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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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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. XV.</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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It is generally agreed that Christ's discourse in this and the next
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chapter was at the close of the last supper, the night in which he was
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betrayed, and it is a continued discourse, not interrupted as that in
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the foregoing chapter was; and what he chooses to discourse of is very
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pertinent to the present sad occasion of a farewell sermon. Now that he
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was about to leave them,
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I. They would be tempted to leave him, and return to Moses again; and
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therefore he tells them how necessary it was that they should by faith
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adhere to him and abide in him.
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II. They would be tempted to grow strange one to another; and therefore
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he presses it upon them to love one another, and to keep up that
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communion when he was gone which had hitherto been their comfort.
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III. They would be tempted to shrink from their apostleship when they
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met with hardships; and therefore he prepared them to bear the shock of
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the world's ill will. There are four words to which his discourse in
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this chapter may be reduced;
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1. Fruit,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
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2. Love,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:9-17">ver. 9-17</A>.
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3. Hatred,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:18-25">ver. 18-25</A>.
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4. The Comforter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Joh15_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_8"> </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>Christ the True Vine.</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 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
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2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and
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every <I>branch</I> that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
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bring forth more fruit.
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3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
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you.
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4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
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itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
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abide in me.
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5 I am the vine, ye <I>are</I> the branches: He that abideth in me,
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and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
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ye can do nothing.
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6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and
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is withered; and men gather them, and cast <I>them</I> into the fire,
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and they are burned.
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7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask
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what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
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8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so
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shall ye be my disciples.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here Christ discourses concerning the fruit, <I>the fruits of the
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Spirit,</I> which his disciples were to bring forth, under the
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similitude of a vine. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The doctrine of this similitude; what notion we ought to have of
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it.</P>
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<P>
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1. That Jesus Christ is <I>the vine, the true vine.</I> It is an
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instance of the humility of Christ that he is pleased to speak of
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himself under low and humble comparisons. He that is <I>the Sun of
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righteousness,</I> and <I>the bright and morning Star,</I> compares
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himself to a <I>vine.</I> The church, which is Christ mystical, is a
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vine
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:8">Ps. lxxx. 8</A>),
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so is Christ, who is the church seminal. Christ and his church are thus
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set forth.
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(1.) He is <I>the vine,</I> planted in the vineyard, and not a
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spontaneous product; planted in the earth, for his is <I>the Word made
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flesh.</I> The vine has an unsightly unpromising outside; and Christ
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had <I>no form nor comeliness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:2">Isa. liii. 2</A>.
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The vine is a spreading plant, and Christ will be known as <I>salvation
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to the ends of the earth.</I> The fruit of the vine honours God and
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cheers man
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:13">Judg. ix. 13</A>),
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so does the fruit of Christ's mediation; it is <I>better than gold,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+8:19">Prov. viii. 19</A>.
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(2.) He is <I>the true vine,</I> as truth is opposed to pretence and
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counterfeit; he is really a fruitful plant, a plant of renown. He is
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not like that wild vine which deceived those who gathered of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:39">2 Kings iv. 39</A>),
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but a true vine. Unfruitful trees are said to <I>lie</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+3:17">Hab. iii. 17</A>.
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<I>marg.</I>), but Christ is a vine that will not deceive. Whatever
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excellency there is in any creature, serviceable to man, it is but a
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shadow of that grace which is in Christ for his people's good. He is
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that true vine typified by Judah's vine, which enriched him with the
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blood of the grape
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:11">Gen. xlix. 11</A>),
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by Joseph's vine, the branches of which <I>ran over the wall</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:22">Gen. xlix. 22</A>),
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by Israel's vine, under which he <I>dwelt safely,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:25">1 Kings iv. 25</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. That believers are branches of this vine, which supposes that Christ
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is the root of the vine. The root is unseen, and our <I>life is hid
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with Christ;</I> the root bears the tree
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:18">Rom. xi. 18</A>),
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diffuses sap to it, and is all in all to its flourishing and
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fruitfulness; and in Christ are all supports and supplies. The branches
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of the vine are many, some on one side of the house or wall, others on
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the other side; yet, meeting in the root, are all but one vine; thus
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all good Christians, though in place and opinion distant from each
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other, yet meet in Christ, the centre of their unity. Believers, like
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the branches of the vine, are weak, and insufficient to stand of
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themselves, but as they are borne up. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+15:2">Ezek. xv. 2</A>.</P>
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<P>
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3. That <I>the Father is the husbandman,</I>
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<B><I>georgos</I></B>--<I>the land-worker.</I> Though <I>the earth is
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the Lord's,</I> it yields him no fruit unless he work it. God has not
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only a propriety in, but a care of, the vine and all the branches. He
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<I>hath planted, and watered, and gives the increase;</I> for <I>we are
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God's husbandry,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:9">1 Cor. iii. 9</A>.
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See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:1,2,27:2,3">Isa. v. 1, 2; xxvii. 2, 3</A>.
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He had an eye upon Christ, the root, and upheld him, and made him to
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flourish <I>out of a dry ground.</I> He has an eye upon all the
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branches, and prunes them, and watches over them, that nothing hurt
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them. Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his
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vineyard, as God is about his church, which therefore must needs
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prosper.</P>
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<P>
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II. The duty taught us by this similitude, which is to <I>bring forth
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fruit,</I> and, in order to this, to <I>abide</I> in Christ.</P>
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<P>
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1. We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:2">Isa. v. 2</A>),
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and from a Christian we look for Christianity; this is the
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<I>fruit,</I> a Christian temper and disposition, a Christian life and
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conversation, Christian devotions and Christian designs. We must honour
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God, and do good, and exemplify the purity and power of the religion we
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profess; and this is bearing fruit. The disciples here must be
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fruitful, as Christians, in all <I>the fruits of righteousness,</I> and
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as apostles, in diffusing the savour of the knowledge of Christ. To
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persuade them to this, he urges,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The doom of the unfruitful
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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They are <I>taken away.</I>
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[1.] It is here intimated that there are many who pass for
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<I>branches</I> in Christ who yet do <I>not bear fruit.</I> Were they
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really united to Christ by faith, they would bear fruit; but being only
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tied to him by the thread of an outward profession, though they seem to
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be branches, they will soon be seen to be dry ones. Unfruitful
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professors are unfaithful professors; professors, and no more. It might
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be read, <I>Every branch that beareth not fruit in me,</I> and it comes
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much to one; for those that do not bear fruit in Christ, and in his
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Spirit and grace, are as if they bore no fruit at all,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+10:1">Hos. x. 1</A>.
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[2.] It is here threatened that they shall be <I>taken away,</I> in
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justice to them and in kindness to the rest of the branches. From him
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that has not real union with Christ, and fruit produced thereby,
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<I>shall be taken away even that which he seemed to have,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+8:18">Luke viii. 18</A>.
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Some think this refers primarily to Judas.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The promise made to the fruitful: <I>He purgeth them, that they
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may bring forth more fruit.</I> Note,
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[1.] Further fruitfulness is the blessed reward of forward
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fruitfulness. The first blessing was, <I>Be fruitful;</I> and it is
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still a great blessing.
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[2.] Even fruitful branches, in order to their further fruitfulness,
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have need of purging or pruning; <B><I>kathairei</I></B>--<I>he taketh
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away that which is superfluous</I> and luxuriant, which hinders its
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growth and fruitfulness. The best have that in them which is peccant,
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<I>aliquid amputandum--something which should be taken away;</I> some
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notions, passions, or humours, that want to be purged away, which
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Christ has promised to do by his word, and Spirit, and providence; and
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these shall be taken off by degrees in the proper season.
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[3.] The purging of fruitful branches, in order to their greater
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fruitfulness, is the care and work of the great husbandman, for his own
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glory.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) The benefits which believers have by the doctrine of Christ, the
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power of which they should labour to exemplify in a fruitful
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conversation: <I>Now you are clean,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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[1.] Their society was clean, now that Judas was expelled by that word
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of Christ, <I>What thou doest, do quickly;</I> and till they were got
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clear of him <I>they were not all clean.</I> The word of Christ is a
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distinguishing word, and separates <I>between the precious and the
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vile;</I> it will purify <I>the church of the first-born</I> in the
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great dividing day.
