George Hutcheson
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.
In this verse Christ yet insists to clear & presse his suit for obtaining union of beleevers among themselves. And for this end, 1. He propounds the way of their union among themselves, instancing one particular branch of that glory given them, v. 22. for that end, even union with himself, and with the Father through him. Which as it is a great dignity in it self, so it tends to the perfecting of their union among themselves. 2. He again amplifieth and presseth the suit from the final causes thereof: where, unto that end formerly mentioned, v. 21. of the conviction of the world of his authority and Commission, another also is added, that hereby the world shall be convinced of the Fathers love to his followers, according as he loved him. Whence learn, 1. Christ takes up an inhabitation in his people by his Spirit, so that they become one with him; for, it is their allowance, I in them. 2. The Father dwells in Christ, not only as he is one God with him, but also as he is man, in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwells bodily; so highly is our nature dignified in his person; for, thou art in me, saith he. 3. Albeit there can be no union betwixt God and fallen man immediately, yet through Christ this union is made up: and Christ being in us, and we united to him, the Father also, in him, is in us, and we in him; for, thus is our union here with God made up, I in them, and thou in me. 4. It is by our union with Christ, and with God through him, that our, union among our selves is perfected; for, by this mean they are made perfect in one. 5. Whatever excellency the Lord conferre upon every particular beleever yet their perfection consists in their union among themselves, and with Christ their Head and Store-house, and with the Father in his fulnesse through him; for no one member hath the perfection of the whole body, but of a part only, nor hath it that perfection separate from the body, but in it, and being united with it, to supply its own proper function; and the whole body thus united, hath its perfection in and from Christ and the Father; for, so doth Christs conjoyning of all these teach us: I in them, and thou in me, that they may he made perfect in one. 6. It is never enough studied, how necessary union is, to convince the world of the excellency of Christ and his doctrine; therefore it is again repeated, as a forcible argument pressing this union, that the world may know that thou hast sent me. And as the Apostles union and consent in doctrine did contribute to this end, so also doth the union of the people of God in every age, in its own measure. 7. It tends to the great encouragement of beleevers, that Christ their Surety is beloved and accepted of the Father; for, thou hast loved me, saith he. 8. Every beleever also is really beloved of the Father; so that whatever he do unto them, there is still love in it, and they keep a room in his affection, for, thou hast loved them, saith he. 9. The Fathers love to beleevers doth resemble his love to his Son Christ; for though his love to his eternal and only Son be matchlesse and necessary, not voluntary, us his love to us is; nor are we loved for our own sakes, as he is; nor is he capable of some effects of love we receive; yet this love doth most resemble it of any; and albeit, considering him as Mediatour, there is a great difference betwixt us who are beloved, and him for whose sake we are beloved; yet the resemblance doth also here hold, And the Father loveth Christ and all his, as one mystical body, and loveth them eternally, immutably and freely, as he loved the Mediatour; yea, that same love that is let out on Christ as Mediatour, is conveighed through him to us; for, thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me, not in respect of equality, but by way of similitude and resemblance. 10. The love of God toward sonne of fallen mankinde is such, as ought not to be concealed, but Christ would have it published, to the conviction or conversion of others; Therefore he would have the world know that thou hast loved them. 11. Union among beleevers is so great a work of God, evidencing so much of his care and love; and is the condition upon which he raines so many showres of blessings and mercies, that it serves exceedingly to convince the world of Gods love to them, when they are thus united, and are reaping the fruits thereof; for, hereby the world shall know that thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
