John 17:20–21

Followeth the third part of the Chapter, wherein Christ prayeth for the Apostles and whole Church of beleevers expresly, seeking several benefits unto them. In these verses, 1. He describes these for whom he prayes; namely, not the Apostles only, but all these who to the end of the world should by the Word preached by them, either immediately or mediately in the mouth of other messengers, be converted and drawn to beleeve on him, v. 20. 2. He propounds his first suit for them, the same in substance with what he had sought unto the disciples, v. 11. Namely, that they may be preserved in unity, and be one in the Father and him, as he and the Father are one, and the Father in him, and he in the Father. This suit he amplifieth and presseth from the final cause thereof: namely, that by their union the world may be convinced and made to beleeve the truth of Christian Religion, and that Christ is an Embassadour, sent by the Father into the world, v. 21. This unity prayed for, doth indeed include and presuppose their unity in relation to Christ and God in him, in which they are stated by beleeving, and which is the root of the other unity; But that which it most expresly holds out, is unity in love flowing from the other, and which is visible to the conviction of the world.

From v. 20. Learn, 1. Albeit Christ when he departed out of this world, left but a few followers, and his weak disciples being entrusted with the word of reconciliation, were to meet with persecution and opposition; yet he knew certainly his Kingdome was to spread, as accordingly he hath accomplished in the world; for, here he supposeth for certain, that there will be them who shall beleeve. 2. Christs love and heart are enlarged, to take in all his people throughout the world, and to employ himself in his Mediatory office and intercession for them; Therefore, after his prayer for himself, and for his Apostles, he doth now shew how large his affection is, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall beleeve. 3. Christs love towards his people is a preventing love, even before they have a being, and before they come to him; and whoever do in any age embrace him, shall finde that they were in his heart, and were as tenderly regarded and minded of him, in his suffering and solemn intercession on earth, as any of his followers then present with him; for, here before they are, or do beleeve, they are remembred, and he hath left a blank that all beleevers in all ages may put in their owne name, as prayed for by him, when he prayeth for his Apostles, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall beleeve. 4. The character whereby Christs followers, and those whom he prayes for, are discerned, is, their faith in him, whereby they are driven out of themselves to embrace and relie upon him, and to have all their subsistence by him; for, I pray for them which shall beleeve on me. Where albeit he pray for them before they beleeve, and that the meanes may be kept to them, till they be brought to beleeve; yet the thing here prayed for supposeth them in a state of beleeving, and him interceding for what is needful to them in that state. And albeit his intercession have influence also upon their beleeving, and is a mean to draw them to it; yet Christ doth not mention that in the Apostles audience, because none can make comfortable application of Christs intercession to themselves, till first they be drawn to beleeve. 5. True faith is begotten by, and grounds it self upon the Word of God delivered by the Apostles, without doating on signes and wonders, or expecting any other revelation of the minde of God; for, they beleeve on me through their word. Which also imports, that that Word will be continued, and a Ministry to preach it, so long as there is a Church, or any to be converted. 6. Such as are taught to discerne the divine authority of the Word, will not stumble at the despicablenesse or meannesse of instruments carrying the same, but will close with it by saith to salvation; for, albeit it be their word, as the instruments, who were but mean and despised men in the world, yet they beleeve on me through their word.

From v. 21. Learn, 1. The whole bulk of beleevers and Catholike Church, though of different Nations and conditions, are but one body in Christ their Head, having one Spirit, one faith, one baptisme, &c. Eph, 4.4, 5, 6. for, this is Christs aime, wherein he succeeds, that they which shall beleeve, may be one. 2. Whatever adversity there be among beleevers, in administrations, gifts and operations; yet this doth not, nor ought hinder their being one in him; and all of them have alike interest in him and his love; for, when he mentions the Apostles, who were extraordinarily gifted, and all beleevers of all sorts, he prayeth that they all may be one. 3. As it is the great dignity and priviledge of beleevers to be one; so their emproving of this priviledge and living in unity, is the summe and compend of their happinesse, and the mean of obtaining all other blessings; Therefore doth Christ so often pray for this, and for this only in place of all, that they may be one. See Psal. 133.1, 2, 3. Jam 3.16. 4. Whatever be the bonds of unity among beleevers, or their obligations to it, yet the emprovement thereof to the uniting of them, must be sought and given of God, and Christs intercession made use of for that end; for, so much doth Christ teach us, while he prayeth, that they all may be one, 5. The union of beleevers, prayed for by Christ, is not every combination or consent, even of Saints, nor a conjunction in any sinful course, but it is an union in God, and in the wayes of God; for this doth Christ pray for, that they may be one in us. 6. The way to keep up true union among Saints, is, that they keep close communion with God in Christ, lest otherwise, if they be carnal, this breeds strife, 1 Cor. 3.3. for, so much also is imported in this prayer, that they may be one in us, or, by being in us, and keeping communion with us 7. The true union of beleevers among themselves, doth resemble that union betwixt the Father and Son; partly, in respect of the strictness of the union, that this union cometh nearest to that inexpressible union, (though indeed it be infinitely short of it,) and doth far surpasse any other conjunction; And partly, that as the Father being in the Son, and the Son in the Father, they do mutually delight each in other, as a consequent of their union, Prov. 8.30. so this union of beleevers is testified and entertained by spiritual exercise of mutual edification; to which also may be added, that from this union betwixt the Father and the Son who is our Mediatour, this union of beleevers doth flow, that they are made one in them: Therefore again doth Christ pray, That as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, they may be one in us 8. The true union of beleevers will not consist in contemplative notions, or outward professions, but ought to expresse it self in visible fruits; as here is subjoyned, that the world may beleeve, &c. 9 In expressing the fruits of union, beleevers ought not only to respect the honour of God and their own edification, but they ought to study such a conversation, as as may either convince or convert others, and bring them to the acknowledgment of Christ and his truth; for this the end propounded here, that the world may beleeve that thou hast sent me. See 1 Pet. 3.1, 2. 10. The people of God then walking in an united way, is a special mean to convince the world of the excellency of Christ; and of the truth of Christian Religion, and so either leave them inexcusable, or convert them; whereas schismes and rents among them is a ready mean to beget and cherish Atheisme in the world; for, when they are one in us, the world shall beleeve that thou hast sent me.