26, 27. The connection with the preceding is: though the world hate Christ, yet the Holy Ghost and the Apostles shall bear witness to Him. Here again, in verse 26, we have distinct mention of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. See xiv. 16, 26. Though the Holy Ghost is not here said to proceed from the Son as well as from the Father (“ex Patre Filioque”), yet this is implied in His being sent by the Son (see above on xiv. 26), and can be clearly proved against the schismatical Greeks from other parts of Scripture, as from John xvi. 13, 14. The Greek rendered *you shall give testimony*, is ambiguous, and may be either an imperative or an indicative. However, as Christ seems to be speaking of the witnesses who will maintain His cause against the world, and not to be prescribing the duty of the Apostles, the indicative is preferable. CHAPTER XVI. 1‐4. *Christ points out the violence of the persecutions which await the Apostles, and His object in forewarning them.* 5‐7. *He again consoles them, and tries to reconcile them to His departure, by telling them that it is necessary, in order that the Holy Ghost may come to them.* 8‐15. *He points out that the Holy Ghost will convince the world vv. (8‐11), instruct them in what they were not yet able to learn (vv. 12‐13), and give glory to Christ Himself (vv. 14‐15). Hence they ought to desire the Holy Ghost’s coming.* 16‐22. *He promises that after a brief absence, during which they shall have bitter sorrow, He will return to them, and their sorrow shall give place to joy.* 23, 24. *He bids them to pray to the Father in His name, and promises that such prayer will be heard.* 25‐28. *Though He has spoken obscurely to them in this last discourse, the time is at hand when He will speak plainly—a time when they will ask the Father in His name.* 1. Haec locutus sum vobis, ut 1. These things have I spoken non scandalizemini. to you, that you may not be scandalized.