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2354 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [John XVI].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC43015.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC43017.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J O H N.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Among other glorious things God hath spoken of himself this is one, I
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wound, and I heal,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:39">
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Deut. xxxii. 39</A>.
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Christ's discourse in this chapter, which continues and concludes his
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farewell sermon to his disciples, does so.
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I. Here are wounding words in the notice he gives them of the troubles
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that were before them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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II. Here are healing words in the comforts he administers to them for
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their support under those troubles, which are five:--
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1. That he would send them the Comforter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:7-15">ver. 7-15</A>.
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2. That he would visit them again at his resurrection,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:16-22">ver. 16-22</A>.
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3. That he would secure to them an answer of peace to all their prayers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:23-27">ver. 23-27</A>.
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4. That he was now but returning to his Father,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:28-32">ver. 28-32</A>.
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5. That, whatever troubles they might meet with in this world, by
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virtue of his victory over it they should be sure of peace in him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:33">ver. 33</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Joh16_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh16_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh16_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh16_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh16_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh16_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Persecution Foretold; The Expediency of Christ's Departure.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be
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offended.
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2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time
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cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God
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service.
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3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not
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known the Father, nor me.
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4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall
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come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I
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said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
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5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you
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asketh me, Whither goest thou?
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6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath
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filled your heart.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Christ dealt faithfully with his disciples when he sent them forth on
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his errands, for he told them the worst of it, that they might sit down
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and count the cost. He had told them in the chapter before to expect
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the world's hatred; now here in these verses,</P>
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<P>
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I. He gives them a reason why he alarmed them thus with the expectation
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of trouble: <I>These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not
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be offended,</I> or <I>scandalized,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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1. The disciples of Christ are apt to be offended at the cross; and the
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offence of the cross is a dangerous temptation, even to good men, to
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turn back from the ways of God, or turn aside out of them, or drive on
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heavily in them; to quit either their integrity or their comfort. It is
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not for nothing that a suffering time is called <I>an hour of
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temptation.</I>
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2. Our Lord Jesus, by giving us notice of trouble, designed to take off
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the terror of it, that it might not be a surprise to us. Of all the
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adversaries of our peace, in this world of troubles, none insult us
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more violently, nor put our troops more into disorder, than
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disappointment does; but we can easily welcome a guest we expect, and
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<I>being fore-warned are fore-armed--Præmoniti,
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præmuniti.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. He foretels particularly what they should suffer
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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"Those that have power to do it shall <I>put you out of their
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synagogues;</I> and this is not the worst, <I>they shall kill you."
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Ecce duo-gladii--Behold two swords</I> drawn against the followers of
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the Lord Jesus.</P>
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<P>
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1. The sword of ecclesiastical censure; this is drawn against them by
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the Jews, for they were the only pretenders to church-power. They shall
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<I>cast you out of their synagogues;</I> <B><I>aposynagogous poiesousin
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hymas</I></B>--<I>they shall make you excommunicates.</I>
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(1.) "They shall cast you out of the particular synagogues you were
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members of." At first, they scourged them in their synagogues as
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contemners of the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:17">Matt. x. 17</A>),
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and at length cast them out as incorrigible.
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(2.) "They shall cast you out of the congregation of Israel in general,
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the national church of the Jews; shall debar you from the privileges of
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that, put you into the condition of an outlaw," <I>qui caput gerit
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lupinum--to be knocked on the head, like another wolf;</I> "they will
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look upon you as Samaritans, as heathen men and publicans."
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<I>Interdico tibi aqua et igne--I forbid you the use of water and
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fire.</I> And were it not for the penalties, forfeitures, and
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incapacities, incurred hereby, it would be no injury to be thus driven
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out of a house infected and falling. Note, It has often been the lot
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of Christ's disciples to be unjustly excommunicated. Many a good truth
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has been branded with an anathema, and many a child of God <I>delivered
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to Satan.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. The sword of civil power: "The time cometh, <I>the hour is come;</I>
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now things are likely to be worse with you than hitherto they have
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been; when you are expelled as heretics, they will <I>kill you, and
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think they do God service,</I> and others will think so too."
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(1.) You will find them really cruel: They will <I>kill you.</I>
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Christ's sheep have been accounted as sheep for the slaughter; the
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twelve apostles (we are told) were all put to death, except John.
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Christ had said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:27"><I>ch.</I> xv. 27</A>),
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You shall <I>bear witness,</I> <B><I>martyreite</I></B>--<I>you shall
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be martyrs,</I> shall seal the truth with your blood, your heart's
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blood.
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(2.) You will find them <I>seemingly conscientious;</I> they will think
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they do God service; they will seem <B><I>latreian
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prospherein</I></B>--<I>to offer a good sacrifice</I> to God; as those
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that cast out God's servants of old, and said, <I>Let the Lord be
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glorified,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:5">Isa. lxvi. 5</A>.
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Note,
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[1.] It is possible for those that are real enemies to God's service to
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pretend a mighty zeal for it. The devil's work has many a time been
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done in God's livery, and one of the most mischievous enemies
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Christianity ever had sits <I>in the temple of God.</I> Nay,
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[2.] It is common to patronise an enmity to religion with a color of
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duty to God, and service to his church. God's people have suffered the
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greatest hardships from conscientious persecutors. Paul verily thought
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he <I>ought to do</I> what he did <I>against the name of Jesus.</I>
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This does not at all lessen the sin of the persecutors, for villanies
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will never be consecrated by putting the name of God to them; but it
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does enhance the sufferings of the persecuted, to die under the
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character of being enemies to God; but there will be a resurrection of
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names as well as of bodies at the great day.</P>
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<P>
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III. He gives them the true reason of the world's enmity and rage
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against them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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"<I>These things will they do unto you,</I> not because you have done
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them any harm, but <I>because they have not known the Father, nor
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me.</I> Let this comfort you, that none will be your enemies but the
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worst of men." Note,
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1. Many that pretend to know God are wretchedly ignorant of him. Those
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that pretend to <I>do him service</I> thought they knew him, but it was
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a wrong notion they had of him. Israel transgressed the covenant, and
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yet cried, <I>My God, we know thee.</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+8:1,2">Hos. viii. 1, 2</A>.
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2. Those that are ignorant of Christ cannot have any right knowledge of
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God. In vain do men pretend to know God and religion, while they slight
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Christ and Christianity.
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3. Those are very ignorant indeed of God and Christ that think it an
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acceptable piece of service to persecute good people. Those that know
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Christ know that he <I>came not into the world to destroy men's lives,
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but to save them;</I> that he rules by the power of truth and love, not
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of fire and sword. Never was such a persecuting church as that which
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makes <I>ignorance the mother of devotion.</I></P>
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<P>
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IV. He tells them why he gave them notice of this now, and why not
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sooner.</P>
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<P>
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1. Why he told them of it now
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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not to discourage them, or add to their present sorrow; nor did he tell
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them of their danger that they might contrive how to avoid it, but that
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"when <I>the time shall come</I> (and you may be sure it will come),
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you may <I>remember that I told you.</I>" Note, When suffering times
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come it will be of use to us to remember what Christ has told us of
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sufferings.
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(1.) That our belief of Christ's foresight and faithfulness may be
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confirmed; and,
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(2.) That the trouble may be the less grievous, for we were told of it
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before, and we took up our profession in expectation of it, so that it
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ought not to be a surprise to us, nor looked upon as a wrong to us. As
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Christ in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs, should have an
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eye to the <I>fulfilling of the scripture.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. Why he did not tell them of it sooner: "<I>I spoke not this to you
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from the beginning</I> when you and I came to be first acquainted,
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because <I>I was with you.</I>"
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(1.) While he was with them, he bore the shock of the world's malice,
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and stood in the front of the battle; against him the powers of
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darkness levelled all their force, not against <I>small or great,</I>
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but only against the <I>king of Israel,</I> and therefore he did not
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need to say so much to them of suffering, because it did not fall much
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to their share; but we do find that from the beginning he bade them
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prepare for sufferings; and therefore,
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(2.) It seems rather to be meant of the promise of <I>another
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comforter.</I> This he had said little of to them <I>at the
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beginning,</I> because he was himself with them to instruct, guide, and
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comfort them, and then they needed not the promise of the Spirit's
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extraordinary presence. The children of the bride-chamber would not
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have so much need of a comforter till the bridegroom should be <I>taken
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away.</I></P>
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<P>
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V. He expresses a very affectionate concern for the present sadness of
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his disciples, upon occasion of what he had said to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>):
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"<I>Now</I> I am to be no longer with you, but <I>go my way to him that
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sent me,</I> to repose there, after this fatigue; and <I>none of you
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asketh me,</I> with any courage, <I>Whither goest thou?</I> But,
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instead of enquiring after that which would comfort you, you pore upon
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that which looks melancholy, and <I>sorrow has filled your
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heart.</I>"</P>
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<P>
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1. He had told them that he was about to leave them: <I>Now I go my
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way.</I> He was not driven away by force, but voluntarily departed; his
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life was not extorted from him, but deposited by him. He went <I>to him
|
||
|
|
that sent him,</I> to give an account of his negotiation. Thus, when we
|
||
|
|
depart out of this world, we <I>go to him that sent us</I> into it,
|
||
|
|
which should make us all solicitous to live to good purposes,
|
||
|
|
remembering we have a commission to execute, which must be returned at
|
||
|
|
a certain day.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He had told them what hard times they must suffer when he was gone,
|
||
|
|
and that they must not expect such an easy quiet life as they had had.
|
||
|
|
Now, if these were the legacies he had to leave to them, who had
|
||
|
|
<I>left all</I> for him, they would be tempted to think they had made a
|
||
|
|
sorry bargain of it, and were, for the present, in a consternation
|
||
|
|
about it, in which their master sympathizes with them, yet blames them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That they were careless of the means of comfort, and did not stir
|
||
|
|
up themselves to seek it: <I>None of you asks me, Whither goest
|
||
|
|
thou?</I> Peter had started this question
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:36"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 36</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and Thomas had seconded it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:5"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but they did not pursue it, they did not take the answer; they were in
|
||
|
|
the dark concerning it, and did not enquire further, nor seek for
|
||
|
|
fuller satisfaction; they did not continue seeking, continue knocking.
|
||
|
|
See what a compassionate teacher Christ is, and how condescending to
|
||
|
|
the weak and ignorant. Many a teacher will not endure that the learner
|
||
|
|
should ask the same question twice; if he cannot take a thing quickly,
|
||
|
|
let him go without it; but our Lord Jesus knows how to deal with babes,
|
||
|
|
that must be taught with <I>precept upon precept.</I> If the disciples
|
||
|
|
here would have found that his going away was for his advancement, and
|
||
|
|
therefore his departure from them should not inordinately trouble them
|
||
|
|
(for why should they be against his preferment?) and for their
|
||
|
|
advantage, and therefore their sufferings for him should not
|
||
|
|
inordinately trouble them; for a sight of <I>Jesus at the right hand of
|
||
|
|
God</I> would be an effectual support to them, as it was to Stephen.
