The way of the Spirit in bringing souls to Christ set forth in X sermons on John 16:7, 8, 9, 10 and chap 7:37 / by Mr. Thomas Allen, late pastor of a church in ... Norwich.

SERMON II.

John. 16.7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, 'tis expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come; but if I depart, I will send him un∣to you.

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, as you heard, is now comforting his Disciples against his de∣parture. Christ had cast out a word, that he was to go away from them, and the word went to their very hearts, Because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your hearts. Now Christ goes about (as I said) to comfort them against their sorrow upon his departure from them, and he gives this as a ground of Comfort to them; namely, That it was expedient for them that he should go away from them. Expedient! they thought it was impossible; How could that be? What? To lose the Bodily presence of Christ, to be deprived of that! Yes, saith he, I tell you the truth, It is expedient for you that I go away. Why? How can it be expedient? It is expedient, Be∣cause, if I go not away, the Comforter will not come; but if I depart, I will send him unto you; I will see that he shall come unto you: Therefore, saith he, It is expedient that I go away.

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Doct. The Point or Truth propounded from hence was this,

That it is expedient sometimes for the Disciples and Servants of Jesus Christ that their nearest and dearest Comforts that they have in this World, should go away from them.

Jesus Christ his presence was most dear and precious to the Disciples; there was nothing in the World more dear and precious to them, they would have laid down their lives for him, not only Peter said so, but so said all the Disciples; now yet Christ told them, it was expedient for them that he should go away. I gave you the Demonstrations of this Point the last time. I in∣stanced in 7 or 8 things, wherein it was sometimes expedient for the Saints and Servants of Christ to be deprived of their nearest and dearest Comforts in this Life, which I shall not now mention, because I would finish this Point at this time.

II

I shall now proceed to the second thing pro∣pounded, which, is to give the Grounds and Rea∣sons of it, Why it is expedient for the Saints and Servants of Christ thus to be deprived sometimes of their nearest and dearest Comforts in this World; This is a hard saying, the Disciples were hard to believe it, that it could be expedient for them that Christ should go away from them. And so for a Soul to be deprived of the Light of Gods Countenance, that they cannot meet with God in

holy Duties and Ordinances, these are hard things to believe, that they can be expedient for them. Now to give you some Reasons, why it is expe∣dient sometimes for the Saints and Servants of Christ to be deprived of their nearest and dearest Comforts in this World.

1. Though they cannot think so, yet not∣withstanding, Because their Heavenly Father knows it to be expedient for them. Their heavenly Father, who is infinitely wise and infinitely loving to∣wards them, he knows that those things are expedient for them in this Life: you that are Parents, you know what is more expedient for your Children than they do themselves; Alas! if Children were left to their own judgments, they would judge those things expedient for them that are not expedient; they would judge it were bet∣ter for them, to take their own liberty, and to do their own Wills, and that it were more expedient for them to be playing, than to go to School; so they would judge it expedient for them never to be put out to Apprenticeship, to be Servants, to go from their Fathers house; they think it were bet∣ter for them to be always at home, under their Parents wing: but you that are Parents know what is more expedient for your Children than they do themselves; and when they come to grow up then they will be ready to say, That their Fathers did judge better for them than they could have judged for themselves; then they will say, If I had been left to mine own Judgment what was expedient for me then, I had not had this bringing up and Education that I have; nay then they may think that it

was expedient for them, that they were some∣times under the Rod. Truly Brethren, the Lord our Heavenly Father is infinitely wise, and lo∣ving to all his Children, he knows what is expe∣dient for them better than they do. Christ knew that his going away from his Disciples, was more expedient for them, than they themselves could judge of it: so our heavenly Father knows that sometimes it is best for us to be deprived of our nearest and dearest Relations in the World; your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things, and he knows that sometimes you have need to be deprived of them. That is the first.

2. It is expedient sometimes for the Saints and Servants of Christ to be deprived of their nearest and dearest Comforts; Because sometimes the Lord takes away one Comfort, and gives them that in stead of it that is far better for them. There∣fore as Christ saith in the Text, it is expedient for you that I go away: why how can that be? It is more expedient for you, for you shall have the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, I will send the Com∣forter to you, and that is better for you. He would give them the presence of his Spirit in stead of his own bodily presence, and that was better for them. Sometimes the Lord takes a∣way one Comfort, and gives another instead of it, that is most expedient for us; as it is said, he removed the former Covenant, and that was done away, that so he might bring in a New Covenant in the stead of it, which was far better; the Old was done away, to make way for the New. God took away the child from David, that was begotten

in Adultery, and gave him a Solomon; so God deales sometimes with his Children, he takes a∣way sometimes their outward Estates in the World, to give them a larger, an heavenly and spiritual Estate, to give them more of the true Riches; he takes away their outward Liberty, that they may have more spiritual Enlargment: thus many times the Lord deals with his Disciples and Servants, he takes away one mercy from them, which they think to be most expedient, and gives them another, which he knows to be more ex∣pedient for them. Therefore I remember Joseph said to his Brethren, when he sent from Egypt to them to come from the Land of Canaan, saith he, Leave your Stuff behind you; you shall have that that is better for you than your Stuff, for all the good of the Land of Egypt is before you. Thus the Lord makes an exchange, if he calls us to leave one Comfort, he intends to bestow a better Com∣fort upon us; thus it was with these Disciples. But,

