JOHN xvi. 11-.3. 11 ousness, because I-go to my Father, and ye-see dewpeite me no more; of judgment, 12 because the prince of this world is-judged. I-have yet many-things to-say unto-you, but 13 ye-can not bear Baoralew them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of-truth, is-come, he-will-guide you into all truth: for he-shall-not-speak of himself; but whatsoever he SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xvi. 10. because I go to my Father-It is by his going away that Jesus hath brought in everlasting righteousness,' as predicted, Da. ix. 24-see He. ix. 11, 2-To this proof of the innocence of Jesus the apostles often refer, Ac. ii. 22-.4; xvii. 31; Rom. i. 4; 1 Ti. iii. 16-1 Co. i. 30, Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ' 12. I have yet many things-Eph. iii. 5, Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of Z men, as it is now revealed unto the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;' ye can not bear them now-so even after his resurrection, he says to them, Ac. i. 7, 8, § 98, It is not for you to know the times..... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:' IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO ATTEND, NOT ONLY TO THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF GOSPEL TRUTH, AS GIVEN IN THE EPISTLES; -so the apostle, 1 Co. iii. 2, I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it,'-He. v. 11, We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.' 13. the Spirit of truth-so called, ch. xiv. 17, p. 383, supra; xv. 26, p. 391, supra. will guide you into all truth-1 Co. ii. 10, 'For the Spirit searcheth all things,'-He. iv. 13, All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.'-1 Jno. ii. 27, The same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,' &c. whatsoever he shall hear-The Father hath said of the Son, Mt. xvii. 5, § 51, p. 56, Hear ye him.'-And the Son hath said, Rev. ii. 7, 'He that hath an ear, let NOTES. Jno. xvi. 10. Because I go to my Father, &c. I am going to be exalted at my Father's right hand, in testimony of his having entirely approved of and accepted me as one that has answered all his demands.' Ye see me no more. That is, in this humble state of suffering and abasement.-See ch. xvii. 24, p. 404. [8-11. He will reprove the world, &c. XéyEBL TÒV Gov, &c. The sense of this portion, as it is not a little obscure, has been much disputed. The difficulty chiefly hinges on the expression, Tòv xóoμov; by which some understand the world at large; others, the Jewish world; i. e., the Jews only. And, according as they adopt one or the other view, they assign to the passage either a general or a particular sense. The former is maintained by Grotius, Hammond, and Lampe; the latter by most of the recent commentators, especially Kuinoel and Tittman, who explain the meaning to be, that "He will shew clearly 1. The great sin of the Jews in disbelieving and rejecting Jesus, by the conversion of many thousands of Jews in consequence of the effusion of the Spirit; 2. He will evince the righteousness and innocence of him whom they had accused and condemned, by teaching, through the apostles, that God had received him into heaven; 3. He will shew that all the opposition of the rulers of this world to the cause of the gospel will be in vain; for the truth shall prevail, and their policy shall be judged and condemned." Thus the sense might be expressed as follows: "He will convict the world (meaning the Jews) of the sin of unbelief, and He will convince them both of my righteousness, and of the victory obtained by me over the prince of this world." And if he was condemned, so would his followers be, whether Jews or Gentiles, and punishment be executed on them, both in this world and in the next. Such appears to be the true meaning of the whole passage, at least in its primary import; but besides that, another and secondary one seems meant to be included, and that far more important than the other, by which the words may be referred to the general and internal operation of the Spirit on the hearts of men of every age and country. And this esoteric sense is ably drawn forth by Lampe and Mr. Scott. According to the former view, the term world must be understood of the Jewish world; according to the latter, the whole world.'-Bloomf.] The faith of the gospel discovers unto us three different states of man: it shews him-1. Under sin, in which there is nothing but infidelity towards God, because there is no faith in Jesus Christ. 