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[2.] They were each of them clean, that is, sanctified, by the truth of
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Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:17"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 17</A>);
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that faith by which they received the word of Christ <I>purified their
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hearts,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:9">Acts xv. 9</A>.
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The Spirit of grace by the word refined them from the dross of the
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world and the flesh, and purged out of them <I>the leaven of the
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scribes and Pharisees,</I> from which, when they saw their inveterate
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rage and enmity against their Master, they were now pretty well
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cleansed. Apply it to all believers. The word of Christ is spoken to
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them; there is a cleansing virtue in that word, as it works grace, and
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works out corruption. It cleanses as fire cleanses the gold from its
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dross, and as physic cleanses the body from its disease. We then
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evidence that we are cleansed by the word when we <I>bring forth fruit
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unto holiness.</I> Perhaps here is an allusion to the law concerning
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vineyards in Canaan; the fruit of them was as unclean, and
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uncircumcised, the first three years after it was planted, and <I>the
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fourth year it</I> was to <I>be holiness of praise unto the Lord;</I>
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and then it was clean,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+19:23,24">Lev. xix. 23, 24</A>.
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The disciples had now been three years under Christ's instruction; and
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<I>now you are clean.</I></P>
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<P>
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(4.) The glory that will redound to God by our fruitfulness, with the
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comfort and honour that will come to ourselves by it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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If we <I>bear much fruit,</I>
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[1.] Herein our Father will be glorified. The fruitfulness of the
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apostles, as such, in the diligent discharge of their office, would be
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to the glory of God in the conversion of souls, and the offering of
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them up to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+15:9,16">Rom. xv. 9, 16</A>.
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The fruitfulness of all Christians, in a lower or narrower sphere, is
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to the glory of God. By the eminent good works of Christians many are
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brought to <I>glorify our Father who is in heaven.</I>
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[2.] So shall we be Christ's disciples indeed, approving ourselves so,
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and making it to appear that we are really what we call ourselves. So
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shall we both evidence our discipleship and adorn it, and be to our
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Master <I>for a name and a praise,</I> and a glory, that is, disciples
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indeed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+13:11">Jer. xiii. 11</A>.
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So shall we be owned by our Master in the great day, and have the
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reward of disciples, a share <I>in the joy of our Lord.</I> And the
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more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in that which is good,
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the more he is glorified.</P>
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<P>
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2. In order to our fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must keep up
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our union with him by faith, and do all we do in religion in the virtue
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of that union. Here is,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The duty enjoined
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Abide in me, and I in you.</I> Note, It is the great concern of all
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Christ's disciples constantly to keep up a dependence upon Christ and
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communion with him, habitually to adhere to him, and actually to derive
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supplies from him. Those that are come to Christ must abide in him:
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"<I>Abide in me,</I> by faith; <I>and I in you,</I> by my Spirit;
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<I>abide in me,</I> and then fear not but I will <I>abide in you;</I>"
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for the communion between Christ and believers never fails on his side.
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We must abide in Christ's word by a regard to it, and it in us as a
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<I>light to our feet.</I> We must abide in Christ's merit as our
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righteousness and plea, and it in us as our support and comfort. The
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knot of the branch abides in the vine, and the sap of the vine abides
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in the branch, and so there is a constant communication between
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them.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The necessity of our abiding in Christ, in order to our
|
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fruitfulness
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>):
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"<I>You cannot bring forth fruit, except you abide in me;</I> but, if
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you do, you <I>bring forth much fruit; for,</I> in short, <I>without
|
|
me,</I> or separate from me, <I>you can do nothing.</I>" So necessary
|
|
is it to our comfort and happiness that we be fruitful, that the best
|
|
argument to engage us to abide in Christ is, that otherwise we cannot
|
|
be fruitful.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Abiding in Christ is necessary in order to our doing much good. He
|
|
that is constant in the exercise of faith in Christ and love to him,
|
|
that lives upon his promises and is led by his Spirit, <I>bringeth
|
|
forth much fruit,</I> he is very serviceable to God's glory, and his
|
|
own account in the great day. Note, Union with Christ is a noble
|
|
principle, productive of all good. A life of faith in the Son of God is
|
|
incomparably the most excellent life a man can live in this world; it
|
|
is regular and even, pure and heavenly; it is useful and comfortable,
|
|
and all that answers the end of life.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is necessary to our doing any good. It is not only a means of
|
|
cultivating ad increasing what good there is already in us, but it is
|
|
the root and spring of all good: "<I>Without me you can do nothing:</I>
|
|
not only no great thing, <I>heal the sick, or raise the dead,</I> but
|
|
nothing." Note, We have as necessary and constant a dependence upon the
|
|
grace of the Mediator for all the actions of the spiritual and divine
|
|
life as we have upon the providence of the Creator for all the actions
|
|
of the natural life; for, as to both, it is in the divine power <I>that
|
|
we live, move, and have our being.</I> Abstracted from the merit of
|
|
Christ, we can do nothing towards our justification; and from the
|
|
Spirit of Christ nothing towards our sanctification. <I>Without Christ
|
|
we can do nothing</I> aright, nothing that will be fruit pleasing to
|
|
God or profitable to ourselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:5">2 Cor. iii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
We depend upon Christ, not only as the vine upon the wall, for support;
|
|
but, as the branch on the root, for sap.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The fatal consequences of forsaking Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If any man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch.</I> This
|
|
is a description of the fearful state of hypocrites that are <I>not in
|
|
Christ,</I> and of apostates that <I>abide not in Christ.</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] They are cast forth as dry and withered branches, which are
|
|
plucked off because they cumber the tree. It is just that those should
|
|
have no benefit by Christ who think they have no need of him; and that
|
|
those who reject him should be rejected by him. Those that abide not in
|
|
Christ shall be abandoned by him; they are left to themselves, to fall
|
|
into scandalous sin, and then are justly cast out of the communion of
|
|
the faithful.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They are withered, as a branch broken off from the tree. Those
|
|
that abide not in Christ, though they may flourish awhile in a
|
|
plausible, at least a passable profession, yet in a little time wither
|
|
and come to nothing. Their parts and gifts wither; their zeal and
|
|
devotion wither; their credit and reputation wither; their hopes and
|
|
comforts wither,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+8:11-13">Job viii. 11-13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Those that bear no fruit, after while will bear no leaves. <I>How
|
|
soon is that fig-tree withered away</I> which Christ has cursed!
|
|
|
|
[3.] <I>Men gather them.</I> Satan's agents and emissaries pick them
|
|
up, and make an easy prey of them. Those that fall off from Christ
|
|
presently fall in with sinners; and the sheep that wander from Christ's
|
|
fold, the devil stands ready to seize them for himself. When the Spirit
|
|
of the Lord had departed from Saul, an evil spirit possessed him.
|
|
|
|
[4.] They <I>cast them into the fire,</I> that is, they are cast into
|
|
the fire; and those who seduce them and draw them to sin do in effect
|
|
cast them there; for they <I>make them children of hell.</I> Fire is
|
|
the fittest place for withered branches, for they are good for nothing
|
|
else,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+15:2-4">Ezek. xv. 2-4</A>.
|
|
|
|
[5.] <I>They are burned;</I> this follows of course, but it is here
|
|
added very emphatically, and makes the threatening very terrible. They
|
|
will not be consumed in a moment, like <I>thorns under a pot</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:6">Eccl. vii. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
but <B><I>kaietai</I></B>, they are burning for ever in a fire, which
|
|
not only cannot be quenched, but will never spend itself. This comes of
|
|
quitting Christ, this is the end of barren trees. Apostates are
|
|
<I>twice dead</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:12">Jude 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and when it is said, <I>They are cast into the fire and are burned,</I>
|
|
it speaks as if they were twice damned. Some apply men's gathering
|
|
them to the ministry of the angels in the great day, when they shall
|
|
gather out of Christ's kingdom all things that offend, and shall
|
|
<I>bundle the tares for the fire.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The blessed privilege which those have that <I>abide in Christ</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will</I> of my
|
|
Father in my name, <I>and it shall be done.</I> See here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] How our union with Christ is maintained--by the word: <I>If you
|
|
abide in me;</I> he had said before, <I>and I in you;</I> here he
|
|
explains himself, <I>and my words abide in you;</I> for it is in the
|
|
word that Christ is set before us, and offered to us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:6-8">Rom. x. 6-8</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is in the word that we receive and embrace him; and so where the
|
|
<I>word of Christ dwells richly</I> there Christ dwells. If the word be
|
|
our constant guide and monitor, if it be in us as at home, then we
|
|
abide in Christ, and he in us.
