John 17:5

In this verse Christ repeats and explains his petition, by way of conclusion following upon the former argument; Wherein he restricts the former general petition, to be glorified, v. 1, to the enjoyment of that glory he had before the world was, as presupposing his being glorified in being born through in his sufferings, and including, by way of consequence, the manifestation of his glory in his spiritual Kingdome in the world. The summe of the petition, is, that since he had finished his work on earth, therefore the Father would advance him to the possession of that glory he enjoyed from all eternity. For clearing whereof, we are to consider, that as Christ was from all eternity, the glorious God, so we are not to conceive of any real change in this glory of his Godhead, as if by his estate of humiliation, he had suffered any diminution, or by his state of exaltation, any real accession were made to his glory, as God. But the meaning is, That Christ, having (according to the paction past betwixt the Father and him) obscured the glory of his Godhead, for a time, under the vail of the forme of a servant and our sinlesse infirmities, Phil. 2. 5, 6, 7, 8. doth now expect, (according to the tenour of the same paction) after he hath done his work, to be exalted, and openly declared to be the Son of God, Rom. 1.4. the vail of his estate of humiliation, though not of our nature, being taken away. It is further to be considered, That however this eternal glory be proper to him as God, yet he prayes to be glorified in his whole person, glorifie me, because not only was his humane nature to be exalted to what glory finite nature is capable of, but the glory of his Godhead was to shine in the person of Christ, God-man, and in the man Christ, though without confusion of his natures and properties. Doct. 1. It is the property and prerogative of the true God, to be glorious and excellent, and consequently, to be delighted in as such, and reverenced; for, this is the evidence of his Godhead, that he hath glory proper to him. 2. The glory of God is not borrowed from the creatures, but is essential, immutable, and eternal before any creature was; for, it is a glory before the world was. 3. Jesus Christ is true God, and was infinitely glorious from all eternity; for, he who now appears in the forme of a servant, had glory before the world was. 4. As all solid glory is only in heaven with God, so Christs divine glory is with the Father, communicating with him in the divine essence and glory; Therefore is this glory expected with thy own selfe, and the glory which I had with thee; Whereby is not only to be understood, that he is to be glorified in heaven with the Father, and exalted these in his person as God-man, before he spread his glory as Mediator in the world: But that in his glory, as God, he communicates with the Father, being in and with the Father, and rejoycing alway before him, as the Son of his bosome, John 1.1, 18. Prov. 8.30. 5. It pleased the glorious Son of God, in obedience to the Father, to humble himselfe, and obscure the glory of his Godhead; that he might be like his brethren, and a sit Mediator for sympathy and suffering; and, that he might engage his life and glory for redeeming of the Elect, and lay by his robes of Majesty, not to be reassumed till he gave a good account of that work; for, here he humbles himselfe, to have his glory to seek from the Father (in respect of his person God-man) upon the performance of what was entrusted to him, I have finished the work, &c. v. 4. And now glorifie me, saith he. 6. Christ did so faithfully discharge his trust, and perfected the work of our Redemption, as the Father was engaged by paction to glorifie him; and accordingly, Christ; God incarnate, is exalted with the Father in glory and Majesty; for, now he hath so finished the work, as he may seek to be glorified, as he is. So that beleevers may be as sure that all things, necessary for their Redemption, are done, as it is sure that Christ is glorified: And as by the incarnation of the Son of God, his Godhead is brought near unto us, and he sitted with these humane affections, and sinlesse passions, sutable to what we needed of him, and to a surety and high Priest: So by the uniting of his humanity to his Godhead in one person, and the exaltation thereof unto that height of glory, he is elevated above all such weaknesses, of mutability and emptinesse, which do accompany, and usually corrupt these affections and passions, and render them uselesse and uncomfortable in these who are but mere men.