2. Under grace, in which sin is pardoned, and righteousness acquired by faith in Christ; who is many indubitable proofs, in addition to those on account of their neglecting to attend to which, the Jews were left to die in their sins, and their posterity to wander so long in darkness. gone to the Father to carry on, by his intercession, ment the unbelieving and unrighteous.'-Brown. [Jno. xvi. 10. By his ascension to the Father let us be assured that the righteousness which the Son of God came to fulfil is complete, and that those who follow him are complete in him. He hath by one sacrifice for ever perfected them that are sanctified. Those 394] who say they see him still offered up anew in the IN THEE IS MY TRUST;-Psa. cxli. 8. [VOL. II. BUT ALSO TO THAT WONDERFUL DISCOVERY OF THINGS TO COME, WITH WHICH THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE FAVOURED IN THE APOCALYPSE. WE MAY KNOW THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST FROM EVERY SPIRIT OF ERROR BY THIS, THAT HE GLORIFIES JESUS. JOHN xvi. 14-21. 14 shall-hear, that shall-he-speak: and he-will-shew you things to-come. He shall-glorify 15 me for he-shall-receive of mine, and shall-shew it unto-you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said-I, that he-shall-take of mine, and shew it unto16 you. A-little-while, and ye-shall-not-see me and again, a-little-while, and ye-shallsee me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he-saith unto-us, A-little-while, and ye-shall-not-see me and again, a-little-while, and ye-shall-see me: 18 and, Because I go to the Father? They-said therefore, What is this that he-saith, A 19 little-while? we-cannot tell what he-saith. Now Jesus knew that they-were-desirous toask him, and said unto-them, Do-ye-inquire among yourselves of that I-said, A-little20 while, and-ye-shall-not-see me and again, a-little-while, and ye-shall-see me? Verily, verily, I-say unto-you, That ye shall-weep and lament, but the world shall-rejoice and 21 ye-shall-be-sorrowful, but your sorrow shall-be-turned into joy. A woman when she-isin-travail hath sorrow, because her hour is-come: but as-soon-as she-is-delivered-of the SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;'-in reference to his stay upon earth, ch. vii. 34, § 55, see on Mt. xvi. 17, § 50, p. 37. p. 91; xii. 35, § 82, p. 269; xiii. 33, p. 373, supra; xiv. 10; Is. xxix. 17; Hag. ii. 6; He. x. 37. 19, p. 383, supra-The expression occurs, Ps. xxxvii. Jno. xvi. 13. shew you things to come-Thus, by Agabus, a great dearth throughout all the world was foretold, Ac. xi. 28-also Paul's imprisonment at Jerusalem, xxi. 10, .1-see Rev. i. 3. 14. shall glorify me-The Spirit glorifies Jesus as being ministered through him, Ti. iii. 5, 6-sent by him, Jno. xvi. 7, p. 393, supra--as testifying of him, xv. 26, p. 391, supra; 1 Co. xii. 3; 1 Jno. iv. 2, 3-as causing to be produced the fruits of righteousness,' Ph. i. 11-Ga. v. 22, The fruit of the Spirit'-Eph. v. 9. receive of mine-It is the light and power of Jesus which the Spirit manifests, Mt. xxviii. 18, § 96; Rev. iii. 1; v. 6. and shall shew, &c.- Taught of God, ch. vi. 45, § 43, p. 330-1 Co. ii. 10, God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit :' because I go to the Father-His going to the Father was both to occasion his absence from earth, Ac. iii. 21; 2 Co. v. 6-8- and their seeing him more clearly as to his Divinity, Mt. xxviii. 20, § 96-He. ii. 9, 'We see Jesus,'-xii. 2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;' 17. What is this-The words of the Israelites respecting the bread that came down from heaven, Ex. xvi. 15-see on Jno. vi. 49-52, § 43, p. 331. 18. we cannot tell, &c.-Can we tell what is its import in other instances, as, Ps. xxxvii. 10; Is. xxix. 17; Hag. ii. 6; He. x. 37? 20. ye shall weep and lament-Lu. xxiii. 27, .8, § 91, p. 457; xxiv. 17, § 94, p. 494; Jno. xx. 11, § 93, p. 490; ver. 19, § 95, p. 498. the world shall rejoice-Lu. xxiii. 35-.7, § 91, p. 463. turned into joy-Lu. xxiv. 52, § 99; Jno. xx. 20-.2, § 95, p. 498-1 Pe. i. 8, Rejoice with joy unspeakable 16. A little while-An expression used by our Lord and full of glory:' 15. are mine-see the great commission, Mt. xxviii. 18-20, § 96-Eph. i. 22, Christ head over all things to the church,'-Col. ii. 9, In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.' NOTES. the Holy Spirit. For he says, that the Holy Spirit shall speak not from himself alone, but according to what he shall hear and receive from the Son, and, by consequence, from the Father; since the Father has nothing that does not belong equally to the Son. Comp. ch. xvii. 10, p. 400. We have here a remarkable mention of the three persons of the Trinity as distinct from each other, and yet as united in the work of revealing the gospel to mankind.'