John 17:9–10

In these verses is contained the second branch of this part of the chapter; wherein Christ appropriates his prayer to his Apostles, and his elect in them, in opposition to the world. For which he giveth several reasons; As 1. That they are his charge given him by the Father. 2. That they are the Fathers also by eternal election; unto which he subjoyns an illustration, clearing how they are the Fathers, being given to him; namely, that both as God he hath a communion with the Father in all things, and as Mediatour also, as the Elect were given to him by the Father, and all things for their behoof, so they continued still the Fathers in respect of election, and it was his work to make them the Fathers again, by converting and dedicating them to him. 3. That he was glorified in them, and therefore would intercede for them. All which makes it clear that he doth not restrict this intercession to the persons of the Apostles only, but to all these who are not of the world, but have the same interest in the Father and him; for whom also he prayeth expresly, v. 20. Doct. 1. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest, not only to offer up himself a sacrifice for sin, but by his prayer and intercession, to compleat his work, and apply his purchase; for, I pray, saith he, as giving in this action a pattern of his perpetual intercession in heaven. 2. It is no small priviledge to have interest in Christs intercession, who hath perfect knowledge of all the necessities of his people, and of the true remedy and supply thereof; who hath fidelity and tendernesse not to sleight those whom he undertakes; who is not refused of any suit he puts up for them, chap. 11.42. and whose merit and intercession is sufficient to render naughty persons and services acceptable; Therefore it is held out as a special priviledge I pray for them, &c. See Heb. 7.25. 3. Christ did not go about the exercise of his Mediatory-office at adventure, not knowing whether many or few, all or none, would reap benefit thereby; But he knew distinctly for whom he appeared, and for whom not: for, saith he, I pray for them, I pray not for the world. 4. Christ was so far from laying down his life for all in the world, that all in and of the world are secluded from any part in his intercession, except only the elect; for, whatsoever some do say of Christs praying as a man under the Law, wherein he looks not so much to the event, as his duty, and so may pray for them in whose behalf he is not heard; to which they referre that prayer, Luke 23.34. whatever, I say, they assert of this kinde, (wherein I shall not be positive, though that petition, Luke 23. for his ignorant persecutors, got a large answer in the Conversion of so many of them, Act. 2. and afterwards) yet the world is here secluded from his intercession as Mediatour, and only the Elect taken in; I pray for them, I pray not for the world. Which yet doth no way militate against our duty of praying for all manner of men who have not sinned unto death; for his praying is grounded upon the distinct knowledge of the Will of God, and whom he will save, and therefore he prayes distinctly. Whereas we, wanting this knowledge, ought to pray for all men, with submission to the Will of God. 5. Whatever the elect be in themselves, even after they are converted; yet the charge and trust of them being committed to Christ, it doth engage him to intercede for them: so that all his wounds bleed, and his credit in heaven is employed, when they have to do; for, I pray for them which thou hast given me, saith he, 6. The Elect are so given to Christ, as they are still the Fathers, in respect of his eternal election and good will toward them; for, them which thou hast given me, they are thine. 7. It is a notable encouragement to employ God on behalfe of the Elect, that he hath such an interest in them, and being chosen by him, they are cast upon him, and left upon his help; for, upon this consideration doth he commend his given ones to the Father in prayer: for they are thine, and that he commends none to him, but those whom he first gave him. 8. Christs people have room in his heart and affection, not only because of his interest in them, and charge of them: but because of the interest the Father hath also in them, whose beloved Son he is; for, this is not only a reason why the Father should respect his prayers for them, but also why he so heartily undertakes to pray for them: for, they are thine. Which should teach all, in their stations, heartily to respect and care for those persons or things wherein God hath an interest. 9. There is a communion and reciprocal interest in all things betwixt the Father and his Son, who is heir of all things, Heb. 1.2. and betwixt the Father and Christ as Mediatour, in the Elect; for, All mine are thine, and thine are mine. 10. This communion and interest tends much to the advantage of Gods people, as having interest both in the Father and the Son; so that Christ will not neglect those who are not only his own peculiar property entrusted to him, but his Fathers also, and will have a care to make them forth-coming to the Father: And the Father will respect those, and his Son in interceding for them, who are not only his beloved Sons charge, but his own also. Therefore are both the former Arguments conjoyned in this; And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, to assure us how careful Christ will be of them, and how acceptable these endeavours will be to the Father. 11. Christ who is the Lord of glory, and needs nothing from the creature, doth yet stoop to take glory from his people, in so far as he glorifieth himself in them; for, I am glorified in them. 12. How unworthy soever Christs people be, yet it is a sufficient argument moving him to do for them, and to prevail in what he doth, that he doth manifest his own glory in so doing, and by the fruits thereof in them; for, this is another argument why he intercedes for them, And I am glorified in them, namely, by doing good to them, and by their behaviour being so dealt with; And particularly, as they were Apostles, by their preaching to the world, his triumphs were proclaimed, and the world subjected to his obedience. And this may assure us, that the more our endeavour and aime be to glorifie God and Christ, we have the clearer ground to expect the acceptation of our prayers.