John 14:4

The fourth argument of consolation (propounded in this verse) is, that however he was to leave them; yet they knew whether he went, and which was the way thither. For clearing whereof, Consider, 1. As the place to which he went, was to his Father, and his house (as is cleared ver. 2. and in the following purpose) so, by the way here, he points out not only the way wherein he was to walk to glory, but the way also wherein they were to follow, as the following enlargement of this consolation maketh clear. 2. The way to heaven is (so to say) twofold; First, the way of dispensations and lots, wherewith Saints are essayed in going through; And thus, as Christ went to his Father by sad sufferings, so beleevers enter into the Kingdome through much tribulation, Act. 14.22. Secondly, the way of their duty, and the means whereby they may come to God, and walk through these difficulties, till they come to him in heaven; And thus, as Christ paved a way for himselfe, so is the the way to all others, as we will hear, ver. 6. Now albeit the first of these be not to be excluded here; for we are to follow him in that way, 1 Pet. 2.21. yet the last is chiefly insisted on in the explication. 3. As for the disciples knowing of these, (which is contradicted by Thomas) his assertion imports not only that they had been sufficiently furnished with means to have known, but that they did also know them, in part, and in some respect. So the meaning is, that it might sufficiently encourage them, that they knew heaven and the Father, to whom he went and they were to follow, and were instructed that suffering and tribulation was the high way to heaven, both for him and them: And that albeit he withdrew his bodily presence, yet they knew the way of corresponding with the Father in heaven, and had a sure way to guide them home. Doctrine 1. Beleevers, who do seriously study to know heaven, and what the resting place of pilgrims is, will finde rich consolation in it; for, this is one branch of the encouragement, ye know whither I go. 2. It contributes exceedingly to beleevers encouragement by knowing heaven, to know that Christ is gone there, and glorified with his Father for their good; for, this is the particular consideration, rendring this knowledge of heaven comfortable, whither I go ye know, namely, that I succumb not under my sufferings, but ascend to heaven to my Father. 3. It contributes much to the comfort of beleevers, and is their peculiar priviledge in their absence from the Lord, as to know God and heaven, so to know the way that leads thither, to be the way indeed, and to be armed against all misconstructions of the way, being compared with the end of it, to which it oft-times looks so unsutable; for, so much is held out in this encouragement, as it relates to the way of dispensation, wherein Christ went to heaven, and beleevers follow him. It is an encouragement, the way ye know, and need not mistake sad sufferings, as if they were not leading to a crown, as too many do little beleeve that to loose, is to gain, and to dye, the way to life. 4. It is not sufficient for the encouragement of beleevers, that they have a contemplative knowledge of heaven, and the difficulties that lye in the way to it; unlesse also Christs removal out of the world do estrange their affections from it, and make them become pilgrims, and set them on work to know the way and means how they may hasten after him, to come where he is; and in the mean time may keep entercourse and correspondence with him, and through him with the Father. For, this is the great encouragement, ye know the way, namely, that he is the way to the Father to whom he goeth, as is after cleared. 5. Christ hath not left his followers without sufficient means of information concerning heaven and the way to it, and without such a measure of knowledge of these things, as might be ample matter of encouragement, if they knew how to discerne and emprove it; for, he asserts, for their comfort, not only in respect of means, but as to their actual knowledge also, whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 6. Christ knoweth his people, and what they are, better then they do themselves, and his verdict of them is to be preferred before their own; for, notwithstanding their doubts afterward mentioned, he asserts, whither I go ye know, &c.