John 16:24

In this and the following purpose, to v. 29. both these encouragements are amplified and enlarged, though not in the order they are first propounded. The purpose may be reduced to foure heads. In the first whereof in this verse[,] he amplifieth the last of these encouragements, concerning prayer; declaring that hitherto they had not asked any thing in his Name, an exciting them to amend this, that so by receiving good answers, they might have full joy, to guard and refresh their hearts, which were so grieved at the news of his departure. As for that he saith, Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name, it is not so to be understood, as if the disciples and other godly persons, had not prayed only before that time, or had not directed their prayers to God through the Mediatour: But the meaning is partly, more generally, to point out the difference betwixt the way under the Law and under the Gospel; In the one, their use making of a Mediatour in prayer was involved under many types and shaddows, particularly that of the mercy seat, and though they directed their prayers to God through a Mediatour, and by vertue of the Covenant, Yet it was without any particular application of that office of Mediatour unto the person of Jesus, the Son of Mary, as not being yet manifested. And it is not unlike that the disciples and others, whatever thoughts they had of Christ, Yet hitherto they had not so distinctly made use of him, in his office of Mediatour, in the matter of prayer. But under the Gospel, especially after the powring out of the Spirit, vails are taken away, and the Mediatour exhibited in person, to be distinctly and clearly made use of in prayer. Partly, the meaning is, more particularly, to point out the short coming of the disciples, who whatever use they made of Christ in prayer, yet had asked and received nothing, in comparison of what they were allowed to ask, and should afterward receive. Whence learn, 1. We are so unwilling, upon the one hand, to pray, and Christ so willing to be employed, that he can never enough presse us to that duty; Therefore doth he insist in pressing them to ask, and is so forward in it, that he enlargeth it before the other encouragement mentioned before it, in the former verse. 2. It is a notable encouragement unto prayer, that now under the Gospel the person of the Mediatour is exhibited in our flesh, acquainted with all our infirmities without sin, and the way of employing him more distinctly and clearly held out, then under the Law; for, by this he excites them to ask, that hitherto they had asked nothing in his Name, but now might ask, as hath been explained. 3. It may also encourage Saints to prayer, that let them seek never so much in his Name, yet he will be so far from reproaching them with his bounty, that he counts they have sought nothing, in respect of what his love alloweth, and what he will do for them, if they ask; for, so much also (as hath been explained) is imported in this, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name, and therefore ask yet more, saith he. 4. It doth yet more encourage men to pray to God through Jesus Christ, when they consider, that his fair offers of audience, are not empty promises, but will be seconded with real performances; for, ask, and ye shall receive, saith he, appealing to their own experience, concerning the reality of his offers, if they will employ him. 5. Christ alloweth joy unto his people, to sweeten and cry down the noise of all their discouragements and sorrows; for, he alloweth they should have joy, to asswage their griefe, because of his departure. 6. The joy allowed by Christ upon his people is a full and compleat joy, and groweth up by degrees, till they finde it so, according as they make use of the means wherein it is to be found; Therefore doth he call it a full joy, or, a joy fulfilled to their satisfaction, by their praying and his answering. 7. As the joy of beleevers cometh to them by the mean of prayer; So they are allowed joy even in their addresse-making to God through Christ, considering what hope there is in such in undertaking, and what a dignity and mercy it is, that such as they should be drawn to such an employment, and admitted to serve in it; for, if joy be fulfilled, when they get an answer, then, certainly, it should be begun while they are praying. 8. Such as pursue prayer in Christs Name, till they get an answer, will finde their joy thereby compleated; as evidencing how glorious their head and surety Christ is, and how acceptable naughty persons and performances are in heaven through him, and as putting a lustre and double beauty upon every mercy, when it cometh that way out of the hand of God; for, ask, saith he, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full, or, fulfilled.