- Lonsdale.] Jno. xvi. 14. Shall receive of mine. Literally, shall take of, or from, me.' He shall receive his commission and instructions as an ambassador from me. [The purpose of these words seems to be, to shew that the Holy Spirit, in all which he shall reveal and teach, will have in view the glory of Christ. So that, in glorifying him, he shews him to the believer as the Lord of all, the object of all worship, obedience, love, and praise. On the strong attestation hence supplied of the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, see Smith's Scrip. Test., vol. ii. p. 312.'-Bloomf.] 16. Shall see me. Referring either to his resurrection, or the forty days between that and the ascension. 19. Said unto them, &c. Preventing their question. [Do ye inquire? This sentence is generally regarded as interrogative, but by the best expositors suitable to that omniscience, by which our Lord was as declarative; which latter has been thought more rendered thoroughly acquainted both with what they had been saying, and their desire for information.-Comp. ver. 30, p. 397.] [20. Verily, verily, I say, &c. Our Lord did not, for the reason above mentioned, give any explana tion. And thus his silence may be supposed to imply, "Yet it is so. What I have said you will find true." In order, however, to more deeply impress their minds, he points to the circumstances which should accompany the events in question; namely, at first the sorrow of his disciples, and the triumphant exultation of the world; then the grief of the disciples soon afterwards turned into joy.'Bloomf.] But the world shall rejoice. The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and persecuting Jews in general, will triumph, trusting that their bad cause is crowned with success. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. the things of Christ, by the ministration of the Spirit in the apostolic writings, than even that which was made by the personal teaching of our Lord when upon earth: but by a due improvement of this, let us prepare for being profited by the other. There is an order in Divine revelation of which we should take advantage both for ourselves and those who may come under our instructions.] Jno. xvi. 14, .5. See margin. 16 ver. Let us endeavour to improve the present opportunity in preparing for approaching trial; and let us endure trial, knowing that it is but a little while, and the Lord will appear for our deliverance. 17. .8 ver. Let us not content ourselves with knowing merely the words of our Lord. Let us VOL. II.] ponder them deeply: the dark sayings of scripture 20 ver. As truly as the disciples of Jesus were LEAVE NOT MY SOUL DESTITUTE.-Psa. cxii. 8. HE DISCLOSES THE TREASURES OF THE FATHER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES, AS APPERTAINING TO CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM. IN PRAYER, LET US RECOGNISE OUR ONENESS WITH CHRIST, AND HIS ONENESS WITH THE FATHER. JOHN XVI. 22-.8. child, she-remembereth no more the anguish News, for joy that a-man is-born into the 22 world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I-will-see you again, and your heart 23 shall-rejoice, and your joy no-man taketh from you. And in that day ye-shall-ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I-say unto-you, Whatsoever ye-shall-ask the Father in my 24 name, he-will-give it you. Hitherto have-ye-asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye25 shall-receive, that your joy may-be full enλnowμevn. These-things have-I-spoken unto-you in proverbs: but the-time cometh, when I-shall-no more-speak unto-you in 26 proverbs, but I-shall-shew avayyeλw you plainly rappnoia of the Father. At that day ye-shall-ask in my name: and I-say not unto-you, that I will-pray the Father for you: 27 for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have-loved me, and have-believed that I 28 came-out from God. I-came-forth from the Father, and am-come into the world: again, I-leave the world, and go to the Father. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xvi. 22. your heart shall rejoice-see on ver. 20. your joy no man taketh from you-The command to the believer is, Ph. iv. 4, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.'-1 Th. v. 16, Rejoice evermore.' 23. shall ask me nothing-2 Co. v. 16, Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.' ask the Father, &c.