3. Sometimes the Lord takes away our nearest and dearest Comforts we have in the World in way of Correction and Chastisement; to correct and chastise his people for their wantonness, for their forgetfulness of him, for their sitting loose from him, and living even as it were without God in the World, when the Lord sees that his Children do make a bad use of their Comforts and Mercies; the Lord is pleased to take them a∣way from them; just as you that are Parents deal by your Children; if you see they go about to cut their fingers with the knife, you take a∣way the knife from them; if they do waste and

destroy their meat, you take away their meat from them; thus the Lord deals with his Children; he sees his Children grow wanton, and careless, and forgetfull of God, then the Lord is pleased to take his Rod and correct them, by taking away their Comforts that are nearest and dearest to them. As now again for Parents, you see Parents when their Children grow forgetful of them, and do not mind what they say to them, and do not re∣gard their Commands, then their Parents will be ready to take away from them that which they know to be nearest and dearest to them, by way of Correction. Thus the Lord is pleased to deal with his own Children, if he see they be perverse and disobedient, and careless, and rebellious, — It is just with the Lord then, in a way of cor∣rection and Chastisemnet, to take those mercies from them that he sees to be most near and dear to them: and the Lord doth it out of mercy and love to his Children, in depriving them of out∣ward mercies, to deprive them of Health, and Strength, and Estate, and sometimes of their near Relations, by way of Chastisement, lest they should be condemned with the world; they would run upon their own ruine else, if the Lord let them alone. The Apostle gives the reason, 1 Cor. 11.32. why so many were sick, and weak, and fallen asleep, saith he, When ye are judged, ye are chastened of the Lord, that ye might not be con∣demned with the World. And so the Lord is plea∣sed to deal with his own Children and Servants, he deprives them of their nearest and dearest Com∣forts in the World, by way of Chastisement and Correction; therefore sometimes he hides his face

from them, and many times takes his Ordinances from them, and if they do enjoy Ordinances, he with-holds his gracious presence from them, that they shall not see his Face in this and that Duty and Ordinance; and this the Lord doth by way of Chastisement.

4. The Lord doth sometimes deprive his Chil∣dren of their nearest and dearest Comforts in this World, Because he will bring them thereby to be pliable to his own Will, and train them up in a course of Obedience to his own Will. Look now, as Parents that they may train up their Children to be obedient to them in every thing, to be at their beck, sometimes they will take away from them that which is nearest and dearest to them; Give me that thing, and I must have such a thing, will a wise Father say sometimes to a Child, to train him up in a way of Sub∣mission to his Fathers will. So the Lord deals with his own Children, when he sees we have this or that Comfort which is near or dear to us. Now that God may train us up to his own Will, and that we may learn subjection to his Will, the Lord calls for this Comfort and that mercy, that is so dear to us, that Yoke-fellow, and that Child, or whoever it be that is near and dear to us; the Lord doth sometimes call it from us, and take it away, that we may learn to be submissive to his Will; as it is said concerning Christ, Heb. 5.8. That Christ learned Obedience by his Sufferings, and truly so when Christ came to drink the Cup that his Father put into his hand, saith he, The Cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? He learned Obedience by his

Sufferings; and so the Lord may teach his Chil∣dren Obedience by training them up in this way, to take away their nearest and dearest Comforts from them that they may come to be at the Lords will and word in every thing. And thus the Lord trained up Abraham, saith God to Abraham, I must have you to go out of your own Country, to leave your Friends and Relations behind, to go into a strange place, and Abraham did so; And then when the Lord had given him an only and a beloved Son, saith God to him, Come I must take that Son from you, go and Sacrifice him your self to me; thus God trained up Abra∣ham to his foot (as it were) which is the ex∣pression of the Holy Ghost, Isa. 41.2. Abraham was brought to the foot of God, to the beck of God. Thus God deals with his Children, he trains them up to be submissive to his own will, to his ordering, for every thing, therefore God will sometimes take away this Comfort and that Com∣fort, though never so near and dear to us. That is the fourth Reason.

