John 14:12

The second reason confirming this truth, and pressing the exhortation, (which also is an argument of consolation against his removal) is contained in a promise that beleevers in him shall do the works that he did, and greater also, through faith in him, who after his ascension shall let out proofes of his deity with them, in a more ample manner then he manifested himselfe in the state of his humiliation. For clearing of this purpose, and the scope thereof, Consider, 1. The works of Christ, which here he paralels with these to be done by beleevers, are not his works of Redemption, as Mediatour, nor his works of creation and providence, as God, which are incommunicable with any but his miraculous works, and works wrought on the hearts of men by giving successe to his ministry. 2. As for these beleevers who are to do these, and greater works; whatever may be said, in a sound sense, of every beleevers doing great things, and overcoming the world, through faith in him; Yet the paralel holds clearer to restrict it to the Apostles and others in the primitive times, who were endued with extraordinary power, and sent abroad to preach the Gospel. 3. As for the paralel it selfe, that it is promised they shall do these, and greater then these, and that albeit Christ did raise the dead, open the eyes of the blind, &c. and cure every disease; It may be thus cleared, partly, they were greater in respect of number; they working many miracles for number, beyond what he did; and many for kinde, which he did not, as speaking with new tongues, and the like. See Mark. 16.17, 18. and elsewhere; partly, albeit his miracles in themselves were as great as any of theirs; yet in the way and manner of them, the power did shine more conspicuously then in some of his. For he did cure men by his Word, and by the touch of his garment, but they did cure many by their shaddow passing by, Act. 5.15. and by napkins carried from them, Act. 19.12. And partly, and chiefly, this is to be understood of the effects of these their miraculous works, and of their ministry which these works did accompany. For Christ was the Minister of the circumcision only; and by his doctrine and miracles did prevail but with few of them, as himselfe often complaineth: But the Apostles did bring in thousands by one Sermon at Jerusalem, and by their doctrine and miracles did bring down Idols, and set up the Kingdome of Christ through the world. 4. Whereas Christ by his works proveth himselfe equal with the Father, ver. 11. and yet promiseth they shall do greater things; We should be far from conceiving that this doth any thing weaken the argument whereby he proveth his deity, far lesse doth it exalt them to aspire to any equality with him; for, whatever difference there be betwixt the works wrought by him and them; yet herein is the infinite difference betwixt him and them, that he wrought them by his own power as God, but all they did was by faith in him, who put forth his power to do the works; and accordingly, they did them in his name. So that albeit the doing of these works tended to their encouragement, yet the glory thereof redounded only to him. 5. This reason why they shall do greater works, because I go to my Father, doth not inferre there should be any addition to his power then, as God, but that at that time his Godhead (which in the dayes of his flesh, was hid under the vail of a servants shape) should more gloriously manifest it selfe. 6. This encouragement of their doing greater works, tends not only to prove him exalted as Mediatour after his sufferings, as Act. 2.33. but also to prove that assertion, ver. 11. that he is one with the Father. Because it is an evidence of his absolute and divine power, that he can conferre this dignity upon others (not as the Apostles did ministerially, by laying on of hands, but) through faith in his name. And withall, it is he who doth these works by them, as is after cleared, ver. 13, 14. Doctrine, 1. We have need to be often excited, to consider seriously the weight and gravity of that which Christ speaketh; Therefore is so frequent use made of this asseveration, Verily, verily, I say unto you. 2. Christ will bring that unto Saints, out of their worst and saddest conditions, which they could neither apprehend nor beleeve, unlesse he had said it; Therefore, doth this promise, of the great things, for which his removal maketh way, need to be confirmed with a verily, verily, that the disciples might give credit unto it. 3. As it is by faith in Christ only, that Saints are inabled to do great things, (and therefore the promise is made to him, that beleeveth on me; It will make Peter walk on the Sea, and only unbelief will make him sink) So the want of Christs bodily presence needs be no hinderance to faith, to close with him, and draw vertue out of him, for enabling to do greatest things: for, the promise is made to him, that beleeveth on me, that he shall do the works that I do, and greater then these, after he is ascended. 4. Albeit Christ only, of all the Sons of men, was true God and man in one person; Yet the power and vertue of his God-head is not astricted to his own person, but is communicable in the effects thereof to his members; So that he will do that in them and by them, which only God can do; and they shall not want divine power, for carrying them through in what they have to do: for, He that beleeveth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also, &c. 5. Christ can, and oft-times doth work that by weak and contemptible means, which he doth not by stronger and more probable causes; And he did more in the world by his weak Servants, then he was pleased to do himselfe: for, albeit beleevers be but weak creatures, yet greater works shall he do (saith he, of every one here intended) then these done by himselfe, who is God over all. 6. Mens lawful and spiritual employments, and Christs presence with them therein, are notable encouragements to beleevers during Christs absence; for, their work and great successe in it, is one great encouragement to the disciples here. And as Christ alloweth encouragement upon none who are not about their employment; So it is a great comfort, that the saddest of conditions afford matter of comfortable employment about them, and that work may keep Saints, in their pilgrimage, from thinking too much long. 7. Christ is a wise dispenser of his allowances, who, oft-times, reserveth greatest manifestations of himselfe for saddest times, wherein as they are least expected, so they are most needed: Therefore is this more ample manifestation reserved for that sad time, wherein the disciples were saddened with his departure, and might be ready to think that all that power whereby he wrought, was quite removed with his own bodily presence. 8. Christs exaltation hath neither diminished his power, nor his tender care of his own; But, on the contrary, he doth make his exaltation, his unity as God, and acceptance as Mediatour, with the Father, conspicuous in the world, by his liberality and bounty toward them; for, this is the reason why beleevers shall do greater works, because I go to my Father. See Eph. 4.8.