{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/114/1140080.htm","path":"chr/ecf/114/1140080.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/114/1140080.htm","text":"\u201cIf ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him.\u201d 2138\n[1.] We need everywhere works and actions, not a mere show of words. For to say and to promise is easy for any one, but to act is not equally easy. Why have I made these remarks? Because there are many at this time who say that they fear and love God, but in their works show the contrary; but God requireth that love which is shown by works. Wherefore He said to the disciples, \u201cIf ye love Me, keep My commandments.\u201d For after He had told them, \u201cWhatsoever ye shall ask, 2139 I will do it,\u201d that they might not deem the mere \u201casking\u201d to be availing, He added, \u201cIf ye love Me,\u201d \u201cthen,\u201d He saith, \u201cI will do it.\u201d And since it was likely that they would be troubled when they heard that, \u201cI go 2140 to the Father,\u201d He telleth them \u201cto be troubled now is not to love, to love is to p. 272 obey My words. I have given you a commandment that ye love one another, that ye do so to each other as I have done to you; this is love, to obey these My words, and to yield to Him who is the object of your love.\u201d\n\u201cAnd I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter.\u201d Again His speech is one of condescension. For since it was probable, that they not yet knowing Him would eagerly seek His society, His discourse, His presence in the flesh, and would admit of no consolation when He was absent, what saith He? \u201cI will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,\u201d that is, \u201cAnother like unto Me.\u201d Let those be ashamed who have the disease of Sabellius, 2141 who hold not the fitting opinion concerning the Spirit. For the marvel of this discourse is this, that it hath stricken down contradictory heresies with the same blow. For by saying \u201canother,\u201d He showeth the difference of Person, and by \u201cParaclete,\u201d the connection of Substance. But why said He, \u201cI will ask the Father\u201d? Because had He said, \u201cI will send Him,\u201d they would not have so much believed and now the object is that He should be believed. For afterwards He declares that He Himself sendeth Him, saying, \u201cReceive ye the Holy Ghost\u201d ( John 20.22 ); but in this place He telleth them that He asketh the Father, so as to render His discourse credible to them. Since John saith of Him, \u201cOf His fullness have all we received\u201d ( John 1.16 ); but what He had, how receiveth He from another? And again, \u201cHe shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.\u201d ( Luke iii. 16 .) \u201cBut what had He more than the Apostles, if He was about to ask It of His Father in order to give It to others, when they often even without prayer appear to have done thus?\u201d And how, 2142 if It is sent according to request from the Father, doth It descend of Itself? And how is that which is everywhere present sent by Another, that which \u201cdivideth to every man severally as He will\u201d ( 1 Cor. xii. 11 ), and which saith with authority, \u201cSeparate Me Paul and Barnabas\u201d? ( Acts xiii. 2 .) Those ministers were ministering unto God, yet still It called them authoritatively to Its own work; not that It called them to any different work, but in order to show Its power. \u201cWhat then,\u201d saith some one, \u201cis, \u2018I will ask the Father\u2019?\u201d (He saith it) to show the time of Its coming. For when He had cleansed them by the sacrifice, 2143 then the Holy Ghost lighted upon them. \u201cAnd why, while He was with them, came it not?\u201d Because the sacrifice was not yet offered. But when afterwards sin had been loosed, and they were being sent forth to dangers, and were stripping themselves for the contest, then need was that the Anointer 2144 should come. \u201cBut why did not the Spirit come immediately after the Resurrection?\u201d In order that being greatly desirous of It, they might receive It with great joy. For as long as Christ was with them, they were not in tribulation; but when He departed, being made defenseless and thrown into much fear, they would receive It with much readiness.\n\u201cHe remaineth with you.\u201d This showeth that even after death It departeth not. But lest when they heard of the \u201cParaclete,\u201d they should imagine a second Incarnation, and expect to see It with their eyes, He setteth them right by saying, \u201cWhom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not.