5. The Lord doth sometimes deprive his Children of their nearest and dearest Comforts, That they may learn to fear before him, that they may stand in awe of him, as it is said Psal. 55.19. Because they are in no change, therefore they fear not God, they meet with no changes, they have their wills, and they enjoy their Comforts here in the World; and because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. And truly the Lords own people are apt to grow secure in time of Prosperity when they meet with few changes, they are apt to grow secure. It was

Davids case, Psal. 30.5, 6, I said in my prospe∣rity I shall never be moved. And so I remember Job hath such an expression, Chap. 29.18. I said I shall dye in my Nest—; His nest was feathered round about him, he was comfortably supplyed with all manner of Necessaries and comforts in this Life, and saith he, I began to grow secure, I said I should dye in my Nest; And therefore the Lord is pleased to bring Changes upon his People, to a∣wake them out of their security, to cause them more to fear God, and to acknowledge their de∣pendance upon God, to fear that God, that is able to bring great Changes upon them, to fear him that is able to take away their nearest and dearest Comforts. Thus the Lord deals with his Chil∣dren, to train and nurture them up in his fear.

6. And Lastly. The Lord does sometimes deal thus with his own Children, to deprive them of their nearest and dearest Comforts that they have in this Life, That so he may make them to look more after a Heavenly Inheritance, that shall never be taken from them; where there shall be no Changes, where they shall be past all fear of ever being deprived of any comfort they shall enjoy. Therefore 'tis said of the Patriarchs, Heb. 11.14, 16. 'Tis said in the 13th Verse, They confessed, That they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth, for they that say such things, declare plainly That they seek a Country but now they desire a better Country, which is, an Heavenly — They are Strangers and Pilgrims in the World, they meet with great Changes in the World, and therefore say they, We are Stran∣gers and Pilgrims; we are going to a Country

where there shall be no change. So Heb. 10.34. The Apostle speaks of those that were exercised with changes, that they had their Estates taken a∣way, and were plundred of all that they had, they made nothing of that; because they had an eye to the recompence of reward, the inheritance of Hea∣ven, and that made them look for a heavenly Country, because then they should be past all chan∣ges, there should be no plundering there, no de∣privation of any Comfort that they there shall en∣joy, that is an Inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away; there shall be no changes throughout all Eternity. And thus now you have seen the Reasons and Grounds of the Point, That it is expedient sometimes for the Saints and Disciples of Christ to be deprived of their nearest and dearest Comforts that they do enjoy in this World.

III.

1. But to come to the Third thing propounded, and that is, to shew, That the Enjoyment of the Com∣forter, the presence of the Spirit is more expedient for the Saints and Disciples of Christ, than to en∣joy the bodily Presence of Christ himself. For so Christ intimates here to his Disciples, saith he, It is expedient for you that I go away, that you be deprived of my bodily Presence, for then you shall have the Comforter, the Spirit; if I go not away the Comforter will not come; therefore it is more expedient for them to have the Presence of the Spirit, than to enjoy the bodily Presence of Christ.

Truly Brethren, as long as Christ was with

them in the flesh, they could not expect to have such a communication of the Spirit, as they should have when Christ was taken from them. When Christ was taken from them, when he as∣cended up to Heaven, then the Spirit was to be given down; And that is given by the Ho∣ly Ghost, John 7.37, 38, 39. as a Reason, why the Spirit was not yet given to them: They had some drops of the Spirit, They had not the pour∣ing out of the Spirit, because, saith he, Verse 39. Jesus was not yet glorified; he had said, verse 38. That, he that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Water; but this he spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should re∣ceive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified. No, they could not expect the pourings out of the Spirit, till Jesus Christ had left the World, and was gone into Heaven. For Brethren, when Jesus Christ ascended up to Heaven, then the Father made him welcome, and sat him down at his own right hand in glory, he gave him the highest place of Dignity in Heaven, all power in Heaven and Earth was put into his Hands, and he gave him the Do∣nation or Giving out of the Spirit, the giving out of the gifts of the Spirit; For saith the Psalmist, Psal. 68.18. When he ascended up on high, then he received the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit to be given out to his people; This is the Reward that God the Father gave to Christ, after his great labour and suffering in the World, assoon as ever he came into Heaven: God exalted him with this Exaltation, and then he gave him the fulness of the Spirit, to give out when he would,