|
||
|
|
Note, A humble believing enquiry into the design and tendency of the
|
||
|
|
darkest dispensations of Providence would help to reconcile us to them,
|
||
|
|
and to grieve the less, and fear the less, because of them; it will
|
||
|
|
silence us to ask, Whence came they? but will abundantly satisfy us to
|
||
|
|
ask, Whither go they? for we know they <I>work for good,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:28">Rom. viii. 28</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That they were too intent, and pored too much, upon the occasions
|
||
|
|
of their grief: <I>Sorrow has filled their hearts.</I> Christ had said
|
||
|
|
enough to fill them with joy
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:11"><I>ch.</I> xv. 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but by looking at that only which made against them, and overlooking
|
||
|
|
that which made for them, they were so full of sorrow that there was no
|
||
|
|
room left for joy. Note, It is the common fault and folly of melancholy
|
||
|
|
Christians to dwell upon the dark side of the cloud, to meditate
|
||
|
|
nothing but terror, and turn a deaf ear to <I>the voice of joy and
|
||
|
|
gladness.</I> That which filled the disciples' hearts with sorrow, and
|
||
|
|
hindered the operation of the cordials Christ administered, was too
|
||
|
|
great an affection to this present life. They were big with hopes of
|
||
|
|
their Master's external kingdom and glory, and that they should shine
|
||
|
|
and reign with him: and now, instead of that, to hear of nothing but
|
||
|
|
bonds and afflictions, this filled them with sorrow. Nothing is a
|
||
|
|
greater prejudice to our joy in God than <I>the love of the world;</I>
|
||
|
|
and <I>the sorrow of the world,</I> the consequence of it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expediency of Christ's Departure; The Promise of the Spirit.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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;
|
||
|
|
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me
|
||
|
|
no more;
|
||
|
|
11 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, <I>that</I> 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 <I>it</I> unto you.
|
||
|
|
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I,
|
||
|
|
that he shall take of mine, and shall show <I>it</I> unto you.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As it was usual with the Old Testament prophets to comfort the church
|
||
|
|
in its calamities with the promise of the Messiah
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:6,Mic+5:6,Zec+3:8">Isa. ix. 6;
|
||
|
|
Mic. v. 6; Zech. iii. 8</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so, the Messiah being come, the promise of the Spirit was the great
|
||
|
|
cordial, and is still.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three things we have here concerning <I>the Comforter's
|
||
|
|
coming:</I>--</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. That Christ's departure was absolutely necessary to the Comforter's
|
||
|
|
coming,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The disciples were so loth to believe this that Christ saw cause to
|
||
|
|
assert it with a more than ordinary solemnity: <I>I tell you the
|
||
|
|
truth.</I> We may be confident of <I>the truth</I> of everything that
|
||
|
|
Christ told us; he has no design to impose upon us. Now, to make them
|
||
|
|
easy, he here tells them,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. In general, <I>It was expedient for them that he should go away.</I>
|
||
|
|
This was strange doctrine, but if it was true it was comfortable
|
||
|
|
enough, and showed them how absurd their sorrow was. <I>It is
|
||
|
|
expedient,</I> not only for me, but <I>for you</I> also, <I>that I go
|
||
|
|
away;</I> though they did not see it, and are loth to believe it, so it
|
||
|
|
is. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Those things often seem grievous to us that are really expedient
|
||
|
|
for us; and particularly our going away when we have finished our
|
||
|
|
course.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Our Lord Jesus is always for that which is most expedient for us,
|
||
|
|
whether we think so or no. He deals not with us according to the folly
|
||
|
|
of our own choice, but graciously over-rules it, and gives us the
|
||
|
|
physic we are loth to take, because he knows it is good for us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>It was therefore expedient</I> because it was in order to the
|
||
|
|
sending of the Spirit. Now observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That Christ's going was in order to the Comforter's coming.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] This is expressed negatively: <I>If I go not away, the Comforter
|
||
|
|
will not come.</I> And why not? <I>First,</I> So it was settled in the
|
||
|
|
divine counsels concerning this affair, and the measure must not be
|
||
|
|
altered; <I>shall the earth be forsaken for them?</I> He that gives
|
||
|
|
freely may recall one gift before he bestows another, while we would
|
||
|
|
fondly hold all. <I>Secondly,</I> It is congruous enough that the
|
||
|
|
ambassador extraordinary should be recalled, before the envoy come,
|
||
|
|
that is constantly to reside. <I>Thirdly,</I> The sending of the Spirit
|
||
|
|
was to be the fruit of Christ's purchase, and that purchase was to be
|
||
|
|
made by his death, which was his going away. <I>Fourthly,</I> It was to
|
||
|
|
be an answer to his intercession within the veil. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:16"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thus must this gift be both paid for, and prayed for, by our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus, that we might learn to put the greater value upon it.
|
||
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> The great argument the Spirit was to use in convincing
|
||
|
|
the world must be Christ's ascension into heaven, and his welcome here.
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:10,Joh+7:39"><I>v.</I> 10,
|
||
|
|
and <I>ch.</I> vii. 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The disciples must be weaned from his bodily presence,
|
||
|
|
which they were too apt to dote upon, before they were duly prepared to
|
||
|
|
receive the spiritual aids and comforts of a new dispensation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is expressed positively: <I>If I depart I will send him to
|
||
|
|
you;</I> as though he had said, "Trust me to provide effectually that
|
||
|
|
you shall be no loser by my departure." The glorified Redeemer is not
|
||
|
|
unmindful of his church on earth, nor will ever leave it without its
|
||
|
|
necessary supports. Though he <I>departs, he sends the Comforter,</I>
|
||
|
|
nay, he departs on purpose to send him. Thus still, though one
|
||
|
|
generation of ministers and Christians depart, another is raised up in
|
||
|
|
their room, for Christ will maintain his own cause.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That the presence of Christ's Spirit in his church is so much
|
||
|
|
better, and more desirable, than his bodily presence, that it was
|
||
|
|
really expedient for us that he should go away, to send the Comforter.
|
||
|
|
His corporal presence could be put in one place at one time, but his
|
||
|
|
Spirit is every where, in all places, at all times, wherever <I>two or
|
||
|
|
three are gathered in his name.</I> Christ's bodily presence draws
|
||
|
|
men's eyes, his Spirit draws their hearts; that was <I>the letter</I>
|
||
|
|
which <I>kills,</I> his <I>Spirit gives life.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. That the coming of <I>the Spirit</I> was absolutely necessary to
|
||
|
|
the carrying on of Christ's interests on earth
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>And when he is come,</I> <B><I>elthon ekeinos</I></B>. He that is
|
||
|
|
sent is willing of himself to come, and at his first coming he will do
|
||
|
|
this, <I>he will reprove,</I> or, as the margin reads it, <I>he will
|
||
|
|
convince the world,</I> by your ministry, concerning <I>sin,
|
||
|
|
righteousness, and judgment.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. See here what the office of the Spirit is, and on what errand he is
|
||
|
|
sent.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To <I>reprove.</I> The Spirit, by the word and conscience, is a
|
||
|
|
reprover; ministers are reprovers by office, and by them the Spirit
|
||
|
|
reproves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) To <I>convince.</I> It is a law-term, and speaks the office of the
|
||
|
|
judge in summing up the evidence, and setting a matter that has been
|
||
|
|
long canvassed in a clear and true light. He shall <I>convince,</I>
|
||
|
|
that is, "He shall put to silence the adversaries of Christ and his
|
||
|
|
cause, by discovering and demonstrating the falsehood and fallacy of
|
||
|
|
that which they have maintained, and the truth and certainty of that
|
||
|
|
which they have opposed." Note, Convincing work is the Spirit's work;
|
||
|
|
he can do it effectually, and none but he; man may open the cause, but
|
||
|
|
it is the Spirit only that can open the heart. The Spirit is called the
|
||
|
|
<I>Comforter</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and here it is said, <I>He shall convince.</I> One would think this
|
||
|
|
were cold comfort, but it is the method the Spirit takes, first to
|
||
|
|
convince, and then to comfort; first to lay open the wound, and then to
|
||
|
|
apply healing medicines. Or, taking conviction more generally, for a
|
||
|
|
demonstration of what is right, it intimates that the Spirit's comforts
|
||
|
|
are solid, and grounded upon truth.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. See who they are whom he is to reprove and convince: <I>The
|
||
|
|
world,</I> both Jew and Gentile.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He shall give the world the most powerful means of conviction, for
|
||
|
|
the apostles shall go into all the world, backed by the Spirit, to
|
||
|
|
preach the gospel, fully proved.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He shall sufficiently provide for the taking off and silencing of
|
||
|
|
the objections and prejudices of the world against the gospel. Many an
|
||
|
|
infidel was <I>convinced of all and judged of all,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:24">1 Cor. xiv. 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He shall effectually and savingly convince many in the world, some
|
||
|
|
in every age, in every place, in order to their conversion to the faith
|
||
|
|
of Christ. Now this was an encouragement to the disciples, in reference
|
||
|
|
to the difficulties they were likely to meet with,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That they should see good done, Satan's kingdom <I>fall like
|
||
|
|
lightning,</I> which would be their joy, as it was his. Even this
|
||
|
|
malignant world the Spirit shall work upon; and the conviction of
|
||
|
|
sinners is the comfort of faithful ministers.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That this would be the fruit of their services and sufferings,
|
||
|
|
these should contribute very much to this good work.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. See what the Spirit shall convince the world of.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>Of sin</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>because they believe not on me.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The Spirit is sent to convince sinners of sin, not barely to tell
|
||
|
|
them of it; in conviction there is more than this; it is to prove it
|
||
|
|
upon them, and force them to own it, as they
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:9"><I>ch.</I> viii. 9</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that were <I>convicted of their own consciences. Make them to know
|
||
|
|
their abominations.</I> The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin, that
|
||
|
|
we have done so and so; of the fault of sin, that we have done ill in
|
||
|
|
doing so; of the folly of sin, that we have acted against right reason,
|
||
|
|
and our true interest; of the filth of sin, that by it we are become
|
||
|
|
odious to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly,
|
||
|
|
of the fruit of sin, that the end thereof is death. The Spirit
|
||
|
|
demonstrates the depravity and degeneracy of the whole world, that all
|
||
|
|
the world is guilty before God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The Spirit, in conviction, fastens especially upon the sin of
|
||
|
|
unbelief, their not believing in Christ, <I>First,</I> As the great
|
||
|
|
reigning sin. There was, and is, a world of people, that believe not in
|
||
|
|
Jesus Christ, and they are not sensible that it is their sin. Natural
|
||
|
|
conscience tells them that murder and theft are sin; but it is a
|
||
|
|
supernatural work of the spirit to convince them that it is a sin to
|
||
|
|
suspend their belief of the gospel, and to reject the salvation offered
|
||
|
|
by it. Natural religion, after it has given us its best discoveries and
|
||
|
|
directions, lays and leaves us under this further obligation, that
|
||
|
|
whatever divine revelation shall be made to us at any time, with
|
||
|
|
sufficient evidence to prove it divine, we accept it, and submit to it.
|
||
|
|
This law those transgress who, when <I>God speaketh to us by his Son,
|
||
|
|
refuse him that speaketh;</I> and therefore it is sin.