|
|
|
|
[2.] How our communion with Christ is maintained--by prayer: <I>You
|
|
shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.</I> And what can
|
|
we desire more than to have what we will for the asking? Note, Those
|
|
that abide in Christ as their heart's delight shall have, through
|
|
Christ, their heart's desire. If we have Christ, we shall want nothing
|
|
that is good for us. Two things are implied in this
|
|
promise:--<I>First,</I> That if we abide in Christ, and his word in us,
|
|
we shall not ask any thing but what is proper to be done for us. The
|
|
promises abiding in us lie ready to be turned into prayers; and the
|
|
prayers so regulated cannot but speed. <I>Secondly,</I> That if we
|
|
<I>abide in Christ and his word</I> we shall have such an interest in
|
|
God's favour and Christ's mediation that we shall have an answer of
|
|
peace to all our prayers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Love to His Disciples.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye
|
|
in my love.
|
|
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even
|
|
as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
|
|
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
|
|
remain in you, and <I>that</I> your joy might be full.
|
|
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have
|
|
loved you.
|
|
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
|
|
life for his friends.
|
|
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
|
|
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth
|
|
not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all
|
|
things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
|
|
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained
|
|
you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and <I>that</I> your
|
|
fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father
|
|
in my name, he may give it you.
|
|
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ, who is love itself, is here discoursing concerning love, a
|
|
fourfold love.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Concerning the Father's love to him; and concerning this he here
|
|
tells us,
|
|
|
|
1. That the Father did love him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>As the Father hath loved me.</I> He loved him as Mediator: <I>This
|
|
is my beloved Son.</I> He was the Son of his love. He loved him, and
|
|
gave <I>all things into his hand;</I> and yet so <I>loved the world</I>
|
|
as to deliver him up for us all. When Christ was entering upon his
|
|
sufferings he comforted himself with this, that his Father loved him.
|
|
Those whom God loves as a Father may despise the hatred of all the
|
|
world.
|
|
|
|
2. That he abode in his Father's love,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He continually loved his Father, and was beloved of him. Even when he
|
|
was made sin and a curse for us, and <I>it pleased the Lord to bruise
|
|
him,</I> yet he abode in his Father's love. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:33">Ps. lxxxix. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
Because he continued to love his Father, he went cheerfully through his
|
|
sufferings, and therefore his Father continued to love him.
|
|
|
|
3. That therefore he abode in his Father's love because he kept his
|
|
Father's law: <I>I have kept my Father's commandments,</I> as Mediator,
|
|
and so <I>abide in his love.</I> Hereby he showed that he continued to
|
|
love his Father, that he went on, and went through, with his
|
|
undertaking, and therefore the Father continued to love him. His soul
|
|
<I>delighted in him,</I> because he <I>did not fail, nor was
|
|
discouraged,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+42:1-4">Isa. xlii. 1-4</A>.
|
|
|
|
We having broken the law of creation, and thereby thrown ourselves out
|
|
of the love of God; Christ satisfied for us by obeying the law of
|
|
redemption, and so he abode in his love, and restored us to it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Concerning his own love to his disciples. Though he leaves them, he
|
|
loves them. And observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The pattern of this love: <I>As the Father has loved me, so have I
|
|
loved you.</I> A strange expression of the condescending grace of
|
|
Christ! As the Father loved him, who was most worthy, he loved them,
|
|
who were most unworthy. The Father loved him as his Son, and he loves
|
|
them as his children. <I>The Father gave all things into his hand;</I>
|
|
so, with himself, <I>he freely giveth us all things.</I> The Father
|
|
loved him as Mediator, as head of the church, and the great trustee of
|
|
divine grace and favour, which he had not for himself only, but for the
|
|
benefit of those for whom he was entrusted; and, says he, "I have been
|
|
a faithful trustee. As the Father has committed his love to me, so I
|
|
transmit it to you." Therefore the Father was well pleased with him,
|
|
that he might be well pleased with us in him; and loved him, that in
|
|
him, as beloved, he might <I>make us accepted,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:6">Eph. i. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The proofs and products of this love, which are four:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Christ loved his disciples, for he laid down his life for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Greater</I> proof of <I>love hath no man</I> to show <I>than
|
|
this,</I> to <I>lay down his life for his friend.</I> And this is the
|
|
love wherewith <I>Christ hath loved us,</I> he is our
|
|
<B><I>antipsychos</I></B>--<I>bail for us,</I> body for body, life for
|
|
life, though he knew our insolvency, and foresaw how much the
|
|
engagement would cost him. Observe here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The extent of the love of the children of men to one another. The
|
|
highest proof of it is laying down one's life for a friend, to save his
|
|
life, and perhaps there have been some such heroic achievements of
|
|
love, more than <I>plucking out one's own eyes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:15">Gal. iv. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
If <I>all that a man has he will give for his life,</I> he that gives
|
|
this for his friend gives all, and can give no more; this may sometimes
|
|
be our duty,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:16">1 John iii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Paul was ambitious of the honour
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:17">Phil. ii. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
and <I>for a good man some will even dare to die,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:7">Rom. v. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is love in the highest degree, which is <I>strong as death.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The excellency of the love of Christ beyond all other love. He has
|
|
not only equaled, but exceeded, the most illustrious lovers. Others
|
|
have laid down their lives, content that they should be taken from
|
|
them; but Christ gave up his, was not merely passive, but made it his
|
|
own act and deed. The life which others have laid down has been but of
|
|
equal value with the life for which it was laid down, and perhaps less
|
|
valuable; but Christ is infinitely more worth than ten thousand of us.