therefore assoon as Christ ascended up to Heaven, presently after there was an abundant pouring out of the Spirit, Acts 2. You know the Holy Ghost fell down upon the Disciples like fiery cloven tongues, and then they spake with tongues, they were able to speak in every mans Language; and then you see the Apostle Peter made a Speech to them that heard it, and wondred at it, Verse 33. and saith he, This is the Fruit and Ef∣fect of Christs Ascension into Heaven. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and ha∣ving received of the Father, the Promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear. Christ leaving the World, and being exalted in Heaven, he had this power to give out the Spirit, and saith he, this is the Fruit of it, He hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear; Therefore if Christ had not left the Discipies, then the Disciples, and Ser∣vants, and Apostles of Jesus Christ, had been destitute of the pourings out of the Spirit upon them. It is true indeed, it cannot be denyed but the enjoyment of Christs bodily presence, was a most desirable thing, very desirable to enjoy the bodily presence of Jesus Christ, to see God in our flesh. I remember Job did rejoyce in it, in the hopes of it, many hundreds and some thousands of yeares beforehand, in the midst of his great Troubles and Afflictions, Chap. 19.25, 26, 27. saith he, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and with these eyes I shall see him; And this was matter of Comfort to him many hundreds of years before hand, in the midst of those Sufferings and Troubles he met

withall, that he should see his Redeemer with his Eyes in the flesh. And Brethren, the sight of Christ in the flesh, it is a sight that is matter of Admiration to the very Angels in Heaven; God manifest in the flesh, seen of Angels, it was to the Admiration of Angels, worth their looking up∣on, 1 Timothy 3.16. Great is the Mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the Flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels; it was a great sight to the glorious Angels, they desired to pry into that great Mystery; and it was one of holy Au∣stines wishes, he wished the sight of three things in this World, and this was the chiefest of all; he did desire to see Rome in its glory; Paul in the Pulpit, and Christ in the flesh. And Brethren, the sight and enjoyment of the Presence of Christ in our Nature will be one of the happy sights in Heaven, it will be a great part of the glory and happiness of the Saints in Heaven to see Jesus Christ, therefore saith Christ, Father, I will that those whom thou hast given mee, may be with me, where I am, that they may behold my glory, John 17.24. So the Apostle John, 1. Epist. 3.2. When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. I tell you it is a desirable thing to see Jesus Christ in the Flesh, and yet this I may say, that it is possible for men and women to see Christ in the flesh, and yet be never the better for it. You know when Jesus Christ was in the World, the Jewes saw him, and were near unto him, and yet were never the better for him; We read that when Christ was sent by Pilate to Herod, Herod rejoyced to see him, but he was never the better for that sight; for he

derided him, and mocked him, and sent him a∣way. You know Judas had a full Sight of Christ, he lived many years in the family with Christ, yet Judas was never the better for seeing and behold∣ing the bodily presence of Christ. The Repro∣bates, the wicked of the World, at the last day shall see Christ in his highest glory, but shall be never a whit the better. I remember 'tis said, Mat. 14.30. That all the Tribes of the Earth shall see him, and mourn; they shall behold him in his glory, and yet mourn. What shall we say then? You see we may behold Jesus Christ in the Flesh, and yet be never the better, but now to enjoy the presence of the Spirit here in this life, a Soul can∣not enjoy that, but he shall be the better for it. It is true indeed, in Heaven, there the Saints shall enjoy the presence of Christ, and the fulness of the Spirit too, but here in this life for the Saints to enjoy the presence of the Spirit, it is more ex∣pedient for them, more profitable, more advan∣tagious for them, than to enjoy the very perso∣nal presence of Christ.

Now to give you a few Reasons for it, to shew you wherein it is more profitable, more expedient to have the presence of the Spirit, than to enjoy the very bodily presence of Christ.

1. In regard that By enjoying the presence of the Spirit they may have more reall Comfort than they could have by the enjoyment of the personal presence of Christ. You shall see the Disciples them∣selves all the time that they did enjoy the personal presence of Christ in the World, they had not that measure of joy and rejoycing as they had af∣terward, they had not that measure of Comfort

and Consolation all the time that Christ lived in the Earth, and conversed with them, as they had after Christ was taken away from them; then they had more real joy. Alas! before they were sub∣ject to griefs and troubles at every turn, when they came into danger then they were affrighted and troubled, when they were in a storm at Sea, and were ready to sink they cryed out and were a∣fraid; but now after Christ was gone and ascen∣ded, and the Spirit fell down upon them, you shall see then how full of joy and comfort and consolation they were, and so Christ tells them before in this very Chapter, verse 21. A Woman when she is in travel hath sorrow, because her Hour is come, but assoon as she is delivered she rejoyceth: So it shall be with you, saith Christ; whilest I am with you, you cannot have such joy, and when you hear of my departure, sorrow filleth your hearts, but when I am taken from you, and the Comforter is come, then you shall rejoyce; and therefore observe, when Christ speaks of sending the Spirit instead of his own bodily presence, he expresseth it under the Notion of the Comforter, When the Comforter shall come: O then they shall have such comforts, and consolation, and joy, that they never had before; and so, John 14.16. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter; and so, verse 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my Name—. So Chap. 15.26. But when the Com∣forter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father—. Still when Christ speaks of sending the Spirit, he speaks of sending him under the Notion of a Comforter, which is to imply, that they shall