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> As the great ruining sin. Every sin is so in its own
|
||
|
|
nature; no sin is so to them that believe in Christ; so that it is
|
||
|
|
unbelief that damns sinners. It is because of this that they cannot
|
||
|
|
<I>enter into rest,</I> that they cannot <I>escape the wrath of
|
||
|
|
God;</I> it is a sin against the remedy. <I>Thirdly,</I> As that which
|
||
|
|
is at the bottom of all sin; so Calvin takes it. The Spirit shall
|
||
|
|
convince the world that the true reason why sin reigns among them is
|
||
|
|
because they are not by faith united to Christ. <I>Ne putimus vel
|
||
|
|
guttam unam rectitudinis sine Christo nobis inesse--Let us not suppose
|
||
|
|
that, apart from Christ, we have a drop of rectitude.</I>--Calvin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no
|
||
|
|
more,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may understand this,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Of Christ's personal righteousness. He shall convince the world
|
||
|
|
that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:1">1 John ii. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as the centurion owned
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:47">Luke xxiii. 47</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Certainly this was a righteous man.</I> His enemies put him under
|
||
|
|
the worst of characters, and multitudes were not or would not be
|
||
|
|
convinced but that he was a bad man, which strengthened their
|
||
|
|
prejudices against his doctrine; but he is <I>justified by the
|
||
|
|
spirit</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he is proved to be a <I>righteous man,</I> and not, a deceiver; and
|
||
|
|
then the point is in effect gained; for he is either the great Redeemer
|
||
|
|
or a great cheat; but a cheat we are sure he is not. Now by what medium
|
||
|
|
or argument will the Spirit convince men of the sincerity of the Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus? Why, <I>First,</I> Their <I>seeing him no more</I> will
|
||
|
|
contribute something towards the removal of their prejudices; they
|
||
|
|
shall see him no more <I>in the likeness of sinful flesh, in the form
|
||
|
|
of a servant,</I> which made them slight him. Moses was more respected
|
||
|
|
after his removal than before. But, <I>Secondly,</I> His <I>going to
|
||
|
|
the Father</I> would be a full conviction of it. The coming of the
|
||
|
|
Spirit, according to the promise, was a proof of Christ's exaltation to
|
||
|
|
God's <I>right hand</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:33">Acts ii. 33</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and this was a demonstration of his righteousness; for the holy God
|
||
|
|
would never set a deceiver at his right hand.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Of Christ's righteousness communicated to us for our justification
|
||
|
|
and salvation; that everlasting righteousness which Messiah was to
|
||
|
|
bring in,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:24">Dan. ix. 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now, <I>First,</I> The Spirit shall convince men of this righteousness.
|
||
|
|
Having by convictions of sin shown them their need of a righteousness,
|
||
|
|
lest this should drive them to despair he will show them where it is to
|
||
|
|
be had, and how they may, upon their believing, be acquitted from
|
||
|
|
guilt, and accepted as righteous in God's sight. It was hard to
|
||
|
|
convince those of this righteousness that <I>went about to establish
|
||
|
|
their own</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:3">Rom. x. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but the Spirit will do it. <I>Secondly,</I> Christ's ascension is the
|
||
|
|
great argument proper to convince men of this righteousness: <I>I go to
|
||
|
|
the Father, and,</I> as an evidence of my welcome with him, <I>you
|
||
|
|
shall see me no more.</I> If Christ had left any part of his
|
||
|
|
undertaking unfinished, he had been sent back again; but now that we
|
||
|
|
are sure he is <I>at the right hand of God,</I> we are sure of being
|
||
|
|
justified through him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) <I>Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The devil, <I>the prince of this world,</I> was judged, was
|
||
|
|
discovered to be a great deceiver and destroyer, and as such judgment
|
||
|
|
was entered against him, and execution in part done. He was cast out of
|
||
|
|
the Gentile world when his oracles were silenced and his altars
|
||
|
|
deserted, cast out of the bodies of many in Christ's name, which
|
||
|
|
miraculous power continued long in the church; he was cast out of the
|
||
|
|
souls of people by the grace of God working with the gospel of Christ;
|
||
|
|
he <I>fell as lightning from heaven.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] This is a good argument wherewith the Spirit convinces the world
|
||
|
|
of judgment, that is, <I>First,</I> Of inherent holiness and
|
||
|
|
sanctification,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:18">Matt. xii. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By <I>the judgment of the prince of this world,</I> it appears that
|
||
|
|
Christ is stronger than Satan, and can disarm and dispossess him, and
|
||
|
|
set up his throne upon the ruin of his. <I>Secondly,</I> Of a new and
|
||
|
|
better dispensation of things. He shall show that Christ's errand into
|
||
|
|
the world was to set things to right in it, and to introduce times of
|
||
|
|
reformation and regeneration; and he proves it by this, that <I>the
|
||
|
|
prince of this world,</I> the great master of misrule, is judged and
|
||
|
|
expelled. All will be well when his power is broken who made the
|
||
|
|
mischief. <I>Thirdly,</I> Of the power and dominion of the Lord Jesus.
|
||
|
|
He shall convince the world that <I>all judgment is committed to
|
||
|
|
him,</I> and that he is the <I>Lord of all,</I> which is evident by
|
||
|
|
this, that he has judged the prince of this world, has broken <I>the
|
||
|
|
serpent's head, destroyed him that had the power of death, and spoiled
|
||
|
|
principalities;</I> if Satan be thus subdued by Christ, we may be sure
|
||
|
|
no other power can stand before him. <I>Fourthly,</I> Of the final day
|
||
|
|
of judgment: all the obstinate enemies of Christ's gospel and kingdom
|
||
|
|
shall certainly be reckoned with at last, for the devil, their
|
||
|
|
ringleader, is judged.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. That the coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to
|
||
|
|
the disciples themselves. The Spirit has work to do, not only on the
|
||
|
|
enemies of Christ, to convince and humble them, but upon his servants
|
||
|
|
and agents, to instruct and comfort them; and therefore it was
|
||
|
|
<I>expedient for them that he should go away.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He intimates to them the tender sense he had of their present
|
||
|
|
weakness
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I have yet many things to say unto you</I> (not which should have
|
||
|
|
been said, but which he could and would have said), <I>but you cannot
|
||
|
|
bear them now.</I> See what a teacher Christ is.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) None like him for copiousness; when he has said much, he has still
|
||
|
|
many things more to say; treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in
|
||
|
|
him, if we be not straitened in ourselves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) None like him for compassion; he would have told them more of
|
||
|
|
<I>the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,</I> particularly of the
|
||
|
|
rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, but they could
|
||
|
|
not bear it, it would have confounded and stumbled them, rather than
|
||
|
|
have given them any satisfaction. When, after his resurrection, they
|
||
|
|
spoke to him of <I>restoring the kingdom to Israel,</I> he referred
|
||
|
|
them to <I>the coming of the Holy Ghost,</I> by which they should
|
||
|
|
receive power to bear those discoveries which were so contrary to the
|
||
|
|
notions they had received that they could not <I>bear them now.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He assures them of sufficient assistances, by the pouring out of the
|
||
|
|
Spirit. They were now conscious to themselves of great dulness, and
|
||
|
|
many mistakes; and what shall they do now their master is leaving them?
|
||
|
|
"<I>But when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come,</I> you will be easy,
|
||
|
|
and all will be well." Well indeed; for he shall undertake to guide the
|
||
|
|
apostles, and glorify Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To guide the apostles. He will take care,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That they do not miss their way: <I>He will guide you;</I> as the
|
||
|
|
camp of Israel was guided through the wilderness by <I>the pillar of
|
||
|
|
cloud and fire.</I> The Spirit guided their tongues in speaking, and
|
||
|
|
their pens in writing, to secure them from mistakes. The Spirit is
|
||
|
|
given us to be our guide
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:14">Rom. viii. 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not only to show us the way, but to go along with us, by his continued
|
||
|
|
aids and influences.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That they do not come short of their end: <I>He will guide them
|
||
|
|
into all truth,</I> as the skilful pilot guides the ship into the port
|
||
|
|
it is bound for. To be led <I>into a truth</I> is more than barely to
|
||
|
|
know it; it is to be intimately and experimentally acquainted with it;
|
||
|
|
to be piously and strongly affected with it; not only to have the
|
||
|
|
notion of it in our heads, but the relish and savour and power of it in
|
||
|
|
our hearts; it denotes a gradual discovery of truth shining more and
|
||
|
|
more: "He shall lead you by those truths that are plain and easy to
|
||
|
|
those that are more difficult." But how into <I>all truth?</I> The
|
||
|
|
meaning is,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> Into the whole truth relating to their embassy; whatever
|
||
|
|
was needful or useful for them to know, in order to the due discharge
|
||
|
|
of their office, they should be fully instructed in it; what truths
|
||
|
|
they were to teach others the Spirit would teach them, would give them
|
||
|
|
the understanding of, and enable them both to explain and to
|
||
|
|
defend.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> Into nothing but the truth. All that <I>he shall guide
|
||
|
|
you into</I> shall be <I>truth</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:27">1 John ii. 27</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>the anointing is truth.</I> In the following words he proves both
|
||
|
|
these:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. "The Spirit shall teach nothing but the truth, <I>for he shall not
|
||
|
|
speak of himself</I> any doctrine distinct from mine, <I>but whatsoever
|
||
|
|
he shall hear,</I> and knows to be the mind of the Father, <I>that,</I>
|
||
|
|
and that only, <I>shall he speak.</I>" This intimates,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That the testimony of the Spirit, in the word and by the apostles,
|
||
|
|
is what we may rely upon. The <I>Spirit</I> knows <I>and searches all
|
||
|
|
things, even the deep things of God,</I> and the apostles received that
|
||
|
|
Spirit
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:10,11">1 Cor. ii. 10, 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so that we may venture our souls upon the Spirit's word.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That the testimony of the Spirit always concurs with the word of
|
||
|
|
Christ, <I>for he does not speak of himself,</I> has no separate
|
||
|
|
interest or intention of his own, but, as in essence so in records, he
|
||
|
|
<I>is one with the Father and the Son,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:7">1 John v. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Men's word and spirit often disagree, but the eternal Word and the
|
||
|
|
eternal Spirit never do.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. "He shall teach you all truth, and keep back nothing that is
|
||
|
|
profitable for you, for <I>he will show you things to come.</I>" The
|
||
|
|
Spirit was in the apostles a Spirit of prophecy; it was foretold that
|
||
|
|
he should be so
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joe+2:28">Joel ii. 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and he was so. <I>The Spirit showed them things to come,</I> as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+11:28,20:23,21:11">Acts xi. 28; xx. 23; xxi. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The Spirit spoke of the apostasy of the <I>latter times,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+4:1">1 Tim. iv. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
John, when he was in the Spirit had <I>things to come</I> shown him in
|
||
|
|
vision. Now this was a great satisfaction to their own minds, and of
|
||
|
|
use to them in their conduct, and was also a great confirmation of
|
||
|
|
their mission. Jansenius has a pious note upon this: We should not
|
||
|
|
grudge that the Spirit does not <I>show us things to come</I> in this
|
||
|
|
world, as he did to the apostles; let it suffice that the Spirit in the
|
||
|
|
word hath <I>shown us things to come</I> in the other world, which are
|
||
|
|
our chief concern.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The Spirit undertook to glorify Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Even the sending of the Spirit was the glorifying of Christ. God
|
||
|
|
the Father glorified him in heaven, and the Spirit glorified him on
|
||
|
|
earth. It was the honour of the Redeemer that the Spirit was both sent
|
||
|
|
in his name and sent on his errand, to carry on and perfect his
|
||
|
|
undertaking. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit, all the preaching
|
||
|
|
and all the writing of the apostles, under the influence of the Spirit,
|
||
|
|
the tongues, and miracles, were to glorify Christ.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The Spirit glorified Christ by leading his followers into <I>the
|
||
|
|
truth as it is in Jesus,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:21">Eph. iv. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He assures them, <I>First,</I> that the Spirit should communicate the
|
||
|
|
things of Christ to them: <I>He shall receive of mine, and shall show
|
||
|
|
it unto you.</I> As in essence <I>he proceeded from the Son,</I> so in
|
||
|
|
influence and operation he derived from him. <I>He shall take</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>ek tou emou</I></B>--<I>of that which is mine.</I> All that the
|
||
|
|
Spirit shows us, that is, applies to us, for our instruction and
|
||
|
|
comfort, all that he gives us for our strength and quickening, and all
|
||
|
|
that he secures and seals to us, did all belong to Christ, and was had
|
||
|
|
and received from him. All was his, for he bought it, and paid dearly
|
||
|
|
for it, and therefore he had reason to call it his own; his, for he
|
||
|
|
first received it; it was given him as the head of the church, to be
|
||
|
|
communicated by him to all his members. The Spirit came not to erect a
|
||
|
|
new kingdom, but to advance and establish the same kingdom that Christ
|
||
|
|
had erected, to maintain the same interest and pursue the same design;
|
||
|
|
those therefore that pretend to the Spirit, and vilify Christ, give
|
||
|
|
themselves the lie, for he came to glorify Christ. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
||
|
|
That herein the things of God should be communicated to us. Lest any
|
||
|
|
should think that the receiving of this would not make them much the
|
||
|
|
richer, he adds, <I>All things that the Father hath are mine.</I> As
|
||
|
|
God, all that self-existent light and self-sufficient happiness which
|
||
|
|
<I>the Father has,</I> he has; as Mediator, <I>all things are delivered
|
||
|
|
to him of the Father</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:27">Matt. xi. 27</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
all that <I>grace and truth</I> which God designed to show us he lodged
|
||
|
|
in the hands of the Lord Jesus,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:19">Col. i. 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Spiritual blessings in heavenly things are given by the Father to the
|
||
|
|
Son for us, and the Son entrusts the Spirit to convey them to us. Some
|
||
|
|
apply it to that which goes just before: <I>He shall show you things to
|
||
|
|
come,</I> and so it is explained by
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God gave <I>it to Christ, and he signified it to John, who wrote what
|
||
|
|
the Spirit said,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Departure and Return; Sorrow and Joy Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>some</I> 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: and, Because
|
||
|
|
I go to the Father?
