John 17:15–16

In these verses, 1. Christ repeats and explains the former petition, shewing (for their instruction) that he desired not as yet they should be freed from all danger and trouble, by taking them away out of the world by death, but that he would preserve them in the midst of troubles from the tentations and snares of their troubles, v 15. 2. He presseth and enforceth the petition, thus explained, upon the reason propounded, v. 14. taken from their condition opposite to the world, and conforme to him their Master, v. 16. Whence learn, 1. Christs followers have need to guard against mistakes of what he saith, that they do not delude themselves, nor let their own lusts put a commentary upon his doctrine; Therefore doth he explain his own meaning, not to informe his Father, but to prevent their mistakes. 2. Such as are employed to speak in publike for the edification of others, ought to make it their study to accommodate their speech to the capacity of their hearers; As Christ here doth so speak as may clearly explain his meaning unto them. 3. Christ hath more wayes then one whereby to secure his people against all they can meet with; As here he hath one way of preservation, which he layeth by for a time, and another, which he pitcheth upon. 4. There is one fair outgate from all troubles abiding Saints, when by death they shall be translated out of the world, and above the reach of all their difficulties; for, this is one outgate, though he will not make use of it, at this time, to take them out of the world. See Job. 3.17, 18, 19. Rev. 14.13. 5. Albeit death be very often desired by Saints in their perplexities; Yet Christ seeth it meet rather to exercise them for a time, and fit them for proofes of his love, then to grant that desire: And however we ought still to have our eye upon our rest, and make ready for it; Yet we are not anxiously to long after it, till his time come, nor to weary of life, especially because of any trouble, persecution, or inconvenience we meet with in his service; Therefore Christ, who loves his people better then they do love themselves, will not pray for this, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world. 6. beleevers, while they are thus left by Christ in the world, are exposed to manifold hazards, having not only outward troubles, but Satan and sin taking advantage of their troubles, to drive them wrong; for, they are in this world, in the midst of the evil, not so much of outward trouble, from which he will not alwaies preserve them, but Satan the wicked one (as the word will read) and the evil and wickednesse to which they are exposed in an evil world, and by the many pressures they meet with. 7. Albeit Christ will not remove his people from these hazards, yet they are no way able to guard themselves against them, but they must resolve to have much to do, and very little, or rather nothing, in themselves wherewith to do it; for, they must be keeped, or else they are undone. 8. When Christ seeth it not fit to remove his own out of the world, he will see to their preservation in it; So as though they get now and then the foile, yet his intercession is a sure pledge that they shall recover again; for, these two go together, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them. 9. Christ doth abundantly testifie his care and diligence about his people, when albeit he doth not exempt them from troubles, and these it may be very sharp, yet he keeps them from the evil thereof, or from spiritual hurt thereby; And when, albeit he doth not deliver them even from assaults, and tentations from that evil, yet he upholds them by sufficient grace, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9, 10. for, herein doth his care appear, in praying that the Father should keep them from the evil, 10. Albeit many, when they look upon Christs promises and allowances, and his intercession for his people, be ready to delude themselves with vain hopes of that which Christ never allowed upon them; Yet they who are content with being preserved from evil, however they be tempted and exercised, are no way deluded when they expect this from Christ; for, it is his express will, when he explains himselfe, that they should be keeped from the evil. 11. It is frequently to be studied by beleevers, that their separation from the world, is an evidence of their conformity with Christ, and consequently, that they are like to him, in enduring opposition from the world, because thereof; Therefore is it again held out, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 12. Beleevers disconformity with the world and conformity with Christ, is a sure pledge that the Father will keep them from the evil of the world, and will not lose these good things which grace hath begun in them; for, this is an Argument why he should keep them from the evil, v. 15. They are not of the world, &c.