John 14:21

The fifth benefit, (the same in substance with some of the former) is, that they shall be beloved of the Father and him, and in testimony thereof, he will manifest himself to them. This he illustrates and amplifies from their duty, and the qualification required in Christs disciples; Namely, that they evidence love to him by their respect to his commandments; which as he had formerly inculcate, v. 15. as the way to obtain the Comforter, so he presseth it over again as the mean to attain to these benefits, which they were to reap by the Spirits presence. Whence learn, 1. When Christ is most sweetly comforting his people, it is not his minde they should be emboldened to cast off duty thereby, but rather that they be encouraged to duty, as the way to clear their right to these comforts, and to assure them, that what they receive, is not a delusion, nor are they abusing it; Therefore doth he again, in the midst of these consolations, put them in minde of duty, and of the evidences of true love to him. 2. Christ is a Law-giver to give Commandments to his people, and who renders them sweet by coming from him who hath evidenced so much love to sinners, and by so imposing them, evidenceth that he knoweth their burthen, and is ready to take employment to enable them to obedience; for, he owneth the rule of believers duty as his Law, my commandments. 3. As variety of duties are imposed upon believers; so it is the Will of Christ that none of them be slighted, and that none please themselves in observing one or moe, when yet they lay others aside; for, he requires a duty in reference to his commandments; even all of them. See Psal. 119.6. 4. Christs commandments are not entertained as they ought, except when there is an endeavour of actual obedience thereunto; for, he requireth it of the approven man, that he keep my commandments. 5. None can make conscience of obedience as becometh, unlesse they first know their duty, and unlesse they have an high estimation of the authority of the Law, and excellencie of the thing commanded; for, it is required, that first they have the commandments, by knowing them in their judgement, and by keeping them in their heart as a precious jewel, and then they will keep them, and testifie their respect thereto, by having them still in their eye, and regulating all their practice thereby. See Psal. 119.11. 5. Albeit many loose professours pretend love to Christ, who yet neglect their duty; yet, in Christs account, none do truly love him but these who make conscience of obedience; Therefore, to refute all such delusions, he saith again, He (and he only) that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. 7. Albeit we be unprofitable servants, when we have done all, Luke 17.10. yet, of free grace through Christ, obedience will not want a reward; as here he promiseth. 8. To get more confirmation and evidences of the love of God in Christ, is a rich reward and encouragement unto duty, and this every tender walker is sure of; for, this is the promise here. 9. As the love of God in Christ doth prevent our love and obedience; so it is his will, that the sensible manifestations and refreshful proofes thereof, be drawn out by us in the way of obedience, and diligent use of means; for, this is the order here, He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father; Not as if our love begun first, 1 John 4.10. but that his love setting them on work to obedience, and begetting love in them, as it did prevent them, so it will give them a rich meeting. 10. As the love of God in Christ is the rich allowance of obedient beleevers, whatever they get beside; so his conferring of his Spirit upon them, is a rich evidence of his love; for, that the Father and Son loveth them, is evidenced by the sending of the Spiit unto them, as the scope of this whole purpose teacheth. So doth it also prove Sonship, Gal. 4, 6. 11. Christ is so acceptable to the Father, that whoever respect him, are beloved of the Father, and his love and the Fathers do still concurre, so that who is beloved of the one, is beloved of the other; Therefore, saith he, He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him. 12. Christs love to his people consists not in empty complements, but in real manifestations of good-will; for, I will love him, and will manifest my self to him. 13. As Christ alloweth special manifestations of himself upon his own, by lifting up the light of his countenance upon them, by intimating his good-will unto them, his fulnesse and righteousnesse for them: so this unto a beleever is above any evidence of his love beside; Therefore is this given as the proof of his love to them, I will manifest my selfe unto him. See Psal. 4.6, 7. and 17.4. 14. As only beleevers and tender walkers are capable of special manifestations of Christ; so their tender walking is so far from obscuring of Christ, that the more tender they are, they will need more of Christ, his goodwill and righteousnesse, to be manifested to them, to cover them and the defects which they will discover in their walking; for, even a keeper of the commandments needs this encouragement, I will manifest my self to him. 15. Christ can be known only by his own light, and until he manifest himself, believers will remain ignorant of him, and be ready to mistake him; for this cause, saith he, I will manifest my self.