John 14:13–14

The third reason confirming this truth, and pressing the exhortation, (which also is not only another argument of consolation against his removal, but doth further clear the former promise, ver. 12. by shewing the way how faith employeth Christ for doing these great things) is contained in a promise, that he will do for them whatsoever they ask in his name; which he twice inculcates, for further confirmation, and amplifieth the promise from his end in it, which is, that the Father may be glorified in and through him, in what he doth in answer to their prayer. For further clearing of the purpose. 1. This general, whatsoever ye ask, &c. doth not open a doore to vent all our desires to God, be what they will, in hope of audience, for we must ask according to his will. But the meaning is, that what things are agreeable to his will, and fit for them to receive in their station, and for advancing his glory and Kingdome therein, they shall be done for them, being sought in faith, were they never so difficult, never so many for number, and never so frequently needed. And it is comprised in this general, that it may take in, not only that particular, of power to do these great works, but all other things also, which beleevers may need. 2. This promise contains not only a proofe of his Mediatourship and his successe therein, in obtaining what is sought in his name; and a proofe of his love to them in his absence, by giving them occasion to beleeve their own eyes in his answers: But a proofe of his Godhead also; partly, in that none can be Mediatour betwixt God and man, but he who is true God as well as man; and partly, because he promiseth to be, not only a Mediatour to procure, but, a God to act and work these things, and that hereby God shall be glorified in him, as working in and with him, by reason of the unity of essence. Doctrine 1. As they who are sensible of Christs bodily absence in heaven, will send many Messengers of prayer thither where he is gone; So prayer is a special mean whereby we may know much of Christs deity, and of his love in his absence: for, here he recommends asking as that which they will be put unto, and that whereby they may know what he is. So that it is no wonder, that these who neglect prayer, do fall in many mistakes of Christ. 2. True faith and prayer are inseparable companions; as being begotten together, so that faith begins its life in crying to God; and, as growing up together, mutually streightening and setting one another on work, till at last they end together, faith resolving in sight, and prayer in uninterrupted praise: Therefore are they conjoyned here, to beleeve on him, and to ask in his name. 3. True prayer is conjoyned with, and floweth from, a sense of indigency, setting the supplicant on work to his duty, with earnestnesse and humility as a needy beggar; for, so much doth the word, rendred to ask, import in the Original. And where this is not in some measure, men do but what they can to work God in prayer. 4. Prayer must be offered up to God, in the name of the Mediatour Christ; It is through him we must go to God, and our encouragement in pleading, and our hope of acceptance, must be grounded on his merit and intercession, and on the Fathers love to him, and to sinners in him; for, this is the description of true prayer, what ye ask in my Name. 5. The Lord alloweth and requireth frequency, and multiplicity of employments, to be put upon him by prayer; And let us put him to it never so often, and for never so many things, he will never weary of it, but rather will suspend us in what we ask, because we ask not enough: for, so much is imported in this general, whatsoever ye shall ask, even all that we would have Christ doing for us, as is after cleared. 6. It is the will of Christ, that supplicants, who come to the Father through him, be not discouraged with the difficulty, or seeming impossibility, of what they need and ask according to his will; But that they expect to obtain that by prayer, which they cannot effectuate any other way: for, so much also is imported in this, whatsoever (how difficult soever it be) ye shall ask. 7. As the answer of what we ask in Christs name, is most certain; So it is Christ who is the doer thereof, and who delighteth to manifest his Godhead much, in dispatching the affaires of his people; for, saith he, whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name, that will I do. 8. Christs end, in answering the desires of his people, is, the setting forth of his own and his Fathers glory, which as it may encourage us to expect he will do that which will thus glorifie his Father and him; So it should teach us to glorifie him, in observing his power and goodwill in answering, and to emprove what we receive, to his glory; for, saith he, That will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 9. As Christ is glorified in his doing for his people, so is the Father glorified in him, as being true in his testimony concerning him, and as being in him working these things; for, the Father is glorified in the Son. 10. Albeit beleevers have many jealousies concerning the answer of their prayers; yet they are all without ground; and it is most certain their desires will be granted; Therefore doth he again repeat the promise, ver. 14. intimating that they need such confirmations, and that this is a word he will not recal. 11. It is not enough to be sure of the answer of our prayers, or that we do receive them, unlesse we see much of Christs heart and activity therein; for this cause it is again repeated, I will do it.