John 17:8

In this verse Christ insists to enlarge and amplifie this his account of diligence and successe about them; shewing that he delivered them no Word but what the Father had given him, and that they had received it, and certainly, beleeved the truth concerning his person and office, that he came out, and was sent Embassadour from the Father. Whence learn, 1. Christ is not a sleighter of his trust, nor will he content himself superficially to discharge it, but will so go about it, as he may abide the strictest inquest concerning his fidelity in it; Therefore doth he over again, by way of confirmation, insist to give his account, for I have given, &c. as not declining to be tried and better tried concerning it. 2. Conversion unto God is a business of so great importance, as men ought not easily to satisfie themselves about it; Therefore also doth he again give an account of the way of their Conversion, that we may learn to try and try again if we be converted indeed. See 2 Pet. 1.10. 3. In the trial of Conversion, it is not enough to see what change is wrought, but what the Word is that wrought it; that it be not a word of errour, but the sound Word of truth coming from Christ; for, saith he, I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them. 4. Whatever word be held out for the conviction and conversion of sinners; yet the divine original and authority thereof must be studied and acknowledged, before it be effectual, or received and obeyed; for, in order to their Conversion, he saith, I have given unto them the words which thou gavest unto me, even divine truth, which they acknowledged to be of God, v. 7. 5. The word of divine truth concerning the conversion and salvation of lost man, is delivered by the Father to Christ, the great Prophet of his Church, that he may communicate the same to his people, and see to the preservation thereof in the world; for, these words, are the words which thou, (saith he,) gavest me. So that the doctrine of the Gospel proceeds from the Father, and Christ is entrusted with the preservation thereof in this corrupt world. 6. Christ is faithful in his Prophetical office, and hath concealed no truth necessary to salvation, but delivered all that was entrusted to him by the Father; for, I have given them the words which thou gavest me. 7. As the Elect do all of them, in due time, welcome and entertain God and Christs Word and all of it, whatever it say; so they who do receive the Word so as to open their hearts to it, as a word of truth, admitting the convictions, consolations and directions thereof, do give true evidence of their conversion thereby; for, this was an evidence thereof in the Apostles, they have received them, which includes that knowledge and beleeving after-mentioned And where the Word is not thus received and welcomed, there it will pursue and overtake sinners, Zech. 5.6. 8. The Word of Christ is never savingly received, but, when Christ is known and embraced, as offering himself therein; for, this was the summe and scope of his doctrine, and the obedience of their Conversion, that they have known that I came out from thee, &c. See chap. 20.31. 9. Christ is to be taken up by lost sinners, not as their fancie or fear would point him out, but as he hath revealed himself in his saving Word; for, they have received the words, and thereby have known, &c. 10. Christ is then savingly known, when he is known in his person and offices, and that the Father is in him, and he his Embassadour, reconciling the world; for, they have known that I came out from thee, and that thou didst send me; of which, chap. 16.27. 11. Beleevers ought to be well rooted in their knowledge of Christ, his person and offices; considering the many tentations and assaults they will meet with, to shake them in this particular; for, they have surely, (or, truly) known, &c. 12. For setling of beleevers in the point of knowing Christ, they must not expect such evidences as are usual in natural things; but must submit and be content with the evidence of faith, which, how obscure soever it seem, is a sure knowledge in its own kinde: for, they have surely known, is expounded, they have believed that thou didst send me.