-ch. xv. 16, p. 389, supra. 24. Hitherto, &c.-see ver. 13-.7, p. 394, supra. that your joy, &c.-ch. xv. 11, p. 388, supra; 1 Jno. i.4. 25. in proverbs-or parables-The things spoken in parables were to be made plain to the disciples, while they would still remain only as parables to those that are without, Lu. viii. 10, § 33, pp. 253, ..4-It is looked for in the disciples that they understand all parables, Mk. iv. 13, § ib., p. 254. 26. ask in my name-Ga. iv. 6, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' 27. because ye have loved me-We are loved of the Father, as being found in the Son, Eph. i. 4, 6, ‘according as he hath chosen us in him before the foun... to the praise of the glory of dation of the world, his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted,' &c. 28. I came forth, &c.-Mi. v. 2, 'Whose goings,' &c. NOTES. Jno. xvi. 22. Your joy no man taketh from you. Or, shall take away. Some excellent MSS. and versions read the verb in the future tense. Our Lord's meaning appears to have been this: that his resurrection should be so completely demonstrated to them, that they should never have a doubt concerning it; and consequently that their joy should be great and permanent, knowing that the atonement was made, the victory gained, and the kingdom of heaven opened to all believers. Therefore is it said, Ac. iv. 33, "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:"'—A. C. 23. And in that day, &c. And in that time of your enduring joy, ye shall make your requests known not to me, but to the Father in my name': and 'Verily,' &c.-Comp. ch. xiv. 13, .4, and NOTES there, p. 382. What Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father, &c. soever ye shall ask, assisted by the Spirit.'-Guyse. [On the subject of putting questions, Christ engrafts that of preferring requests; and shews that, whatever else they might have to ask for, in his cause, whether spiritual illumination or courage in action, the Father would deny them nothing.] [24. Have ye asked nothing in my name. 'Ye have hitherto indeed been accustomed to pray to the Father, but not "in my name" as ye shall hereafter pray to him. Ye have not as yet considered me as the great Mediator between God and man; but this is one of the truths which shall be more fully revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.'-Lonsdale.] 25. In proverbs. In dark sayings; that is, words which, besides their plain, literal meaning, have another, viz., a spiritual or figurative one. I have represented heavenly things to you through the [By περὶ τοῦ Πατρός we may suppose to be meant 'concerning the perfections and attributes of the Father,' the way of access to him, and his counsels for the salvation of men and the establishment of the christian church. The fulfilment of the present promise is alluded to at Lu. xxiv. 26-44, and Ac. i. 3.] 26. I say not unto you, &c. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you, but I say more than this, viz., that the Father himself loveth you, on account of your loving me, and believing that I came out from him.'-Lonsdale and Hale. 27. For the Father himself loveth you, &c. For the Am come into the world. By my incarnation. Jno. xvi. 22. Jesus was taken from the disciples, but he nevertheless kept his promise: he did see them again, and their hearts did rejoice; and they were given the Comforter to abide with them for ever. May we also be partakers of that joy which the world can neither give nor take away. 23 ver. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, presenting our petitions unto the Father in Jesus' name. And see margin. 396] These 24 ver. May we be given the Spirit of intercession, that in the name of Christ we may ask and receive so as to be filled with the Spirit of joy. [25 ver. Let us attentively consider the import what Christ is pleased to speak to us in parables, waiting the time when he will shew us plainly of the Father.] of [26 ver. Those who are enabled to pray in the Spirit do not require to be told that Christ will pray for them. The power to ask in his name, is itself procured by Jesus' intercession.] 27 ver. See margin. 28 ver. Let us deeply reflect upon these great subjects of revelation-the Divine origin, the incar nation, the death, and the ascension into glory of HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE.-Psa. cxlvii. 5. [VOL. II. BY OUR FAITH AND LOVE TO THE SAVIOUR MAY WE CONSTANTLY GIVE EVIDENCE OF BEING BELOVED OF GOD THE FATHER. LET US NOT BE TOO EASILY SATISFIED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE OF THE WORDS OF CHRIST. 