|
|
Others have thus laid down their lives for their friends, but Christ
|
|
laid down his for us <I>when we were enemies,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:8,10">Rom. v. 8, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Plusquam ferrea aut lapidea corda esse oportet, quæ non
|
|
emolliet tam incomparabilis divini amoris suavitas--Those hearts must
|
|
be harder than iron or stone which are not softened by such
|
|
incomparable sweetness of divine love.</I>--Calvin.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Christ loved his disciples, for he took them into a covenant of
|
|
friendship with himself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
"If you approve yourselves by your obedience my disciples indeed,
|
|
<I>you are my friends,</I> and shall be treated as friends." Note, The
|
|
followers of Christ are the friends of Christ, and he is graciously
|
|
pleased to call and account them so. Those that do the duty of his
|
|
servants are admitted and advanced to the dignity of his friends. David
|
|
had one servant in his court, and Solomon one in his, that was in a
|
|
particular manner <I>the king's friend</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+15:37,1Ki+4:5">2 Sam. xv. 37; 1 Kings iv. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
but this honour have all Christ's servants. We may in some particular
|
|
instance befriend a stranger; but we espouse all the interests of a
|
|
friend, and concern ourselves in all his cares: thus Christ takes
|
|
believers to be his friends. He visits them and converses with them as
|
|
his friends, bears with them and makes the best of them, is afflicted
|
|
in their afflictions, and takes pleasure in their prosperity; he pleads
|
|
for them in heaven and takes care of all their interests there. Have
|
|
friends but one soul? He that is joined to the Lord is <I>one
|
|
spirit,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+6:17">1 Cor. vi. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though they often show themselves unfriendly, he is a friend that loves
|
|
at all times. Observe how endearingly this is expressed here.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He will not <I>call them servants,</I> though they call him
|
|
<I>Master</I> and <I>Lord.</I> Those that would be like Christ in
|
|
humility must not take a pride in insisting upon all occasions on their
|
|
authority and superiority, but remember that their servants are their
|
|
fellow-servants. But,
|
|
|
|
[2.] He will <I>call them his friends;</I> he will not only love them,
|
|
but will let them know it; for <I>in his tongue is the law of
|
|
kindness.</I> After his resurrection he seems to speak with more
|
|
affectionate tenderness of and to his disciples than before. <I>Go to
|
|
my brethren,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+20:17"><I>ch.</I> xx. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Children, have you any meat?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+21:5"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
But observe, though Christ called <I>them his friends,</I> they called
|
|
themselves <I>his servants:</I> Peter, <I>a servant of Christ</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:1">1 Pet. i. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so James,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:1"><I>ch.</I> i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
The more honour Christ puts upon us, the more honour we should study to
|
|
do him; the higher in his eyes, the lower in our own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Christ loved his disciples, for he was very free in communicating
|
|
his mind to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Henceforth you shall not be kept so much in the dark as you have been,
|
|
like <I>servants</I> that are only told their present work; but, when
|
|
the Spirit is poured out, you shall know your Master's designs as
|
|
<I>friends. All things that I have heard of my Father I have declared
|
|
unto you.</I>" As to the secret will of God, there are many things
|
|
which we must be content not to know; but, as to the revealed will of
|
|
God, Jesus Christ has faithfully handed to us what he received of the
|
|
Father,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:18,Mt+11:27"><I>ch.</I> i. 18; Matt. xi. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
The great things relating to man's redemption Christ declared to his
|
|
disciples, that they might declare them to others; they were the men of
|
|
his counsel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:11">Matt. xiii. 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) Christ loved his disciples, for he chose and ordained them to be
|
|
the prime instruments of his glory and honour in the world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I have chosen you, and ordained you,</I> His love to them
|
|
appeared,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] In their election, their election to their apostleship
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:70"><I>ch.</I> vi. 70</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I have chosen you twelve.</I> It did not begin on their side: <I>You
|
|
have not chosen me,</I> but I first <I>chose you.</I> Why were they
|
|
admitted to such an intimacy with him, employed in such an embassy for
|
|
him, and endued with such power from on high? It was not owing to their
|
|
wisdom and goodness in choosing him for their Master, but to his favour
|
|
and grace in choosing them for his disciples. It is fit that Christ
|
|
should have the choosing of his own ministers; still he does it by his
|
|
providence and Spirit. Though ministers make that holy calling their
|
|
own choice, Christ's choice is prior to theirs and directs and
|
|
determines it. Of all that are chosen to grace and glory it may be
|
|
said, They have not chosen Christ, but he had chosen them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+7:7,8">Deut. vii. 7, 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] In their ordination: <I>I have ordained you;</I> <B><I>hetheka
|
|
hymas</I></B>--"<I>I have put you</I> into the ministry
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:12">1 Tim. i. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
put you into commission." By this it appeared that he took them for his
|
|
friends when he crowned their heads with such an honour, and filled
|
|
their hands with such a trust. It was a mighty confidence he reposed in
|
|
them, when he made them his ambassadors to negotiate the affairs of his
|
|
kingdom in this lower world, and the prime ministers of state in the
|
|
administration of it. The treasure of the gospel was committed to them,
|
|
<I>First,</I> That it might be propagated: that you should go,
|
|
<B><I>hina hymeis hypagete</I></B>--"<I>that you should go as under a
|
|
yoke</I> or burden, for the ministry is a work, and you that go about
|
|
it must resolve to undergo a great deal; <I>that you may go</I> from
|
|
place to place all the world over, and <I>bring forth fruit.</I>" They
|
|
were ordained, not to sit still, but to go about, to be diligent in
|
|
their work, and to lay out themselves unweariedly in doing good. They
|
|
were ordained, not to beat the air, but to be instrumental in God's
|
|
hand for the bringing of nations into obedience to Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:13">Rom. i. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Those whom Christ ordains should and shall be fruitful; should
|
|
labour, and shall not labour in vain. <I>Secondly,</I> That it might be
|
|
perpetuated; that the fruit may remain, that the good effect of their
|
|
labours may continue in the world from generation to generation, to the
|
|
end of time. The church of Christ was not to be a short-lived thing, as
|
|
many of the sects of the philosophers, that were a nine days' wonder;
|
|
it did not <I>come up in a night,</I> nor should it <I>perish in a
|
|
night,</I> but be as the days of heaven. The sermons and writings of
|
|
the apostles are transmitted to us, and we at this day are built upon
|
|
that foundation, ever since the Christian church was first founded by
|
|
the ministry of the apostles and seventy disciples; as one generation
|
|
of ministers and Christians has passed away, still another has come. By
|
|
virtue of that great charter
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:19">Matt. xxviii. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
Christ has a church in the world, which, as our lawyers say of bodies
|
|
corporate, does <I>not die,</I> but lives in a succession; and thus
|
|
<I>their fruit remains</I> to this day, and shall do while the earth
|
|
remains.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] His love to them appeared in the interest they had at the throne
|
|
of grace: <I>Whatsoever you shall ask of my Father, in my name, he will
|
|
give it you.</I> Probably this refers in the first place to the power
|
|
of working miracles which the apostles were clothed with, which was to
|
|
be drawn out by prayer. "Whatever gifts are necessary to the
|
|
furtherance of your labours, whatever help from heaven you have
|
|
occasion for at any time, it is but ask and have." Three things are
|
|
here hinted to us for our encouragement in prayer, and very encouraging
|
|
they are. <I>First,</I> That we have a God to go to who is a Father;
|
|
Christ here calls him <I>the Father,</I> both mine and yours; and the
|
|
Spirit in the word and in the heart teaches us to cry, <I>Abba, Father.
|
|
Secondly,</I> That we come in a good name. Whatever errand we come upon
|
|
to the throne of grace according to God's will, we may with a humble
|
|
boldness mention Christ's name in it, and plead that we are related to
|
|
him, and he is concerned for us. <I>Thirdly,</I> That an answer of
|
|
peace is promised us. What you come for shall be given you. This great
|
|
promise made to that great duty keeps up a comfortable and gainful
|
|
intercourse between heaven and earth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Concerning the disciples' love to Christ, enjoined in
|
|
consideration of the great love wherewith he had loved them. Three
|
|
things he exhorts them to:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. To continue in his love,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Continue in your love to me, and in mine to you." Both may be taken
|
|
in. We must place our happiness in the continuance of Christ's love to
|
|
us, and make it our business to give continued proofs of our love to
|
|
Christ, that nothing may tempt us to withdraw from him, or provoke him
|
|
to withdraw from us. Note, All that love Christ should continue in
|
|
their love to him, that is, be always loving him, and taking all
|
|
occasions to show it, and love to the end. The disciples were to go
|
|
out upon service for Christ, in which they would meet with many
|
|
troubles; but, says Christ, "<I>Continue in my love.</I> Keep up your
|
|
love to me, and then all the troubles you meet with will be easy; love
|
|
made seven years' hard service easy to Jacob. Let not the troubles you
|
|
meet with for Christ's sake quench your love to Christ, but rather
|
|
quicken it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. To let his joy remain in them, and fill them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This he designed in those precepts and promises given them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) That his joy might remain in them. The words are so placed, in the
|
|
original, that they may be read either,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That <I>my joy in you may remain.</I> If they bring forth much
|
|
fruit, and continue in his love, he will continue to rejoice in them as
|
|
he had done. Note, Fruitful and faithful disciples are the joy of the
|
|
Lord Jesus; he <I>rests in his love</I> to them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zep+3:17">Zeph. iii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
As there is a transport of joy in heaven in the conversion of sinners,
|
|
so there is a remaining joy in the perseverance of saints. Or,
|
|
|
|
[2.] That <I>my joy,</I> that is, your joy in me, <I>may remain.</I> It
|
|
is the will of Christ that his disciples should constantly and
|
|
continually rejoice in him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:4">Phil. iv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who
|
|
abide in Christ's love is a continual feast. The word of the Lord
|
|
enduring for ever, the joys that flow from it, and are founded on it,
|
|
do so too.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>That your joy might be full;</I> not only that you might be
|
|
full of joy, but that your joy in me and in my love may rise higher and
|
|
higher, till it come to perfection, when you <I>enter into the joy of
|
|
your Lord.</I>" Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Those and those only that have Christ's joy remaining in them have
|
|
their joy full; worldly joys are empty, soon surfeit but never satisfy.
|
|
It is only wisdom's joy that will fill the soul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+36:8">Ps. xxxvi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The design of Christ in his world is to <I>fill the joy</I> of his
|
|
people; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:4">1 John i. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
This and the other he hath said, that our joy might be fuller and
|
|
fuller, and perfect at last.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. To evidence their love to him by keeping his commandments: "<I>If
|
|
you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
This will be an evidence of the fidelity and constancy of your love to
|
|
me, and then you may be sure of the continuance of my love to you."