\u201d \u201cHe will not be with you as I have been, but will dwell in your very souls\u201d; for this is the, \u201cshall be in you.\u201d 2145 He calleth it the \u201cSpirit of truth\u201d; thus explaining the types in the Old Testament. \u201cThat He may be 2146 with you.\u201d What is, \u201cmay be with you\u201d? That which He saith Himself, that \u201cI am with you.\u201d ( Matt. xxviii. 20 .) Besides, He also implieth something else, that \u201cthe case of the Spirit shall not be the same as Mine, He shall never leave you.\u201d \u201cWhom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not.\u201d \u201cWhy, what is there belonging to the other Persons that is visible?\u201d Nothing; but He speaketh here of knowledge; at least He addeth, \u201cneither knoweth Him.\u201d For He is wont, in the case of exact knowledge, to call it \u201csight\u201d; because sight is clearer than the other senses, by this He always representeth exact knowledge. By \u201cworld,\u201d He here speaketh of \u201cthe wicked,\u201d thus too comforting the disciples by giving to them a special gift. See in how many particulars He raised His discourse concerning It. He said, \u201cHe is Another like unto Me\u201d; He said, \u201cHe will not leave you\u201d; He said, \u201cUnto you alone He cometh, as also did I\u201d; He said, that \u201cHe remaineth in you\u201d; but not even so did He drive out their despondency. For they still sought Him and His society. To cure then this feeling, He saith,\nJohn 14.18 . \u201cI will not leave you orphans, I will come unto you.\u201d\n[2.] \u201cFear not,\u201d He saith, \u201cI said not that I would send you another Comforter, as though I were Myself withdrawing from you for ever; I said not that He remaineth with you, as though I should see you no more. For I also Myself will come to you, I will not leave you orphans.\u201d Because when commencing He said, \u201cLittle children,\u201d therefore He saith also here, \u201cI will not leave you orphans.\u201d At first then He told them, \u201cYe shall come whither I go\u201d; and, \u201cIn p. 273 My Father\u2019s house there are many mansions\u201d; but here, since that time was long, He giveth them the Spirit; and when, not knowing what it could be of which He spoke, they were not sufficiently comforted, \u201cI will not leave you orphans,\u201d He saith; for this they chiefly required. But since the, \u201cI will come to you,\u201d was the saying of one declaring a \u201cpresence,\u201d observe how in order that they might not again seek for the same kind of presence as before, He did not clearly tell them this thing, but hinted at it; for having said,\nJohn 14.19 . \u201cYet a little while, and the world seeth Me not\u201d; He added, \u201cbut ye see Me.\u201d\nAs though He had said, \u201cI come indeed to you, but not in the same way as before, ever being with you day by day.\u201d And lest they should say, \u201cHow then saidst Thou to the Jews, Henceforth ye shall not see Me?\u201d He solveth the contradiction by saying, \u201cto you alone\u201d; for such also is the nature of the Spirit.\n\u201cBecause I live, ye shall live also.\u201d\nFor the Cross doth not finally separate us, but only hideth for a little moment; and by \u201clife\u201d He seemeth to me to mean not the present only, but the future also.\nJohn 14.20 . \u201cAt that day ye shall know that am in the 2147 Father, and you in Me, and I in you.\u201d\nWith regard to the Father, these words refer to Essence; with regard to the disciples, to agreement of mind and help from God. \u201cAnd how, tell me, is this reasonable?\u201d saith some one. And how, pray, is the contrary reasonable? For great and altogether boundless is the interval between Christ and the disciples. And if the same words are employed, marvel not; for the Scripture is often wont to use in different senses the same words, when applied to God and to men. Thus we are called \u201cgods,\u201d and \u201csons of God,\u201d yet the word hath not the same force when applied to us and to God. And the Son is called \u201cImage,\u201d and \u201cGlory\u201d; so are we, but great is the interval between us. Again, \u201cYe are Christ\u2019s, and Christ is God\u2019s\u201d ( 1 Cor. iii. 23 ), but not in like manner as Christ is God\u2019s are we Christ\u2019s. But what is it that He saith? \u201cWhen I am arisen,\u201d He saith, \u201cye shall know that I am not separated from the Father, but have the same power with Him, and that I am with you continually, when facts proclaim the aid which cometh to you from Me, when your enemies are kept down, and you speak boldly, when dangers are removed from your path, when the preaching of the Gospel flourisheth day by day, when all yield and give ground to the word of true religion. \u201cAs the Father hath sent Me, so send I you.