John 15:16

A third evidence of Christs love is held out in three particulars, each of them following upon another, 1. That his mercy had prevented them in their election, both eternall unto salvation, and their effectual calling as the effect thereof, as also unto the office of Apostleship. 2. That being chosen, he had appointed them to bring forth much and remaining fruit, in their private stations, and publike callings. 3. That for any thing they needed to enable them to be fruitful, they should have accesse to the Father through him, for obtaining thereof. Whence learn, 1. Such as are true beleevers, and have indeed given up themselves to Christ, to do him service, ought and will have a singular estimation of Christ, preferring and exalting him in their hearts above all other things; for, ye have not chosen me, is not an absolute denial, but, on the contrary, imports they had done so, only in respect of order he had chosen them before. See Phil. 3.12. 2. It is naturally incident to all men, to dispute in their mindes against the freedome of Gods grace, and to be ambitious to have matter of boasting in themselves, and to see somewhat moving God to let out his love upon them; Therefore must Christ not only assert his choosing of them, but remove any conceit of their choosing him first; ye have not chosen me, &c. 3. Whatever debate there be in this matter, yet our Lord is the preventer of all good in us, both by his eternal election, and by effectual vocation, as also by predeterminating concurrence and influence to every good work in particular; for, ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. See 1 John 4.10. 4. As no man may take any office to himself in Christs Church, unlesse both the office be appointed by him, and they appointed and called to it; so the reason why he calls any to do him service in a particular office in his Church, is not any worth in them, but his own free grace, who furnisheth them and setteth them to work; for, this holds true also of their office; ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. 5. Such as God hath chosen to eternal life, and effectually called, are likewise ordained to serve Christ, and bring forth fruit to him, in their private stations, and publike emploiments; Therefore, it is subjoyned, and ordained you that ye should bring forth fruit. 6. Such as Christ hath honoured with a Ministerial charge in his house, ought not to loiter in it; nor to please themselves with an high conceit of their own dignity and advancement: But it should be their care to spend themselves, in gaining souls, and bringing in fruit to Christ: for, this holds true of the Apostles in their calling in particular, I have chosen you, and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit. See Matth. 28.19. 7. Albeit beleevers, and Christs servants, be bound to their duty in their stations and offices; yet their fruitfulnesse depends not on their diligence, but upon Christs commanded and appointed blessing; for, this, I have ordained, (or put, and appointed you to go and bring forth fruit, imports not only that he had appointed them to endeavour fruitfulnesse in the use of means, but that he had appointed fruitfulnesse to follow upon their endeavours. See Eph. 2 10. Acts 13.48. 8. The fruits of a mans carriage and calling which Christ approveth of, must be real and solid, not empty and evanishing; for, it is fruit that may remain. 9. The solid fruits which beleevers and Ministers bring forth, shall not be lost, but they will remain to Gods glory, and their own good, nourishing and confirming their faith and hope, and confirming Ministers in their calling, that they are approven of God in it; for, thus also their fruit remaineth, in its use and effect. 10. Whosoever are faithfully studying to be fruitful in their calling, and particularly, honest Ministers, will finde many humbling wants in themselves, for carrying through in it as becometh; Therefore it is subjoyned to the former, that they will be put to need prayer. 11. Such as truly discern their own inabilities and wants, will finde no help for them, but by prayer to God, nor any accesse to God in prayer, but through Christ; for, they will be put to ask the Father, and that, in my Name, saith he. 12. It commends Christs love to his people, that when he emptieth them, that they may be sent to God through him, they shall not be disappointed, but get a good answer, were their difficulties never so many, or so great; for, this is an evidence of his love, Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my Name, he shall give it you. 13. Albeit it be only of free love, and through Christs merit, that the prayers of beleevers do finde accesse; yet their fruitfulnesse is the way, wherein to come speed; as evidencing their persons to be reconciled, their condition to be good, and that they seek not things from God, to consume on their lusts, Jam. 4.3. but to enable them to more fruitfulnesse; for, this depends on the former, that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask, &c. he may give it. Where fruitfulnesse is commended as the way to come speed, and yet no merit to be placed in it, but the supplication put up in Christs Name.