John 14:7

In this verse the other ground of consolation propounded, ver. 4. is cleared, in answer to the second branch of Thomas his doubt, concerning the place whither Christ went, or the Father to whom he went in that place. Christ sheweth, that this might be known by knowing of him, he being one in essence with the Father, the expresse image of his person, Heb. 1.3. Col. 1.15. and he in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth bodily. Hence Christ inferreth, in answer to Thomas his objection, that from hence forth they know and have seen him, not only in respect of sufficient means, but they having known him, Chap. 6. 69. they might henceforth know that they knew the Father in him, and had seen him formerly, in seeing of him. Whence learn, 1. The Father is savingly known in the Son, and in him only; To know or see him with mortal bodily eyes is impossible; the knowledge of him in the creation, and in external representations and manifestations of his glory, is but imperfect, nor can it suffice to salvation; To know him in the Law, or covenant of works, doth but work wrath: But in Christ he is held out to be known perfectly, and to salvation; for, if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. And this further clears that to know him, is life eternal. 2. To know Christ rightly is the summe of all saving knowledge, both of God, and of the way to him, and happiness with him; Therefore doth he solve all Thomas his doubts, by pointing out himselfe as both the way, and he in whom the Father may be known. 3. Christs followers do need a new gift to discern what they have or know savingly, and to have it born upon them by him, for their encouragement; Therefore, albeit the disciples had saving knowledge of the Father in some measure, yet they knew not so much, till Christ bear it upon them, ye know him. 4. It is the duty of beleevers, to emprove the means of encouragement which Christ affords them, and it is their fault not to see what he discovers to them of their enjoyments and condition; Therefore, saith he, from hence-forth ye know him; Not that upon the matter, they knew him not before, in knowing the Son; But that now after this information and discovery, they were bound no more to doubt, but to know that they knew him, for their own encouragement. 5. It is the duty of these to whom Christ reveals their good condition, not only to emprove it for the future, but to look back to the times, of their mistake and ignorance, and make use of that which they then had, and observed not, both for humiliation for their short coming, and for encouragement in him who was better to them then they were aware; Therefore, doth he not only alleadge, ye know him, for present, but, have seen him, for the time past, that they might observe and emprove that.