|
||
|
|
18 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 enquire 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 born 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.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus, for the comfort of his sorrowful disciples, here
|
||
|
|
promises that he would visit them again.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Observe the intimation he gave them of the comfort he designed them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here he tells them,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That they should now shortly lose the sight of him: <I>A little
|
||
|
|
while, and you</I> that have seen me so long, and still desire to
|
||
|
|
<I>see me, shall not see me;</I> and therefore, if they had any good
|
||
|
|
question to ask him, they must ask quickly, for he was now taking his
|
||
|
|
leave of them. Note, It is good to consider how near to a period our
|
||
|
|
seasons of grace are, that we may be quickened to improve them while
|
||
|
|
they are continued. Now our eyes see our teachers, see the days <I>of
|
||
|
|
the Son of man;</I> but, perhaps, yet a <I>little while, and we shall
|
||
|
|
not see them.</I> They lost the sight of Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) At his death, when he withdrew from this world, and never after
|
||
|
|
showed himself openly in it. The most that death does to our Christian
|
||
|
|
friends is to take them out of our sight, not out of being, not out of
|
||
|
|
bliss, but out of all relation to us, only out of sight, and then not
|
||
|
|
out of mind.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) At his ascension, when he withdrew from them (from those who,
|
||
|
|
after his resurrection, had for some time conversed with him), <I>out
|
||
|
|
of their sight; a cloud received</I> him, and, though they looked up
|
||
|
|
steadfastly after him, <I>they saw him no more,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:9,10,2Ki+2:12">Acts i. 9, 10; 2 Kings ii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:16">2 Cor. v. 16</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That yet they should speedily recover the sight of him; <I>Again a
|
||
|
|
little while, and you shall see me,</I> and therefore you ought not to
|
||
|
|
<I>sorrow as those that have no hope.</I> His farewell was not a final
|
||
|
|
farewell; they should see him again,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) At his resurrection, soon after his death, when <I>he showed
|
||
|
|
himself alive,</I> by many infallible proofs, and this in a very little
|
||
|
|
while, not forty hours. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+6:2">Hos. vi. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) By the pouring out of the Spirit, soon after his ascension, which
|
||
|
|
scattered the mists of ignorance and mistake they were almost lost in,
|
||
|
|
and gave them a much clearer insight into the mysteries of Christ's
|
||
|
|
gospel than they had yet had. The Spirit's coming was Christ's visit to
|
||
|
|
his disciples, not a transient but a permanent one, and such a visit as
|
||
|
|
abundantly retrieved the sight of him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) At his second coming. They saw him again as they removed one by
|
||
|
|
one to him at death, and they shall see him together at the end of
|
||
|
|
time, when <I>he shall come in the clouds, and every eye shall see
|
||
|
|
him.</I> It might be truly said of this that it was but <I>a little
|
||
|
|
while, and they should see him;</I> for what are the days of time, to
|
||
|
|
the days of eternity?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:8,9">2 Pet. iii. 8, 9</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He assigns the reason: "<I>Because I go to the Father;</I> and
|
||
|
|
therefore,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) "I must leave you for a time, because my business calls me to the
|
||
|
|
upper world, and you must be content to spare me, for really my
|
||
|
|
business is yours."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) "Therefore you shall see me again shortly, for the Father will not
|
||
|
|
detain me to your prejudice. If I go upon your errand, you shall see me
|
||
|
|
again as soon as my business is done, as soon as is convenient."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It should seem, all this refers rather to his going away at death, and
|
||
|
|
return at his resurrection, than his going away at the ascension, and
|
||
|
|
his return at the end of time; for it was his death that was their
|
||
|
|
grief, not his ascension
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:52">Luke xxiv. 52</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and between his death and resurrection it was indeed a <I>little
|
||
|
|
while.</I> And it may be read, not, <I>yet a little while</I> (it is
|
||
|
|
not <B><I>eti mikron</I></B>, as it is
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:35"><I>ch.</I> xii. 35</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but <B><I>mikron</I></B>--<I>for a little while you shall not see
|
||
|
|
me,</I> namely, the three days of his lying in the grave; and again,
|
||
|
|
<I>for a little while you shall see me,</I> namely, the forty days
|
||
|
|
between his resurrection and ascension. Thus we may say of our
|
||
|
|
ministers and Christian friends, <I>Yet a little while, and we shall
|
||
|
|
not see them,</I> either they must leave us or we must leave them, but
|
||
|
|
it is certain that we must part shortly, and yet not part for ever. It
|
||
|
|
is but a good night to those whom we hope to see with <I>joy in the
|
||
|
|
morning.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The perplexity of the disciples upon the intimation given them;
|
||
|
|
they were at a loss what to make of it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Some of them said,</I> softly, <I>among themselves,</I> either some
|
||
|
|
of the weakest, that were least able, or some of the most inquisitive,
|
||
|
|
that were most desirous, to understand him, <I>What is this that he
|
||
|
|
saith to us?</I> Though Christ had often spoken to this purport before,
|
||
|
|
yet still they were in the dark; though <I>precept be upon precept,</I>
|
||
|
|
it is in vain, unless God gave the understanding. Now see here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The disciples' weakness, in that they could not understand so plain
|
||
|
|
a saying, to which Christ had already given them a key, having told
|
||
|
|
them so often in plain terms that he should <I>be killed, and the third
|
||
|
|
day rise again;</I> yet, say they, <I>We cannot tell what he saith;</I>
|
||
|
|
for,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>Sorrow had filled their heart,</I> and made them unapt to
|
||
|
|
receive the impressions of comfort. The darkness of ignorance and the
|
||
|
|
darkness of melancholy commonly increase and thicken one another;
|
||
|
|
mistakes cause griefs, and then griefs confirm mistakes.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The notion of Christ's secular kingdom was so deeply rooted in
|
||
|
|
them that they could make no sense at all of those sayings of his which
|
||
|
|
they knew not how to reconcile with that notion. When we think the
|
||
|
|
scripture must be made to agree with the false ideas we have imbibed,
|
||
|
|
no wonder that we complain of difficulty; but when our reasonings are
|
||
|
|
captivated to revelation, the matter becomes easy.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) It should seem, that which puzzled them was the <I>little
|
||
|
|
while.</I> If he must go at least, yet they could not conceive how he
|
||
|
|
should leave them quickly, when his stay hitherto had been so short,
|
||
|
|
and so little while, comparatively. Thus it is hard for us to represent
|
||
|
|
to ourselves that change as near which yet we know will come certainly,
|
||
|
|
and may come suddenly. When we are told, <I>Yet a little while</I> and
|
||
|
|
we must go hence, <I>yet a little while</I> and we must <I>give up our
|
||
|
|
account,</I> we know not how to digest it; for we always took the
|
||
|
|
vision to be <I>for a great while to come,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+12:27">Ezek. xii. 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Their willingness to be instructed. When they were at a loss about
|
||
|
|
the meaning of Christ's words, they conferred together upon it, and
|
||
|
|
asked help of one another. By mutual converse about divine things we
|
||
|
|
both borrow the light of others and improve our own. Observe how
|
||
|
|
exactly they repeat Christ's words. Though we cannot fully solve every
|
||
|
|
difficulty we meet with in scripture, yet we must not therefore throw
|
||
|
|
it by, but revolve what we cannot explain, and wait <I>till God shall
|
||
|
|
reveal even this unto us.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The further explication of what Christ had said.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. See here <I>why</I> Christ explained it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
because he <I>knew they were desirous to ask him,</I> and designed it.
|
||
|
|
Note, The knots we cannot untie we must bring to him who alone can give
|
||
|
|
an understanding. Christ <I>knew they were desirous to ask him,</I>
|
||
|
|
but were bashful and ashamed to ask. Note, Christ takes cognizance of
|
||
|
|
pious desires, though they be not as yet offered up, the <I>groanings
|
||
|
|
that cannot be uttered,</I> and even <I>anticipates them with the
|
||
|
|
blessings of his goodness.</I> Christ instructed those who he <I>knew
|
||
|
|
were desirous to ask him,</I> though they did not ask. <I>Before we
|
||
|
|
call, he answers.</I> Another reason why Christ explained it was
|
||
|
|
because he observed them canvassing this matter among themselves:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Do you enquire this among yourselves?</I> Well, I will make it easy
|
||
|
|
to you." This intimates to us who they are that Christ will teach:
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The humble, that confess their ignorance, for so much their
|
||
|
|
enquiry implied.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The diligent, that use the means they have: "<I>Do you
|
||
|
|
enquire?</I> You shall be taught. <I>To him that hath shall be
|
||
|
|
given.</I>"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. See here <I>how</I> he explained it; not by a nice and critical
|
||
|
|
descant upon the words, but by bringing the thing more closely to them;
|
||
|
|
he had told them of <I>not seeing him, and seeing him,</I> and they did
|
||
|
|
not apprehend the meaning, and therefore he explains it by their
|
||
|
|
sorrowing and rejoicing, because we commonly measure things according
|
||
|
|
as they affect us
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>You shall weep and lament,</I> for my departure, <I>but the world
|
||
|
|
shall rejoice</I> in it; <I>and you shall be sorrowful,</I> while I am
|
||
|
|
absent, <I>but,</I> upon my return to you, <I>your sorrow will be
|
||
|
|
turned into joy.</I> But he says nothing of the <I>little while,</I>
|
||
|
|
because he saw that this perplexed them more than any thing; and it is
|
||
|
|
of no consequence to us to know <I>the times and the seasons.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
Believers have joy or sorrow according as they have or have not a sight
|
||
|
|
of Christ, and the tokens of his presence with them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What Christ says here, and in
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
of their sorrow and joy, is primarily to be understood of the present
|
||
|
|
state and circumstances of the disciples, and so we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Their grief foretold: <I>You shall weep and lament, and you shall
|
||
|
|
be sorrowful.</I> The sufferings of Christ could not but be the sorrow
|
||
|
|
of his disciples. They wept for him because they loved him; the pain of
|
||
|
|
our friend is a pain to ourselves; when they slept, it was for sorrow,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:45">Luke xxii. 45</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They wept for themselves, and their own loss, and the sad apprehensions
|
||
|
|
they had of what would become of them when he was gone. It could not
|
||
|
|
but be a grief to lose him for whom they had left their all, and from
|
||
|
|
whom they had expected so much. Christ has given notice to his
|
||
|
|
disciples beforehand to expect sorrow, that they may treasure up
|
||
|
|
comforts accordingly.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The world's rejoicing at the same time: <I>But the world shall
|
||
|
|
rejoice.</I> That which is the grief of saints is the joy of sinners.
