John 14:10

The second branch of Christs answer contains an information of the ground of this assertion, that they who know him, know the Father; Namely, that he is one in essence with the Father. This he presseth upon Philips conscience, if he would not assent to it by faith; and confirmeth it from his Word, which is the Fathers with him, and from his works, which were wrought not only by him, but by the Father with and in him, these being external works, which are common to the whole Trinity, by reason of the unity of essence, though they be distinct persons. Whence learn, 1. Christ, when he reproves his people, doth minde their good, and is willing to informe them, and direct them how to amend; Therefore, doth he subjoyne an information to his reproofe, clearing the ground of their knowing the Father in him. And by this he teacheth all Ministers to joyne doctrine with reproofe, 2 Tim. 4.2. 2. The true ground of our knowing the Father in the Son, is his unity in essence with the Father, so that though their personal properties be distinct, yet the essence is the same in both, and the one is in the other; for, by this he cleareth his former doctrine, I am in the Father and the Father in me. 3. It is faith only, and not our sense or corrupt reason, that must be employed to take up the mysteries of Religion, and particularly, that Christ is God coessential with the Father; for, it is faith that is put to it, in this matter, beleevest thou not that I am in the Father, &c. 4. It is our duty to put our hearts to it, to see what they beleeve in the mysteries of God; that so we may not take the naked assent of the minde for faith, and may be ashamed to harbour that secret unbelief in our hearts, which we dare not avow nor own; Therefore, doth Christ so put him to it, Beleevest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? to shame him from thinking otherwise. 5. The Word, preached by Christ, and transmitted to us in Scripture, is the very Word of God, the Father and the Son; for, the words that I speak unto you, I speak not of my selfe, not only not of his own head, as he was an Ambassadour, but not of himselfe without the Father, as is further cleared, ver. 24. So that the Word was his and the Fathers who is in him. 6. Christs works, both miraculous, and these wrought in beleevers, being done by his own power, do prove him to be true God, one in essence with the Father, and the Fathers also with him, by reason of that unity; for, The Father that dwelleth in me (being the same in essence) he doth the works, to wit, with the Son. 7. It is our duty to make use of Christs Word and works, to confirme our faith in him, as true God one with the Father; for, these are not only arguments proving the point, but serving to excite Philip and the rest, so to study them, as to finde proofes of a deity in them. 8. They who would profit by Christs Word and works in the knowledge of him, should first begin and bottome themselves on his Word, and finde him God there, and then look out to his works, for further confirmation; Therefore, doth he first urge the argument of his Word, and then subjoynes that of his works.