John 17:11

Followeth to v. 17. the third branch of this part of the Chapter, wherein his first petition for his Apostles is propounded, pressed and explained. In this verse the petition is propounded, that the Father would preserve these whom he had given him, in an ill world, that they may be kept in unity. The petition is ushered in with a proposition of their case, that they are to be left in the world, deprived of their Masters company who had a care of them, and therefore he must leave them upon divine protection, not secluding his own spiritual, but only bodily presence. Which purpose is more fully expressed in the following verse. Doct. 1, Christ after his Ascension is no more in the world in respect of his bodily presence, though he continue still in it as God, and by his governing and assisting Spirit; for, saith he, being now shortly to die, and ascend to heaven; Now I am no more in the world. 2. Christ when he removed out of the world, did ascend to his Father, and enjoy full fellowship with him, as having done his work on earth, and being to appear constantly in heaven, in name of his children; for, saith he, I come to thee. 3. Albeit Christs people be all dear to him, yet he doth leave them behind him on earth for a time, that they may glorifie him by serving their generation; may have occasion to draw out many proofes of his love, and be trained and fitted for their eternal inheritance; for, Now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world. 4. Albeit Christs followers will get tender usage while they are weak and infirme, yet they must not expect alwayes to lurk, and be dandled, but must come out and meet with blasts, wherein they may give proofs of their proficiency by such tender usage; for the disciples who were sheltered so long under their Masters protection, are now left alone deprived of his bodily presence; I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, See Matth. 9, 14, 15. 5. The world is so barren a soile to grace, Saints corruptions lay them so open to the tentations thereof, and these of the world are so bad company to these who are gracious, that they would be very miserable unlesse they had somewhat beside the world, and the consolations thereof, to sweeten their lots unto them, and uphold them; Therefore doth he recommend them to the Fathers care and pity upon this consideration; These are in the world. See 1 Cor. 15.19. 6. None of Christs given-ones are obnoxious to miseries and hazards, but only these who are yet in the world, all the rest who are gone hence, being in a condition of compleat and immutable happinesse; Therefore he is only solicitous and prayeth for these that are in the world. 7. Christ, by removing his bodily presence, took not away his heart from his people on earth, nor did cast off his care of them; for, in his farewel he discovers much sense of their need; These are in the world. 8. As Christs removal did not, so neither doth his exaltation into glory change his heart from respecting his people; but he looks on his exaltation, as calling for some fruits to descend to his followers on earth from him their exalted Lord; and his tender heart will never be free of cares and desires about them, so long as he and they are not in one condition, but he exalted at the Fathers right hand, and they left wrastling on earth; for, upon these considerations doth he recommend their case; These are in the world, and I come to thee. 9. Christs tender heart, and care of his people in his absence, appeareth, in that he is very sensible of their difficulties on earth, (These are in the world;) in that his keeping of them in the world, to honour him, and do him service, doth endear them to him, and engage him to see to all that may befall them, (as here he doth take notice of them before the Father, since he left them in the world;) and, in that in his bodily absence, he is careful to supply all wants by his intercession; as here his practice doth teach. 10. Saints on earth, (though truly gracious, yet) do need constant preservation, as having many trials and tentations of Satan, and much lazinesse and inward lusts, to deprive them of their good condition and ruine them; for, this is a necessary suit, keep them. 11. As Saints ought to be content with preservation, so they will get it, (for, what he prayeth for is granted,) and when Christ withdraws one mean of preservation, he will still afford another; And what his followers want of outward or sensible encouragement, shall be supplied in a spiritual way; All these are imported in this, that when Christ who had kept them, (as it is v. 12.) is to be removed, he findes out a way of their preservation, I am no more in the world, Father keep them. 12. The want of Christs bodily presence on earth, to oversee and preserve his flock, is richly supplied by his intercession as Mediatour, and the divine protection of the Father to whom they are committed; for, I am no more in the world, and to supply that, he prayeth, Father, keep them, making up that losse by his intercession, and the Fathers power. 