4 biscoáthks osi nut names of'Jesus and of Christ, thouq!t neither of them is the name of an office, as one hath .dreamed of late; yet have respect unto the workwhich he had to do, and the office which be was to undergo, without which he could not have rightly been so called: So hath the holy Ghost a name given unto him, which is not dis- tinctive with teepee; unto his personality, but denomina- tibe with rèspett untohis work. Ahd this is ; ,rágáKnyro,. This name is Used only by the apostle John, and that ih his gospel, onlyfrom the torah of Christ, chap. xiv. ver. 16, 26. chap. xv: ver. 26. chap. xvi. ver. 7. And once he 'meth it himself,'applying it unto Christ, 1. John il. 1. where we render it an Advocate, The Syriac interpreter retainS the name itrña au. Fa- earlita, not as some imagine, from the use of that word before among the Jews, which cannot be proved. Nor is it likely that our Saviour made use of a Greek word barbarously corrupted anman, was the word he employ- ed to this purpose.. But looking on it a proper name of the Spirit with respect unto his office, he 'would not translate it. As this word is applied Unto .Christy which it is in that one placeof 1 John ii. 1. it respects his interces- sion, and gives us light into the nature Of it. That it is his intercession whicli the apostle intends, is evident from its relation both his being mir propitiation. For the oblation of Christ on the earth, is the foundation of bis intercession in heaven. And he doth therein un- dertake our patronage, as our Advocate, to plead our Cause, and in ari especial manner to keep off evil from us. For although the intercession of Christ in general respects the procurement of all grace and mercy for us, every thing whereby we may be saved unto the utmost, Heb. vii. 25, 26. yet his intercession for us, as an Ad- Vacate, respects sin only, and the evil consequents of it. For so is he iii this place said to be our Advocate, and in this place alone is he said to be, only with -re- spect unto sin' Ifany mean sin, tie Rare trst Advocate: Wherefore his being so; sloth in particular respect that part of his intercession, wherein he undertakes our ide= lence and protectionwhen accused of sin. For Satan is i =arsvegos, the accuser, Rev. xii. 10. And when he áccuseth believers for sin, Christ is their ,ragee ,i :o,, their patron and advocate. For, according unto the duty `Of a patron or advocate in criminal causes, partly he -Sheweth wherein the accusation is false and aggravated about the truth, or proceeds Upon mistakes; partly, that the crimes charged have not that malice in them as is pretended; and principally in pleading his propitiation for them, that so far as they are really guilty, theymay begraciously discharged. For this name is applied unto the Holy Spirit. Some translate it a Comforter) some an Advocate; and some retain the Greek word Paratleta. It may be best inter- preted from the nature of the work assigned unto him under that name. Some would confine the whole work intended under this name unto his teaching, which he is principally promised for: for the matter and manner of his teaching, what he teacheth) and the way how hedoth it, is, they say, the ground of all consolation unto the church. And there may be something in this interpre- tation of the word, taking teaching in a large sense, for all internal, divine, spiritual operations. So are we said to be taught of God when faith is wrought in us, and we are enabled to come unto Christ thereby. And all out' consolations are from such internal) divine operations. But take teaching properly, and we shall see that it is but one distinct act of the work of the Holy Ghost, as here promised, among many: But,'2dly, The work of a Comforter is principally a- scribed unto him: For, (1.) That he is principally un- der this name intended as a Comforter, is evident from the whole context and the occasion of the promise: It was with respect unto the troubles and sorrows of his disciples, with their relief therein, that he is promised, under this name, by Our Saviour, I uüll not, saith he, leaveyou orphans, chap. xiv. 18. Though I go away from you, yet I will not leave you in a disconsolate con- dition. How shall that be prevented in his absentee, who was the life and spring of all their comforts? Saith he, I ;Dillpray the Father andheshaltgiveyou kc,aon asgaanro,, ver. 16. that is, another to be your Cosnfirrter. So he renews again his promise ofsending himunder this name, because sorrowhadfilled their hearts upon the apprehen- sion of his departure, chap. xvi. 7, 8: Wherefore he is principally considered as a Comforter: And, as we shall see further afterwards, this is his principal' work, most suited unto his nature, as he is theSpirit of peace, love, and joy. For he, who is the eternal, essential love of the divine being, as existing in the distinct per- sons of the Trinity, is most meet to communicate a sense of divine love with delight and joy unto the souls
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