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The promise "<I>You shall abide in my love</I> as in a dwelling
|
|
place, at home in Christ's love; as in a resting place, at ease in
|
|
Christ's love; as in a stronghold, safe in it. <I>You shall abide in my
|
|
love,</I> you shall have grace and strength to persevere in loving me."
|
|
If the same hand that first shed abroad the love of Christ in our
|
|
hearts did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it,
|
|
but, through the love of the world, should go <I>out of love</I> with
|
|
Christ himself.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The condition of the promise: <I>If you keep my commandments.</I>
|
|
The disciples were to keep Christ's commandments, not only by a
|
|
constant conformity to them themselves, but by a faithful delivery of
|
|
them to others; they were to keep them as trustees, in whose hands that
|
|
great <I>depositum</I> was lodged, for they were to <I>teach all things
|
|
that Christ had commanded,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:20">Matt. xxviii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>This commandment</I> they must <I>keep without spot</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:14">1 Tim. vi. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
and thus they must show that they abide in his love.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
To induce them to keep his commandments, he urges,
|
|
|
|
[1.] His own example: <I>As I have kept my Father's commandments, and
|
|
abide in his love.</I> Christ submitted to the law of mediation, and so
|
|
preserved the honour and comfort of it, to teach us to submit to the
|
|
laws of the Mediator, for we cannot otherwise preserve the honour and
|
|
comfort of our relation to him.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The necessity of it to their interest in him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you</I> and not
|
|
otherwise." Note, <I>First,</I> Those only will be accounted Christ's
|
|
faithful friends that approve themselves his obedient servants; for
|
|
those that will not have him to reign over them shall be treated as his
|
|
enemies. <I>Idem velle et idem nolle ea demum vera est
|
|
amicitia--Friendship involves a fellowship of aversions and
|
|
attachments.</I>--Sallust. <I>Secondly,</I> It is universal obedience
|
|
to Christ that is the only acceptable obedience; to obey him in every
|
|
thing that he commands us, not <I>excepting,</I> much less <I>excepting
|
|
against,</I> any command.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Concerning the <I>disciples' love one to another,</I> enjoined as
|
|
an evidence of their love to Christ, and a grateful return for his love
|
|
to them. We must keep his commandments, and this is his commandment,
|
|
that we <I>love one another,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:12,17"><I>v.</I> 12, and again, <I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
No one duty of religion is more frequently inculcated, nor more
|
|
pathetically urged upon us, by our Lord Jesus, than that of mutual
|
|
love, and for good reason.
|
|
|
|
1. It is here recommended by Christ's pattern
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>as I have loved you.</I> Christ's love to us should direct and
|
|
engage our love to each other; in this manner, and from this motive, we
|
|
should love one another, as, and because, Christ has loved us. He here
|
|
specifies some of the expressions of his love to them; he called them
|
|
friends, communicated his mind to them, was ready to give them what
|
|
they asked. <I>Go you and do likewise.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. It is required by his precept. He interposes his authority, has made
|
|
it one of the statute-laws of his kingdom. Observe how differently it
|
|
is expressed in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:12,17">these two verses</A>,
|
|
|
|
and both very emphatic.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>This is my commandment</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
as if this were the most necessary of all the commandments. As under
|
|
the law the prohibition of idolatry was the commandment more insisted
|
|
on than any other, foreseeing the people's addictedness to that sin, so
|
|
Christ, foreseeing the addictedness of the Christian church to
|
|
uncharitableness, has laid most stress upon this precept.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>These things I command you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
He speaks as if he were about to give them many things in charge, and
|
|
yet names this only, <I>that you love one another;</I> not only because
|
|
this includes many duties, but because it will have a good influence
|
|
upon all.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Joh15_25"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Hatred and Persecution Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before <I>it
|
|
hated</I> you.
|
|
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but
|
|
because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the
|
|
world, therefore the world hateth you.
|
|
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
|
|
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also
|
|
persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
|
|
also.
|
|
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's
|
|
sake, because they know not him that sent me.
|
|
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had
|
|
sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
|
|
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
|
|
24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man
|
|
did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated
|
|
both me and my Father.
|
|
25 But <I>this cometh to pass,</I> that the word might be fulfilled
|
|
that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here Christ discourses concerning <I>hatred,</I> which is the character
|
|
and genius of the devil's kingdom, as love is of the kingdom of Christ.
|
|
Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Who they are in whom this hatred is found--the world, the children of
|
|
this world, as distinguished from the children of God; those who are in
|
|
the interests of the god of this world, whose image they bear, and
|
|
whose power they are subject to; all those, whether Jews or Gentiles,
|
|
who would not come into the church of Christ, which he audibly called,
|
|
and visibly separates from this evil world. The calling of these <I>the
|
|
world</I> intimates,
|
|
|
|
1. Their number; there were a world of people that opposed Christ and
|
|
Christianity. Lord, how were they increased that troubled the Son of
|
|
David! I fear, if we should put it to the vote between Christ and
|
|
Satan, Satan would out-poll us quite.
|
|
|
|
2. Their confederacy and combination; these numerous hosts are
|
|
embodied, and are as one,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+83:5">Ps. lxxxiii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jews and Gentiles, that could agree in nothing else, agreed to
|
|
persecute Christ's minister.
|
|
|
|
3. Their spirit and disposition; they are <I>men of the world</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+16:13,14">Ps. xvi. 13, 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
wholly devoted to this world and the things of it, and never thinking
|
|
of another world. The people of God, though they are taught to hate
|
|
the sins of sinners, yet not their persons, but to love and do good to
|
|
all men. A malicious, spiteful, envious spirit, is not the spirit of
|
|
Christ, but of the world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Who are they against whom this hatred is levelled-against the
|
|
disciples of Christ, against Christ himself, and against the
|
|
Father.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The world hates the disciples of Christ: <I>The world hateth you</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
and he speaks of it as that which they must expect and count upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>,
|
|
|
|
as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:13">1 John iii. 13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Observe how this comes in here.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ had expressed the great kindness he had for them as
|
|
friends; but, lest they should be puffed up with this, there was given
|
|
them, as there was to Paul, a <I>thorn in the flesh,</I> that is, as it
|
|
is explained there, reproaches and persecutions for Christ's sake,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+12:7,10">2 Cor. xii. 7, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He had appointed them their work, but tells them what hardships
|
|
they should meet with in it, that it might not be a surprise to them,
|
|
and that they might prepare accordingly.
|
|
|
|
[3.] He had charged them to <I>love one another,</I> and need enough
|
|
they had to love one another, for the world would hate them; to be kind
|
|
to one another, for they would have a great deal of unkindness and
|
|
ill-will from those that were without. "Keep peace among yourselves,
|
|
and this will fortify you against the world's quarrels with you." Those
|
|
that are in the midst of enemies are concerned to hold together.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Observe what is here included.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] The world's enmity against the followers of Christ: it <I>hateth
|
|
them.</I> Note, Whom Christ blesseth the world curseth. The favourites
|
|
and heirs of heaven have never been the darlings of this world, since
|
|
the old enmity was put between the seed of the woman and of the
|
|
serpent. Why did Cain hate Abel, but <I>because his works were
|
|
righteous?</I> Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; Joseph's
|
|
brethren hated him because his father loved him; Saul hated David
|
|
because <I>the Lord was with him;</I> Ahab hated Micaiah because of his
|
|
prophecies; such are the causeless causes of the world's hatred.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The fruits of that enmity, two of which we have here,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> They will persecute you, because they hate you, for
|
|
hatred is a restless passion. It is the common lot of those who will
|
|
live godly in Christ Jesus to <I>suffer persecution,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:12">2 Tim. iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ foresaw what ill usage his ambassadors would meet with in the
|
|
world, and yet, for the sake of those few that by their ministry were
|
|
to be called out of the world, he sent them forth as sheep in the midst
|
|
of wolves. <I>Secondly,</I> Another fruit of their enmity is implied,
|
|
that they would reject their doctrine. When Christ says, <I>If they
|
|
have kept my sayings, they will keep yours,</I> he means, They will
|
|
keep yours, and regard yours, no more than they have regarded and kept
|
|
mine. Note, The preachers of the gospel cannot but take the despising
|
|
of their message to be the greatest injury that can be done to
|
|
themselves; as it was a great affront to Jeremiah to say, <I>Let us not
|
|
give heed to any of his words,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+18:18">Jer. xviii. 18</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] The causes of that enmity. The world will hate them,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> Because they do not belong to it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>If you were of the world,</I> of its spirit, and in its interests,
|
|
if you were carnal and worldly, <I>the world would love you</I> as its
|
|
own; but, because you are called out of the world, it hates you, and
|
|
ever will." Note,
|
|
|
|
1. We are not to wonder if those that are devoted to the world are
|
|
caressed by it as its friends; most men <I>bless the covetous,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:3,49:18">Ps. x. 3; xlix. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Nor are we to wonder if those that are delivered from the world are
|
|
maligned by it as its enemies; when Israel is rescued out of Egypt, the
|
|
Egyptians will pursue them. Observe, The reason why Christ's disciples
|
|
are not of the world is not because they have by their own wisdom and
|
|
virtue distinguished themselves from the world, but because Christ hath
|
|
chosen them out of it, to set them apart for himself; and this is the
|
|
reason why the world hates them; for,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The glory which by virtue of this choice they are designed for
|
|
sets them above the world, and so makes them the objects of its envy.