have more true matter of Comfort, of joy and rejoycing, than ever they had before by his bodily presence, and therefore saith the Apostle Paul, As our Tribulations abound for Christ, so our Conso∣lations also do super-abound, and saith the Apostle again, Rom. 5.3. We glory in Tribulations, which is an high expression. Before, upon every occasion, they were afraid when they came into danger, but now, saith the Apostle, We glory in Tribulations, we joy and rejoyce in the highest degree of rejoy∣cing. The Apostles, whilest Christ lived, never had that fulness of Spiritual joy and consolation as they had after Christ was gone, and the Spirit was sent down from Heaven, and therefore that is one Respect why it is better to enjoy the pre∣sence of the Spirit than the personal Presence of Christ.

2. By having the Spirit, the Comforter, sent down to them, thereby they come to have more Boldness and spiritual Courage than they had before. Alas! before how ready were they to be affrighted and scared at every turn, whilest they had the pre∣sence of Christ; you see how they were affrighted when Christ was apprehended, they all forsook him and fled; and when Peter would needs peep into the Judgment Hall, you see how he was dismayed and afraid when a Maid spoke to him, and told him Thou art one of his Companions, and he denyed it and swore he never knew him, so timorous and fearful he was; but afterwards, he grew bold and couragious when the Spirit did descend upon him; see the Courage of Peter and the Apostles, Acts, 4. when they came before the Judgment Seat, Verse. 8. And when they had

set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what Name have you done this? then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Verse 10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This was a Spirit of Boldness. And Verse 13. When they saw the Boldness of Peter and John — Now they had more Spiritual Boldness, Courage and Audacity than they had before, now the Spirit was poured down upon them. And Verse 19. when they commanded them to speak no more in the Name of Jesus, Then Peter and John said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Thus by the plentiful effusion of the Spirit they grew more spiritually bold.

3. When they were deprived of Christs personal presence, then being indued with the Spirit, They had more Christian strength and power given to them than they had before, to act and do for Christ; There∣fore then they were said to be endued with power from on high, Luke 24.49. When Christ was a∣bout to ascend up to Heaven he told them they should be endued with Power from on high; Ay, the Spirit is a Spirit of power, 2 Tim. 1.7. God hath given to us not the Spirit of Fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind; The Spirit of Pow∣er. When the Spirit falls down upon a person 'tis a Spirit of Power, that they shall be able to do and suffer for the Name of Christ very great things: they are now endued with power from

above. Now Christ was gone and the Spirit come, therefore you see how they did act. They went up and down, and could preach every day from place to place, they travelled up and down to preach the Gospel; and you shall see what great works they did, as great works as Christ himself did do when he was upon Earth, they raised up Tabitha from the dead, Acts 9. And it is said, Acts 19. that the very shadow of Peter, and the Apostles passing by cured them that were sick. We do not read of such miracles when Christ was upon Earth; great power they had then; see what power Paul had to go through Sufferings, 2. Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. How he suffered abundantly, and saith he, I know that tribulations and sufferings abide for me in every place, but none of these things move me, he was indued with power from on high: now saith he, I am able to do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me, Philip. 4.13.

4. By having the Presence of the Spirit with them after they were deprived of the bodily pre∣sence of Christ, Then they had a more powerful gift and Spirit of prayer. Never such a Spirit of Prayer all the time that Christ lived with them, then the Spirit of Prayer was poured down upon them, as it was prophesied, Zech. 12.10. I will pour out upon the house of Judah the Spirit of Grace and Supplication; now they were able to pray, to pour out their Souls abundantly to God in prayer: before, all the time that Christ was amongst them, they were poor shallow weak Creatures, not a∣ble to pray, and therefore they came to Christ, Luke 11.2. Lord teach us to pray as John taught his Disciples, they had not the Spirit of prayer then,

in comparison with what they had afterwards, therefore Christ was fain to dictate words to them as you do to your little Children, to say word after word after you; thus they came to Christ, Lord teach us to pray: but afterward when Christ was ascended and left them, and the Spirit poured out upon them, then they were a∣ble to pour out their prayers upon every occasion; although 'tis true, as Paul saith, Rom. 8. We know not how to pray as we ought, that is, we our selves left to our selves, but the Spirit within us helps our infirmities with sighs and groans that cannot be ut∣tered. The Apostles prayed so strongly that they shook the very room where they were praying, Acts 4, 23. And being let go they went to their own Company, and reported all that the Chief Priests and Elders said unto them, and when they heard that, they lift their voice to God with one accord, and mark Verse 31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together. So Paul and Silas, Acts 16. 'tis said, They prayed at Midnight and praised God, and the very foundation of the Pri∣son was shaken by their very Prayers; There was a mighty powerfull Spirit of Prayer that fell down upon them when Christ was gone from them: therefore in that respect also the presence of the Spirit is more expedient for them than to enjoy the bodily presence of Christ. And let me add one thing more.

