George Hutcheson
IN this Chapter (wherewith this farewel Sermon is closed) Christ goeth on to let out more of his heart unto his disciples, and doth resume many of the most necessary points formerly spoken of, and sweetly enlargeth the same. The Chapter may be taken up in four principal parts: In the first whereof, Christ further prosecutes that purpose begun in the former Chapter concerning their sufferings: Wherein, he intimateth his scope in foretelling thereof, v. 1. expresseth more particularly what sufferings they were to meet with, v. 2. propoundeth grounds of encouragement under such a lot, v. 3, 4 — and giveth a reason why he did no sooner give them this distinct warning, v. — 4. In the second part of the Chapter he again intimateth his departure: reprehending their abuse of this warning, v. 5, 6. And encourageth them against the bitterness of this lot, 1. By the promise of the holy Spirit, who would not come, but on his departure, v. 7. and who, being come, would convince the world, v. 8, 9, 10, 11. instruct them, v. 12, 13. and glorifie him, by what he should communicate of and from him, who is one and equal with the Father, v, 14, 15. 2. By a promise, that however he was shortly to be removed, yet they should shortly after that, see him again: which is propounded, v. 16. and (by occasion of the disciples doubtfulness, v. 17, 18.) is more fully explained, v. 19, 20, 21, 22. 3. By a promise of their increase in knowledge, and (4.) of successe in their prayers put up in his name: both which are propounded, v. 23. and further amplified and enlarged, v. 24, 25, 26 27, 28. In the third part of the Chapter, The disciples making a fair profession of their proficiency by his former doctrine, v. 29, 30. their presumption herein is checked, and they forewarned of their scattering and deserting of him, v. 31, 32. The last part of the Chapter containeth the conclusion of the whole Sermon, pointing out his scope in all of it, v. 33.
1 THese things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
In the first part of the Chapter, Christ prosecutes his former doctrine concerning his disciples sufferings, in four particulars. In the first whereof (in this verse) he points out what he aimed at in intimating and foretelling this their hard lot; Namely, that by this warning they might be so armed, and so fortified by the encouragements subjoyned, as not to stumble at it, when it came to passe. Whence learn, 1. Christ speaks nothing to his people at randome, but what he hath well digested as needful for them, and which they should accordingly ponder and esteeme of; Therefore doth he shortly resume what he had spoken, as being of much importance, and seriously to be thought upon by them. These things have I spoken unto you. 2. It is not enough to consider what Christ saith, unlesse also we take notice of his scope in speaking of it; which oft-times we are ready to mistake, unless he reveal it. Therefore, whereas they might be ready to sink in sorrow upon this intimation, he must tell them he hath another scope in it, These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 3. It is no strange thing to see many things concerning Christs person, doctrine, way of dealing, &c. occurre as stumbling blocks in the way of professours, to make them fall and turn out of the way; And particularly, afflictions and persecutions accompanying Christ and the Gospel, are grievous stumbling blocks, and do prove a neck break to many: for, it is here supposed, that by reason of this lot they will be ready to be offended, or, stumbled and scandalized, to divert them from good, & tempt them to make apostasie. 4. Afflictions and persecutions are so searching, and trying, that even the best have need to be guarded against the scandal thereof; for, even disciples have need to be spoken unto, that they be not offended. 5. How strongly so ever tentations and prejudices may seem to plead for stumbling at Christ, in a day of trial; Yet it is most necessary that professours do not stumble; seeing there is no safe retreat without a neck-break; Therefore doth he propound it, as a necessary duty, that however matters go, they be not offended. 6. Whatever stumbling blocks be laid in the way of professours, and how many soever do stumble and fall upon them; Yet there are, sufficient means to prevent their stumbling, and to convince them that there is no just cause, why they should offend; for, here he intimateth, that he had taken sufficient course, that they should not be offended. 7. The Word of Christ (and particularly, his intimation of the crosse, and encouragements against the same) is a sufficient guard against offences and scandals at the crosse; For, 1. His intimation warneth men of their danger, so that they have themselves to blame, if they be not armed with resolution, but still promise great things to themselves. And it doth assure beleevers, that he hath an eternal purpose and effectual providence about these things which he can foretell before they come to passe. 2. He guardeth this intimation with so many encouragements and antidotes in the Word, as it cannot prove deadly to them that emprove the same. 3. The Word rightly emproven, doth purge out idols and lusts, which tempt men to stumble; doth direct their way in dark cases, that they may not stumble; and, doth afford such confirmations of faith, as may support their hearts under trouble, and such intimations of the severity of God, as may deterre them from apostasie. Therefore, saith he, These things (both of intimation and encouragement mentioned in the former Chapter) have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. Not only was this the scope of his doctrine and intimation, but these were a sufficient mean to prevent their stumbling, however they not emproving the same, were offended for a time, Matth. 26.31.
