John 16:33

In this verse is contained a conclusion, not only of the immediatly preceding purpose, or chapter, but, of the whole farewel Sermon; wherein, having spoken many and divers things to them, wherewith they were variously affected, he sheweth that his scope in all of it was to promove their peace in him. The necessity whereof appeareth from the troubles they shall meet with in the world; And the efficacie of his peace, to counter-ballance the bitternesse of worldly trouble, is held out, partly, in the effect thereof, that having peace, they may be of good cheer, or bold; and partly, in the ground of this courage, that Christ hath overcome the world. Whence learn, 1. As peace is Christs allowance to his people, so the drift of all he speaks to them, tends to promove their good and peace; his very brangling of their presumption, and warning them of dangers, tends not to take away their confidence in his good will, nor to brangle their peace, but to excite them to make it surer; for, These things (in this Sermon, and in the immediately preceding warning) have I spoken unto you, that ye might have peace. 2. It is Christ only who can give and speak peace to his people; for, I have spoken that ye might have peace. See Psal. 85.8. Job 34.29. 3. The peace of beleevers is begotten by the Word, as faith is; and it takes root there; so that while the Word is for them, they need not be dismayed; for, upon this, I have spoken, doth this follow, that ye might have peace. 4. The peace of God conferred upon beleevers, is a most excellent gift, and sufficient though they have no more; as being the fruit of justification and reconciliation; as being that which gives a deliverance in the midst of troubles; which will guard hearts in midst of violent blasts, Phil. 4.7. which will make men keep from sinful courses, which would disturb their peace, more effectually, then the apprehension of wrath and hell; and, which stayes the minde on God in the midst of inward shakings, Isa. 26.3. For these reasons is all their allowance from Christ comprehended under the name of peace. 5. It is in Christ alone that we have right or accesse to any true peace, and in him we must entertain it; for, saith he, that in me ye might have peace. 6. Peace with God through Christ will not keep men from blasts of outward trouble, but the one is consistent with the other; yea, the worlds hatred will readily follow on Christs friendship; for, when in me ye have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation. 7. Saints may not only expect trouble from the world, but that their trouble shall be very pressing and searching; for, ye shall have tribulation, or, a pressing distresse, as the word imports. 8, Even the dearest of Saints are obnoxious to tentations, of fainting, fear, and diffidence, when sharp trouble assaults them; for, they will need a word of encouragement, be of good courage. 9. No outward trouble ought to disturb Saints peace, but their peace with God ought to appear in couragious and confident encountring with trouble; for, after his allowed peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, or, bold, saith he. 10. The world and all things therein, that might disquiet Saints, are vanquished and overcome by Christ upon the crosse: so that they may well testifie, but cannot hurt them; for, I have overcome the world. 11. Christs victory over the world is ground of encouragement to all his suffering people, against the power and policy of the world; considering, that however Christ will not exempt them from a battel and exercise, yet they are partakers of his victory by faith, 1 John 5.4. and shall (abiding in him) finde, in end, that they have to do with enemies already vanquished; for, saith he, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.