John 16:5–6

Followeth, to v. 29. the second part of the chapter, wherein, Christ by several encouragements, comforts them against his departure. Unto which, in these verses, he premits, 1. The repeated intimation of his departure to him that sent him. 2. A reprehension of their not making use of, but rather abusing this intimation, in that they did so give up themselves to sorrow at the newes, as they neglected the opportunity of informing themselves concerning his departure, and whither he went, which might have been of special use to them.

From v. 5. Learn, 1. The sensible and sweet enjoyments of Saints are not permanent, but subject to changes while they are within time; for, I was with you, v. 4 But now I go my way. 2. Whatever violence was used toward Christ, in his removal out of the world; yet his departure was voluntary in his own due time, after he had done his work, and not till then; for, saith he, I go my way, and that, now, having done my work, and not till now. 3. Christ and his followers never want sufficient considerations to beautifie and sweeten their saddest lots, and to swallow up the bitternesse thereof; Therefore doth he point out his sufferings in lovely colours, I go my way to him that sent me, which takes in the whole passages of his removal, in his death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and glorification; And this was a most comfortable sight of it, both to himself, who after his toile, was to triumph with his father, and to them who were hereby taught, that he had finished his work, and was to be exalted for their good and behoof. 4. As men ought not to undertake employments, unlesse they be sent of God to do them; so they who are entrusted by him, must again appear before him, to give an account of their trust, and to be rewarded by him, if they have been faithful; for, herein Christ is our pattern, who being sent of the Father, doth now go his way to him that sent him, to give an account of his commission, and to be glorified with him. 5. It is a sweet consideration to these who are exercised about the absence of Christ, to know where he is, and whither he is gone, that so they may know where to finde him, what to do in his absence; and, what advantage they may reap by his exaltation; for, he propounds this as the great and needful case to be resolved, Whither goest thou? 6. It is our great fault, that we can reckon our losse by Gods exercising of us, but are not careful to see the advantages therein; for, they studied enough upon his going away, but nothing upon this, wherein the advantage lay, whither goest thou? 7. It is not enough to look upon our sufferings in their present bitternesse, unlesse we look also upon the issue of them; for, so much doth Christ teach us in his own case, that they should not only consider that he did go, but whither he did go 8. The issue of Christ and his followers troubles, is not easily discerned by us; nor can we understand it, without his teaching, for, it is he who must resolve that question, whither goest thou? and it must be asked at him. 9. Christ is most willing to teach his people, what may be for their instruction and comfort, and will quarrel when they do not put him to it: for, he quarrelleth, that none of you asketh me, whither goest thou? 10. It is the great sin of Saints to trifle away their time, and, particularly, not to emprove short opportunities of enjoying Christ, and before a storme; that they may get somewhat to fit them for it; for it is his challenge, that knowing he was to depart shortly, they passed away that moment in sorrow and stupidity, not emproving the present opportunity of his company, to resolve cases, which might be comfortable to them, when he was gone. Now I go my way, and none of you asketh me, whither goest thou? Where he insinuateth, that it was their duty to be throng and busie, during that moment. 11. Men may seem to be somewhat busie about important cases, and in seeking resolution of great difficulties, who yet in Christs account are but really idle; for, albeit Peter did propound this very question to him chap. 13.36. yet he challengeth, none of you asketh, &c because he did not so aske as seeking the right use of the resolution, to be confirmed in the exercise of believing, or informed concerning the effects of his departure for that end; but only in a way of carping, and presumptuous boasting of his own strength.

From v. 6. Learn, 1. As it is no wonder Saints be, oft-times, exercised with sorrow under the apprehension of trouble; so it is most usual for them to keep no moderation in their sorrow, but to let loose the reines to themselves in it: for, sorrow filled their heart. 2. Christ approveth not of immoderate sorrow in his followers, did the cause and rise thereof seem never so lawful; as being an imputation on him, as if he were a cruel Master, and a mean to deferre others from his service; Therefore doth he challenge them for this, sorrow hath filled your heart. 3. It is the great weaknesse of Saints, that, in their distempers, they turn even the good Word of God, which is spoken for their encouragement, into matter of grief and sorrow; for, saith he, because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. This intimation tended to guard their hearts, and the newes contained what was useful and comfortable for them, v. 7. and chap. 14.28. and yet they filled them with sorrow. 4. A great cause of Saints excessive distempers under the dispensations wherewith they are exercised, is, because they are too much addicted to sense; so that if it be not satisfied with the outward or inward sensible comforts, which sometime accompany Profession and Religion; or if they be deprived of what is sensible, sweet and pleasant to them, they account all to be gone; whereas beleeving is more comfortable and useful: And, because they look for great things in the world, and therefore are confounded with disappointments of their expectations; for, it was upon these grounds these newes did so afflict them: They were exceedingly taken up with his sensible bodily presence, and hoped to be advanced in the world by him, when he should come to that temporal Kingdome which they dreamed of; And therefore could not endure to hear of his removal, which deprived them of their present enjoyments, and future carnal hopes. 5. Immoderate and excessive sorrow is exceeding sinful, (as for other reasons, so) because it stupifieth men, and layeth them by from needful duty, to which they are called in their difficulties; for, he reprehends their sorrow, not only in it selfe, but as it caused that sinful negligence, which he reprehends, v 4 None of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.