One-Hundred Forty-Five Sermons Upon John 17, Sermon 76
SERMON LXXVI. The Joy of Saints handled, both as a Duty and Priviledge, as being one great end of Chriſts Prayer, Command, Promiſes and Miniſtry.
JOHN 17.13.
And now I come to thee, and theſe things I ſpeak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themſelves.
OUr Saviour having anſwered that great Objection, and offence about the perdition of Judas, he returneth again to his Diſciples, for whom he was pouring out this part of his prayer. And
1. He repeateth that Argument he had uſed, verſ. 11. Now I come to thee: Here is much efficacy in this, but I have already handled that fully. Only take notice, That ſome underſtand not this of his local motion, or aſcenſion to the Father, but mental, as if his meaning was, by theſe petitions, I come to thee, according to that old ſaying, Oratio eſt aſcenſus mentis in Deum, but every eye ſeeth this improbable.
I therefore proceed, and in the words following you may obſerve, the deſcription of Chriſts prayer at this time, and the end of it: His prayer is expreſſed in that word foreign, with the circumſtance of place, in the world, that is, in the ears of all; This praier is not like that, when he went by himſelf and praied ſo earneſtly about the paſſing away of the Cup, which the Evangeliſt could never have related what it was, had not Chriſt revealed it. Some there are, that becauſe the word is foreign in the original, have concluded, that therfore this was not mentioned by our Saviour, as a prayer; nor is it to be underſtood, but as a Sermon or Doctrinal Information. Thus becauſe it's ſaid, verſ. 1. foreign, he ſpake. Chryſoſtom ſaith, it's not foreign, but foreign, not a Prayer but a Sermon; and ſo Cajetan thinketh it to be an informatory diſcourſe. But Chriſts geſture of lifting up his eyes to heaven, and his expreſs words, calling it a prayer, verſ. 9, 15, 20. do clearly confute that. Neither are foreign and foreign oppoſite, but ſubordinate. A prayer that is publick may be doctrinally edifying the Auditor; and therefore both foreign and foreign is uſed of Zachariah's prayer, or euchariſtical ſong, Luke 1.64, 67. as alſo of Chriſts prayer, John 11.41. And this word might well be uſed by our Saviour in this Petition, becauſe it was not a private prayer, nor meerly petitionary, but concionatory, and informing the Diſciples of many excellent paſſages, whereof one is expreſſed in the end, That their joy might be fulfilled. So then, one main reaſon, why Chriſt did at this time ſo publickly and ſolemnly pray for his Diſciples, it was to fill them with comfort. That they might for ever remember theſe words before his death Chriſt knew they muſt conflict with great difficulties, therefore he provides ſutable conſolations▪ Obſerve,
Obſerv. That it's Chriſts ſpecial will and care, that his people ſhould walk comfortably.That it's Chriſts ſpecial will and care, that his people ſhould walk comfortably. As Ahaſhuerus did not like to ſee Nehemiah look ſadly: ſo neither doth Chriſt will that his people ſhould walk with dejections and diſcouragements, but abound in an heavenly and unſpeakable joy. It's a diſhonour to a Prince to have ſighing ſubjects; Therefore in Nero's time to weep or ſigh, was a capital crime, and it reflects upon a Maſter to have his ſervant walk with diſcontent: Thus it's a diſhonour to Chriſt, and to his Goſpel, when thoſe that fear God walk without hope or faith, ſtill complaining that their ſouls are diſquieted and caſt down within them. A Chriſtians joy is ſo greatly aimed at, that the ſumme of thoſe valedictory Sermons, and large farewell diſcourſes Chriſt makes to his Diſciples, was to eſtabliſh them therein, John 15.11. Theſe things have I ſpoken that your joy might remain, that it might be full. It's not only joy, but a conſtant full joy he requireth, that it might remain: The people of God are not to think it enough to have joy ſometimes, though they are to bleſs God for any degree in the leaſt continuance, but they are to keep this fire alwayes upon the altar of their hearts, whatſoever may not continue with them, yet their joy muſt; Though we cannot finde thee alwayes thriving, alwayes healthfull, yet we ſhould ſee thee alwayes joyfull; we ſhould never finde a Chriſtian without this, let his conditions and temptations be never ſo ſad, and then it muſt be a full joy; not a light flaſh, but ſuch as ſhall fill up thy heart, that ſhall ſoak to the root of thy ſoul, that no ordinary thing can remove thee from it. This point is of great concernment unto the godly, who commonly think themſelves Benonies, and will not be called Naomi, but Marah; that with Rachel, refuſe to be comforted; that as ſome wicked men will not hear of the threatning, but put farre from them the evil day; ſo they ſtop their ears againſt the promiſe, and put the good day of Gods grace out of their minde.
