John 16:16

From this to v. 23. is contained the second encouragement, whereby Christ comforts his disciples, and mitigates their excessive sorrow for his departure. In this verse the encouragement is more briefly propounded; That however he was shortly to be removed from them in respect of his bodily presence, being now to suffer death, and leave the world; yet they should shortly after that see him again, and he should finde a way to be indeed present with them. For understanding whereof, albeit that reason of his going to the Father, may lead us to understand it of his appearing again to them bodily, after his resurrection, and that since he was not to abide under the power of death, but to rise again and ascend to his Father; they should get a sight of him by the way; yet I take not this sight to be understood here further, then as it was a forerunner of greater things. For this is to be done in that day, wherein they were to be endowed with much knowledge, and to come much speed in their prayers put up in his Name, v. 23. which is not to be restricted to that time betwixt his Death and Ascension, but was rather verified after his Ascension. And upon the same ground, albeit the enjoyment and sight of Christ in heaven, (which every beleever may expect after a short while) do indeed compleat that joy which is propounded, v. 20. as the fruit of their seeing of him; yet it is not to be restricted to that either. For in that day they will need no prayer, as v. 23. it is said they shall in the day they shall see him. Therefore it is most clear to understand the encouragement thus, That however he was shortly to die and remove from them, yet seeing he was not to abide under the power of death, but to ascend and be exalted with the Father; he would therefore give proof of his exaltation and goodwill toward them, by pouring out of his Spirit, whereby they should enjoy a spiritual sight of him, as chap. 14. 19. and by this their sad houres should be sweetned (as also all beleevers) till they come to full sight and full joy in heaven. Now albeit this encouragement, thus explained, together with the rest that follow, do all depend upon the pouring out of the Spirit, as fruits and benefits to be reaped thereby, as well as these that are formerly mentioned in this chapter. And so may all be reduced to that general encouragement, of the coming of the Holy Ghost; yet seeing Christ doth not here (as in the former) name this as a fruit of the Spirits coming, therefore I have made it a distinct encouragement. Doct. 1. The life of beleevers within time is made up, and consists of great variety of lots, having and wanting, sweets and soures, mixed together, and succeeding one to another; for, so it is here declared, they are now seeing, shortly, not to see, and after that to see again. 2. The great exercise of beleevers, is about the enjoying or wanting a sight of Christ; and this sight of Christ is so precious to them, that it moves all the wheeles of their affections, and makes faire weather or foule, according as they want or enjoy it; it being still winter when he is absent, and whenever he returns, he brings the Spring with him; Therefore is all their exercise summed up in this, ye shall not see me, and, ye shall see me, and this is it which begets the joy and sorrow after mentioned. 3. Whatever be Christs tender condescendence, at sometimes, to his people; yet they are to expect that within time, they will get satisfaction to their sense, but for a short time; for, so did the disciples finde its the matter of his bodily presence, and so will beleevers finde in the matter of sensible enjoyments, a little while (being all put together) or, but now a little while in respect of what they had enjoyed, chap. 14. 9. and ye shall not see me. The word imports a serious and intent seeing and contemplating, and is attribute oft-times to a sight of the minde; and it may insinuate, that now they should not get him seen so distinctly as formerly, or that his removal should so confound them for a time, as they should not so much as get him contemplate with the eyes of their minde, till the Spirit come upon them. 4. It is the Will of Christ, that believers be not surprized with the withdrawing of Christ sensible presence, but that in the midst of enjoyments, they resolve and be armed for it; Therefore, while they enjoy his company, he doth warne them, a little while, and ye shall not see me. 5. Christ when he doth withdraw his sensible and bodily presence, is yet not absent from believers, but hath a way of presence, wherein spiritual minds may discern and see him; for, notwithstanding his removal, ye shall see me, saith he. The word imports a full and clear sight, as if he were before their eyes. 6. As the sensible enjoyments of beleevers are but short, while they are within time, so their desertions and clouds are but short also; They may think the time long, because of their affection, and they may prolong their own affliction, by taking in an idol in the room of an absent Christ, and by not making use of desertion as they ought; But he alloweth that their sad houres be short, and however it be, they are so in respect of eternity: for, again a little while, and ye shall see me, 7. Christs suffering for, and departing from his people, hath neither changed his affection to them, nor deprived him of ability to do for them; But they are the rather so much the dearer to him as the price of his sufferings, and by his exaltation he is able to be powerfully present with them, by the pouring out of his Spirit; for, it is a reason of their seeing him, because I go to the Father, having laid down the price of their Redemption.