29 JOHN xvi. 29-33. His disciples said unto-him, Lo, now speakest-thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are-we-sure that thou-knowest all-things, and needest not that any-man should31 ask thee: by this we-believe that thou-camest-forth from God. Jesus answered them, 32 Do-ye-now--believe? Behold, the-hour cometh, yea, is-now-come, that ye-shall-bescattered, every-man to his-own, and shall-leave me alone: and yet I-am not alone, 33 because the Father is with me. These-things I-have-spoken unto-you, that in me yemight-have peace. In the world ye-shall-have tribulation: but be-of-good-cheer; I have-overcome the world.* SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xvi. 29. now speakest thou plainly-That which had perplexed them was contained in ver. 16-comp. ver. 17-.9, A little while, and ye shall not see me :' &c. This he had now explained by saying, ver. 28, 'Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.' 30. Now are we sure-ch. ii. 24, .5, § 12, p. 82, 'Knew what was in man.' by this we believe, &c.-so Nathanael, upon having evidence given him of the omniscience of Jesus, made confession, ch. i. 49. § 10, p. 73, Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.' 31. Do ye now believe?-They believed that he was the Shiloh, or the Sent of the Father,' ver. 27-but the faith of some of them was as yet very weak and wavering, Lu. xxiv. 21, § 94, p. 494; Jno. xx. 24, .5, § 95, p. 500. 33. that in me ye might have peace-It is only in Christ that we can have peace, Mt. xi. 28, .9, § 29, p. 228; Jno. xiv. 27, p. 385, supra; Eph. ii. 14--22, see margin; Ph. iv. 7; Col. i. 20; iii, 15-1 Pe. v. 14, 'Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.' tribulation-If we would have Master's service will allow, 1 Co. vii. 29-35: 1 Ti. peace, we should be as little in the world as our vi. 8-10; 2 Ti. ii. 4-see the case of Lot in Sodom, Ge. xiii. 10-.3; xiv. 11, .2; xix. 14-26. In the world I have overcome the world-see the temptation, Mt. iv. 11, § 9, p. 66-By the word he overcame, ver. 4, p. 64: ver. 7, p. 65; ver. 10, p. 66-We must follow the Captain of our salvation in using the same weapons, if we also would overcome, Eph. vi. 10~7; 1 Jno. ii. 14-.6-We overcome through our union with Jesus-iv. 4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the you, than he that is in the world.'-v. 4, 'Whatsoever victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,' &c.-Rom. viii. 37, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.' NOTES. 32. Behold, the hour cometh-Mt. xxvi. 31, p. 406. to his own-'Unto their own home,' ch. xx. 10, § 93, p. 490-Some of them went a fishing, xxi. 1-3, § 97, pp. 505, ..6. leave me alone-There is a time coming when he will not be alone, Rev. xiv. 1, &c. four words (see PRAC. REFLEC.) contain the whole economy of the gospel of man's salvation, and a consummate abridgment of the christian faith. This gave the disciples a key to the whole of our Lord's discourse; and especially to that part, ver. 16, p. 395, that had so exceedingly embarrassed them, as appears by ver. 17, .8, p. ib. [And it may be observed that our Lord's declarations elsewhere, and especially in these chapters, wherein he discourses concerning his death, resurrection, ascension to the Father, and the coming of the Holy Ghost, though they may to us seem plain, yet to the apostles, labouring, as they were, under Jewish prejudices, and loath to believe that their Lord was about to die-they could not but appear obscure and involved in mystery.] Jno. xvi. 30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things. By this proof of thy Divine knowledge we believe' yet more firmly than before-comp. ver. 27that thou camest forth from God.' [31. Do ye now believe. pri mioTevere. Our Lord checks their excessive confidence, and inculcates diffidence in their own strength; q.d., "Do ye now really and fully believe?" The interrogation here is, as Calvin points out, ironical, and involves a delicate sarcasm; q.d., "Do you boast such great things, as if you fully believed? But, alas! there will soon occur that which will discover your emptiness."-Bloomf.] This question was evidently asked to put them on a full examination of their hearts. 33. That in me ye might have peace. I give you this warning as another proof that I know all things. That through trust in me, and in the assurances which I have now given you, ye might have peace within, notwithstanding your tribulation' from without. The peace of God is ever to be understood as including all possible blessedness-light, strength, comfort, support, a sense of the Divine favour, unction of the Holy Spirit, purification of heart, &c., and all these to be enjoyed in Christ. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. our Lord Jesus Christ. By these we have the assurance that all which God hath promised, he will most surely perform. Jno. xvi. 29, 30. Let us never neglect to strengthen our faith in the Saviour, by the consideration of the evidence we are afforded of his knowing all things, and especially of his being the Searcher of the reins and the hearts. [31, .2 ver. The disciples thought that now they truly believed and knew the truth; but it is evident that much was wanting to the perfection of either their knowledge or their faith.] [When left alone in the hour of sorrow or temptation, let us remember that our blessed Redeemer had experience of our situation, and can well sympathize with us therein.] [33 ver. As we desire peace, let us seek for it in Christ; and as we would find it in him, let us treasure up his sayings, and thereby be enabled to follow him in overcoming the world. It is only the Israelite indeed who can expect to inhabit with God the new Jerusalem-where the perfection of peace is to be enjoyed by those who in and with Christ overcome.] *One of the grand subjects in this chapter, the mediation of Christ, is but little understood by most Christians. Christ, having made an atonement for the sin of the world, has ascended to the right hand of the Father, and there he appears in the presence of God for us. In approaching the throne of grace, we keep Jesus, as our sacrificial victim, continually in view: our prayers should be directed through him to the Father; and, under the conviction that his passion and death have purchased every possible blessing for us, we should, with humble confidence, ask the blessings we need; and as in him the Father is ever well pleased, we should most confidently expect the blessings he has purchased. We may consider, also, that his appearance before the throne, in his sacrificial character, constitutes the great principle of mediation or intercession. He has taken our nature into heaven in that he appears before the throne: this, without a voice, speaks loudly for the sinful race of Adam, for whom it was assumed, and on whose account it was sacrificed. On these grounds every penitent and every believing soul may ask and receive, and their joy be complete. By the sacrifice of Christ we approach God; through the mediation of Christ God comes down to man. -A. Č. VOL. 11.] IT IS HE THAT GIVETH SALVATION, ETC.-Psa. cxliv. 10. [397 WITH OUR BLESSED LORD, LET US EVER REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE, BECAUSE THE FATHER IS WITH US. ACCEPT, I BESEECH THEE, THE FREEWILL OFFERINGS OF MY MOUTH, O LORD, AND TEACH ME THY JUDGMENTS.-Psa. cxix. 108. No. 87 continued.-(G. 91.)-[Lesson 90.*]-Christ prays his Father to glorify him, 6 to preserve his apostles, 11 in unity, 17 and truth, 20 to glorify them and all other believers with him.-John xvii. INTRODUCTION. 'As the Jewish high priest, on the day of atonement, was required to make annual intercession for himself, for his household, the priests and Levites, and for the whole nation, Le. xvi. 17, so our all-sufficient High Priest, once for all, He. ix. 26, .8; Rom. vi. 10, on this HIS great day of atonement, solemnly interceded with God his Father for himself that he might be received into glory, his original glory in heaven, Jno. xvii. 1-5; for his household, the apostles and disciples, that God would preserve them in his name, or in the true religion, give them a spirit of unity and concord, and protect them in and from the wicked world, ver. 6-19; and that, finally, they might partake of his glory in heaven, and also be supported by his love and presence on earth, ver. 24-.6, and also for all future believers, through their preaching, that they might be endued with the same spirit of unity and concord, and for the conversion of the whole world, ver. 20-.3.-See Dr. Hales, Anal., vol. iii. p. 190.'-Bloomf., introd. This chapter contains the easiest words and the deepest sense of any in all the scripture. ANALYSIS. Jno. xvii. 1. Having spoken to his disciples as recorded, ch. xiii.-.vi., in which so much is said respecting the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, by whom the Son of God was to be glorified, through the instrumentality of the disciples; Jesus, raising his eyes to heaven, addresses the Father, intimating his knowledge that the hour of his departure is at hand, and praying the Father to glorify his Son, that the Son, through the instrumentality of the disciples, may glorify the Father. Having thus adverted to the general subject of petition, Jesus proceeds, in verses 2-5, to speak of his own personal relation thereto. 