|
|
The saints shall judge the world, and the upright have dominion, and
|
|
therefore they are hated.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The grace which by virtue of this choice they are endued with sets
|
|
them against the world; they swim against the stream of the world, and
|
|
are not conformed to it; they witness against it, and are not conformed
|
|
to it. This would support them under all the calamities which the
|
|
world's hatred would bring upon them, that they were hated because they
|
|
were the choice and the chosen ones of the Lord Jesus, and were not of
|
|
the world. Now,
|
|
|
|
[1.] This was no just cause for the world's hatred of them. If we do
|
|
any thing to make ourselves hateful, we have reason to lament it; but,
|
|
if men hate us for that for which they should love and value us, we
|
|
have reason to pity them, but no reason to perplex ourselves. Nay,
|
|
|
|
[2.] This was just cause for their own joy. He that is hated because he
|
|
is rich and prospers cares not who has the vexation of it, while he has
|
|
the satisfaction of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD>--Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo
|
|
<BR>Ipse domi--
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR>--Let them hiss on, he cries,
|
|
<BR>While in my own opinion fully blessed. </TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=RIGHT><I>Timon in Hor.</I></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Much more may those hug themselves whom the world hates, but whom
|
|
Christ loves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> "Another cause of the world's hating you will be
|
|
because you do belong to Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>For my name's sake.</I>" Here is the core of the controversy;
|
|
whatever is pretended, this is the ground of the quarrel, they hate
|
|
Christ's disciples because they <I>bear his name,</I> and <I>bear up
|
|
his name</I> in the world. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is the character of Christ's disciples that they stand up for his
|
|
name. The name into which they were baptized is that which they will
|
|
live and die by.
|
|
|
|
2. It has commonly been the lot of those that appear for Christ's name
|
|
to suffer for so doing, to suffer many things, and hard things, <I>all
|
|
these things.</I> It is matter of comfort to the greatest sufferers if
|
|
they suffer for Christ's name's sake. <I>If you be reproached for the
|
|
name of Christ, happy are you</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:14">1 Pet. iv. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
happy indeed, considering not only the honour that is imprinted upon
|
|
those sufferings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:41">Acts v. 41</A>),
|
|
|
|
but the comfort that is infused into them, and especially the crown of
|
|
glory which those sufferings lead to. <I>If we suffer with Christ,</I>
|
|
and for Christ, <I>we shall reign with him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> After all, it is the world's ignorance that is the true
|
|
cause of its enmity to the disciples of Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Because they know not him that sent me.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. They know not God. If men had but a due acquaintance with the very
|
|
first principles of natural religion, and did but know God, though they
|
|
did not embrace Christianity, yet they could not hate and persecute it.
|
|
Those have no knowledge who eat up God's people,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:4">Ps. xiv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. They know not God as he that sent our Lord Jesus, and authorized him
|
|
to be the great Mediator of the peace. We do not rightly know God if we
|
|
do not know him in Christ, and those who persecute those whom he sends
|
|
make it to appear that they know not that he was sent of God. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:8">1 Cor. ii. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The world hates Christ himself. And this is spoken of here for two
|
|
ends:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) To mitigate the trouble of his followers, arising from the world's
|
|
hatred, and to make it the less strange, and the less grievous
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You know that it hated me before you,</I> <B><I>proton
|
|
hymon</I></B>. We read it as signifying priority of time; he began in
|
|
the bitter cup of suffering, and then left us to pledge him; but it may
|
|
be read as expressing his superiority over them: "<I>You know</I> that
|
|
it hated me, <I>your first,</I> your chief and captain, your leader and
|
|
commander."
|
|
|
|
[1.] If Christ, who excelled in goodness, and was perfectly innocent
|
|
and universally beneficent, was hated, can we expect that any virtue or
|
|
merit of ours should screen us from malice?
|
|
|
|
[2.] If our Master, the founder of our religion, met with so much
|
|
opposition in the planting of it, his servants and followers can look
|
|
for no other in propagating and professing it. For this he refers them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>)
|
|
|
|
to his own word, at their admission into discipleship: <I>Remember the
|
|
word that I said unto you.</I> It would help us to understand Christ's
|
|
latter sayings to compare them with his former sayings. Nor would any
|
|
thing contribute more to the making of us easy than remembering the
|
|
words of Christ, which will expound his providences. Now in this word
|
|
there is, <I>First,</I> A plain truth: <I>The servant is not greater
|
|
than his Lord.</I> This he had said to them.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:24">Matt. x. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ is our Lord, and therefore we must diligently attend all his
|
|
motions, and patiently acquiesce in all his disposals, for the servant
|
|
is inferior to his lord. The plainest truths are sometimes the
|
|
strongest arguments for the hardest duties; Elihu answers a multitude
|
|
of Job's murmurings with this one self-evident truth, that God is
|
|
greater than man,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:12">Job xxxiii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
So here is, <I>Secondly,</I> A proper inference drawn from it: "<I>If
|
|
they have persecuted men,</I> as you have seen, and are likely to see
|
|
much more, <I>they will also persecute you;</I> you may expect it and
|
|
count upon it: for,"
|
|
|
|
1. "You will do the same that I have done to provoke them; you will
|
|
reprove them for their sins, and call them to repentance, and give them
|
|
strict rules of holy living, which they will not bear."
|
|
|
|
2. "You cannot do more than I have done to oblige them; after so great
|
|
an instance, let none wonder if they suffer ill for doing well." He
|
|
adds, "<I>If they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also;</I>
|
|
as there have been a few, and but a few, that have been wrought upon by
|
|
my preaching, so there will be by yours a few, and but a few." Some
|
|
give another sense of this, making <B><I>eteresan</I></B> to be put for
|
|
<B><I>pareteresan</I></B>. "If they have lain in wait for my sayings,
|
|
with a design to ensnare me, they will in like manner lie in wait to
|
|
entangle you in your talk."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) To aggravate the wickedness of this unbelieving world, and to
|
|
discover its exceeding sinfulness; to hate and persecute the apostles
|
|
was bad enough, but in them to hate and persecute Christ himself was
|
|
much worse. The world is generally in an ill name in scripture, and
|
|
nothing can put it into a worse name than this, that it hated Jesus
|
|
Christ. There is a world of people that are haters of Christ. Two
|
|
things he insists upon to aggravate the wickedness of those that hated
|
|
him:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That there was the greatest reason imaginable why they should love
|
|
him; men's good words and good works usually recommend them; now as to
|
|
Christ,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> His words were such as merited their love
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>If I had not spoken unto them,</I> to court their love, <I>they had
|
|
not had sin,</I> their opposition had not amounted to a hatred of me,
|
|
their sin had been comparatively no sin. But now that I have said so
|
|
much to them to recommend myself to their best affections they have no
|
|
pretence, no excuse for their sin." Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. The advantage which those have that enjoy the gospel; Christ in it
|
|
comes and speaks to them; he spoke in person to the men of that
|
|
generation, and is still speaking to us by our Bibles and ministers,
|
|
and as one that has the most unquestionable authority over us, and
|
|
affection for us. Every word of his is pure, carries with it a
|
|
commanding majesty, and yet a condescending tenderness, able, one would
|
|
think, to charm the deafest adder.
