Cornelius a Lapide

27. — But when the Paraclete is come , whom I will send unto you from the Father , &c. He means, although I have abundantly demonstrated My divinity to the Jews, so that they are without excuse, yet will I still more demonstrate it by the coming of the Holy Ghost, who shall testify concerning Me, coming from heaven to you alone who have believed in Me, and to those who shall believe through your preaching, so that His advent shall be made known to ail when they see you speaking with tongues, and expounding the Scriptures, and working miracles. For ye by preaching the Gospel bear testimony ui>to all men concerning Me, My doctrine and My works, since ye have been with Me from the time that I began to teach and converse with men. Whom 1 will send unto you from the Father . From this verse the later Greeks maintain that the Holy Ghost proceeds from, and is breathed by the Father only, not the Son : and therefore they made an open schism from the Latin Church, a .d. 1054, when Michael the patriarch of Constantinople dared for this cause to excommunicate the Roman Pontiff and the Latins. And for this reason, in a.d. 1453, on the very Feast of the Holy Ghost, or during the octave of Whitsunday, Constantinople was taken by the Turks, the Emperor slain, and th^ empire of the Greeks brought to an end. This therefore is the error of the Greeks ; for, as S. Hilary rightly observes, (lib. 8, de Trin.^) and S. Augustine (lib. 4, de Trin. c. 20), this passage rather signifies the contrary, namely, that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son. For this is the meaning of whom I will send. For in the Holy Trinity no Person is sent by any othei unless He proceeds from Him who sends Him. Wherefore the Father is never said to be sent because He proceedeth from none. The Son is said to be sent by the Father, but not by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is said to be sent by the Father and the Son, because He proceedeth from Both as from one Principle of Spiration. So the ancient Greek, as well as the Latin, Fathers undervol. v. K Digitized by v^iOOQLe 146 stood this passage. They are cited by the Council of Florence ( sess . 1 8 and 25), where a union was effected between the Latins and the Greeks, and the Greeks admitted that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son. (See Cardinal Bessarion's speech on behalf of union, c. 7.) Wherefore when it is only said in the creed of the Council of Nice, “ I believe in the Holy Ghost,” the Council ot Constantinople added, Who proceedeth from the Father And when a contention arose about the Son, the Church added, and from the Son , as the Council of Florence teaches (sess. 7). The same thing is clearly apparent from the words of Christ (chap, xvi.), All things whatsoever the Father hath are Mine : wherefore I said. He shall take of Mine , and shall show it unto you. For if all things which the Father hath are the Son’s, then He also breathes the Holy Ghost. In this manner all the Fathers of the same Council understood the passage. Therefore in the Letters of Union the whole Synod declared, " And since all things which the Father hath, the Father Himself has given to His Only Begotten Son except to be the Father, this very thing that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Son, the Son Himself hath eternally from the Father, of Whom also He is eternally begotten.” (See Bellarm. lib. 2, de Christo , c. 20 et seq.) Moreover one Divine Person is said to be sent by another, when by the will of Him from whom He proceeds He begins to be anywhere in a fresh manner from that in which He was there before. Thus the Son was sent by the Father in the flesh that He might become man. The Holy Ghost was sent by the Father and the Son to the Apostles, interiorly by the abundant grace with which He illuminated their minds, and inflamed their will that they should constantly bear witness to Christ and His doctrine : but He did the same exteriorly by means of the fiery tongues, by which He gave efficacy to their words, and also by means of the miracles which He wrought by them, I will send from the Father . Christ said this — 1 st. Plainly : as it were thus, When I shall have ascended to the Father in heaven, then I with the Father will send unto you the Holy Ghost. 2d. Theophylact says ,from the Father means, the Father approving and together Digitized by v^iOOQLe THE PROCESSION FROM THE SON. 147 sending. 3d. From the Father may mean that the Son hath from the Father the Divine Essence, and consequently the power of breathing and sending the Holy Ghost, so that verily with the Father, by the same action and breathing He breathes, and by the same Mission sends, the Holy Spirit So S. Hilary (lib. de Synod.) and the Council of Sirmium. 4th. From the Father , Le. I will send you the Holy Ghost, who is with the Father, forasmuch as He is coetemal and consubstantial with Him. 5th. The words from the Father crush the heresy of Eunomius, who taught that the Holy Ghost proceeds not from the Father, but from the Son, so that the Holy Ghost is, as it were, the Son of the Son, and the Grandchild of God the Father. This heresy S. Basil refutes (lib. 2, cotitr. eund.), showing that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son. So also S. Cyril (lib. 10, c. 33) teaches that the Holy Spirit is of the Father and the Son, and proceeded from the Father, but through the Son. Which means nothing else but that which we say, that the Son produces the Holy Spirit from the Father, i.e. He hath from the Father to produce the Holy Ghost, as God by the Word created all things. For all things were made by Him. S. Thomas (1 par. q. 36. art. 2), Suarez, and others give the reason d priori. Because if the Holy Ghost did not proceed from the Son, He would not be distinguished from the Son. For in the Godhead there is no distinction save in the procession of One from Another, and the distinction of relationship. Who proceedeth from the Father. Thus Christ speaks, and 19 silent concerning Himself: 1st. Because the Father is the First Principle of the Spiration of the Holy Ghost, as I have said. 2d. Because Christ, for the sake of humility and reverence, to give us an example, is wont to refer all things concerning His authority to the Father. 3d. Because if He had said, Who proceedeth from Me, He could not appositely have subjoined, He shall testify of Me. For the witness who proceeds from any one, if he gives testimony concerning him among men, is apt to be suspected. Digitized by v^iOOQLe 148 Moreover, Jansen says that these words are to be understood, not concerning the Divine and eternal procession, but concerning that temporal and human procession by which the Holy Ghost is sent to the Apostles and other believers. But that the Divine procession is here spoken of is clear — 1st. Because such is the evident meaning of the words when He saith, Who proceedeth from the Father. For when Christ speaks of temporal missions, something is added to show what is meant, as when He saith {chap, xvl), I came forth from the Father , and am come into the world. 2d. Because He had just before spoken of the temporal mission, saying, Whom I will send unto you from the Father. 3d. Because the Fathers in the Council of Florence so understood it (sess. 18 and 23). 