John 16:23

In this verse we have propounded the third and fourth encouragement, whereby Christ mitigates the excessive sorrow of his disciples because of his departure from them. The first of them is, that, in that day when the comforter shall come, they shall see him again, they shall ask him nothing. Which is not be understood of prayer, as if he would have them exempted from prayer, or that they should not pray to him alone, but to the Father with him and through him. For the first of these is blasphemous, and the second not to the purpose, seeing it is not to be supposed they had neglected the Father in their prayers formerly, and betaken themselves only to him. Withal, the grave asseveration prefixed to the latter part of the verse which speaks of prayer, evidenceth that there he beginneth a new purpose, different from this here spoken of: And the word here rendred to ask, albeit it sometime signifies to desire or seek by prayer, and be so used by Christ speaking of his own praying to the Father, v. 26. and often in chap. 17. Yet, 1. In the latter part of the verse where he speaks of their praying, he useth another word, which properly signifieth to seek by prayer, that so by the different words he might point out that the purposes are different. 2. The word here doth properly signifie, to ask questions, or to propound doubtful things, whereof we are ignorant, that we may get resolution in them; and so it is used in this same chap. v. 5, 19, 30. In relation to which passages, and to what is said by way of explication, v. 25. compared with v. 29, 30. I take this encouragement to contain a promise of their illumination and growth in knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel, propounded by way of opposition to their present necessity of asking many questions at him, in regard of their dulnesse and ignorance. But now he promiseth that, in that day they shall have more illumination than to make a doubt of every thing, and should ask him nothing; which yet is not so to be understood, as if after the Comforter were come, there should be no doubts, or that he would exempt them from a necessity of depending upon and employing of him for resolution thereof; But it is to be understood comparatively, in reference to their present condition, That they should not, as now they did, stick at every scruple, and be puzzled and perplexed about every purpose of divine truth, but should be more familiarly acquainted with his doctrine. Whence learn, 1. Ignorance of divine mysteries is so great an affliction to disciples, and illumination and knowledge thereof so great a mercy, as it may sweeten sad dispensations, and deserveth a special remark, in their account; for, it is here an encouragement against his departure, and it is a day of remark (that day) to be delivered from their ignorance. 2. It is by the Spirit only that men are enabled to understand divine mysteries, and this is more fully and clearly communicate by him in the dayes of the Gospel, then formerly; for, it is in that day, when the Comforter cometh, that they shall ask nothing. 3. As Christ is very gracious to his people, in granting them sense of necessities, and in supplying thereof when they come unto him; So he also tenders their weaknesse by preventing them in many needs, and so prevents their many perplexities and anxieties, which otherwise they might be put to: Therefore is this promise thus propounded, ye shall ask me nothing, because albeit it was enough to have him ready to resolve their questions, when they put him to it, yet this was very hard to them, and therefore he, prevents them with a gift of knowledge. So, albeit he will never have his people freed from dependance on him, yet out of his respects to their weaknesse, he gives sense many visible props, where faith is put to an exercise. He could feed the world immediately from heaven, as he did Israel; but since our weaknesse would be ready to faint under such a dispensation, therefore he hath established another course.

The other encouragement here propounded, is, that they shall have successe in their prayers put up in his name, concerning which compare Chap. 14. 13, 14. and 15. 7. Doct. 1. The matter of hearing the prayers of beleevers is of great importance in Christs account; And whatever our feares and tentations be about it, yet the verdict of his word is to be trusted to in that matter; Therefore doth he begin this encouragement with his usual asseveration, Verily, verily I say unto you. 2. There is no measure of enjoyment which beleevers have within time, which should take them off from prayer and seeking; for, when the former promises are accomplished, it is yet imported they must ask. 3. Times of much light have need of much prayer, to sanctifie that light, and make it effectual for answerable ordering of our practice; for, in that day, when they shall get knowledge, and ask nothing, they must still ask by prayer. 4. As the necessities of beleevers, and the good things they expect, are many; So all their comfortable enjoyments must come by prayer: for, whatsoever ye shall ask, imports that their prayers must be universal, reaching to all their felt needs and expected mercies. 5. Prayer must be offered up through Christ and in his name, as testifying the sense of our own unworthinesse to come before God with our services; our high estimation of Christs worth, merit, and credite with the Father, who can make our services acceptable; and, our confidence that he will own us and our services, and that the Father will be well pleased therewith in him; for, they must ask the Father in his name. 6. Prayer put up in Christs Name for things lawful, will get a good answer; And albeit the Lord will exercise our faith, to beleeve this when we see it not; our patience, to wait for it; and, our discerning to take up his wise contrivance of answering, when he suspends the particular we desire. And albeit he may also suspend and deny answers, for a time, to particular sutes, when either we are lying under unrepented guilt, or have neglected prayer till we come to a strait, or have not sense as we ought of what we seek; And also that he may try what mens deportment will be when their prayers are not answered: Yet this is a truth of eternal verity, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you. 7. Such as are given to prayer, and do receive answers thereunto from heaven, need not be discouraged for the want of Christs bodily presence; seeing by the acceptance of their prayers in heaven, they will get constant proofes of his good will; for, this is an encouragement here against his removal, that they shall have intercourse with him, by their praying and his answering. And indeed, to be frequent in prayer is the way to entertain the sense of his love, and the want thereof begets jealousies and coldrifenesse.