John 17:6–7

Followeth, to v. 20. the second part of the Chapter, wherein Christ prayeth for his eleven disciples. Wherein, albeit some things be peculiar to them, yet several grounds of the petitions, and the petitions themselves, are common to them, not only with Ministers, but, with all the Elect to be converted by the Apostles Ministry, either mediatly or immediatly. And so they may in this part of the prayer, be looked on as representing the whole Ministry and Church, and the purpose as much one in substance with the following part of the Chapter. Only Christ, for the full encouragement of his followers of all sorts, would first pray somewhat for the Apostles expressely, lest they should think they were lost among the bulk of professour. And would have somewhat expressely for all beleevers in all ages, that they might not think they were forgotten by him, and only his disciples cared for in this his solemne prayer to the Father.

In the first branch of this part of the Chapter, Christ describes these whom he prayeth for, and giveth an account of his diligence about them, and successe with them. Whereby, he not only giveth a notable instance of his fidelity which he had asserted, v. 4. but doth also recommend them to the Fathers care and love, and that the petitions put up for them may be answered. This description and account is propounded in these verses; which may be taken up in this order; That, for interest, these for whom he prayeth, were the Fathers by eternal election, and committed to his care and trust, to purchase, apply and promove their happiness. And for the matter of diligence and successe; He had in discharge of his trust, taken them in teaching, and revealed the Father unto them; which (being don in subserviency to his eternal purpose of Election) had so succeeded, as they had kept the Fathers Word, and acknowledged Christ to have received his authority, commission, furniture and doctrine, from the Father. And so Christ gives a fair account of his bringing in of the Elect, in that he had converted the Apostles who were to be his instruments in converting of the rest throughout the world; And layeth a ground of confidence to be heard in their behalfe, taken from Gods eternal interest in them, and their converted estate. Whence learn, 1. It doth commend the love of God toward fallen men, that fallen Angels being cast off without hope of recovery, they are admitted to the hope of Redemption and restitution after their fall; for, this great trust of Christ is discharged toward men. See Heb. 2.16. 2. Christs commission extends not to all the world, but to some in it only; for, he gives an account of the men which thou gavest me (saith he) out of the world, even the Apostles, and other Elect. 3. Whatever difference there be in Gods eternal purpose, or wrought by Christs grace, in these committed to him; Yet Gods love and Christs grace findes them in the same condition with others, till the difference be made: for, they are given out of the world. 4. All these of whom Christ takes special care, are the Fathers by a peculiar interest, as being appropriate for him in his eternal purpose of Election; for, thine they were, saith he, Not as all other things are: but elected by him to be his peculiar people. 5. The Elect, being the Fathers property, are not entrusted with that happinesse intended, and to be conferred upon them; But are given over to Christ, and committed to him in the covenant of Redemption, that he may die to satisfie justice and obtain eternal Redemption for them, and may apply his purchase, in converting them, and preserving them and their furniture, till they come to obtain everlasting life: for, Thine they were, and thou gavest them me, Not only to the Apostleship, of which, v. 12. but entrusted to him, with all the Elect, in that paction betwixt the Father and the Son, of which Chap. 6.37, 39. So that they who are under his charge may be sure, considering his infinite sufficiency for it, and his fidelity to the Father who hath entrusted him. 6. The first visible evidence of election, and of mens being committed to Christs trust, breaks forth in the work of conversion; for, upon these two it followeth, and they have kept thy Word. This is not only Christs charge to see it done, but the Fathers also, who engageth to draw Christs purchase unto him, Joh 6.44. So that conversion is a fruit of Gods eternal love, land of Christs taking charge of us, both which we may look back and read, when we finde that change wrought. See Acts 13.48. 7. True and effectual conversion is wrought by the Word of God, as the instrument; So that any change wrought by another mean, will not avail, nor is there any hope of them who contemne the Word, let them have what other means they will; for, I have manifested thy Name, and they have kept thy word. See 1 Pet. 1.23. Luke 16.31. 8. It is not the naked proposition of the Word that will avail to conversion, unlesse the heart be opened, and the Word born in with such efficacy, as to reveal God in his nature, and attributes, of justice, mercy in his Christ, power, holinesse, &c. as the fragrant smell thereof may invite sinners to draw near; for, I have manifested thy Name, saith he, in order to their conversion. 9. Who ever be the instrument administring the Word; yet it is Christ that must reveal the Father in and by it, and make it effectual; for, I have manifested thy Name, saith he; Not only by his preaching in person, but by his powerful operation and illumination, which must be his work in all ages, though Ministers be his instruments. 10. However reprobates do live obstinate under the Word, to their own perdition; And however the Elect may lye long unconverted; Yet the Word, being administred to them as a subservient mean of executing the decree of Election, will in due time prevail in Christs hand, to their conversion: for, I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me, who were thine, and they have kept thy Word. 11. Such as have found the Word effectual to their conversion, will be sure to lay it up in their heart, as their daily food, and to observe it in their practice; and to do so, because of the Authority of God shining in it; for, this is an evidence of their conversion, they have kept thy Word, that so they may be nourished by the same mean by which they are begotten. 12. It is also a special evidence of true conversion, to know Christ savingly and the mystery of Redemption, to know Christs union with the Father, his commission and authority from him as Mediator, and to see God in Christ; for, this is another evidence of his successe, they looked not on Christ as the malicious Jews did, but now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me (the office of Mediator, and furniture for it) are of thee, and not usurped by me, or of my selfe, nor any invention of man, but all divine and heavenly. Which commendation, with what follows, v 8. seems to be grounded on their profession, Chap. 16.30. 13. Whatever may be the weaknesse and ignorance of true converts, for a time; Yet being in Christs hand, and through his blessing on the means, they will at last come up to a more full measure: for, saith he, Now they have known, &c. to wit, in respect of degrees of knowledge, and fixedness in it. 14. Jesus Christ, the great Advocate of his people, doth cover their defects, esteem of their small beginnings, considering what he purposeth to make them; And however he point out their faults to themselves, to humble them, yet he will present and commend their weak beginnings to his Father. Therefore, albeit he chide their presumption in their professing after his commending of them, ch. 16.27, 30, 31, 32. yet here, and in the following verse he doth notably commend them to the Father. 15. Albeit it be our duty to embrace Christ offering himselfe, and to be converted, and it is our great happinesse when it is so; Yet it is put on Christ, that he should not only give an account of his diligence, but of his successe also, and that he not only offer salvation to the Elect, but present them also converted to his Father. As here, and in the following verse he doth. 16. Such as have embraced Christs offer, have sweet ground of confidence to be respected of the Father, and heard in prayer; Considering, both his eternal love and interest, and the grace of God in them, needing his preservation and upholding; Therefore doth Christ present them as these who were the Fathers, and are now converted, that so he may be accepted in his prayers for them; for, albeit he intercede and prevail for the conversion of the elect, as knowing who are given him; yet they can have no comfort of it, unlesse they be converted.