Now although I ſhould firſt ſhew, the nature of Chriſts joy, what it is, and how it is to be fulfilled in believers, yet I muſt firſt diſpatch Chriſts end in this prayer, and all other his diſpenſations, viz. That the joy of the godly may be filled in them. That Chriſt doth really intend that his people ſha…l be joyfull.So that you are to look upon it both as a duty, and as a priviledge. Not to live comfortably is a ſinne, as well as not to live holily; and take heed of quenching Gods Spirit, as it is a Comforter, as well as it is a ſanctifier. For that it is a main intent of Chriſt to have you cloathed with the garments of joy, will appear by theſe particulars:
I. Therefore was this prayer.Firſt, This ſolemn and remarkable prayer, which our Saviour did make with ſo much fulneſs of heart, was for this end, to fill them with joy. Though Chriſt praid for impetration of the benefits mentioned in this prayer, yet the end why he ſpake this prayer ſo ſolemnly in the ears of the world, was that it might be a perpetual ſtanding ſtock of comfort to the godly. Therefore the Apoſtle John, becauſe the other Evangeliſts pretermitted this prayer, and much of his farewell Sermons, is very large and exact in the deſcription of it: ſo that the Spirit of God thought it not enough to have it vocally pronounced, but alſo to be committed to writing, that ſo all the generations to come might take comfort from this prayer: If therefore the godly man conſider, what Chriſt here prayeth for, and who it is that doth pray; The dignity of his perſon, the certainty of being heard; if there were no other Scripture remaining but this, there would be ground enough of joy. For the things which uſually ſad the hearts of Gods children, are either from within or without; from without are all the oppoſitions and cruel uſages they meet with in the world by wicked men. Theſe are thorns and goads in their ſides: Theſe are wolves to the ſheep, and where they cannot ſuck their blood, yet they are briars and thorns, to tear and rend their wool off. Now our Saviours prayer is ſufficient to turn this water into wine, he makes us to gather grapes even of theſe thorns. He ſheweth this is matter of joy, and not ſorrow; for thoſe ſadding thoughts which ariſe from within us, which indeed are the heavieſt, as becauſe of their corruptions which are ſtrong in them, their proud, earthly and unbelieving hearts, as alſo their proneneſs and danger to apoſtatize one time or other, to ſuffer ſhipwrack; Our Saviour doth expreſly provide cordials againſt theſe faintings; The petitions are ſo direct and compleat againſt ſuch decayes, that thou mayeſt afore-hand with Paul triumph, and challenge any creature in the world, to hinder thee of the Crown of Glory: Oh then in the midſt of all thy perplexed thoughts within, remember this prayer of Chriſt! Look not upon it as once ſpoken by Chriſt, and ſo paſſing away; but know it is as efficacious and powerfull in operation as ever; length of time hath not diminiſhed from the vertue of it; if Chriſt were now upon earth, and in thy cloſet or chamber praying with thee, it ought not more to refreſh and comfort thee, then when once in the fleſh poured out by him; yea ſome have thought, that the expreſſion, Heb. 5. of Chriſts prayer and ſupplication with ſtrong cries and agonies, hath reference to this prayer, though his tears and agonies, are not mentioned: Howſoever Chriſt alwayes praid with ſuch zeal and fervency, that he was ſure to be heard: See then, if the want of any thing, which may diſcourage thee, may not be provided for in this prayer; and ſhall Chriſt do it for this end, that thou mayeſt alwayes have comfort? And yet art thou dejected, What ſhall Chriſt die in vain, and pray in vain? So certainly, whileſt thou walkeſt thus uncomfortably, it's as if Chriſt had done none of theſe things, or elſe had done them in vain.
