John 15:20

The third Argument of consolation (amplifying and enlarging the first, and wherein he expounds that hatred, v. 18. to comprehend both persecution of their person, and contempt of their doctrine) is taken from the inevitablenesse of trouble, considering their relation to Christ, as servants to their Master; and the equity that is in this, that they should be no better intreated then he was, both in their person and Ministry. Whence learn, 1. Christs words are not spoken at randome, but to good purpose, and may, long after they are heard, serve us in much stead; Therefore doth he remit them to the word that he said unto them, Matth. 10.24. John 13.16. 2. The Word of God, rightly emproven, is a special mean of patience and encouragement under sufferings; Therefore doth he send them to it. 3. As we ought not to sleight the Word, but lay it up as we hear it; so in an houre of tentation and trouble, we ought to remember on what we have heard, as being spoken for our use in such cases: Therefore, saith he, Remember the word that I said unto you, when they are to resolve on troubles. 4. Of all that we hear, nothing is so effectual to arme us with patience, and encourage us under troubles, as to be much acquainted with Christ, his usage in the world, and his deportment under it; Therefore doth he, in particular, call to remembrance, what he had said concerning his suffering, who was their Master. 5. Christs servants cannot in reason expect better entertainment then he found in the world; for, he mentions his sufferings, that they may close with that truth, The servant is not greater then the Lord, which, as before, it preached humility, chap. 13.16. so here, patience and submission. 6. Such as have a sow esteem of themselves, and an high esteem of Christ, who yet stooped to suffer more then they are put to, will easily be brought to stoop, and be patient in trouble; Therefore doth he propound the comparison under the termes of servant and Lord, that thoughts of the one and the other may perswade them to submit, and not think it strange, that if they have persecuted me, they also persecute you, &c. 7. Hatred against Christ and his servants, will resolve in cruelty against their persons as there is opportunity: for, so doth he explain it, They persecuted me, and will persecute you. 8. As contemners of doctrine in the mouth of faithful messengers, are upon their way to persecute their persons: so also their very contempt is a most cruel persecution in Christs account, and in the account of godly Ministers, who cannot but be sadly afflicted with the ill successe of their Ministery; for both these causes, it is added to the persecuting of their persons, If they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also, that is, they will keep the one no better then they did the other. 9. Whatever pretence of respect men may have to the Word, yet they are but real despisers thereof, so long as they do not lay it up as a treasure in their heart, and observe it in their practice; for, this is it he requireth, that they keep his saying. 10. It is the great advantage of beleevers, that Christ and they have the same common friends and enemies, and are embarqued together in sufferings; therefore doth he parallel their case with his, If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.