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> Those that are <I>strangers to Christ</I> will continue
|
||
|
|
in their carnal mirth, and not at all interest themselves in their
|
||
|
|
sorrows. <I>It is nothing to them that pass by,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+1:12">Lam. i. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Nay, <I>Secondly,</I> Those that are <I>enemies to Christ</I> will
|
||
|
|
rejoice because they hope they have conquered him, and ruined his
|
||
|
|
interest. When the chief priests had Christ upon the cross, we may
|
||
|
|
suppose they made merry over him, as those that dwell on earth over the
|
||
|
|
slain witnesses,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+11:10">Rev. xi. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Let it be no surprise to us if we see others triumphing, when we are
|
||
|
|
<I>trembling for the ark.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] The return of joy to them in due time: <I>But your sorrow shall be
|
||
|
|
turned into joy.</I> As <I>the joy of the hypocrite,</I> so the sorrow
|
||
|
|
of the true Christian, is <I>but for a moment. The disciples were glad
|
||
|
|
when they saw the Lord.</I> His resurrection was <I>life from the
|
||
|
|
dead</I> to them, and their sorrow for Christ's sufferings was turned
|
||
|
|
into a joy of such a nature as could not be damped and embittered by
|
||
|
|
any sufferings of their own. They were <I>sorrowful, and yet always
|
||
|
|
rejoicing</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+6:10">2 Cor. vi. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
had sorrowful lives and yet joyful hearts.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It is applicable to all the faithful followers of the Lamb, and
|
||
|
|
describes the common case of Christians.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Their condition and disposition are both mournful; sorrows are
|
||
|
|
their lot, and seriousness is their temper: those that are acquainted
|
||
|
|
with Christ must, as he was, be <I>acquainted with grief;</I> they
|
||
|
|
<I>weep and lament</I> for that which others make light of, their own
|
||
|
|
sins, and the sins of those about them; they mourn with sufferers that
|
||
|
|
mourn, and mourn for sinners that mourn not for themselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The world, at the same time, goes away with all the mirth; they
|
||
|
|
laugh now, and spend their days so jovially that one would think they
|
||
|
|
neither knew sorrow nor feared it. Carnal mirth and pleasures are
|
||
|
|
surely none of the best things, for then the worst men would not have
|
||
|
|
so large a share of them, and the favourites of heaven be such
|
||
|
|
strangers to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Spiritual mourning will shortly be turned into eternal rejoicing.
|
||
|
|
<I>Gladness is sown for the upright in heart, that sow tears,</I> and
|
||
|
|
without doubt <I>they will</I> shortly <I>reap in joy.</I> Their sorrow
|
||
|
|
will not only be followed with joy, but turned into it; for the most
|
||
|
|
precious comforts take rise from pious griefs. Thus he illustrates by a
|
||
|
|
similitude taken from a woman in travail, to whose sorrows he compares
|
||
|
|
those of his disciples, for their encouragement; for it is the will of
|
||
|
|
Christ that his people should be a comforted people.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> Here is the similitude or parable itself
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>A woman,</I> we know, <I>when she is in travail, hath sorrow,</I>
|
||
|
|
she is in exquisite pain, <I>because her hour is come,</I> the hour
|
||
|
|
which nature and providence have fixed, which she has expected, and
|
||
|
|
cannot escape; <I>but as soon as she is delivered of the child,</I>
|
||
|
|
provided she be safely delivered, and the child be, though a
|
||
|
|
<I>Jabez</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+4:9">1 Chron. iv. 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet not a <I>Benoni</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+35:18">Gen. xxxv. 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
then <I>she remembers no more the anguish,</I> her groans and
|
||
|
|
complaints are over, and the after--pains are more easily borne, <I>for
|
||
|
|
joy that a man is born into the world,</I> <B><I>anthropos</I></B>, one
|
||
|
|
of the human race, a child, be it son or daughter, for the word
|
||
|
|
signifies either. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>a.</I> The fruit of the curse, in the sorrow and pain of a woman in
|
||
|
|
travail, according to the sentence
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+3:16">Gen. iii. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>In sorrow shalt thou bring forth.</I> These pains are extreme, the
|
||
|
|
greatest griefs and pains are compared to them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+48:6,Isa+13:3,Jer+4:31,6:24">Ps. xlviii. 6;
|
||
|
|
Isa. xiii. 3; Jer. iv. 31; vi. 24</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and they are inevitable,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:3">1 Thess. v. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See what this world is; all its roses are surrounded with thorns, all
|
||
|
|
the children of men are upon this account foolish children, that they
|
||
|
|
are <I>the heaviness of her that bore them</I> from the very first.
|
||
|
|
This comes of sin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>b.</I> The fruit of the blessing, in <I>the joy there is for a child
|
||
|
|
born into the world.</I> If God had not preserved the blessing in force
|
||
|
|
after the fall, <I>Be fruitful and multiply,</I> parents could never
|
||
|
|
have looked upon their children with any comfort; but what is the fruit
|
||
|
|
of a blessing is matter of joy; the birth of a living child is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<I>a.</I>) The parents' joy; it makes them very glad,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+20:15">Jer. xx. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though children are certain cares, uncertain comforts, and often prove
|
||
|
|
the greatest crosses, yet it is natural to us to rejoice at their
|
||
|
|
birth. Could we be sure that our children, like John, would <I>be
|
||
|
|
filled with the Holy Ghost,</I> we might, indeed, like his parents,
|
||
|
|
have <I>joy and gladness</I> in their birth,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:14,15">Luke i. 14, 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But when we consider, not only that they are born in sin, but, as it is
|
||
|
|
expressed, that <I>they are born into the world,</I> a world of snares
|
||
|
|
and a vale of tears, we shall see reason to rejoice with trembling,
|
||
|
|
lest it should prove <I>better for them that they had never been
|
||
|
|
born.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<I>b.</I>) It is such joy as makes the anguish not to be remembered,
|
||
|
|
or <I>remembered as waters that pass away,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+11:16">Job xi. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Hæc olim meminisse juvabit.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+41:51">Gen. xli. 51</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now this is very proper to set forth,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[<I>a.</I>] The sorrows of Christ's disciples in this world; they are
|
||
|
|
like travailing pains, sure and sharp, but not to last long, and in
|
||
|
|
order to a joyful product; they are in <I>pain to be delivered,</I> as
|
||
|
|
the church is described
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+12:2">Rev. xii. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and <I>the whole creation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:22">Rom. viii. 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[<I>b.</I>] Their joys after these sorrows, which will <I>wipe away all
|
||
|
|
tears,</I> for <I>the former things are passed away,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:4">Rev. xxi. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When they are born into that blessed world, and reap the fruit of all
|
||
|
|
their services and sorrows, the toil and anguish of this world will be
|
||
|
|
no more remembered, as Christ's were not, when <I>he saw of the travail
|
||
|
|
of his soul</I> abundantly to his satisfaction,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:11">Isa. liii. 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The application of the similitude
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>You now have sorrow,</I> and are likely to have more, <I>but I will
|
||
|
|
see you again,</I> and you me, and then all will be well."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>a.</I> Here again he tells them of their <I>sorrow: "You now
|
||
|
|
therefore have sorrow; therefore,</I> because I am leaving you," as is
|
||
|
|
intimated in the antithesis, <I>I will see you again.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
Christ's withdrawings are just cause of grief to his disciples. <I>If
|
||
|
|
he hide his face,</I> they cannot be <I>troubled.</I> When the sun
|
||
|
|
sets, the sun-flower will hang the head. And Christ takes notice of
|
||
|
|
these griefs, has a bottle for the tears, and a book for the sighs, of
|
||
|
|
all gracious mourners.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>b.</I> He, more largely than before, assures them of a return of
|
||
|
|
joy,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+30:5,11">Ps. xxx. 5, 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He himself went through his own griefs, and bore ours, <I>for the joy
|
||
|
|
that was set before him;</I> and he would have us encourage ourselves
|
||
|
|
with the same prospect. Three things recommend the joy:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<I>a.</I>) The cause of it: "<I>I will see you again.</I> I will make
|
||
|
|
you a kind and friendly visit, to enquire after you, and minister
|
||
|
|
comfort to you." Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[<I>a.</I>] Christ will graciously return to those that wait for him,
|
||
|
|
though <I>for a small moment</I> he has seemed <I>to forsake them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:7">Isa. liv. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Men, when they are exalted, will scarcely look upon their inferiors;
|
||
|
|
but the exalted Jesus will visit his disciples. They shall not only see
|
||
|
|
him in his glory, but he will see them in their meanness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[<I>b.</I>] Christ's returns are returns of joy to all his disciples.
|
||
|
|
When clouded evidences are cleared up and interrupted communion is
|
||
|
|
revived, <I>then is the mouth filled with laughter.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<I>b.</I>) The cordiality of it: <I>Your heart shall rejoice.</I>
|
||
|
|
Divine consolation <I>put gladness into the heart.</I> Joy in the heart
|
||
|
|
is solid, and not flashy; it is secret, and that which a <I>stranger
|
||
|
|
does not intermeddle with;</I> it is sweet, and gives a good man
|
||
|
|
satisfaction in himself; it is sure, and not easily broken in upon.
|
||
|
|
Christ's disciples should heartily rejoice in his returns, sincerely
|
||
|
|
and greatly.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<I>c.</I>) The continuance of it: <I>Your joy no man taketh from
|
||
|
|
you.</I> Men will attempt to take their joy from them; they would if
|
||
|
|
they could; but they shall not prevail. Some understand it of the
|
||
|
|
eternal joy of those that are glorified; those that have <I>entered
|
||
|
|
into the joy of the Lord shall go no more out.</I> Our joys on earth we
|
||
|
|
are liable to be robbed of by a thousand accidents, but heavenly joys
|
||
|
|
are everlasting. I rather understand it of the spiritual joys of those
|
||
|
|
that are sanctified, particularly the apostles' joy in their
|
||
|
|
apostleship. <I>Thanks be to God,</I> says Paul, in the name of the
|
||
|
|
rest, <I>who always causes us to triumph,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:14">2 Cor. ii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
A malicious world would have taken it from them, they would have lost
|
||
|
|
it; but, when they took everything else from them, they could not take
|
||
|
|
this; <I>as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.</I> They could not rob
|
||
|
|
them of their joy, because they could not <I>separate them from the
|
||
|
|
love of Christ,</I> could not rob them of their God, nor of their
|
||
|
|
<I>treasure in heaven.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Encouragement to Prayer.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>it</I> 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 show 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.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
An answer to their askings is here promised, for their further comfort.