|
|
|
|
2. The excuse which those have that enjoy not the gospel: "<I>If I had
|
|
not spoken to them,</I> if they had ever heard of Christ and of
|
|
salvation by him, <I>they had not had sin.</I>"
|
|
|
|
(1.) Not this kind of sin. They had not been chargeable with a contempt
|
|
of Christ if he had not come and made a tender of his grace to them. As
|
|
<I>sin is not imputed where there is no law,</I> so unbelief is not
|
|
imputed where there is no gospel; and, where it is imputed, it is thus
|
|
far the only damning sin, that, being a sin against the remedy, other
|
|
sin would not damn if the guilt of them were not bound on with this.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Not such a degree of sin. If they had not had the gospel among
|
|
them, their other sins had not been so bad; for the <I>times of
|
|
ignorance God winked at,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:47,48">Luke xii. 47, 48</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. The aggravated guilt which those lie under to whom Christ has
|
|
<I>come and spoken in vain,</I> whom he has called and invited in vain,
|
|
with whom he has reasoned and pleaded in vain; <I>They have no cloak
|
|
for their sin;</I> they are altogether inexcusable, and in the judgment
|
|
day will be speechless, and will not have a word to say for themselves.
|
|
Note, The clearer and fuller the discoveries are which are made to us
|
|
of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, the more is said to us that is
|
|
convincing and endearing, the greater is our sin if we do not love him
|
|
and believe in him. The word of Christ strips sin of its cloak, that it
|
|
may appear sin.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> His works were such as merited their love, as well as
|
|
his words
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>If I had not done among them,</I> in their country, and before
|
|
their eyes, such works as <I>no other man ever did, they had not had
|
|
sin;</I> their unbelief and enmity had been excusable, and they might
|
|
have had some colour to say that my word was not to be credited, if not
|
|
otherwise confirmed;" but he produced satisfactory proofs of his divine
|
|
mission, <I>works which no other man did.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
1. As the Creator demonstrates his power and Godhead by his works
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:20">Rom. i. 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
so doth the Redeemer. His miracles, his mercies, works of wonder and
|
|
works of grace, prove him sent of God, and sent on a kind errand.
|
|
|
|
2. Christ's works were such as <I>no man ever did.</I> No common
|
|
person that had not a commission from heaven, and God with him, could
|
|
work miracles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:2"><I>ch.</I> iii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
And no prophet ever wrought such miracles, so many, so illustrious.
|
|
Moses and Elias wrought miracles as servants, by a derived power; but
|
|
Christ, as a Son, by his own power. This was it that amazed the
|
|
people, that with authority he commanded diseases and devils
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+1:27">Mark i. 27</A>);
|
|
|
|
they owned they never saw the like,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+2:12">Mark ii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were all good works, works of mercy; and this seems especially
|
|
intended here, for he is upbraiding them with this, that they hated
|
|
him. One that was so universally useful, more than ever any man was,
|
|
one would think, should have been universally beloved, and yet even he
|
|
is hated.
|
|
|
|
3. The works of Christ enhance the guilt of sinners' infidelity and
|
|
enmity to him, to the last degree of wickedness and absurdity. If they
|
|
had only heard his words, and not seen his works,--if we had only his
|
|
sermons upon record, and not his miracles, unbelief might have pleaded
|
|
want of proof; but now it has no excuse. Nay, the rejecting of Christ,
|
|
both by them and us, has in it the sin, not only of obstinate unbelief,
|
|
but of base ingratitude. They saw Christ to be most amiable, and
|
|
studious to do them a kindness; yet they hated him, and studied to do
|
|
him mischief. And we see in his word that great love wherewith he loved
|
|
us, and yet are not wrought upon by it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That there was no reason at all why they should hate him. Some
|
|
that at one time will say and do that which is recommending, yet at
|
|
another time will say and do that which is provoking and disobliging;
|
|
but our Lord Jesus not only did much to merit men's esteem and
|
|
good-will, but never did any thing justly to incur their displeasure;
|
|
this he pleads by quoting a scripture for it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>This comes to pass,</I> this unreasonable hatred of me, and of my
|
|
disciples for my sake, <I>that the word might be fulfilled which is
|
|
written in their law</I>" (that is, in the Old Testament, which is a
|
|
law, and was received by them as a law), "<I>They hated me without a
|
|
cause;</I>" this David speaks of himself as a type of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+35:19,69:4">Ps. xxxv. 19; lxix. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not, <I>First,</I> Those that hate Christ hate him without any just
|
|
cause; enmity to Christ is unreasonable enmity. We think those deserve
|
|
to be hated that are haughty and froward, but Christ is meek and lowly,
|
|
compassionate and tender; those also that under colour of complaisance
|
|
are malicious, envious, and revengeful, but Christ devoted himself to
|
|
the service of those that used him, nay, and of those that abused him;
|
|
toiled for others' ease, and impoverished himself to enrich us. Those
|
|
we think hateful that are <I>hurtful to kings and provinces,</I> and
|
|
disturbers of the public peace; but Christ, on the contrary, was the
|
|
greatest blessing imaginable to his country, and yet was hated. He
|
|
testified indeed that <I>their works were evil,</I> with a design to
|
|
make them good, but to hate him for this cause was to hate him without
|
|
cause. <I>Secondly,</I> Herein the scripture was fulfilled, and the
|
|
antitype answered the type. Saul and his courtiers hated David without
|
|
cause, for he had been serviceable to him with his harp, and with his
|
|
sword; Absalom and his party hated him, though to him he had been an
|
|
indulgent father, and to them a great benefactor. Thus was the Son of
|
|
David hated, and hunted most unjustly. Those that hated Christ did not
|
|
design there in to fulfil the scripture; but God, in permitting it, had
|
|
that in his eye; and it confirms our faith in Christ as the Messiah
|
|
that even this was foretold concerning him, and, being foretold, was
|
|
accomplished in him. And we must not think it strange or hard if it
|
|
have a further accomplishment in us. We are apt to justify our
|
|
complaints of injuries done us with this, that they are causeless,
|
|
whereas the more they are so the more they are like the sufferings of
|
|
Christ, and may be the more easily borne.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. In Christ the world hates God himself; this is twice said here
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
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<I>He that hateth me,</I> though he thinks his hatred goes no further,
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yet really he <I>hates my Father also.</I> And again,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>,
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They have <I>seen and hated both me and my Father.</I> Note,
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(1.) There are those that hate God, notwithstanding the beauty of his
|
|
nature and the bounty of his providence; they are enraged at his
|
|
justice, as the devils that believe it and tremble, are vexed at his
|
|
dominion, and would gladly <I>break his bands asunder.</I> Those who
|
|
cannot bring themselves to deny that there is a God, and yet wish there
|
|
were none, they see and hate him.
|
|
|
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(2.) Hatred of Christ will be construed and adjudged hatred of God, for
|
|
he is in his person his Father's express image, and in his office his
|
|
great agent and ambassador. God will have all men to honour the Son as
|
|
they honour the Father, and therefore what entertainment the Son has,
|
|
that the Father has. Hence it is easy to infer that those who are
|
|
enemies to the Christian religion, however they may cry up natural
|
|
religion, are really enemies to all religion. Deists are in effect
|
|
atheists, and those that ridicule the light of the gospel would, if
|
|
they could, extinguish even natural light, and shake off all
|
|
obligations of conscience and the fear of God. Let an unbelieving
|
|
malignant world know that their enmity to the gospel of Christ will be
|
|
looked upon in the great day as an enmity to the blessed God himself;
|
|
and let all that suffer for righteousness' sake, according to the will
|
|
of God, take comfort from this; if God himself be hated in them, and
|
|
struck at through him, they need not be either ashamed of their cause
|
|
or afraid of the issue.</P>
|
|
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<A NAME="Joh15_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Joh15_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Comforter Announced.</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>26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
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from the Father, <I>even</I> the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth
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|
from the Father, he shall testify of me:
|
|
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me
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|
from the beginning.
