John 17:17

Followeth the fourth and last branch of this part of the chapter, containing Christs second petition for his Apostles, which is propounded in this verse, and pressed by two Arguments, v. 18, 19. The petition is, that the Father would sanctifie them, which albeit it sometime signifie the consecrating of a man and setting him apart to an office, as the Apostles also were, v. 18. yet here it imports somewhat beside, and subservient to that: namely, that the Lord would conferre upon them the grace of sanctification, and so consecrate them unto himself, as beleevers, and so also fit them for that employment to which he had devoted and consecrated them. Unto this is subjoyned the instrumental cause of their sanctification, through thy truth, whereby is not only signified, that he would have them sanctified in truth, or, truly, of which we may hear, v. 19. but that the Word of truth is the mean and instrument of sanctification: And to prevent all mistakes, he declares that this truth is in the Word, against all them who seek truth beside it. Whence learn, 1. Such as are Christs followers indeed, and may make comfortable application of other benefits of his intercession, must be men sanctified, by habitual graces of holinesse infused into them, which will not only break forth in some few acts of Religion and righteousnesse, but must so devote and consecrate them to God, as they may not withdraw themselves to another use: for, so much is imported in this that Christ prayes for, unto his Apostles, Sanctifie them, intimating, that where he intercedes for any, he also prayeth for, and, in due time, works this in them. 2, It is not enough that men have a begun work of sanctification in them, unlesse they grow up in it daily more and more: for, he prayeth for these who were already converted and sanctified, as he maketh his account, v. 6, 7, 8. that the Father would sanctifie them, and carry them on in sanctification till it be perfected in glory. Such will be invited to grow, who entertain the sense of what they have received, 1 Pet. 2.2, 3. who are sensible of their short-coming in what they have, Phil. 3.12, 13. and who fear back-sliding, and consider that not to grow, is the way to decay: and they will study to evidence this growth, by persevering in their first principles, not loving age in what once through grace they loathed, nor building up what they once destroyed; and by growing in graces, especially in sense of their pollution, humility, love, painfulnesse, &c. 3. Whatever principles or obligations men have to keep them from the evils of the world, and from Satan in it: yet all these will not avail, unlesse they be not only truly sanctified, but be growing therein: Therefore is this petition, sanctifie them, subjoyned to the former, v. 15. of keeping them, as being the effectual mean of their preservation. 4. As sanctification is the duty of beleevers, laid upon them by God; so it is also his work in them, who principleth them for it, and works it in them, when they, in the sense of their own inability, do put it upon him: for, Christ by prayer seeketh it of the Father, sanctifie them. 5. As the truth of God is the rule of true sanctification, nothing being holinesse in Gods account, how specious soever it be, unlesse it be according to that truth; So the truth of God which is the instrument of regeneration, hath also a special influence in the matter of daily sanctification, 1 Pet. 2.2. The word of command being made effectual to presse the duty, the word of promise to encourage it, 2 Cor. 7.1. 2 Pet. 1.4. and the Word and doctrine of the Crosse of Christ holding out vertue enabling to duty, 1 Cor. 1.18. and exciting faith which purifieth the heart, Acts 15.9. In both these respects he prayeth, Sanctifie them through, or, in thy truth, both as the rule and touchstone of sanctification, and as a mean and instrument of it. 6. It is not safe for men to cry up their own or others sanctification, to the countenancing of the errours which they maintain; but they must prove the truth of their holinesse, by the truth which hath been instrumental in it, and must reckon that the holiness they have, is either counterfeit, or else hath been wrought, not by their errours, but by the power of some real truthes which they have, or do still hold, and that therefore by embracing errour they do exceedingly wrong their piety, by depriving themselves of the mean which doth beget and cherish it; for these causes doth Christ so expresly pray, not only, Sanctifie them, by what mean soever, but Sanctifie them through thy truth, as the only mean of true holinesse. 7. Whatever efficacie truth hath in the matter of sanctification: it doth all come from God, who must be employed by prayer to make the word successeful for that end; for, so much doth Christ, example teach, who prayeth to the Father, Sanctifie them through thy truth. See 2 Thess. 3.1. 8. Whatever wayes men do dream of, for finding the truth of God, yet it is only to be found in the Word of God, and all other wayes beside will but produce delusion and lies; Therefore doth he subjoine, to prevent all mistakes, Thy Word is truth. 9. Whatever may be the hesitations of men, concerning the Word of God, yet it is his infallible verity, and will not deceive them who betake themselves to it for direction and encouragement; for, Thy Word is truth, See Psal. 12.6. 2 Pet. 1.19.