John 14:1

CHAP. XIV.

IN the former chapter. Christ, as a faithful friend, not willing to delude his disciples with false comforts, hath ripped up all their wounds: by telling them what they were to meet with. Now, in this and the two following Chapters, He, by comfortable doctrine, proves himselfe to be the sympathizing high Priest, and kithes his skill in curing these wounds. And for this end, as he points out his sense of their case in themselves, through his absence; and that they would be troubled, orphans, hated and persecuted: So he hold, forth rich consolations unto them and antidotes against these evils; together with directions concerning their duty, for attaining and entertaining, these consolations, which should tend to their peace and joy.

In this Chapter Christs chief scope is, to guard and encourage their hearts against that feare and trouble which scised upon them, when they heard of his death and departure, and the treachery and faintheartednesse that was among themselves, as may be gathered from ver. 1.—and ver.—27. where he disswades them from these passions and distempers: For which end, he propounds several antidotes and grounds of consolation and encouragement, which may be reduced to these heads. 1. Faith in him, as true God, equal with the Father, ver.—1. 2. The consideration of his errand in going, and that there was a necessity of his departure to heaven, for their good, ver. 2. 3. That he would come againe (having done his work) to fetch them, ver. 3. 4. That in the mean time, they know whither he went, and what was the way thither; Both which are propounded, ver. 4. and further cleared in answer to Thomas objection, ver. 5, 6.7. and the first of them yet further insisted on, upon occasion of Philips proposition, ver. 8.-14. 5. That if they would prove their love to him by obedience, and not by heartlesse dejection for his absence, ver. 15. He would send the Spirit unto them. The excellency of which gift, and the advantages to be had by him, are recorded, ver. 16.-26. 6. That he leaves his peace in legacy to them; Upon which he repeats the exhortation, ver. 27. And (being to conclude this part of his discourse) he reproves them for not entertaining this intimation of his departure and return, with joy, seeing it tended to his glory and their advantage, ver. 28. and the prediction of it would do them good afterward, ver. 29. And declareth, that he was not to speak much more unto them, but was shortly to be assaulted by Satan, and to suffer, not for any thing in himselfe, but in obedience to his Fathers will, ver. 30, 31. and therefore they ought to heed better what he said.

This verse contains. 1. Christs scope in this doctrine, which is to guard against, and disswade from that heart-trouble and perplexity, which his former doctrine had raised in them. 2. The first antidote or argument of consolation to cure this distemper, which is double; For, herein he supposeth that however he was to die as man, yet he is God equal with the Father, and the object of faith. Next, he proposeth faith in himselfe with the Father, as a cordial to uphold their fainting and perplexed hearts. Whence learn, 1. Christs dearest disciples and true followers are subject to much trouble of heart, and to have their spirits so crushed, as only God can support and uphold them; for, so was it with the disciples, their hearts were troubled perplexed and confounded. So that whole minded men have need to look about them. 2. The Lord makes use of heart-trouble and exercise, to sit his own for the consolations and proofes of his tender heart which he allowes upon them, whereof otherwise they are not capable; for, their heart-trouble draws out this sweet comfortable doctrine. 3. Albeit heart-trouble be needful for Saints, as a mean of much good; Yet they do ordinarily so exceed in it, and debord under it, as it becomes a fault in them; Therefore doth he disswade from it, let not your heart be troubled. And herein they failed, both through excesse, and being immoderate in their sorrow, and in being troubled at that which might afford joy, ver. 28. 4. Albeit Saints do, oft-times, give over themselves to heartlesse dejection and discouragement, as conceiving they have no other cause or allowance; Yet be their case what it will, it is not the will of Christ they should entertain such a disposition, but that they should strive against it; Therefore doth he exhort them to oppose this distemper, Let not your heart be troubled. Albeit nothing could seem sadder to them then the removal of his bodily presence, yet he counts it their fault that they were so addicted to sense, as they could not expect to be comforted another way against it; And therefore exhorts them to oppose their sorrow See 1 Sam. 30.6. Psal. 42.5, 11. And upon the same ground ought Saints to oppose all discouragements (how just cause soever it seem to have) under which they would lye down and rest, without expecting an issue, or that the matter of their discouragement may prove a mean leading to an higher end; and which would drive them from Christ, and marre his allowed consolations. And for this end, they would beware of passion, which desires do quarrel with, and be jealous of Christ; of ignorance, and mistaking his minde in trouble; and of carnal expectations, the disappointment whereof may crush them. 5. Whatever be Saints duty, to oppose discouragement and trouble; Yet it is Christ only who is the Physitian of troubled souls, and who must speak the word, and set them on work; for, he it is who gives this comfortable counsel and direction. 6. Christ is so tender of his grieved and troubled people, that whatever weaknesse they kithe, yet he will make it his chiefe work to see to their encouragement; Therefore, albeit he had his own bitter trouble, Chap. 13.21. and was, that night and the day following, to grapple with wrath, and hell and death; Yet he forgets all that, and spendeth his time in comforting and easing them, Let not your heart be troubled. 7. Such as take up Christ rightly, will not be much dismayed at what befals him or his; Therefore doth he point out himself as God, that they might not stumble at his suffering, nor their own scattering. 8. Christ, notwithstanding his abasement and suffering as man, is true God, the object of saving saith, equally with the Father: Therefore doth he urge beleeving in him, as they did beleeve in God. 9. The saith of humbled and troubled souls can, bottome or fasten on nothing that is inferiour to God; nor can any other thing bear their weight; for, it is a proofe of his deity, that he is the object of faith. 10. Albeit Christ do not remove from troubled Saints the afflictions which raise their trouble; Yet they have comfort sufficient, if they beleeve; for, this is their encouragement who had Christ himselfe to comfort them, beleeve. 11. It is the will of God, that Christs bodily absence be supplyed and made up with faith, which will make an absent Christ present to a beleever; for, it is to cure this disease that this remedy is applyed, beleeve. 12. Whatever other ground of consolation Christ allow upon his followers within time; Yet the first encouragement must begin at beleeving, and faith must grip him, and hold him fast, till other encouragements spring up in it’s hand: for, this is the first encouragement, that must go before all the rest here subjoyned, and make way for them. 13. Faith in God and Christ is so acceptable and well-pleasing unto Christ, that troubled souls are commanded and invited to it: so that they sin if they beleeve not: for, saith he, ye beleeve in God, (or: beleeve in God,) beleeve also in me. 14. While he conjoynes himselfe with the Father, and presseth to faith in both, it serveth to teach. 1. Faith, in laying hold on Christ, must ascend up through the vail of his flesh and office of Mediatour, and fasten on him as true God, one in essence and equal with the Father: for, so doth this exhortation import. 2. Faith in God the Father must be joyned with faith in Christ, in whom the Father is to be taken up in the matter of reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5.19. and through whom we must beleeve in God, 2 Cor. 3.4. 1 Pet. 1.21. Therefore it is required that with their beleeving in God, they beleeve also in him. 3. It is a notable encouragement, inviting troubled souls to beleeve, when they consider the infinite latitude of the object of faith, as it closeth both with the Father and the Son, not secluding the Holy Ghost; For in the Son they will finde eternal Redemption, everlasting righteousnesse and satisfaction: In the Father, infinite love, and free grace accepting the Elect in Christ: In the Holy Ghost, infinite vertue and power applying Christs purchase: And in both Father and Son, (not secluding the Holy Ghost) infinite power upholding and preserving the Elect, till they come to full fruition. So much also may be gathered from the distinct naming of the Father and Son, as the object of their faith.