\u201d ( John 20.21 .) Seest thou that here also the word hath not the same force? for if we take it as though it had, the Apostles will differ in nothing from Christ. But why saith He, \u201cThen ye shall know\u201d? Because then they saw Him risen and conversing with them, then they learnt the exact faith; for great was the power of the Spirit, which taught them all things.\n[3.] John 14.21 . \u201cHe that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me.\u201d\nIt is not enough merely to have them, we need also an exact keeping of them. But why doth He frequently say the same thing to them? as, \u201cIf ye love Me, ye will keep 2148 My commandments\u201d ( John 14.15 ); and, \u201cHe that hath My commandments and keepeth them\u201d; and, \u201cIf any one heareth My word and keepeth it, he it is that loveth Me\u2014he that heareth not My words, loveth Me not.\u201d ( John 14.24 .) I think that He alluded to their despondency; for since He had uttered many wise sayings to them concerning death, saying, \u201cHe that hateth his life in this world shall save it unto life eternal\u201d ( John 12.25 ); and, \u201cUnless a man take 2149 his cross and follow Me, he is not worthy of Me\u201d ( Matt. x. 38 ); and is about to say other things besides, rebuking them, He saith, \u201cThink ye that ye suffer sorrow from love? The not sorrowing would be a sign of love.\u201d And because He wished all along to establish this, as He went on He summed up His discourse in this same point; \u201cIf ye loved Me,\u201d He saith, \u201cye would have rejoiced, because\u2014I go to My Father\u201d ( John 14.28 ), but now ye are in this state through cowardice. To be thus disposed towards death is not for those who remember My commandments; for you ought to be crucified, if you truly loved Me, for My word exhorteth you not to be afraid of those that kill the body. Those that are such both the Father loveth and I. \u201cAnd I will manifest Myself unto him. 2150 Then saith Judas, 2151\nJohn 14.22 . \u201cHow is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us?\u201d 2152\nSeest thou that their soul was close pressed 2153 with fear? For he was confounded and troubled, and thought that as we see dead men in a dream, so He also would be seen. In order therefore that they might not imagine this, hear what He saith.\nJohn 14.23 . \u201cI and the Father will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.\u201d 2154\nAll but saying, \u201cAs the Father revealeth Himself, so also do I.\u201d And not in this way only He removed the suspicion, but also by saying, \u201cWe will make Our abode with him,\u201d a thing p. 274 which doth not belong to dreams. But observe, I pray you, the disciple confounded, and not daring to say plainly what he desired to say. For he said not, \u201cWoe to us, that Thou diest, and will come to us as the dead come\u201d; he spake not thus; but, \u201cHow is it that Thou wilt show Thyself to us, and not unto the world?\u201d Jesus then saith, that \u201cI accept you, because ye keep My commandments.\u201d In order that they might not, when they should see Him afterwards, 2155 deem Him to be an apparition, therefore He saith these things beforehand. And that they might not deem that He would appear to them so as I have said, He telleth them also the reason, \u201cBecause ye keep My commandments\u201d; He saith that the Spirit also will appear in like manner. Now if after having companied with Him so long time, they cannot yet endure that Essence, or rather cannot even imagine It, what would have been their case had He appeared thus to them at the first? on this account also He ate with them, that the action might not seem to be an illusion. For if they thought this when they saw Him walking on the waters, although His wonted form was seen by them, and He was not far distant, what would they have imagined had they suddenly seen Him arisen whom they had seen taken 2156 and swathed? Wherefore He continually telleth them that He will appear, and why He will appear, and how, that they may not suppose Him to be an apparition.