John 17:14

The third argument pressing the petition, is taken from the worlds opposition to them being converted. The word which Christ gave them, ver. 8. had so far wrought upon them, as to regenerate them, and make them dissent from the world in judgement, affection and conversation, so rendering them conforme, in some measure, to him their Head. And this change made them incurre the worlds hatred, which doth call for divine preservation. Whence learn, 1. As it is Christs great favour and kindenesse to give his Word unto his people: so where it is given with a blessing, and rightly received, it draws the receiver to a disconformity with the world, and not to be of it, though he be in it: for, I have given them thy Word, and they are not of the world. 2. It doth exceedingly commend the grace of God in Saints, that albeit they kept in the world, and forced to walk among the many snares thereof, yet they are separated from it and not conforme unto it; for, though they are in the warld, v. 11. yet they are not of the world. 3. Whatever civility men of the world may have, yet all of them are so opposite to grace and godlinesse, that they will not only oppose it in themselves, but hate and persecute it in others one way or other, if it were but by traducing piety, that they may persecute it under some odious name; for, the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world So that when it seems to be otherwise, we may reckon, either that professours of Religion are but too much like the world, and little like Christ, or that the worlds malice is but overpowred and bridled, till they get an opportunity. 4. It may encourage Saints to endure opposition from the world so Religions sake, that the quarrel wherein they suffer, is most glorious, and what the world hates in them, is their greatest ornament before God; for, he points out to them that the quarrel is, because they are not of the world. 5. It may encourage them also in this conflict, that in their state & suffering, they have a conformity with Christ their Head, conformity with whom is a great dignity; for, by this also doth he encourage them, they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. He or his Kingdome are not of this world more then they are, and their suffering on this account redounds to him, who is first hated, and for whose sake and because of conformity with him, they are hated. 6. The worlds opposition to Saints, because of their separation from it, doth engage God to see the more carefully to their preservation; for, it is an argument why the Father should keep them, The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world.