are to be convinced, sin righteousness, and judgement, they come to be more distinctly spoken to in the following verses, where the grounds of this conviction are spoken of. Here, in general, it sufficeth us to know, 1. If we look upon this work of conviction, as it is common to elect and reprobate, and as the Spirits testimony about them relates to Christ and the Christian Religion; These were the points of contraversie betwixt the Apostles in preaching of the Gospel, and the world; For, Christ being the subject of the Gospel, the great opposition related unto him, whether he was the Son of God and true Messiah, and therefore, whether they were guilty of great sin who did not beleeve him, and receive his testimony, and continued still in a state of sin so long as they embraced not him: Whether he was righteous in himselfe, and the only giver of righteousness to sinners, or a seducer and Samaritan, and one without whom they were righteous, as the world alleaged: And, whether he was an exalted Prince, above Satan, and all powers and idols, able to absolve his friends and subjects, and condemne his enemies; or only a mockery and a base person, as he was traduced to be. All which he promiseth shall be determined to their advantage. 2. If we look on this, as it is proper to the Elect, in the work of their conversion, the words contain a sweet method of bringing about this work; first, to convince them of sin, by letting them see the hazard of their natural condition, through continuance in unbelief. Next, to convince them of righteousnesse to be had in Christ only, as a remedy to this condition. And then to convince them of judgement and dominion, and of deliverance from spiritual slavery, and the pulling down of Satans kingdome, by being in him. Of all which, albeit the reprobate may get a common conviction, as it is hinted in the former consideration; yet these things are further, and more effectually and savingly, carried on in the hearts of the Elect, to their conversion and setling upon Christ.

This purpose, thus explained by parts, may be taken up in this brief summe; That whereas the Apostles after Christs departure, were to be engaged in hard service, with much disadvantage and difficulty; Christ comforts them, by shewing that he would poure such a measure of the Spirit upon them, and by his Spirit so accompany them in their Ministry, as should make it successeful in the world, to the conviction even of enemies and reprobates, and to the further gaining upon others; So that the work should go on, his Kingdome be established in the world, and his glory shine, and they be comforted and carried through, notwithstanding all the opposition they should meet with.

From the words, so cleared, Learn, 1. The service of the Ministers of Christ, in carrying through the work of the Gospel, is not only difficult, but impossible, unlesse they be singularly assisted by Christ therein; for, so is here imported, that they need the Spirit for carrying on of this work. 2. The Spirit of Christ accompanying weak means and instruments, can bring about great things, to the advancement of his Kingdome in the world, without any visible force, and with meere spiritual weapons, in despight of all opposition can be made thereunto; for, so is here promised, that the Spirit, in them and with them, shall effectuate this work, how weak so ever they were. 3. It is the great consolation of Christs faithful servants and followers, to enjoy his presence and blessing upon their calling and employment, and particularly, of faithful Ministers, to have his Kingdome prosper, and men wrought upon by their Ministry; for, this is the Apostles encouragement, and in this the Spirit is a Comforter to them, that he shall convince the world, to make their labours successeful. 4. The men of the world are very corrupt and ill principled in reference to the doctrine of the Gospel; and have very many mountains standing in the way thereof; for, they need to be convinced of all these points here mentioned, and have opinions and principles opposite thereunto to be rooted out, as the Word imports. 5. These corrupt principles of the world are not easie to be rooted out, but will require great light and strong conviction, before they be put from them; for, they must be convinced, and argued out of them to the contrary opinion, before they quit them. 6. For conviction of the world, it will not be sufficient that never so sharp reproofes be given them, nor yet only that they have clear light and evidence of what they are to assent unto; unlesse also the Spirit come to bear in these things upon them, and effectually convince thereof; for, it is he who must convince the world, not only by sufficient external means and operations without them, but by inward working, making that effectual. 7. The Spirit of the Lord is an effectual convincer, where he pleaseth to work, where clear illumination and strong reasoning will not avail, he can irresistibly convince and batter down strong holds; And, where he will not convert, yet he can so put to silence and bridle opposition, that it shall be ineffectual: for he shall convince the world, saith he. 8. As Christs saving work on his people must begin with, and be carryed on by the convictions of the Spirit; So they may get convictions and that by the Spirit, who never yet more, and are never converted: for, on the one hand, conviction is so far from saving grace, that they who have it in a deep measure, have yet need not only of faith, but also of repentance, Acts 1.37, 38. and on the other hand, it concerneth God in his honour, sometime, to go this far on with the world, for the promoving of his Kingdome, and that they may not go on with a high hand; Therefore it is promised, that he shall convince even the world. So that they who were never convinced, are yet in a worse condition, and do not know how soon the Lord may kindle that sire in their bosome, though they sleep secure for the present. And men would not rest upon convictions, when the Lord lets them see sinne, and yet never removeth it, righteousnesse, and yet never conferreth it, and judgement of authority, to absolve the righteous and condemne the wicked, and yet never giveth them to flee to Christ to obtain the one, or to be freed from the other. 9. The Spirits manifestations and operations in the primitive dayes of the Gospel, do abundantly assert the truth of Christian Religion, and refute all the corrupt principles of men concerning Christ; So that all who then saw or felt them, or since do hear thereof, by the sound of the Gospel (still accompanied with the ordinary operations of the Spirit where it is received) are without excuse if they continue ignorant of, or averse and opposite unto the true Religion, and Christ offered in the Gospel; for, by these means the Spirit hath convinced the world, of sinne, and of righteousness, and of judgement, as the great points in contraversie concerning Christ and the Christian Religion, as hath been cleared. So that however all in all ages be not actually convinced, yet (beside that generally it is so, in some measure, where the Gospel cometh) it is a standing testimony leaving all these without excuse who hear the Gospel, and yet continue in Atheisme, Infidelity, Scepticisme and Irriligion. And the effectual conviction of others leaves them yet more without excuse. 10. As there are many steps and degrees of operation in converting souls to Christ: So the Spirit of the Lord, where he undertaketh this work in his own, will effectually carry them through them all, in their due order; for, so much also doth this work of convincing of sinne, righteousness, &c as it is proper to the Elect, import, That he will not only give them a light touch, and in effectual impression of these things which reprobates may have, but will effectually carry them from step to step till they be convinced of the truth of these things, and of their need of the two last, and made to close therewith to their comfort. And herein the order of the Spirit is to be observed, so that if we misse the comfortable conviction of righteousness, we would see if we do not stop it by want of conviction of sinne, and if we want comfortable conviction of freedome from slavery and absolution through Christ, we may finde it obstructed, by our not closing with righteousness, when we are convinced of sin.