\nJohn 14.24 . \u201cHe that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father\u2019s which sent Me.\u201d\n\u201cSo that he that heareth not these sayings not only doth not love Me, but neither doth he love the Father.\u201d For if this is the sure proof of love, the hearing the commandments, and these are of the Father, he that heareth them loveth not the Son only, but the Father also. \u201cAnd how is the word \u2018thine\u2019 and \u2018not thine\u2019?\u201d This means, \u201cI speak not without the Father, nor say anything of Myself contrary to what seemeth good to Him.\u201d\nJohn 14.25 . \u201cThese things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.\u201d\nSince these sayings were not clear, and since some they did not understand, and doubted about the greater number, in order that they might not be again confused, and say, \u201cWhat commands?\u201d He released them from all their perplexity, saying,\nJohn 14.26 . \u201cThe Comforter, whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you.\u201d 2157\n\u201cPerhaps these things are not clear to you now, but \u2018He\u2019 2158 is a clear teacher of them.\u201d And the, \u201cremaineth with you\u201d ( John 14.17 ), is the expression of One implying that Himself will depart. Then that they may not be grieved, He saith, that as long as He should remain with them and the Spirit should not come, they would be unable to comprehend anything great or sublime. And this He said to prepare them to bear nobly His departure, as that which was to be the cause of great blessings to them. He continually calleth Him \u201cComforter,\u201d because of the afflictions which then possessed them. And since even after hearing these things they were troubled, when they thought of the sorrows, the wars, His departure, see how He calmeth them again by saying,\nJohn 14.27 . \u201cPeace I leave to you.\u201d 2159\nAll but saying, \u201cWhat are ye harmed by the trouble of the world, provided ye be at peace with 2160 Me? For this peace is not of the same kind as that. The one is external, is often mischievous and unprofitable, and is no advantage to those who possess it; but I give you peace of such a kind that ye be at peace with one another, which thing rendereth you stronger.\u201d And because He said again, \u201cI leave,\u201d which was the expression of One departing, and enough to confound them, therefore He again saith,\n\u201cLet not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.\u201d\nSeest thou that they were affected partly by loving affection, partly by fear?\nJohn 14.28 . \u201cYe have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, I go unto the Father; for My Father is greater than I.\u201d\n[4.] And what joy would this bring to them? What consolation? What then mean the words? They did not yet know concerning the Resurrection, nor had they right opinion concerning Him; (for how could they, who did not even know that He would rise again?) but they thought that the Father was mighty. He saith then, that \u201cIf ye are fearful for Me, as not able to defend Myself, and if ye are not confident that I shall see you again after the Crucifixion, yet when ye heard that I go to the Father, ye ought then to have rejoiced because I go away to One that is greater, and able to undo all dangers.\u201d \u201cYe have heard how I said unto you.\u201d Why hath He put this? Because, He saith, \u201cI am so firmly confident about the things which come to pass, that I even foretell them, so far am I from fearing.\u201d This also is the meaning of what follows.\nJohn 14.29 . \u201cAnd now I have told you before p. 275 it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe that I Am.\u201d 2161 As though He had said, \u201cYe would not have known, had I not told you. And I should not have told you, had I not been confident.\u201d Seest thou that the speech is one of condescension? for when He saith, \u201cThink ye that I cannot pray to the Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of Angels\u201d ( Matt. xxvi. 53 ), He speaketh to the secret thoughts of the hearers; since no one, even in the height of madness, would say that He was not able to help Himself, but needed Angels; but because they thought of Him as a man, therefore He spoke of \u201ctwelve legions of Angels.