Secondly, Chriſts care and will, that the godly ſhould live comfortably, II. Therefore is it ſo often commanded.appeareth in thoſe many commands, for to rejoyce. So that there is no command for any holy duty, or to avoid any ſinne more frequently enjoyned, then to walk with joy and gladneſs of heart, the people of God they doubt whether they may rejoyce, they think ſuch barren and unprofitable wretches as they are, may not apply comforts; They think this childrens bread doth not belong to ſuch dogs, as they are; Oh but remember how indiſpenſable and peremptory the command of God is, that thou ſhouldſt walk joyfully before him! Phil. 3.1. Finally, my brethren, Rejoyce in the Lord; When he had exhorted to many duties before, he keepeth this ſweet wine to the laſt. Finally, I have no more to ſay, this is the ſumme of all, do ſuch and ſuch duties, but ſtill remember to rejoyce: Oh to pray dejectedly, to do holy duties, but with a ſad heart, this is to marre all! As in alms, ſo in all other duties, God loveth chearfulneſſe; but he ſaith, Rejoyce in the Lord; Thy joy muſt be in heavenly objects, and from ſpirituall motives, from Evangelical priviledges; ſome joy in their honours, ſome in their pleaſures, ſome in their luſts, as the ſwine delights in mire and mud; but the joy of Gods people is in and through Chriſt: Therefore he ſaith, That my joy may be fulfilled in them, not the joy of the world or the fleſh: Hence verſ. 3. it's made the ſure character of a Chriſtian indeed, who hath more then the outward form of religion, that he rejoyceth in Chriſt Jeſus: But as if once ſpeaking were not enough, ſee how the ſame Apoſtle doubleth it, Cap. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord alway, and again I ſay, Rejoyce. Certainly there is ſomething in it, that the Apoſtle ingeminateth it, Again, I ſay, Rejoyce, he knew how hardly the people of God are brought to rejoyce; How can they that are thus afflicted, that have ſo many exerciſes, bid them Rejoyce, you may as well bid an heavy log flie up into the air? Alas, they are ſo oppreſſed and hardened in heart, that they can no more rejoyce, then a ſtone ſpeak: But the Apoſtle will hear none of theſe excuſes, I ſay it again, Rejoyce, and that alwayes, let your condition, your temptations be what they will, let the times be what they will, yet rejoyce alwayes; ſo 1 Theſſ. 5.16. Rejoyce everm…re; Do not think it arbitrary or left to thy choice to walk joyfully. No, awe thy heart with the command, that as thou dareſt not lie, ſteal, commit adultery, becauſe God commands the contrary; ſo neither dareſt thou walk with diſtruſt, unbelief and diſcouragement, becauſe Gods word is againſt it.
III. And for this end are the promiſes.Thirdly, Chriſt hath provided for the Chriſtians comfort not only by commands, but alſo by promiſes. The Scriptures are like a pleaſant garden full of the ſweet flowers of the promiſes, therefore called 1 Pet. 1.4. Precious promiſes; you may obſerve, that the promiſes run through the heart of the Scripture, as thoſe four rivers did paradiſe, to water and refreſh it. Hence it's ſaid, That we through the Scriptures might have conſolation and comfort, Rom. 15 4. Hence David in all his tribulations found the word of God ſweeter then the honey or the honey-comb. There cannot be any ſtrait, any grief, but there is a peculiar promiſe againſt it; ſo that if at any time thou art diſconſolate, either publick or private afflictions lie ſore upon thee, remember the promiſes, encourage thy ſelf from them: Oh walk not as if this world were ſuch a wilderneſs, that God had provided no fountains to refreſh the barren ſoul! As it was a cuſtom amongſt the Jews to give a cup of wine to the condemned perſon to refreſh and comfort his ſpirits, Therefore it was the height of malice in the Jews, when in ſtead of ſuch a cup they gave Chriſt gall to drink. Thus God hath alſo appointed in his word ſo many precious and glorious promiſes for his children in every condition, and the devil on the other ſide, he would give them gall to drink: If then thou wouldſt live with heavenly joy, let the promiſes be thy meditation day and night.
IV. And the Miniſtry of the Goſpel.Fourthly, Chriſt hath provided for the comfortable life of his people, by appointing a Miniſtry in his Church, among other ends, for this, to comfort the afflicted ſoul, and to pour oyl into the hearts of ſuch as are wounded. They are to be ſons of conſolation, like Barnabas to the children of ſorrow for their ſins; ſo that it's one of the greateſt parts and work of the Miniſtry to publiſh glad tidings, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord to ſuch as groan under the burden and priſon of their ſins; Chriſt himſelf accounted of this in his Miniſtry above all other things, Iſa. 50 4. He hath given me the tongue of the learned, to know how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to him that is weary: Oh it's not every one that can deal with a tender conſcience; we muſt have an Eagles eye, and a ſoft hand; ſo that our work is not only to convert the prophane, to build up the converted, but to be daily comforting and exhorting the afflicted in ſoul! And ô that there were many upon whom we might diſpenſe this part of our Office? You are apt to ſay, Miniſters preach nothing but damnation, they will not comfort ſuch as lie a dying: Oh there is nothing more deſired by them, then to meet with ſuch humbled ſouls, to whom they might milk out the breaſts of conſolation! To ſuch they ſay, as in the Canticles, Eat ô friends, yea drink abundantly; but it would be a woe to us, if we ſhould tender theſe comforts to wicked and impenitent men. There is a notable place to this purpoſe, Ezek. 13.22. where God threatens the wicked Miniſters, becauſe they ſtrengthned the heart of the wicked in promiſing of him life, and made the heart of the righteous ſad. When therefore we have to do with the contrite heart, we with-hold no comfort from him, as the Apoſtles ſtyle themſelves, 2 Cor. 1.24. Helpers of the believers joy: So that in this is our ſtudy and labour ſeen, as well as in Doctrine and reproof.