John 16:26–27

In the third place, Christ resumeth, and yet further amplifieth that purpose concerning prayer in his Name; promising that when the Spirit shall come, they shall get alacritie and willingnesse to the duty of prayer, and shall finde easie accesse in their suites having Christs intercession to make way for them, and the Fathers love (as it were) preventing that. And that because they have loved him and beleeved him, to be the Mediatour and Ambassadour come out from God For clearing of the Words, Consider, 1. While Christ saith, I say not that I will pray the Father for you, the meaning is not that he will lay aside his office of intercession for beleevers, which as they will still need it, so it is a strong pillar of their confidence, Rom 8.33, 34. Heb 4.15, 16. and 7.25. Neither is it only the meaning, that by this sort of speech he would most certainly assure them of it; it being a priviledge so sure, as he needed not say more to assure them of it; As indeed his love is a real love, which hath more substance then shew. But conjoyning it with what followeth in the beginning of the next verse, we will find the meaning to be, That they had not only his intercession, but the Fathers love, upon which to ground their hope of audience; and, That he was not to intercede for them with the Father as with an enemie, or one unwilling to accept of them, being now reconciled; but, that the Father did love them, and out of his love to them had appointed him Mediatour. 2. While Christ sercheth the reason of the Fathers love from their love to him, the meaning is not that their love to Christ did prevent the Fathers love to them, but that the Father having loved them and brought them to love Christ, doth reward this their love with more proofes of his love, in hearing their prayers. Doct. 1. Not only is the answering of prayer Christs work, but it is he also who undertakes to make his people pray, and giveth them his Spirit for that effect; for, saith he, by way of promise, at that day, when the Spirit shall come, ye shall ask in my Name. 2. The prayers of Saints put up in Christs Name are so many waies welcome in heaven, as they cannot but be accepted; Therefore he assureth them of accesse, by shewing them how many things concurre to obtain accesse and an answer. 3. We ought so to eye Christs intercession, as we forget not also to ascend up to the Fathers love, as rendering our persons and prayers acceptable; That double encouragements may make our consolation strong, and, that we may not have wrong thoughts of the Father; for this cause, saith he, I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father himself loveth you. 4. Such as are beloved of God, do get grace to flee to Christ, and to love him; for, ye, whom the Father loveth, have loved me. 5. As Gods love doth beget love in his people; so he is graciously pleased to reward and foster this love with more of his love; for, the Father, (whose love prevents his people) loveth you, because ye have loved me. 5. Love to Christ cannot be without faith, and where love is, it proves faith; for, ye have loved me, and beleeved. 6. True faith ought to close with Christ as the great Embassadour of the Father, God and man, coming out from the Father by his Incarnation, and coming into the world, to work the work of our Redemption; for, ye beleeved that I came out from God: which includes the Fathers good-will in sending of him, and proves his Godhead, in that he came from God, as well as the truth of his manhood was confirmed, by his appearing on earth, and his office to be the only Mediatour, as coming out from God for that effect. 7. Faith in Christ is so acceptable, that God will reward it with proofs of his free love; for the Father loveth you, because ye beleeved that I came out from God.