\u201d Yet in truth He did but ask those who came to take Him a question, and cast them backwards. ( John 18.6 .) (If any one say that the Father is greater, inasmuch as 2162 He is the cause of the Son, we will not contradict this. But this doth not by any means make the Son to be of a different Essence.) But what He saith, is of this kind: \u201cAs long as I am here, it is natural that you should deem that I am 2163 in danger; but when I am gone \u2018there,\u2019 2164 be confident that I am in safety; for Him none will be able to overcome.\u201d All these words were addressed to the weakness of the disciples, for, \u201cI Myself am confident, and care not for death.\u201d On this account, He said, \u201cI have told you these things before they come to pass\u201d; \u201cbut since,\u201d He saith, \u201cye are not yet able to receive the saying concerning them, I bring you comfort even from the Father, whom ye entitle great.\u201d Having thus consoled them, He again telleth them sorrowful things,\nJohn 14.30 . \u201cHereafter I will not talk 2165 with you.\u201d Wherefore? \u201cFor the ruler of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.\u201d\nBy \u201cruler of this world,\u201d He meaneth the devil, calling wicked men also by the same name. For he ruleth not heaven and earth, since he would have been subverted, and cast down all things, but he ruleth over those who give themselves up to him. Wherefore He calleth him, \u201cthe ruler of the darkness of this world,\u201d in this place again calling evil deeds, \u201cdarkness.\u201d \u201cWhat then, doth the devil slay Thee?\u201d By no means; \u201che hath nothing in Me.\u201d \u201cHow then do they kill Thee?\u201d Because I will it, and,\nJohn 14.31 . \u201c\u2018That the world may know that I love the Father.\u2019\u201d 2166\n\u201cFor being not subject,\u201d He saith, \u201cto death, nor a debtor to it, I endure it through My love to the Father.\u201d This He saith, that He may again rouse their souls, and that they may learn that not unwillingly but willingly He goeth to this thing, and that He doth it despising the devil. It was not enough for Him to have said, \u201cYet a little while I am with you\u201d ( John 7.33 ), but He continually handleth this painful subject, (with good reason,) until He should make it acceptable to them, by weaving along with it pleasant things. Wherefore at one time He saith, \u201cI go, and I come again\u201d; and, \u201cThat where I there ye may be also\u201d; and, \u201cYe cannot follow Me now, but afterwards ye shall follow Me\u201d; and, \u201cI go to the Father\u201d; and, \u201cThe Father is greater than I\u201d; and, \u201cBefore it come to pass, I have told you\u201d; and, \u201cI do not suffer these things from constraint, but from love for the Father.\u201d So that they might consider, that the action could not be destructive nor hurtful, if at least He who greatly loved Him, and was greatly loved by Him, so willed. On this account, while intermingling these pleasant words, He continually uttered the painful ones also, practicing their minds. For both the, \u201cremaineth with you\u201d ( John 16.7 ), and, \u201cMy departure is expedient for you,\u201d were expressions of One giving comfort. For this reason He spake by anticipation ten thousand sayings concerning the Spirit, 2167 the, \u201cIs in you,\u201d and, \u201cThe world cannot receive,\u201d and, \u201cHe shall bring all things to your remembrance,\u201d and, \u201cSpirit of truth,\u201d and, \u201cHoly Spirit,\u201d and, \u201cComforter,\u201d and that \u201cIt is expedient for you,\u201d in order that they might not despond, as though there would be none to stand before and help them. \u201cIt is expedient,\u201d He saith, showing that It 2168 would make them spiritual.\n[5.] This at least, we see, was what took place. For they who now trembled and feared, after they had received the Spirit sprang into the midst of dangers, and stripped themselves for the contest against steel, and fire, and wild beasts, and seas, and every kind of punishment; and they, the unlettered and ignorant, discoursed so boldly as to astonish their hearers. For the Spirit made them men of iron instead of men of clay, gave them wings, and allowed them to be cast down by nothing human. For such is that grace; if it find despondency, it disperses it; if evil desires, it consumes them; if cowardice, it casts it out, and doth not allow one who has partaken of it to be afterwards mere man, but as it were removing him to heaven itself, causes him to image to himself all that is there. ( Acts 4:32, Acts 2:46 .) On this account no one said that any of the things that he possessed was his own, but they continued in prayer, in praise, and in singleness of heart. For this the Holy Spirit most requireth, for \u201cthe fruit of the Spirit is joy, peace\u2014faith, meek p. 276 ness.