4th. Because the temporal mission or procession presupposes the eternal. For as I have previously said, in the Godhead One Person is not said to be be sent by Another, except the Person who proceeds from Another. He shall testify of Me, that I am the Son of God, the Messias, the Saviour of the world. And this He shall do both by interior illumination and inspiration, and by external miracles. Now in a witness three things are needful. 1st Wisdom that he should know the truth. 2d. Honesty, that he should relate it sincerely, and neither deceive, nor be deceived. 3d. Power and authority, that he should be allowed by all to be a true witness, and above all suspicion. These three qualifications most perfectly unite in the Holy Spirit He therefore is the most perfect witness of Christ. And ye shall bear witness, &c. The Greek is /uagru{«7r«, which is both of the indicative mood, meaning ye bear witness, and the imperative, bear ye witness. St Cyril reads the indicative, as does the Syriac version. The Vulgate, ye shall bear witness has the same meaning as bear witness {imperative). He bids them testify by their preaching that Christ is the Son of God. For the future is often put for the imperative. From this passage learn who, what, and how great is the Holy Ghost 1 st. That He is the Third Person in the Holy Trinity, distinct from the Father and the Son, For in that He proceedeth from, and Digitized by Google BY SBtRATlOtf. 149 is sent by Both, He that proceedeth and is sent is distinct from Those who send. 2d. That the Holy Ghost is true God, of one substance with God the Father, because He proceedeth from Him as God from God. 3d. That He proceedeth — not from the Father alone, not from the Son alone, but — unitedly from Both as from one Principle of Spiration. 4th. That He proceedeth not from the Father by Generation, as doth the Son, but by Spiration, so that He is the Holy Spirit Wherefore SS. Athanasius, Basil, Nazianzen, Chrysostom, Augustine, and others throughout their writings refute the heretic Macedonius, who said, that since the Holy Ghost proceedeth not from the Father by the way of Generation, as the Son doth, He is therefore not Consubstantial with the Father, neither is He God. 5th. That He is the Paraclete, t.e. the Comforter and the Exhorter to all goodness. 6th. That He is the very Spirit of Truth, because He teaches all truth, and the true faith, doctrine, and prudence. 7th. That He is the witness of Christ and of His doctrine ; the witness, I say, infinitely above all other witnesses, because He is Himself very God. Digitized by v^iOOQLe ( ijo ) CHAPTER XVI. I Christ foretells the persecution which would come on the Apostles , and promises them the Holy Spirit ', to convince the world of sin , of righteousness , and of judgment , and to glorify Him. 1 6 Explains the words , A little while and ye shall not see me. 23 The meaning of whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you, and in the world ye shall have tribulation% but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. THESE things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues ; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me ; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou ? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth ; It is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you ; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment : 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me 5 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more ; 1 1 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will show you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine : therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me : and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me : and again, a little while, and ye shall see me t and, Because I go to the Father ? Digitized by v^ooQLe CHRIST FORETELLS PERSECUTION OF THE APOSTLES. I Si 1 8 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while ? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me : and again, a little while, and ye shall see me ? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice : and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come : but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is bom into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow : but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name : ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs : but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name : and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you : 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world : again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee : by this we believe that thou earnest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe ? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone : and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world. Ver. i. — These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (1.) Some think that this refers to Matt, xxvi. 31, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night. And that the meaning is, I have foretold you, that ye would flee away, when ye shall see Me taken : and I did so, in order that your shock and trouble of mind might be less, when it came to pass ; and that thus ye might regain your courage and come back to Me. (2.) S. Cyril (x. 34), Maldonatus, and others, refer these words to the persecutions which Digitized by i$2 t. Christ just before said were impending on the Apostles. And He did so that they might strengthen themselves against them. For evils which come unexpectedly, greatly stagger even brave men, while those which are foreseen take less effect. (3.) Bede, Euthymius, and others refer the words to the Holy Spirit Who had just been spoken of, thus explaining them, I have spoken these things of the Holy Spirit Who will come to you, in order that ye may not be offended when ye see yourselves assailed by persecutions, but may boldly withstand them with the thought that the Holy Spirit will render you His aid. S. Augustine says {in loc.) much the same: — “Having promised the Holy Spirit, by whose operation they would become His witnesses, He rightly added, These things have I spoken unto you ; for when the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given us, great peace is theirs who love the Law of God (Ps. cxix. 165), so that they are not offended.” (4.) Toletus, Ribera, and others, by the last two explanations, give the best meaning : — “ I have said all these things about persecution and the hatred of the world, and also of the coming of the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, that ye may not stumble in the way of eternal life in which ye are walking, and fall away from Me, as though I did not foresee, or were unwilling to warn you, or as if your sufferings were intolerable, and had befallen you unexpectedly. He removes therefore from the Apostles a stumbling-block, and ground of offence, both by forewarning them of the danger, and by promising the aid of the Holy Spirit to withstand it.” The Syriac and the Arabic connect this verse with what follows by the word “for,” meaning thereby that persecutions would be aground of offence