5. It was more expedient for them to have the presence of the Spirit, than to have the bodily presence of Christ, because by Enjoying the pre∣sence of the Comforter, hereby they had more assistance and more powerfull success in their work and labour

in their Ministry, than ever they had before all the time they had the presence of Christ; I say, Their Ministry was more powerful and effectual than ever it was before. 'Tis true, they went up and down and preached some particular times, but we do not read of any great matter was done, that many were converted by their Ministry all the time they lived with Christ; but now when Christ was gone, and the Spirit fell down upon them, Im∣mediately you shall see, Acts 2. When Peter preached one Sermon, more were converted at that Sermon, than there was by all the Apostles preach∣ing, that we read of, all the time they lived with Christ upon Earth, there were Three thousand brought in at one Sermon. And afterwards, Chap. 20.21. 'Tis said, There were many thousand Belie∣vers brought in by the Ministry of the Apostles, be∣cause the Spirit did assist them; There was a migh∣ty effusion of the Spirit, and a great success upon their Labours and Endeavours. And so Christ here in the Text, to comfort his Disciples about his departure, saith he, Nevertheless, I tell you the Truth, it is expedient for you that I go away. What then? Saith he, I will send the Comforter, and you shall find marvellous success by the pre∣sence of the Spirit in your Ministry; When he is come, He shall convince the World of Sin, of Righ∣teousness, and of Judgment.

By enjoying the presence of the Spirit with them, they had mighty success in their Ministry, in their Labours and Endeavours in the Work that Christ had called them to. Therefore, I say in these re∣spects, it was more expedient for them to have the presence of the Spirit, than Christ's Bodily

presence amongst them. And thus now I have finished this Point, as to the Explication, Proof and clearing of it. Now briefly to speak some∣thing by way of Application, and so to wind up all in three or four words.

Application 1. Then hence we are to be admonish∣ed and warned to take heed, That our Hearts and Affections be not inordinately set upon any Creature-Comfort, though never so near and dear unto us: Be∣cause they must be taken away from us, or we from them. If we had the Bodily presence of Christ amongst us, we are not to set our hearts inordinately upon him, meerly for his Bodily pre∣sence, so as to have our Hearts, as it were, rent or torn asunder for the want of his bodily presence: So whatever Creature-Comfort we enjoy in this World, take heed that our Hearts and Affections be not inordinately set upon them, because there will come a time when we must part, they must go from us, or we must go from them; as Christ told his Disciples here, it is expedient for you that I go away: and this was that that did fill their hearts so with Sorrow, because they were so inor∣dinately set upon his bodily presence. There are no Creature-Comforts that we can enjoy in this World but we must be taken from them, therefore it should be our Wisdom to have our hearts and affections set loose from them: because the closer we are glued to any Creature-Comfort, the greater rending and tearing there will be when we come to be deprived of it. Truth is, our hearts and affections are apt to cleave too close to crea∣ture-comforts, as outward Relations, Husbands or Wives, Parents or Children, our hearts are apt to

be glued too close to them, to be inordinately set upon them; and therefore hence it comes to passe that it is so grievous to us to part with them, and that we are so inordinate in our sorrow and grief, when the Lord saith, it is expedient for you that I take this or that Comfort from you: and therefore we should do well to follow the Apostles Counsel and Admonition which he gives us, 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. To use the World, as if we used it not, to enjoy as if we enjoyed not, to possesse as if we possessed not: for the fashion of this World passeth away. It passeth away from us, and there∣fore let us take heed that our hearts and affections be not inordinately set upon any creature-comfort. Brethren, if we set our hearts upon any thing, let us set them upon those things that shall never go away from us, and look after these things that shall abide with us, as to look after Union with Christ by faith, which shall never go away from us. To look after the pardon of sin, and peace with God, reconciliation to God through the blood of Christ, which shall never go away from us, nei∣ther shall we go from them; therefore now let it be our care and business to chuse the better part that shall never be taken away from us, chuse Maries part, endeavour after the Communications of the Spirit, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost which shall abide with you for ever; but I say take heed that your hearts and affections be not inordinately set upon any creature-comfort, for then your sorrow and grief will be the greater upon your parting with them, and it is expedient for you to part, ei∣ther you from them or they from you, and you know not how soon. That is the first.

