Rochester Guildhall

Rochester Guildhall is one of those rather fine expressions of civic pride from the days of our nation’s past greatness. Built between 1687-1697, it served as a council chamber, town hall and magistrates' courtroom. Large portraits of William and Mary along with local worthies hang around the walls, and there is even a set of replica crown jewels to be admired to its rear. Today, inevitably, it is deemed a suitable venue for civil marriages.

The bench from which the three magistrates would sit to hear cases and commit to the assizes, acquit or give summary sentence, is rounded rather than straight. This was allegedly designed to give each Justice equal prominence, and not just the Bench chairman, who presided and spoke on the others’ behalf.

The Bible’s doctrine on the Trinity, while too large and fabulous for our simple and fallen minds, teaches the perfect unity and equality of its persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are involved in our salvation and sanctification, yet we approach the Father only through the Son by the Holy Spirit. I do not approach the Son through the Father, nor the Spirit by the Son. The Father speaks through the Son and the Son through the Spirit. Somehow, each communicates, each is prominent, each co-eternal and co-glorious, but it is the Holy Spirit who speaks, pointing us to the Son through whom we have access to the Father.

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:1-5

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me… John 15:26