only upon of selfishness, which they had fhewn not this but upon many other occafions; for though the idea of lofing their beloved master, certainly, gave them great uneafiness, yet the disappointment of all their worldly expectations which, notwithstanding his frequent admonitions to the contrary, they had still placed in him, seems to have occupied too much of their thoughts. Our merciful Saviour, who made every allowance for the weakness and imperfection of our nature, condefcends to their feelings, and comforts them with the affurance that it was necessary, on their accounts, for him to return to Heaven, as the holy Spirit was not to be fent, in that visible manner in which they were to receive it, till by his death he had made atonement for fin; but that, after his afcenfion into Heaven, one of the first and most eminent fruits of his passion and death would be the defcent of the Holy Ghost upon them. Our blessed Lord's attention to the happiness of mankind, whose redemption he had purchased with his blood, did not ceafe on his quitting the world he then became, and will continue to the end of time, our mediator and interceffor with the Father. The devil is here ftyled the prince of this world,' because of the numberless votaries who voluntarily inlifted in his fervice, and so augmented his pride, that he had the presumption to hope for fuccefs even over the Son of God himself; but here, to his coft, he found himself so entirely vanquished, that he could no longer enter this world, but as a thief and a murderer who makes use of darkness and plots to carry his fchemes into effect: nor can he ever fucceed in his views against us, if we are not wanting to ourfelves, but keep a conftant watch over our perverse and finful inclinations; for he has no power over us, nor can gain admittance to our hearts, but with our own consent and encouragement. 12. I have yet many things to fay un66 to you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13. Howbeit, 66 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of "truth, is come, he will guide you into "all truth: for he shall not speak of him"felf; but whatsoever he fhall hear, that "fhall he speak: and he will fhew you things to come. 66 66 14. He fhall glorify me: for he shall "receive of mine, and fhall fhew it unto you." 66 Our bleffed Lord, who knew the inmoft receffes of their hearts, and that they were yet far removed from perfection, would not at that time enter more fully into the events that were to befal them, but referves the reft till the holy Spirit should have enlightened their understanding in all the truths of the Gospel. The knowledge conferred by the Holy Ghost on the apostles, and the other extraordinary gifts which the world would witness were granted not to them only who were to propagate the Gofpel but also to all those who accepted it, would furnifh fresh means of glory to Christ. 66 "15. All things that the Father hath are mine therefore faid I, That he "fhall take of mine, and fhew it unto 66 you. "16. A little while, and ye fhall not see me and again, a little while, and ye fhall fee me, because I go to the "Father. 66 "17. Then faid fome of his difciples among themselves, What is this that he "faith unto us, A little while, and ye fhall 66 not fee me and again, a little while, "and ye fhall fee me: and, Because I go "18. They faid therefore, What is "this that he faith, A little while? we cannot tell what he faith. 66 66 19. Now Jesus knew that they were "defirous to ask him, and said unto them, "Do ye enquire among yourselves of "that I faid, A little while, and ye fhall "not see me and again, a little while, "and ye fhall fee me. 66 20. Verily, verily, I fay unto you, "that ye fhall weep and lament, but the 4 B " world 66 "world fhall rejoice: and ye fhall be forrowful, but your forrow fhall be "turned into joy. "21. A woman when fhe is in travail hath forrow, because her hour is come: "but as foon as fhe is delivered of the child, fhe remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into "the world. 66 66 "22. And ye now therefore have forrow but I will fee you again, and your "heart fhall rejoice, and your joy no man "taketh from you. 66 23. And in that day ye fhall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I fay unto you, Whatsoever ye fhall ask the Father in my name, he will give it 24. Hitherto have ye 66 "in my name: afk, and you. ye "that your joy may be full. 66 66 afked nothing fhall receive, 25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh "when I fhall no more speak unto you in "proverbs, but I fhall fhew you plainly "of the Father. " 26. At |