2. Then, Hence we may see our great folly, in mourning and grieving immoderately for the parting from, or losing and being deprived of, any Creature-Comfort, or Outward-Enjoyment. Here is our folly; Because, possibly we mourn and grieve for that which is most expedient for us: And, Is not that folly? Though we do not know so much, yet the parting with this or that Relation, with this or that Child, or with all our Children, with this Husband, or that Wife, it may be most expedient for us. I say therefore, Take heed of grieving immoderately, or inordinately for it, be∣cause it may be our great folly; it may be more expedient for us that they go away, than that they stay with us. And truly now it may be we grieve inordinately for the loss of our Children, or such a Child; We do not know what they might have proved if the Lord had lengthened out their lives to us, they might have proved the greatest vexati∣ons that ever we met with in the World, though now it may be we cannot think so. We do not know how expedient it is; it may be more expe∣dient for us that they go away; Therefore mourn not inordinately, but submit to the holy Will of God, that knows what is more expedient for us, than we do our selves.

And so for our Estates; the Lord takes away our Estates from us, our Livelihood in the World, and brings us into a poor and low Estate and Condition; Well, do not mourn inordi∣nately for the loss of it; for it may be the more expedient for you to be deprived of your Estates, than to have them continued unto you; possibly you would have grown more carnal,

more sinfull, more profane, insolent, vain, scorn∣full, more lascivious, wanton and loose; and so you might have run upon your own ruine and destruction if the Lord had left you to enjoy what you would have. Saith Solomon, Pro. 1.32. The prosperity of the wicked shall destroy him. The Lord doth sometimes leave some to a prosperous estate, and it may be a means of their utter undoing. Therefore it may be more expedient for you that they go away; therefore let us not be inordinate in our grief and sorrow for the loss of any Crea∣ture-Comfort.

3. Then, Hereby we may see the foolishness and vanity of these apprehensions that do sometimes come into our mindes. O we are ready to think some∣times, if we had lived when Christ was here in the flesh, when Christ's bodily presence was in the world, or if we could now see and enjoy the bo∣dily presence of Christ; O, we should go to him upon all occasions; O then we could go and wor∣ship him, and reverence him, and honour him, and adore him, and admire him. I tell you these are vain fancies and imaginations, for the injoyment of the presence of the Spirit is more advantagious to us than the enjoyment of the bo∣dily presence of Christ could be, and if Christ were now in the world in our dayes, as he was before, it may be we could not tell how we might come to speak to him, and see him, he might be at one end of the world, and we at the other; but now we have this advantage, we may go to Christ in any part of the World, and enjoy Communion with Christ, and speak to Christ in Prayer in any place, and we may worship, reverence, honour and

love Jesus Christ, now he is in Heaven and Glory. It is said of the Disciples, Luke 24.51, 52. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were con∣tinually in the Temple, praising and blessing God.

I tell you we may worship, and reverence and honour Jesus Christ, now he is in Heaven, as much as we could have done if he were bodily present with us. It is therefore a vain imagina∣tion to think, O if Christ were now present, what worship we would now give him, how we would adore him, and acquaint him with our Necessities at every turn. You may have as much access to him now, as if he were in the World, and you may have more of the Spirit given to you now than you should have then. And let me add this by the way, not to let your mindes go too much out about the personal presence of Christ here on earth; I do not speak to condemn that opinion That Christ shall personally reign upon Earth a thou∣sand years, which is the opinion of many godly and learned Men, and I would not speak contra∣dictorily to it, though for my own part I con∣ceive Christ shall have a glorious Church upon Earth, and Reign upon Earth a thousand Years too; Yet I must needs say, I do not apprehend as to his Bodily presence. 'Tis true, indeed, Je∣sus Christ shall come from Heaven at the day of Judgement, and appear personally in the Clouds; and if you observe it, you shall find when the ho∣ly Ghost, in Scripture, speaks about the appearing of Christ, you shall find he speaks of that appear∣ing that shall be at the Day of Judgment: As, 1 Tim. 6.14. Saith the Apostle there, I charge you that you keep this Commandment without spot,

untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now what appearing is this? or when shall Christ ap∣pear? look 2 Epistle 4.1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his King∣dom. When he shall come to Judgment, then he shall appear personally.

Objection.

But you will say, May he not appear for all that before in this World? and may he not come in his own person and live in the World before that?

Answer.

Truly, Brethren, I have no warrant for that, but rather to the contrary; for the Apostle saith, Heb. 9.28. speaking of Christs coming to Judg∣ment, To them that look for him shall he appear the second time — So that his appearing to judge the World shall be his second appearing, to you that look for him shall he appear the second time. Now, when he was incarnate in the flesh, then he appeared the first time, but he shall appear the second time, that is, when he comes to judg the World: therefore, I say, I have no warrant for Christs being personally on Earth before the day of Judgment; only 'tis true, there shal be a glorious appearance of the power of the Spirit, & there shall be a glorious Church upon Earth a thousand years, that I do believe; but for the personal appearance of Christ and his living personally in the World, I confess I have not such grounds for that. But I

would not trouble your heads about these things, neither would I have you trouble your Fancies much about them, but look after the enjoyment of the spiritual presence of Christ, that will be more advantagious and expedient for you than the very personal presence of Christ. That is the third word of Application. I have but one word more and that is this.

