John 14:2

In this verse is contained the second Argument of consolation, which (as Christs consolations are all rich) contains a double encouragement in the bosome of it. For, 1. He presupposeth it as a ground of the following consolation, that heaven, to which he went, was his Fathers house, and was designed not for him alone to ascend unto, but for many moe through him, (for whom there is roome enough) for their perpetual rest and abode. 2. He confirmes this supposition, from his fidelity and good-will to them, assuring them he would never delude them with vain hopes. 3. He subjoynes the principal consolation: that his going to heaven was for their good, to prepare a place for them, Whence learn, 1. Such as study encouragement by saith, ought to lift up their hearts to the hope of future glory, that so their consolation may be strong; Therefore is this encouragement from the hope of glory, subjoyned to the former, of living by faith for the present, ver. 1. 2. Whatever be the tossed life of Saints here, which the Lord, in deep wisdome, carves out for them, that they may indeed be strangers and pilgrims; Yet it may encourage them, that there is a solid and quiet resting place prepared for them in heaven; for this cause doth he give it the name of a mansion, See Heb. 13.14. Rev. 14.13. 3. There is abundance of roome in heaven, and in Gods love, to receive sinners: And albeit it hath not seemed good to him to save all, nor the most part; Yet there are many to be saved and admitted into that blessed rest: Therefore it is designed Many mansions: which is not to be carnally conceived of, as if heaven were divided into so many Cel’s; Nor yet as pointing at several degrees in glory; But the expression is to be understood in opposition to Christs ascending at this time his alone. And by it he would intimate, that there was roome in heaven, not for him alone, but for many through him, in whose name he was a forerunner, as is after cleared: So that none need to be deterred from comming to Christ, by reason of the paucity of the Elect. 4. It may sweeten the hope of glory unto Saints, when they consider that heaven is the house of God, wherein he will familiarly converse with his domesticks; wherein they will get a clear and full fight of him; shall enjoy full glory, as being in the Kings Palace; shall get a secure and quiet habitation, beyond the reach of enemies, enjoying the treasures which they laid up there before; And, wherein all the children shall at last be gathered together: Therefore it is here described to be the Fathers house. 5. It adds to the consolation of Saints, that however the glory and riches of heaven might crush their hopes that ever such unworthy ones as they should be so dignified; Yet Christ as their head is Lord and heire thereof, and he will come speed there for their behoose; Therefore doth he so comfortably describe it, my Fathers house. 6. Christ is no false Prophet or deceiver of his people; He reveals all that is necessary for them to know, nor will he hide any thing that is for their good: for, in this he bids them credit his fidelity and love, If it were not so, I would have told you. 7. Christs deed and performance will never give his Word the lye, nor will there be anything lesse found in heaven then he hath promised: So much also is imported in this here, If it were not so, I would have told you. 8. There is no trial so bitter and sad, but Christ can draw precious consolations out of it to his own, and bring it about for their good; for, what more sad to the disciples, then to be separate from their Master? and yet he draws ground of comfort out of it, I go (saith he, speaking of his voluntarinesse in dying) to prepare a place for you. 9. No man by nature hath any right to heaven, until it be acquired and prepared for him; for, so is here imported, that a place, must be prepared, even for disciples. 10. Albeit in Gods decree heaven was prepared for the Elect from the foundation of the world, Matth. 25.34. Yet it is through Christ only that they come to get actual right to it: for, I prepare a place for you, saith he. 11. As Christ by his death did purchase a right and title to heaven for Saints; So by his ascension into heaven, he prosecutes and applies that right. For in his ascension he is declared acquit and righteous in our name; He led captive all these who might hinder us from it, Eph. 4.8. As harbingers go before, to prepare roomes for these who are to follow after; So he ascended as a common person, to take possession in our name, Heb. 6.20. Eph. 2.6. As the High Priest entered into the most holy place, with the names of the children of Israel, on his breast, and with the blood of the sacrifices, Heb. 9.7. So he hath entered heaven with our names on his heart, to present the merit of his blood continually, to poure out his spirit to fit us for glory, and by his Intercession to promove our going thither. See Heb. 9.11, 12. Therefore saith he, I go (not only to die, but to my Fathers house) to prepare a place for you. So that his ascension proves the way is patent, is a pledge of our ascension; and assures us that the inheritance will be keeped, till we be ripe for it. Which yet is not to be understood, as if heaven had not been prepared for any before his ascension, but that without his miret (either as ascended or to ascend) none hath accesse to heaven; So that he ascended first, in priority of nature, as the cause of the ascension of all his followers, though not first in priority of time. 12. Whatever be Christs condition, it is still for the beleevers good; and wherever he be, he is about their affairs; for, as he descended from heaven, when our affairs required it, so also he ascended again on our affairs. 13. It is an undoubted pledge that Christ, exalted in glory, will not forget his followers on earth, that their affairs was a great part of his errand thither: for, if he go to prepare a place, we may be sure he will not forget his errand.