|
||
|
|
Now there are two ways of asking: asking by way of enquiry, which is
|
||
|
|
the asking of the ignorant; and asking by way of request, which is the
|
||
|
|
asking of the indigent. Christ here speaks of both.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. By way of enquiry, they should not need to ask
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>In that day you shall ask me nothing;</I>" <B><I>ouk erotesete
|
||
|
|
ouden</I></B>--<I>you shall ask no questions;</I> "you shall have such
|
||
|
|
a clear knowledge of gospel mysteries, by the opening of your
|
||
|
|
understandings, that you shall not need to enquire" (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+8:11">Heb. viii. 11</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>they shall not teach</I>); "you shall have more knowledge on a
|
||
|
|
sudden than hitherto you have had by diligent attendance." They had
|
||
|
|
asked some ignorant questions (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:2"><I>ch.</I> ix. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
some ambitious questions (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:1">Matt. xviii. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
some distrustful ones (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:27">Matt. xix. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
some impertinent ones, (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+21:21"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
some curious ones (as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:6">Acts i. 6</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but after the Spirit was poured out, nothing of all this. In the story
|
||
|
|
<I>of the apostles' Acts</I> we seldom find them asking questions, as
|
||
|
|
David, <I>Shall I do this?</I> Or, <I>Shall I go thither?</I> For they
|
||
|
|
were constantly under a divine guidance. In that weighty case of
|
||
|
|
preaching <I>the gospel to the Gentiles,</I> Peter went, <I>nothing
|
||
|
|
doubting,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:20">Acts x. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Asking questions supposes us at a loss, or at least at a stand, and the
|
||
|
|
best of us have need to ask questions; but we should aim at such a full
|
||
|
|
assurance of understanding that we may not hesitate, but be constantly
|
||
|
|
led in a plain path both of truth and duty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now for this he gives a reason
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which plainly refers to this promise, that they should not need to ask
|
||
|
|
questions: "<I>These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs,</I> in
|
||
|
|
such a way as you have thought not so plain and intelligible as you
|
||
|
|
could have wished, <I>but the time cometh when I shall show you
|
||
|
|
plainly,</I> as plainly as you can desire, <I>of the Father,</I> so
|
||
|
|
that you shall not need to ask questions."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The great thing Christ would lead them into was the knowledge of
|
||
|
|
God: "<I>I will show you the Father,</I> and bring you acquainted with
|
||
|
|
him." This is that which Christ designs to give and which all true
|
||
|
|
Christians desire to have. When Christ would express the greatest
|
||
|
|
favour intended for his disciples, he tells them that it would, <I>show
|
||
|
|
them plainly of the Father;</I> for what is the happiness of heaven,
|
||
|
|
but immediately and everlastingly to see God? <I>To know God as the
|
||
|
|
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ</I> is the greatest mystery for the
|
||
|
|
understanding to please itself with the contemplation of; and to know
|
||
|
|
him as our Father is the greatest happiness for the will and affections
|
||
|
|
to please themselves with the choice and enjoyment of.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Of this he had hitherto spoken to them in proverbs, which are wise
|
||
|
|
and instructive sayings, but figurative, and resting in generals.
|
||
|
|
Christ had spoken many things very plainly to them, and expounded his
|
||
|
|
parables privately to the disciples, but,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Considering their dulness, and unaptness to receive what he said
|
||
|
|
to them, he might be said to speak in proverbs; what he said to them
|
||
|
|
was as a book sealed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+29:11">Isa. xxix. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Comparing the discoveries he had made to them, in what he had
|
||
|
|
spoken to their ears, with what he would make to them when he would
|
||
|
|
<I>put his Spirit into their heart,</I> all hitherto had been proverbs.
|
||
|
|
It would be a pleasing surprise to themselves, and they would think
|
||
|
|
themselves in a new world, when they would reflect upon all their
|
||
|
|
former notions as confused and enigmatical, compared with their present
|
||
|
|
clear and distinct knowledge of divine things. <I>The ministration of
|
||
|
|
the letter</I> was nothing to <I>that of the Spirit,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:8-11">2 Cor. iii. 8-11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Confining it to what he had said of <I>the Father,</I> and the
|
||
|
|
counsels of <I>the Father.</I> what he had said was very dark, compared
|
||
|
|
with what was shortly to be revealed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:2">Col. ii. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He would speak to them <I>plainly,</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>parresia</I></B>--<I>with freedom,</I> of the Father. When the
|
||
|
|
Spirit was poured out, the apostles attained to a much greater
|
||
|
|
knowledge of divine things than they had before, as appears by the
|
||
|
|
utterance the Spirit gave them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:4">Acts ii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They were led into the mystery of those things of which they had
|
||
|
|
previously a very confused idea; and what the Spirit showed them Christ
|
||
|
|
is here said to show them, for, as the Father speaks by the Son, so the
|
||
|
|
Son by the Spirit. But this promise will have its full accomplishment
|
||
|
|
in heaven, where we shall see the Father as he is, <I>face to face,</I>
|
||
|
|
not as we do now, <I>through a glass darkly</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:12">1 Cor. xiii. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which is matter of comfort to us under the cloud of present darkness,
|
||
|
|
by reason of which we cannot <I>order our speech,</I> but often
|
||
|
|
disorder it. While we are here, we have many questions to ask
|
||
|
|
concerning the invisible God and the invisible world; but in that day
|
||
|
|
we shall see all things clearly, and <I>ask no more questions.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He promises that by way of request they should ask nothing in vain.
|
||
|
|
it is taken for granted that all Christ's disciples give themselves to
|
||
|
|
prayer. He has taught them by his precept and pattern to be much in
|
||
|
|
prayer; this must be their support and comfort when he had left them;
|
||
|
|
their instruction, direction, strength, and success, must be fetched in
|
||
|
|
by prayer. Now,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Here is an express promise of a grant,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The preface to this promise is such as makes it inviolably sure, and
|
||
|
|
leaves no room to question it: "<I>Verily, verily, I say unto you,</I>
|
||
|
|
I pledge my veracity upon it." The promise itself is incomparably rich
|
||
|
|
and sweet; the golden sceptre is here held out to us, with the word,
|
||
|
|
<I>What is thy petition, and it shall be granted?</I> For he says,
|
||
|
|
<I>Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to
|
||
|
|
you.</I> We had it before,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:13"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
What would we more? The promise is as express as we can desire.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We are here taught how to seek; we must <I>ask the Father in
|
||
|
|
Christ's name;</I> we must have an eye to God as a Father, and come as
|
||
|
|
children to him; and to Christ as Mediator, and come as clients. Asking
|
||
|
|
of the Father includes a sense of spiritual blessings, with a
|
||
|
|
conviction that they are to be had from God only. It included also
|
||
|
|
humility of address to him, with a believing confidence in him, as a
|
||
|
|
Father able and ready to help us. Asking in Christ's name includes an
|
||
|
|
acknowledgment of our own unworthiness to receive any favour from God,
|
||
|
|
a complacency in the method God has taken of keeping up a
|
||
|
|
correspondence with us by his Son, and an entire dependence upon Christ
|
||
|
|
as <I>the Lord our Righteousness.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We are here told how we shall speed: <I>He will give it to
|
||
|
|
you.</I> What more can we wish for than to have what we want, nay, to
|
||
|
|
have what we will, in conformity to God's will, for the asking? He
|
||
|
|
<I>will give it to you</I> from whom <I>proceedeth every good and
|
||
|
|
perfect gift.</I> What Christ purchased by the merit of his death, he
|
||
|
|
needed not for himself, but intended it for, and consigned it to, his
|
||
|
|
faithful followers; and having given a valuable consideration for it,
|
||
|
|
which was accepted in full, by this promise he draws a bill as it were
|
||
|
|
upon the treasury in heaven, which we are to present by prayer, and
|
||
|
|
<I>in his name</I> to ask for that which is purchased and promised,
|
||
|
|
according to the true intent of the new covenant. Christ had promised
|
||
|
|
them great illumination by the Spirit, but they must pray for it, and
|
||
|
|
did so,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:14">Acts i. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God will for this be enquired of. He had promised them perfection
|
||
|
|
hereafter, but what shall they do in the mean time? They must continue
|
||
|
|
praying. Perfect fruition is reserved for the land of our rest; asking
|
||
|
|
and receiving are the comfort of the land of our pilgrimage.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Here is an invitation for them to petition. It is thought sufficient
|
||
|
|
if great men permit addresses, but Christ calls upon us to petition,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He looks back upon their practice hitherto: <I>Hitherto have you
|
||
|
|
asked nothing in my name.</I> This refers either
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] To the matter of their prayers: "You have asked nothing
|
||
|
|
comparatively, nothing to what you might have asked, and will ask when
|
||
|
|
the Spirit is poured out." See what a generous benefactor our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus is, above all benefactors; he gives liberally, and is so far from
|
||
|
|
upbraiding us with the frequency and largeness of his gifts that he
|
||
|
|
rather upbraids us with the seldomness and straitness of our requests:
|
||
|
|
"<I>You have asked nothing</I> in comparison of what you want, and what
|
||
|
|
I have to give, and have promised to give." We are told to <I>open our
|
||
|
|
mouth wide.</I> Or,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] To the name in which they prayed. They prayed many a prayer, but
|
||
|
|
never so expressly in the name of Christ as now he was directing them
|
||
|
|
to do; for he had not as yet offered up that great sacrifice in the
|
||
|
|
virtue of which our prayers were to be accepted, nor entered upon his
|
||
|
|
intercession for us, the incense whereof was to perfume all our
|
||
|
|
devotions, and so enable us to pray in his name. Hitherto they had
|
||
|
|
cast out devils, and healed diseases, in the name of Christ, as a king
|
||
|
|
and a prophet, but they could not as yet distinctly pray in his name as
|
||
|
|
a priest.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He looks forward to their practice for the future: <I>Ask and you
|
||
|
|
shall receive, that your joy may be full.</I> Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He directs them to ask for all that they needed and he had
|
||
|
|
promised.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He assures them that they shall <I>receive.</I> What we ask from a
|
||
|
|
principle of grace God will graciously give: <I>You shall receive
|
||
|
|
it.</I> There is something more in this than the promise that he will
|
||
|
|
give it. He will not only give it, but give you to receive it, give you
|
||
|
|
the comfort and benefit of it, <I>a heart to eat of it,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+6:2">Eccl. vi. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] That hereby <I>their joy shall be full.</I> This denotes,
|
||
|
|
<I>First.</I> The blessed effect of the <I>prayer of faith;</I> it
|
||
|
|
helps to fill up the <I>joy of faith.</I> Would we have our joy full,
|
||
|
|
as full as it is capable of being in this world, we must be <I>much in
|
||
|
|
prayer.</I> When we are told to <I>rejoice evermore,</I> it follows
|
||
|
|
immediately, <I>Pray without ceasing.</I> See how high we are to aim in
|
||
|
|
prayer--not only at peace, but joy, a <I>fulness of joy.</I> Or,
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The blessed effects of the <I>answer of peace:</I>
|
||
|
|
"Ask, and you shall receive that which will <I>fill your joy.</I>"
|
||
|
|
God's gifts, through Christ, fill the treasures of the soul, they fill
|
||
|
|
its joy,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+8:21">Prov. viii. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Ask for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and you shall receive it; and
|
||
|
|