4. From hence now we may have a strong An∣tidote and Cordial against all our sorrows, griefs and troubles in parting with any creature-com∣fort, though it be our nearest and dearest com∣forts in this World. Know this, for your com∣fort and support under all, that it is most expedi∣ent for you; this is the very cordial and support and antidote, that Jesus Christ himself prescribed to his own Disciples against their immoderate sor∣row; because I have said these things (saith he) sorrow hath filled your hearts, in the Verse before the Text, and now he comes to give them a cor∣dial and andidote against it in the Text, Neverthe∣less, I tell you the Truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, Not for me only: It was expedi∣ent indeed for Christ himself to go away, that he might be advanced at the right hand of God, that he might be indued with the Spirit, and have all fulness of gifts to give out, it was expedient for him, but (saith he) I tell you the truth, it is ex∣pedient for you, and this he gives them as a cordi∣al and antidote against their sorrow, it is expedient for you that I go away; but they could not tell how to believe it, that it should be expedient for them that he should go away, therefore saith Christ, Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for

you that I go away. Truly, Brethren, this is the very Cordial that Christ himself gave against im∣moderate sorrow and grief of mind in parting with any creature-comfort in this World: remem∣ber, 'tis expedient for you, if the Lord call us to part with any thing that is near and dear to us, near and dear Yoke-Fellows, Husband or Wife, or an only Son, well, here is the Cordial and An∣tidote that Christ gave, know, saith he, That it is expedient for you that this near Comfort go a∣way from you, it is for your advantage, profit, and benefit.

Brethren, I pray let me ask you this Question, Do you think that any creature comfort that you enjoy in this World can be nearer and dearer to you than the personal presence of Christ was to the Disciples? Yet saith Christ, It is expedient for you that I go away; truly so I may say as to every Comfort that God takes from us, It is expedient for us that this comfort be taken from us. It may be you cannot see it now, but you may see it af∣terward, it is that which your heavenly Father knows to be expedient for you, and he is wiser than we. This may be a Cordial and Antidote both for the time past, and for the time present and to come: the time past, when we call to re∣membrance, O the comfort that sometimes we had, the comfortable enjoyment of such a Relati∣on, such a Husband, or such a Wife, or such a Child, our hearts are ready to bleed afresh at the remembrance of it. Now here is a Cordial and Antidote that Christ himself prescribes, I tell you the truth, saith Christ, It is expedient for you. O I cannot tell how to think it can be expedient for

me to lose such a Husband, such a Wife, such a Child; yea, saith Christ, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that such a comfort be taken away from you. So for the time present, if God take away a near Relation, or Wife, or such a Child, remember that Christ hath said, it is expe∣dient for you that this Child should go, that this Comfort, that this Relation should go away from you.

And Brethren, if we do believe that it is expe∣dient for us, why then should we be excessive in our grief and sorrow? I pray tell me, if a Phy∣sician come unto you, and by reason of your di∣stemper prescribe you some bitter Pill, or bitter Potion to take, or a strong vomit, or he prescribe a great deal of blood to be taken from you, these things are somewhat hard, but he tells you it is expedient for you, and you will yield to it, you will take the Vomit or Purge though never so grie∣vous to you, you will take the Pill though never so bitter to you, and if he will draw so much blood from you, let him take it. So the Lord is plea∣sed to deal as a wise Physician, he prescribes some∣times a bitter Pill for us to swallow down, O to lose such a Yoke-Fellow, or such a Child, this is a strong vomit, a bitter purge, this is like the drawing of a mans blood from his heart: but our heavenly Father knows what is most expedient for us, I tell you the Truth, saith Christ, it is expedi∣ent for you that I go away; it is expedient for you that I take so much blood from you, that I put you upon the swallowing of this bitter pill. And remember, and lay up this Antidote against a time of need, we know not how suddenly any of us

here before the Lord may be called to part with our nearest and dearest Comforts, we know not how the Lord may deal with us: well, remember this Antidote, and lay it up for the time to come, remember and say, Well, it is expedient for me, that this and that Comfort be taken away from me; and you have heard the Reasons. O remem∣ber these words of our Lord Jesus, which he spake to his Disciples to comfort them against their griefs and sorrow for being deprived of the greatest com∣fort they had in this World. Nevertheless, I tell you the Truth; it is expedient for you that I go away.