2. Acknowledgment by Jesus, of power over all flesh having been given him by his Father; the purpose of this gift being, that he might give eternal life to those given him of the Father. 14. but he who lost himself, in whose case the scripture 17. He intercedes for their sanctifica 18. Their mission from him is the same as his from the Father. 19. He has for their sakes separated ledge of the one true God,' and of 'Jesus Christ,' the himself, that they, through the truth, may be sane 3. Sent of the Father. 4. Life eternal consists in the know Jesus states what he has donehas glorified the Father on the earth, has finished the work which the Father gave him to do. 5. Jesus asks that he may now be glorified in the Godhead, with the glory he had with the Father before the world was. structions. tified. 20. Having prayed for his own immediate followers, in whom, at the beginning, were to be exemplified the blessings of grace, desired by Christ for his people; Jesus next intercedes for those unto whom the twelve were more especially sent; and who, through the words of the apostles (not the traditions of the church), were to be led to rely upon Christ as their only Foundation. 21. He prays for the oneness of the long-scattered people; that they thus united may be given success in their great mission of evangelizing the world. 22, .3. They are appointed to be heirs of that glory, which in the anointing of the Holy Ghost was given Him, and whereby their oneness is effected. He prays that their unity in the Father and the Son may be perfected, that so the truth of Christ's mission and the love of the Father may be made known to all the world. 24. Having prayed that his people may be perfected in Grace, he asks for their introduction into Glory. 25, .6. He laments the world's ignorance of God, and recognises his disciples' preparedness for the knowledge which he will progressively communicate, to their increase in Grace, the perfection of which is Christ in them 'THE HOPE OF GLORY.' JOHN Xvii. Having prayed for himself, Jesus intercedes in behalf of his more immediate followers, the twelve apostles. 6-8. He declares what he has done for his disciples; and how they have profited by his in9, 10. Jesus distinguishes the special objects of his present intercession, as being not the world, but his disciples-those chosen to be apostles; yet all who are Christ's are the Father's, and all who belong to the Father are Christ's: but these about to be left by him in the world are the first objects of his mediatorial care. 11. Addressing God as Holy Father!' Jesus prays for the sanctification of the disciples, that they may be kept through the Father's own name, that so they may be one, as He and the Father 12. Jesus, while upon earth, has kept them in the Father's name; none of them is lost, are one. 1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted-up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour 2 is-come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may-glorify thee: as thou-hast-given him SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xvii. 1. lifted up his eyes, &c.-The language of hope, Ps. cxxiii. 1, Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.' the hour is come-so ch. xii. 23, § 82, p. 267. him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.' may glorify thee-ch. xv. 8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.'-1 Pe. iv. 14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.'—i. 7, NOTES. glorify thy Son-When the Holy Ghost was given, the apostle said, Ac. iii. 13, that God had 'glorified his Son Jesus;'-He also says, 1 Pe. i. 21, God raised Jno. xvii. 1. The hour is come. Our Lord here him to do on the earth.'-Comp. ver. 4; ch. vii. 30; speaks of the hour in which he was about to finish, viii. 20. § 55, pp. 94, 101. by his death, the work which his Father had given Glorify thy Son, &c. See SCRIP. ILLUS., supra. System of Graduated Simultaneous Instruction,' includes Mt. xxvi. 30-5; Mk. xİV. Jno. xvii.-xviii. 1. Lesson 90, in the 26-31; Lu. xxii. 39; 398] THROUGH GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY:-Psa. cviii. 13. [VOL. II. UPHOLD ME ACCORDING UNTO THY WORD, THAT I MAY LIVE AND LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED OF MY HOPE. Psa. cxix. 116. |