whereas other knowledge <I>increaseth sorrow</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+1:18">Eccl. i. 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the knowledge he gives will increase, will fill, <I>your joy.</I>"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Here are the grounds upon which they might hope to speed
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which are summed up in short by the apostle
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:1">1 John ii. 1</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>We have an advocate with the Father.</I>"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We have an advocate; as to this, Christ saw cause at present not
|
||
|
|
to insist upon it, only to make the following encouragement shine the
|
||
|
|
brighter: "<I>I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for
|
||
|
|
you.</I> Suppose I should not tell you that I will intercede for you,
|
||
|
|
should not undertake to solicit every particular cause you have
|
||
|
|
depending there, yet it may be a general ground of comfort that I have
|
||
|
|
settled a correspondence between you and God, have erected a throne of
|
||
|
|
grace, and consecrated for you a <I>new and living way into the
|
||
|
|
holiest.</I>" He speaks as if they needed not any favours, when he had
|
||
|
|
prevailed for the gift of the Holy Ghost to <I>make intercession within
|
||
|
|
them,</I> as Spirit of adoption, crying <I>Abba, Father;</I> as if they
|
||
|
|
had no further need of him to pray for them now, but we shall find that
|
||
|
|
he does more for us than he says he will. Men's performances often come
|
||
|
|
short of their promises, but Christ's go beyond them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We have to do with a Father, which is so great an encouragement
|
||
|
|
that it does in a manner supersede the other: "<I>For the Father
|
||
|
|
himself loveth you,</I> <B><I>philei hymas</I></B>, he is a friend to
|
||
|
|
you, and you cannot be better befriended." Note, The disciples of
|
||
|
|
Christ are the beloved of God himself. Christ not only turned away
|
||
|
|
God's wrath from us, and brought us into a covenant of peace and
|
||
|
|
reconciliation, but purchased his favour for us, and brought us into a
|
||
|
|
covenant of friendship. Observe what an emphasis is laid upon this
|
||
|
|
"<I>The Father himself loveth you,</I> who is perfectly happy in the
|
||
|
|
enjoyment of himself, whose self-love is both his infinite rectitude
|
||
|
|
and his infinite blessedness; yet he is pleased to love you." The
|
||
|
|
Father himself, whose favour you have forfeited, and whose wrath you
|
||
|
|
have incurred, and with whom you need an advocate, he himself now loves
|
||
|
|
you. Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Why the Father loved the disciples of Christ: <I>Because you have
|
||
|
|
loved me, and have believed that I am come from God,</I> that is,
|
||
|
|
because you are my disciples indeed: not as if the love began on their
|
||
|
|
side, but when by his grace he has wrought in us a love to him he is
|
||
|
|
well pleased with the work of his own hands. See here, <I>First,</I>
|
||
|
|
What is the character of Christ's disciples; they love him, because
|
||
|
|
they <I>believe he came out from God,</I> is the only-begotten of the
|
||
|
|
Father, and his high-commissioner to the world. Note, Faith in Christ
|
||
|
|
works by love to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+5:6">Gal. v. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If we believe him to be the Son of God, we cannot but love him as
|
||
|
|
infinitely lovely in himself; and if we believe him to be our Saviour,
|
||
|
|
we cannot but love him as the most kind to us. Observe with what
|
||
|
|
respect Christ is pleased to speak of his disciples' love to him, and
|
||
|
|
how kindly he took it; he speaks of it as that which recommended them
|
||
|
|
to his Father's favour: "You have loved me and believed in me when the
|
||
|
|
world has hated and rejected me; and you shall be distinguished
|
||
|
|
yourselves." <I>Secondly,</I> See what advantage Christ's faithful
|
||
|
|
disciples have, the Father loves them, and that because they love
|
||
|
|
Christ; so well pleased is he in him that he is well pleased with all
|
||
|
|
his friends.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] What encouragement this gave them in prayer. They need not fear
|
||
|
|
speeding when they came to one that loved them, and wished them well.
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> This cautions us against hard thoughts of God. When we
|
||
|
|
are taught in prayer to plead Christ's merit and intercession, it is
|
||
|
|
not as if all the kindness were in Christ only, and in God nothing but
|
||
|
|
wrath and fury; no, the matter is not so, the Father's love and
|
||
|
|
good-will appointed Christ to be the Mediator; so that we owe Christ's
|
||
|
|
merit to God's mercy in giving him for us. <I>Secondly,</I> Let it
|
||
|
|
cherish and confirm in us good thoughts of God. Believers, that love
|
||
|
|
Christ, ought to know that God loves them, and therefore to come boldly
|
||
|
|
to him as children to a loving Father.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Joh16_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Discoveries of Himself.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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
|
||
|
|
camest 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.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Two things Christ here comforts his disciples with:--</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. With an assurance that, though he was leaving the world, he was
|
||
|
|
returning to his Father, from whom he came forth
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:28-32"><I>v.</I> 28-32</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A plain declaration of Christ's mission from the Father, and his
|
||
|
|
return to him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I came forth from the Father, and am come,</I> as you see, <I>into
|
||
|
|
the world. Again, I leave the world,</I> as you will see shortly,
|
||
|
|
<I>and go to the Father.</I> This is the conclusion of the whole
|
||
|
|
matter. There was nothing he had more inculcated upon them than these
|
||
|
|
two things--whence he came, and whither he went, the <I>Alpha</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>Omega</I> of the <I>mystery of godliness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that the Redeemer, in his entrance, was <I>God manifest in the
|
||
|
|
flesh,</I> and in his exit was <I>received up into glory.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) These two great truths are here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Contracted, and put into a few words. Brief summaries of Christian
|
||
|
|
doctrine are of great use to young beginners. The principles of the
|
||
|
|
oracles of God brought into a little compass in creeds and catechisms
|
||
|
|
have, like the beams of the sun contracted in a burning glass, conveyed
|
||
|
|
divine light and heat with a wonderful power. Such we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+28:28,Ec+12:13,1Ti+1:15,Tit+2:11,12,1Jo+5:11">Job xxviii. 28;
|
||
|
|
Eccl. xii. 13; 1 Tim. i. 15; Tit. ii. 11, 12; 1 John v. 11</A>;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
much in a little.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Compared, and set the one over against the other. There is an
|
||
|
|
admirable harmony in divine truths; they both corroborate and
|
||
|
|
illustrate one another; Christ's coming and his going do so. Christ had
|
||
|
|
commended his disciples for believing that he came forth from God
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and thence infers the necessity and equity of his returning to God
|
||
|
|
again, which therefore should not seem to them either strange or sad.
|
||
|
|
Note, The due improvement of what we know and own would help us into
|
||
|
|
the understanding of that which seems difficult and doubtful.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) If we ask concerning the Redeemer <I>whence he came,</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>whither he went,</I> we are told,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] That he <I>came from the Father,</I> who sanctified and sealed
|
||
|
|
him; and he came into this world, this lower world, this world of
|
||
|
|
mankind, among whom by his incarnation he was pleased to incorporate
|
||
|
|
himself. Here his business lay, and hither he came to attend it. He
|
||
|
|
left his home for this strange country; his palace for this cottage;
|
||
|
|
wonderful condescension!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] That, when he had done his work on earth, he left the world, and
|
||
|
|
went back to his Father at his ascension. He was not forced away, but
|
||
|
|
made it his own act and deed to leave the world, to return to it no
|
||
|
|
more till he comes to put an end to it; yet still he is spiritually
|
||
|
|
present with his church, and will be to the end.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The disciples' satisfaction in this declaration
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:29,30"><I>v.</I> 29, 30</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lo, now speakest though plainly.</I> It should seem, this one word
|
||
|
|
of Christ did them more good than all the rest, though he had said many
|
||
|
|
things likely enough to fasten upon them. The Spirit, as the wind,
|
||
|
|
blows when and where, and by what word he pleases; perhaps a word that
|
||
|
|
has been <I>spoken once, yea twice,</I> and not perceived, yet, being
|
||
|
|
often repeated, takes hold at last. Two things they improved in by this
|
||
|
|
saying:--</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) In knowledge: <I>Lo, now speakest thou plainly.</I> When they were
|
||
|
|
in the dark concerning what he said, they did not say, <I>Lo, now
|
||
|
|
speakest thou obscurely,</I> as blaming him; but now that they
|
||
|
|
apprehend his meaning they give him glory for condescending to their
|
||
|
|
capacity: <I>Lo, now speakest thou plainly.</I> Divine truths are most
|
||
|
|
likely to do good when they are spoken plainly,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:4">1 Cor. ii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe how they triumphed, as the mathematician did with his
|
||
|
|
<B><I>heureka, heureka</I></B>, when he had hit upon a demonstration he
|
||
|
|
had long been in quest of: <I>I have found it, I have found it.</I>
|
||
|
|
Note, When Christ is pleased to speak plainly to our souls, and to
|
||
|
|
bring us with open face to behold his glory, we have reason to rejoice
|
||
|
|
in it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) In faith: <I>Now are we sure.</I> Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] What was the matter of their faith: <I>We believe that thou camest
|
||
|
|
forth from God.</I> He had said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that they did believe this; "Lord" (say they) "we do believe it, and we
|
||
|
|
have cause to believe it, and we know that we believe it, and have the
|
||
|
|
comfort of it."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] What was the motive of their faith--his omniscience. This proved
|
||
|
|
him a teacher come from God, and more than a prophet, that he knew all
|
||
|
|
things, which they were convinced of by this that he resolved those
|
||
|
|
doubts which were hid in their hearts, and answered the scruples they
|
||
|
|
had not confessed. Note, Those know Christ best that know him by
|
||
|
|
experience, that can say of his power, It works in me; of his love, He
|
||
|
|
loved me. And this proves Christ not only to have a divine mission, but
|
||
|
|
to be a divine person, that he is a discerner of the thoughts and
|
||
|
|
intents of the heart, therefore the essential, eternal Word,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:12,13">Heb. iv. 12, 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He has made all the churches to know that he searches the reins and the
|
||
|
|
heart,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:23">Rev. ii. 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This confirmed the faith of the disciples here, as it made the first
|
||
|
|
impression upon the woman of Samaria that Christ <I>told her all the
|
||
|
|
things that ever she did</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:29"><I>ch.</I> iv. 29</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and upon Nathanael that Christ <I>saw him under the fig-tree,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:48,49"><I>ch.</I> i. 48, 49</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These words, <I>and needest not that any man should ask thee,</I> may
|
||
|
|
bespeak either, <I>First,</I> Christ's aptness to teach. He prevents us
|
||
|
|
with his instructions, and is communicative of the <I>treasures of
|
||
|
|
wisdom and knowledge</I> that are hid in him, and needs not to be
|
||
|
|
importuned. Or, <I>Secondly,</I> His ability to teach: "Thou needest
|
||
|
|
not, as other teachers, to have the learners' doubts told thee, for
|
||
|
|
thou knowest, without being told, what they stumble at." The best of
|
||
|
|
teachers can only answer what is spoken, but Christ can answer what is
|
||
|
|
thought, what we are afraid to ask, as the disciples were,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:32">Mark ix. 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thus he <I>can have compassion,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:2">Heb. v. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The gentle rebuke Christ gave the disciples for their confidence
|
||
|
|
that they now understood him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observing how they triumphed in their attainments, he said, "<I>Do you
|
||
|
|
now believe?</I> Do you now look upon yourselves as advanced and
|
||
|
|
confirmed disciples? Do you now think you shall make no more blunders?