\u201d ( Gal. 5:22, 23 .) \u201cAnd yet spiritual persons often grieve,\u201d saith some one. But that sorrow is sweeter than joy. Cain was sorrowful, but with the sorrow of the world; Paul was sorrowful, but with godly sorrow. Everything that is spiritual brings the greatest gain, just as everything that is worldly the utmost loss. Let us then draw to us the invincible aid of the Spirit, by keeping the commandments, and then we shall be nothing inferior to the Angels. For neither are they therefore of this character, 2169 because they are incorporeal, for were this the case, no incorporeal being would have become wicked, but the will is in every case the cause of all. Wherefore among incorporeal beings some have been found worse than men or things irrational, and among those having bodies some better than the incorporeal. All just men, for instance, whatever were their righteous deeds, did them while dwelling on earth, and having bodies. For they dwelt on earth as those who were pilgrims and strangers; but in heaven, as citizens. Then say not thou either, \u201cI am clothed with flesh, I cannot get the mastery, nor undertake the toils 2170 which are for the sake of virtue.\u201d Do not accuse the Creator. For if the wearing the flesh make virtue impossible, then the fault is not ours. But that it does not make it impossible, the band of saints has shown. A nature of flesh did not prevent Paul from becoming what he was, nor Peter from receiving the keys of heaven; and Enoch also, having worn flesh, was translated, and not found. So also Elias was caught up with the flesh. Abraham also with Isaac and his grandson shone brightly, having the flesh; and Joseph in the flesh struggled against that abandoned woman. But why speak I of the flesh? For though thou place a chain upon the flesh, no harm is done. \u201cThough I am bound,\u201d saith Paul, yet \u201cthe word of God is not bound.\u201d ( 2 Tim. ii. 9 .) And why speak I of bonds and chains? Add to these the prison, 2171 and bars, yet neither are these any hindrance to virtue; at least so Paul hath instructed us. For the bond of the soul is not iron but cowardice, and the desire of wealth, and the ten thousand passions. These bind us, though our body be free. \u201cBut,\u201d saith some one, \u201cthese have their origin from the body.\u201d An excuse this, and a false pretense. For had they been produced from the body, all would have undergone them. For as we cannot escape weariness, and sleep, and hunger, and thirst, since they belong to our nature; so too these, if they were of the same kind, would not allow any one to be exempt from their tyranny; but since many escape them, it is clear that such things are the faults of a careless soul. Let us then put a stop to this, and not accuse the body, but subdue it to the soul, that having it under command, we may enjoy the everlasting good things, through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.\n\u201c But ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be with you. \u201d N.T.\n271:2139 271:2140 272:2141\nSabellius was a bishop in Upper Egypt in the third century. The heresy which bears his name denies the Personality of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and holds that they are manifestations or characters of the Godhead.\n272:2142\nThe objection is met by other questions.\n272:2143 272:2144 272:2145 272:2146 273:2147 273:2148 273:2149 273:2150\n\u201c and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest, \u201d &c. N.T.\n273:2151 273:2152\n\u201c and not unto the world, \u201d N.T.\n273:2153\n\u03c0\u03b5\u03c0\u03b9\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd , \u201c crushed like felt. \u201d\n273:2154\nJohn 14.23 . \u201c Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come, \u201d &c.\n274:2155 274:2156 274:2157\nJohn 14.26 . \u201c But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. \u201d\n274:2158 274:2159\nJohn 14.27 . \u201c Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you, \u201d N.T.\n274:2160 275:2161\nThe words \u201c that I Am \u201d are not read here, but in c. xiii. 19.\n275:2162 275:2163 275:2164 275:2165 275:2166\n\u201c And as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. \u201d N.T.\n275:2167 275:2168 276:2169 276:2170\nal. \u201c I cannot master the toils. \u201d\n276:2171","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XIV: The Homilies of...","type":"page"}