John 14:19

The second benefit they reap by enjoying of the Spirit, is, a sight of Christ, while as the world are to be deprived of the sight they had and abused. This was performed not only, or so much, in their seeing him bodily after his resurrection, as in a sight of his spiritual presence coming by his Spirit, whereby he will confirme his coming to them, ver. 18. and which they shall enjoy in the present time (as the words read, ye see me) till they come to that everlasting and full sight in glory. The third benefit, is, life, whereby they are enabled to see and enjoy him, whereof he gives his own life, after his resurrection, as a pledge. Whence learn, 1. It will not suffice beleevers that Christ do come unto, unlesse it be gifted them also to discern and see him when he is come; Otherwise he may be present, and yet they want the comfort thereof, because they see him not; Therefore, to the former promise, of his coming, ver. 18. this is added, ye see me. 2. It is the deplorable and woful estate of the world, that when Christ is most earnest in comforting his own, they are thrust by, as having nothing to do with these consolations; Therefore is the encouragement guarded, and amplified from the contrary state of the world; The world seeth me no more, but ye see me. 3. Whatever manifestation of Christ contemners of him enioy, they will be deprived of it; for, they are to be deprived of what they had of his bodily presence, The world seeth me no more. 4. Contempt of Christ doth ripen fast for a stroak; for, yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more. 5. Such as do not acknowledge Christs coming in the flesh, shall never see his coming in the Spirit; and such as despised Christ in his humiliation, deserve that they should never get another sight of him to their comfort; for this also is imported in this, the world seeth me no more, not only that they should not enjoy his bodily presence, but that they should see him no other way, as the contrary promise to the beleever maketh clear. 6. It is the great misery of the wicked, that they are eternally debarred from a sight of Christ in favour and mercy, though they will see him one day in terrour; for, so much also is imported in this general, The world seeth me no more. 7. As a sight of Christ is the sweet life and happinesse of beleevers; so it is their advantage, that in saddest times, when Christ is, to outward appearance, dead and gone, and the world secluded from seeing him; yet by his Spirit they shall enjoy a sight of him, till they come to see him in glory; for, in opposition to the world, it is subjoyned as their comfort, but ye see me. 8. The Spirit of Christ is an enlivening Spirit, making beleevers capable of his presence; he is their present life, and a pledge of their living eternally; for, it is added as another benefit by the Spirits coming, ye shall live. 9. Albeit our Lord Jesus died for beleevers, yet it was not possible that he should be holden of death but he rose again and liveth for ever; for, it is held out as a truth after his departure through the valley of the shadow of death, I live. See Rev. 1.18. 10. The life of beleevers is derived from Christs life, who is our Head, communicating quickening vertue by his Spirit to all his members; And their life stands in a continual dependance upon his life, without which it cannot subsist; for, because I live, ye shall live also. 11. Christ hath made the life of beleevers in him as certain, as it is certain he liveth; seeing by his living after his death they are absolved, and life is purchased to them, and in his exaltation, he hath taken possession in their name, and stands engaged to make his members partake of his life and fulnesse; for, so much also is imported in this, Because I live ye shall live also.