|
||
|
|
Alas! you know not your own weakness; you will very shortly <I>be
|
||
|
|
scattered every man to his own,</I>" &c. Here we have,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) A question, designed to put them upon consideration: <I>Do you now
|
||
|
|
believe?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] "If now, why not sooner? Have you not heard the same things many a
|
||
|
|
time before?" Those who after many instructions and invitations are at
|
||
|
|
last persuaded to believe have reason to be ashamed that they stood it
|
||
|
|
out so long.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] "If now, why not ever? When an hour of temptation comes, where
|
||
|
|
will your faith be then?" As far as there is inconstancy in our faith
|
||
|
|
there is cause to question the sincerity of it, and to ask, "Do we
|
||
|
|
indeed believe?"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) A prediction of their fall, that, how confident soever they were
|
||
|
|
now of their own stability, in a little time they would all desert him,
|
||
|
|
which was fulfilled that very night, when, upon his being seized by a
|
||
|
|
party of the guards, <I>all his disciples forsook him and fled,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:56">Matt. xxvi. 56</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They were scattered,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] From one another; they shifted every one for his own safety,
|
||
|
|
without any care or concern for each other. Troublous times are times
|
||
|
|
of scattering to Christian societies; in the cloudy and dark day the
|
||
|
|
flock of Christ is dispersed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+34:12">Ezek. xxxiv. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So Christ, as a society, is not visible.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Scattered for him: <I>You shall leave me alone.</I> They should
|
||
|
|
have been witnesses for him upon his trial, should have ministered to
|
||
|
|
him in his sufferings; if they could have given him no comfort they
|
||
|
|
might have done him some credit; but they were ashamed of his chain,
|
||
|
|
and afraid of sharing with him in his sufferings, and left him alone.
|
||
|
|
Note, Many a good cause, when it is distressed by its enemies, is
|
||
|
|
deserted by its friends. The disciples had <I>continued with Christ</I>
|
||
|
|
in his other temptations and yet turned their back upon him now; those
|
||
|
|
that are tried, do not always prove trusty. If we at any time find our
|
||
|
|
friends unkind to us, let us remember that Christ's were so to him.
|
||
|
|
When they left him alone, they were scattered <I>every man to his
|
||
|
|
own;</I> not to their own possessions or habitations, these were in
|
||
|
|
Galilee; but to their own friends and acquaintance in Jerusalem; every
|
||
|
|
one went his own way, where he fancied he should be most safe. Every
|
||
|
|
man to secure his own; himself and his own life. Note, Those will not
|
||
|
|
dare to suffer for their religion that <I>seek their own things</I>
|
||
|
|
more than the <I>things of Christ,</I> and that look upon the things of
|
||
|
|
this world as their <B><I>ta idia</I></B>--<I>their own property,</I>
|
||
|
|
and in which their happiness is bound up. Now observe here,
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> Christ knew before that his disciples would thus desert
|
||
|
|
him in the critical moment, and yet he was still tender of them, and in
|
||
|
|
nothing unkind. We are ready to say of some, "If we could have foreseen
|
||
|
|
their ingratitude, we would not have been so prodigal of our favours to
|
||
|
|
them;" Christ did foresee theirs, and yet was kind to them.
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> He told them of it, to be a rebuke to their exultation
|
||
|
|
in their present attainments: "<I>Do you now believe?</I> Be not
|
||
|
|
high-minded, but fear; for you will find your faith so sorely shaken as
|
||
|
|
to make it questionable whether it be sincere or no, in a little time."
|
||
|
|
Note, even when we are taking the comfort of our graces, it is good to
|
||
|
|
be reminded of our dangers from our corruptions. When our faith is
|
||
|
|
strong, our love flaming, and our evidences are clear, yet we cannot
|
||
|
|
infer thence that <I>to-morrow shall be as this day.</I> Even when we
|
||
|
|
have most reason to think we stand, yet we have reason enough to take
|
||
|
|
heed lest we fall. <I>Thirdly,</I> He spoke of it as a thing very
|
||
|
|
near. <I>The hour was</I> already <I>come,</I> in a manner, when they
|
||
|
|
would be as shy of him as ever they had been fond of him. Note, A
|
||
|
|
little time may produce great changes, both concerning us and in
|
||
|
|
us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) An assurance of his own comfort notwithstanding: <I>Yet I am not
|
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alone.</I> He would not be thought to complain of their deserting him,
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as if it were any real damage to him; for in their absence he should be
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sure of his Father's presence, which was <I>instar omnium--every thing:
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The Father is with me.</I> We may consider this,
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[1.] As a privilege peculiar to the Lord Jesus; the Father was so with
|
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him in his sufferings as he never was with any, for still he was <I>in
|
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|
the bosom of the Father.</I> The divine nature did not desert the human
|
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nature, but supported it, and put an invincible comfort and an
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inestimable value into his sufferings. The Father had engaged to be
|
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with him in his whole undertaking
|
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|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:21">Ps. lxxxix. 21</A>,
|
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|
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&c.), and to preserve him
|
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|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:8">Isa. xlix. 8</A>);
|
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|
|
||
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|
this emboldened him,
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:7">Isa. l. 7</A>.
|
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||
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Even when he complained of his Father's forsaking him, yet he called
|
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him <I>My God,</I> and presently after was so well assured of his
|
||
|
|
favourable presence with him as to commit his Spirit into his hand.
|
||
|
|
This he had comforted himself with all along
|
||
|
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|
||
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:29"><I>ch.</I> viii. 29</A>),
|
||
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|
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<I>He that sent me is with me, the Father hath not left me alone,</I>
|
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|
|
and especially now at last. This assists our faith in the
|
||
|
|
acceptableness of Christ's satisfaction; no doubt, the Father was well
|
||
|
|
pleased in him, for he went along with him in his undertaking from
|
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|
first to last.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] As a privilege common to all believers, by virtue of their union
|
||
|
|
with Christ; when they are alone, they are <I>not alone,</I> but <I>the
|
||
|
|
Father is with them. First,</I> When solitude is their choice, when
|
||
|
|
they are alone, as Isaac in the field, Nathanael under the fig-tree,
|
||
|
|
Peter upon the house-top, meditating and praying, the Father is with
|
||
|
|
them. Those that converse with God in solitude are never less alone
|
||
|
|
than when alone. A good God and a good heart are good company at any
|
||
|
|
time. <I>Secondly,</I> When solitude is their affliction, their enemies
|
||
|
|
lay them alone, and their friends leave them so, their company, like
|
||
|
|
Job's, is made desolate; yet they are not so much alone as they are
|
||
|
|
thought to be, <I>the Father is with them,</I> as he was with Joseph in
|
||
|
|
his bonds and with John in his banishment. In their greatest troubles
|
||
|
|
they are as one whom his father pities, as one whom his mother
|
||
|
|
comforts. And, while we have God's favourable presence with us, we are
|
||
|
|
happy, and ought to be easy, though all the world forsake us. <I>Non
|
||
|
|
deo tribuimus justum honorem nisi solus ipse nobis sufficiat--We do not
|
||
|
|
render due honour to God, unless we deem him alone
|
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|
|
all-sufficient.</I>--Calvin.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He comforts them with a promise of peace in him, by virtue of his
|
||
|
|
victory over the world, whatever troubles they might meet with in it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>These things have I spoken, that in me you might have peace;</I>
|
||
|
|
and if you have it not in me you will not have it at all, for <I>in the
|
||
|
|
world you shall have tribulation;</I> you must expect no other, and yet
|
||
|
|
may cheer up yourselves, for <I>I have overcome the world.</I>"
|
||
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The end Christ aimed at in preaching this farewell sermon to his
|
||
|
|
disciples: <I>That in him they might have peace.</I> He did not hereby
|
||
|
|
intend to give them a full view of that doctrine which they were
|
||
|
|
shortly to be made masters of by the pouring out of the Spirit, but
|
||
|
|
only to satisfy them for the present that his departure from them was
|
||
|
|
really for the best. Or, we may take it more generally: Christ had said
|
||
|
|
all this to them that by enjoying him they might have the best
|
||
|
|
enjoyment of themselves. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is the will of Christ that his disciples should have peace
|
||
|
|
within, whatever their troubles may be without.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Peace in Christ is the only true peace, and in him alone believers
|
||
|
|
have it, for <I>this man shall be the peace,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:5">Mic. v. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Through him we have peace with God, and so in him we have peace in our
|
||
|
|
own minds.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The word of Christ aims at this, <I>that in him we may have
|
||
|
|
peace.</I> Peace is the <I>fruit of the lips, and of his lips,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:19">Isa. lvii. 19</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The entertainment they were likely to meet with in the world: "You
|
||
|
|
shall not have outward peace, never expect it." Though they were sent
|
||
|
|
to proclaim <I>peace on earth,</I> and <I>good-will towards men,</I>
|
||
|
|
they must expect trouble on earth, and ill-will from men. Note, It has
|
||
|
|
been the lot of Christ's disciples to have more or less tribulation in
|
||
|
|
this world. Men persecute them because they are so good, and God
|
||
|
|
corrects them because they are no better. Men design to cut them off
|
||
|
|
from the earth, and God designs by affliction to make them meet for
|
||
|
|
heaven; and so between both <I>they shall have tribulation.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The encouragement Christ gives them with reference hereto: <I>But be
|
||
|
|
of good cheer,</I> <B><I>tharseite</I></B>. "Not only be of good
|
||
|
|
comfort, but be of good courage; have a good heart on it, all shall be
|
||
|
|
well." Note, In the midst of the tribulations of this world it is the
|
||
|
|
duty and interest of Christ's disciples to be of good cheer, to keep up
|
||
|
|
their delight in God whatever is pressing, and their hope in God
|
||
|
|
whatever is threatening; as sorrowful indeed, in compliance with the
|
||
|
|
temper of the climate, and yet always rejoicing, always cheerful
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+6:10">2 Cor. vi. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
even <I>in tribulation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:3">Rom. v. 3</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The ground of that encouragement: <I>I have overcome the world.</I>
|
||
|
|
Christ's victory is a Christian triumph. Christ overcame the prince of
|
||
|
|
this world, disarmed him, and cast him out; and still treads Satan
|
||
|
|
under our feet. He overcame the children of this world, by the
|
||
|
|
conversion of many to the faith and obedience of his gospel, making
|
||
|
|
them the children of his kingdom. When he sends his disciples to preach
|
||
|
|
the gospel to all the world, "<I>Be of good cheer,</I>" says he, "<I>I
|
||
|
|
have overcome the world</I> as far as I have gone, and so shall you;
|
||
|
|
though you have tribulation in the world, yet you shall gain your
|
||
|
|
point, and captivate the world,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:2">Rev. vi. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He overcame the wicked of the world, for many a time he put his enemies
|
||
|
|
to silence, to shame; "And be you of good cheer, for the Spirit will
|
||
|
|
enable you to do so too." He overcame the evil things of the world by
|
||
|
|
submitting to them; he endured the cross, despising it and the shame of
|
||
|
|
it; and he overcame the good things of it by being wholly dead to them;
|
||
|
|
its honours had no beauty in his eye, its pleasures no charms. Never
|
||
|
|
was there such a conqueror of the world as Christ was, and we ought to
|
||
|
|
be encouraged by it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Because Christ has overcome the world before us; so that we may
|
||
|
|
look upon it as a conquered enemy, that has many a time been baffled.
|
||
|
|
Nay,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He has conquered it for us, as the captain of our salvation. We
|
||
|
|
are interested in his victory; by his cross the world is <I>crucified
|
||
|
|
to us,</I> which bespeaks it completely conquered and put into our
|
||
|
|
possession; all is yours, even <I>the world.</I> Christ having overcome
|
||
|
|
the world, believers have nothing to do but to pursue their victory,
|
||
|
|
and divide the spoil; and this we do by faith,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:4">1 John v. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
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