13. It is the duty of all such as have souls committed to their charge, to put them on Gods hand, and to be earnest with him for his care over them; as Christs example doth teach, Father keep those whom thou hast given me. 14. As the elect are committed to Christs charge, to give an account of them; so also is the Father engaged for their Conversion, (John 6.37. Isa. 53.11.) and for their preservation, being converted, as being not only his own, given to Christ out of his love to them, but as being engaged to Christ, that he shall not be frustrate of the reward of his sufferings, but have a seed to glorifie him eternally: Therefore doth Christ not only constantly preserve them by his Spirit, but doth leave that burden also on the Father, Father keep those whom thou hast given me. See John 10.28, 29. 15. It gives great ground of confidence in Christs intercession for his people, that he prayeth to his Father, and their Father in him; And believers, in their addresses to God through Christ, ought to take him up as Christs Father, and theirs in him; for, by this warme title, Father, Christ would not only intimate his own familiarity, but would give us a faire ground of hope that he shall be heard for us, and direct us how to pray for our selves. 16. Confidence of interest in God, should be seasoned with much reverence in prayer, and we should close with such attributes in God as are suitable to our conditions and petitions, and may help our confidence; for both these causes doth Christ adde that Epithet, Holy Father, to teach us, that as he is a Father, so he is Holy and reverend, and that none who draw near to him should entertain motions or desires contrary to his holinesse; and to assure us, that a petition for preservation from the evil of the world, cannot but be acceptable to an holy God; and, that he who is the holy God, is able to preserve and continue them holy, and will not make void his promise to his Son concerning his given-ones Thus is his holinesse engaged in every promise, Psal. 60.6. and 89.35, 17. God, who hath undertaken the preservation of his people, doth hold out in himself sufficient ground of confidence, that he is both able and willing to do it, and can finde reasons in himself for it; for, so is imported in this, keep them in, or, through thine owne Name; which imports, both that Gods Name, or what he hath revealed of himself, is a strong tower to which they may flee, there being sufficiencie of power, wisdom, mercie, immutability, &c. in him, to keep them safe on all hands; as also, that he will preserve them, because his Name is called upon them, and for his Names sake, and because his glory is engaged, and will shine in so doing, whatever they be in themselves; and because he can reveal his Name, and make his Name known unto them, that they may cleave to him, and be preserved. 18. Only these who are given to Christ, have assurance of divine protection and preservation; and all of these have warrant to expect it, even the smallest and weakest; as well as the greatest Apostle; Therefore is the prayer conceived generally, without restriction to the Apostles only, keep those whom thou hast given me, all of them, and only them. 19. Union among the children of God, in judgement, Rom. 12 16 affection, Gal. 5.14, 15. and practice, (evidenced by entertaining society, Mal. 3.16. condescendence, Rom. 12.16. and mutual admonition, Col. 3.16.) is a special blessing and fruit of Christs intercession; the great fruit of their preservation by the Father from the evils and snares of the world; and, the condition and state wherein they may expect all other promised and needful blessings, Psal 133.1, 3. Therefore doth he comprehend all the good things intended for them, in this one, that (as they have many bonds of union, Eph. 4.4, 5, 6. so) they may be one, and in being one, participate of the blessings purchased by him, and evidence their preservation from the snares of the world, and their being kept near God, keep them, that they may be one And as this is a singular mercy, among professours of all sorts; so especially among Ministers; such as the Apostles were. 20. Albeit this union among the people of God cannot any way equal that incomprehensible union betwixt the Father and Son; Yet it ought and will in some measure resemble it, and look heaven like: And that, partly, in respect of the strictnesse of the union, they being in their own measure one in nature, judgement, will and operation, as the Father and Son are; and partly, in respect of the sweet exercises of holinesse truth and righteousnesse, wherein they are united, as the Father and Son do eternally delight each in other. For this cause doth he pray, that they may be one, as we are. 21. Whatever be the bonds tying Christians together, Eph. 4.4, 5, 6. and whatever prudential considerations and motives they have to induce them to obey the command of God in keeping together in unity; (as Gal. 5.15. and else where) yet it is only the power of God that can keep the bond of unity inviolable; and unlesse he keep them near him, and free from the evils of the world, their union will break, and there being over powered with flesh will break out in the bitter fruits of strife and division. Therefore, saith he, Holy Father keep them that they may be one as we are.