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</FONT></P>
|
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<P>
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|
|
|
Christ having spoken of the great opposition which his gospel was
|
|
likely to meet with in the world, and the hardships that would be put
|
|
upon the preachers of it, lest any should fear that they and it would
|
|
be run down by that violent torrent, he here intimates to all those
|
|
that were well-wishers to his cause and interest what effectual
|
|
provision was made for supporting it, both by the principal testimony
|
|
of the Spirit
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the subordinate testimony of the apostles
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
and testimonies are the proper supports of truth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. It is here promised that the blessed Spirit shall maintain the cause
|
|
of Christ in the world, notwithstanding the opposition it should meet
|
|
with. Christ, when he was reviled, committed his injured cause to his
|
|
Father, and did not lose by his silence, for the Comforter came,
|
|
pleaded it powerfully, and carried it triumphantly. "<I>When the
|
|
Comforter</I> or Advocate <I>is come, who proceedeth from the
|
|
Father,</I> and <I>whom I will send</I> to supply the want of my bodily
|
|
presence, <I>he shall testify of me</I> against those that <I>hate me
|
|
without cause.</I>" We have more in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:26">this verse</A>
|
|
|
|
concerning the Holy Ghost than in any one verse besides in the Bible;
|
|
and, being baptized into his name, we are concerned to acquaint
|
|
ourselves with him as far as he is revealed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Here is an account of him in his essence, or subsistence rather. He
|
|
is <I>the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father.</I> Here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He is spoken of as a distinct person; not a quality or property,
|
|
but a person under the proper name of a <I>Spirit,</I> and proper title
|
|
of the <I>Spirit of truth,</I> a title fitly given him where he is
|
|
brought in testifying.
|
|
|
|
(2.) As a divine person, that <I>proceedeth from the Father,</I> by
|
|
out-goings that were of old, <I>from everlasting.</I> The spirit or
|
|
breath of man, called the <I>breath of life,</I> proceeds from the man,
|
|
and by it modified he delivers his mind, by it invigorated he sometimes
|
|
exerts his strength to <I>blow out</I> what he would extinguish, and
|
|
<I>blow up</I> what he would excite. Thus the blessed Spirit is the
|
|
emanation of divine light, and the energy of divine power. The rays of
|
|
the sun, by which it dispenses and diffuses its light, heat, and
|
|
influence, proceed from the sun, and yet are one with it. The
|
|
<I>Nicene</I> Creed says, The Spirit <I>proceedeth from the Father and
|
|
the Son,</I> for he is called the <I>Spirit of the Son,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:6">Gal. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
And the Son is here said to <I>send him.</I> The Greek church chose
|
|
rather to say, <I>from the Father by the Son.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. In his mission.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He will come in a more plentiful effusion of his gifts, graces,
|
|
and powers, than had ever yet been. Christ had been long the <B><I>ho
|
|
erchomenos</I></B>--<I>he that should come;</I> now the blessed Spirit
|
|
is so.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>I will send him to you from the Father.</I> He had said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:16"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I will pray the Father, and he shall send you the Comforter,</I>
|
|
which bespeaks the Spirit to be the fruit of the intercession Christ
|
|
makes within the veil: here he says, <I>I will send him,</I> which
|
|
bespeaks him to be the fruit of his dominion within the veil. The
|
|
Spirit was sent,
|
|
|
|
[1.] By Christ as Mediator, now <I>ascended on high to give gifts unto
|
|
men,</I> and all power being given to him.
|
|
|
|
[2.] From the Father: "Not only from heaven, my Father's house" (the
|
|
Spirit was given in a <I>sound from heaven,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:2">Acts ii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
"but according to my Father's will and appointment, and with his
|
|
concurring power and authority."
|
|
|
|
[3.] To the apostles to instruct them in their preaching, enable them
|
|
for working, and carry them through their sufferings. He was given to
|
|
them and their successors, both in Christianity and in the ministry; to
|
|
them and their seed, and their seed's seed, according to that promise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:21">Isa. lix. 21</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. In his office and operations, which are two:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) One implied in the title given to him; he is the <I>Comforter,</I>
|
|
or <I>Advocate.</I> An advocate for Christ, to maintain his cause
|
|
against the world's infidelity, a comforter to the saints against the
|
|
world's hatred.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Another expressed: <I>He shall testify of me.</I> He is not only
|
|
an advocate, but a witness for Jesus Christ; he is one of the three
|
|
that <I>bear record in heaven,</I> and the first of the three that
|
|
<I>bear witness on earth.</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:7,8">1 John v. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
He instructed the apostles, and enabled them to work miracles; he
|
|
indited the scriptures, which are the standing witnesses that
|
|
<I>testify of Christ,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:39"><I>ch.</I> v. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
The power of the ministry is derived from the Spirit, for he qualifies
|
|
ministers; and the power of Christianity too, for he sanctifies
|
|
Christians, and in both testifies of Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. It is here promised that the apostles also, by the Spirit's
|
|
assistance, should have the honour of being Christ's witnesses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>And you also shall bear witness</I> of me, being competent
|
|
witnesses, for <I>you have been with</I> me from the beginning of my
|
|
ministry. Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That the apostles were appointed to be witnesses for Christ in the
|
|
world. When he had said, <I>The Spirit shall testify,</I> he adds,
|
|
<I>And you also shall bear witness.</I> Note, The Spirit's working is
|
|
not to supersede, but to engage and encourage ours. Though the Spirit
|
|
testify, ministers also must bear their testimony, and people attend to
|
|
it; for the Spirit of grace witnesses and works by the means of grace.
|
|
The apostles were the first witnesses that were called in the famous
|
|
trial between Christ and the prince of this world, which issued in the
|
|
ejectment of the intruder. This intimates,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The work cut out for them; they were to attest the truth, the
|
|
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning Christ, for the
|
|
recovering of his just right, and the maintaining of his crown and
|
|
dignity. Though Christ's disciples fled when they should have been
|
|
witnesses for him upon his trial before the high priest and Pilate, yet
|
|
after the Spirit was poured out upon them they appeared courageous in
|
|
vindication of the cause of Christ against the accusations it was
|
|
loaded with. The truth of the Christian religion was to be proved very
|
|
much by the evidence of matter of fact, especially Christ's
|
|
resurrection, of which the apostles were in a particular manner chosen
|
|
witnesses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:41">Acts x. 41</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they bore their testimony accordingly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+3:15,5:32">Acts iii. 15; v. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's ministers are his witnesses.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The honour put upon them hereby--that they should be <I>workers
|
|
together with God.</I> "The <I>Spirit shall testify of me,</I> and you
|
|
also, under the conduct of the Spirit, and in concurrence with the
|
|
Spirit (who will preserve you from mistaking in that which you relate
|
|
on your own knowledge, and will inform you of that which you cannot
|
|
know but by revelation), <I>shall bear witness.</I>" This might
|
|
encourage them against the hatred and contempt of the world, that
|
|
Christ had honoured them, and would own them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That they were qualified to be so: <I>You have been with me from the
|
|
beginning.</I> They not only heard his public sermons, but had constant
|
|
private converse with him. He <I>went about doing good,</I> and, while
|
|
others saw the wonderful and merciful works that he did in their own
|
|
town and country only, those that went about with him were witnesses of
|
|
them all. They had likewise opportunity of observing the unspotted
|
|
purity of his conversation, and could witness for him that they never
|
|
saw in him, nor heard from him, any thing that had the least tincture
|
|
of human frailty. Note.
|
|
|
|
(1.) We have great reason to receive the record which the apostles gave
|
|
of Christ, for they did not speak by hearsay, but what they had the
|
|
greatest assurance of imaginable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:16,1Jo+1:1,3">2 Pet. i. 16; 1 John i. 1, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those are best able to bear witness for Christ that have
|
|
themselves been with him, by faith, hope, and love, and by living a
|
|
life of communion with God in him. Ministers must first learn Christ,
|
|
and then preach him. Those speak best of the things of God that speak
|
|
experimentally. It is particularly a great advantage to have been
|
|
acquainted with Christ <I>from the beginning,</I> to understand all
|
|
things from the <I>very first,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:3">Luke i. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
To have been with him from the beginning of our days. An early
|
|
acquaintance and constant converse with the gospel of Christ will make
|
|
a man like a good householder.</P>
|
|
|
|
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