John 16:31–32

These verses contain Christs entertainment of this Profession; wherein, taking hold of their profession of faith in so far as it was real, and checking their presumption and carnal confidence therein, (for both these are imported in that question, v. 31.) he warneth them, that their faith should get a trial, and their presumption a sad shake very shortly, when at his trial they should be scattered, and put to shift for themselves, leaving him alone, who yet should not be alone, having the Father with him. Whence learn, 1. Christ takes notice of no effect his doctrine produceth, unlesse faith be one, and a chief effect; for, of all they said, he takes notice of that, as of greatest importance, if it had been such as they thought it was, do ye beleeve? 2. When men have attained to some measure of faith, they may have yet cause to be humbled, that they have been so long in learning that lesson; for, do ye now (and not till now) beleeve? 3. Christ takes notice of mens attaining to any measure of faith, that he may put them to work; for, do ye now believe, is a taking hold of what they grant, that now he may put them to that exercise mentioned afterward, which before could not so conveniently be done. 4. Christ doth hate presumption and carnal confidence, were it even in his dearest people; for, this question doth also import his disdaining of their presumption, and that he would shortly give them a proof how far they were mistaken. 5. As when men are enabled to beleeve, they ought to look for work; so presumption mixed with faith, doth portend a winnowing storme, and that near at hand; for, do ye now beleeve? the houre cometh, yea, is now come, even that same night, that ye shall be scattered, &c. 6. Presumption is a disease not easily cured by any caution and warning from the Word, till the presumptuous finde his own weight in trial: for, this must refute it, an houre of scattering. 7. Though Christ be most tender of the broken spirits of his people, and of their sad condition, yet he will not spare to humble them, when presumption is aloft, were their condition otherwise never so sad; for, when he is comforting them against his departure, he hath yet a sad word to check their presumption. 8. The doctrine of trials is oft-times but carelesly heard by presumptuous men, and they may meet with that which they little ponder; Therefore, a behold is prefixed to this doctrine. 9. The trials of Christ and his followers, as they are violent, so are they determined by God, and short; for, it is an houre, a bitter houre indeed, but a determined and short houre; and therefore we should take heed an houre produce not that, which may shame us for ever. 10. Continued-in presumption and carnal confidence, will undoubtedly cause men to fall, when trial cometh, were they even Christs own dear children; for, here the ensuing storme is described, from the sad effect it should produce in them, of scattering and leaving him. And if we consider their true grace, their special and intimate acquaintance with Christ, the many proofes of favour conferred on them, the many proofs they got and saw of his divine power, their singular engagements to Christ, and, their being forewarned of their danger: If, I say, we consider these things, and that yet they fall, it may let us see that nothing will bear out men, if deserted, or given up to the power of presumption. 11. Scattering, and the dissipation of the societies of Gods people is one of the sad fruits of persecution; for ye shall be scattered every man. 12. Scattering is then not only our affliction, but our sin and weaknesse, when trouble and hazard makes us selfish, and seek to shift for our selves, little considering the hazard of the interest of Christ; for, this followes on their presumption, ye shall be scattered every man to his own, that is, not only going to their own home, as afterward they did, but their shifting for themselves, when they leave their Master alone in the garden. 13. It is a part of the trial of honest sufferers, that in their sharpest conflicts, they may be deserted, even of them who not only make faire professions, but have real honesty, and may be left in the gap there alone; for, herein Christ hath paved the way, who was left alone; And albeit none could joyne with him in enduring these sufferings, whereby he redeemed his people; yea, albeit his care was to have them exempted, chap. 18.8. yet it was a trial and exercise unto him, to be thus left alone. 14. Let never so many desert Christ and his truth, yet he will own and stand to it; for, he is left alone, and yet stands alone in that conflict. 15 The condition of sufferers is not so desolate and solitary, as spectators or sense at first view would judge; for, though they leave him alone, yet I am not alone, saith he. 16. God may be pursuing his own dear children in great displeasure, with whom he is yet graciously present, upholding them with the one hand; as he smites with the other; for, the Father is with me, saith Christ, when yet the Father is pursuing him hotly for the sins of the Elect, and deserting him, Matth. 27.46. 17. The presence of God alone is sufficient to sustain a soul, when deserted of all under saddest difficulties: for, though ye leave me alone, yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.