A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer, Verse 24 · Doctrine 1
It's the care of our Savior to ſeek and provide for the welfare of his Servants, even till they come to the fulneſs of their perfection.
See here in the words of the Text, the inlarged tenderneſs of the heart of the Lord Jeſus, he doth not content himſelf to look to his diſciples and ſo beleevers, while they were but in the ſhel, Babes in Chriſtianity; nor ſatisfies himſelf, that he hath purchaſed and beſtowed the ſame glorious Grace upon them, which he hath received from his Father. Nor yet doth he count it enough that he hath preſſed the Father with ſuch unceſſant importunity to intreate, that they might be kept in that Oneneſs of relation to the Father and the Son, as they are one with another, and one in another, which notwithſtanding in reaſon might have been conceived to have been a large proviſion, a goodly portion and inheritance, even for the choiceſt of Gods ſervants, to be ſo left by God the Father and the Lord Jeſus with ſo faire an eſtate; that in reaſon they might have been able to maintain themſelves wel, and not only made a ſhift to live Chriſtianly, but honorably, and with much content, ſince the Lord had left them wherewithal, and aforehand in the world, ſo fully ſtocked and ſtored:
But alas, this is little in the Eye of the Lord Chriſt, do we but conſider the endleſs compaſſions, which he extends towards ſuch: He laies in with God the Father, for their welfare in another world, ſtores up for eternity in their behalf. Father I will they be, where I am. He wil not forſake them, before he ſee them wel arrived and in ſafety: therefore doth not aſcend to Heaven, and leave them to the wide world, to ſink, or ſwim, and ſhift for themſelves. No, he hath laid in proviſion of prayer anſwerable to al their occaſions, their changes, and neceſſities, in life, in death, after Death. In life, Lead them: keep them in their Graves, raiſe them out of their Graves, bring them to glory, and preſerve them in glory for ever: He wil not have his glory, but they muſt ſee it, nay his glory wil not ſatisfie, unleſs he may ſee them.
If our Savior pray for this their being with him; then prayes he for and provids and alſo ſucceeds al means to attain this.
As wiſe Merchants victual their ſhipps for the longeſt time: our Savior victuals, even for a Voyage of eternity; for life, for death, for Grace, for Glory; for a Momentany paſſage of time in this world, and for eternity in another: he laies out for their preſent needs; but Oh how great is that goodneſs thou haſt laid up for them that feare thee? like Joſeph, provide for the ſeven years Famin, laies in proviſion of prayer for their everlaſting ſupply. The Saints may find even refreſhing baits by this prayer of our Savior, in their moſt famiſhing diſtreſſes, feaſt their hearts with it. Hence it is, the Lord Chriſt is ſaid, Hebr. 7.25. To be able to ſave them to the u…moſt that come to God by him, that is, by the vertue of his eternal interceſſion, of which this prayer is one part. This was ſignified by thoſe two types, The Pillar of fire, and the Pillar of cloud, which went before the Iſraelites in their travailes. Its ſaid, The Lord went before them in a Pillar. Exord. 13.21, 22. He took not away the Pillar of Cloud by day, and the Pillar of Fire by night, from before his people, until he brought them into the promiſed Land. Thus the Lord Jeſus leads his people into the way everlaſting, and withdraws not the power of his prayer, and preſence, and proviſion of al mercies, until he bring them to himſelf.
So again Moſes left the people in the deſert and died before he came into the good Land: but Joſhua brought them to the place of reſt, of which it was ſaid, they ſhal remove no more. 2. Sam.
The Law leaves a man in ſin and miſery, even to periſh, while he is in his paſſage: but our Joſhua brings his to reſt that yet remains: for there is yet a reſt remaining for Gods people. When he went away, and withdrew his Bodily preſence, yet his Bowels yerned towards his, I wil not leave you as Orphans. Joh. 14.18. He ſends the comforter, his bleſſed ſpirit to lead them into al truth, To guid them in the way, while they are wildering here towards the end of their Hopes: And his care is even in Heaven, to prepare manſions of reſt for their welcome and refreſhing, after their weary-some travailes. Joh. 14.2. In my Fathers Houſe are many manſions, I go to prepare a place for you and I wil come again and receive you. And before he comes, he ſends poſt to meet his poor ſervants, and to inquire of their welfare. Joh. 16.22. I will ſee you again, and your heart ſhal rejoyce. This was the meaning of the viſion, Gen. 18.14, 16. Jacob ſaw a Ladder, Angels aſcending and deſcending, and the Lord ſtanding at the top: and he ſaid, I wil bleſs thee, and be with thee where ever thou goeſt and I wil not leave thee, until I have performed that which I have ſpoken to thee of.
REAS. I.
1. Its the charge which he hath undertaken, and unto which he ſtands bound, by free agreement with God the Father, that he wil ſee to the everlaſting welfare of his ſervants: and therefore in faithfulneſs he cannot, but with al care perform it. That by no means, in no caſe, they do miſcarry. It was the main ſcope of his ſending by the Father, and of his coming into the world. Joh. 6.38, 39. I came not to do mine own wil but the wil of my Father that ſent me, that of thoſe which he hath given me, I ſhould looſe none, but raiſe it up at the laſt day. Nay for this purpoſe he received Power and Commiſſion From God the Father. Joh. 17.2. Thou haſt given him power over al fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal life to as many, as thou haſt given him. He hath given Jeſus Chriſt power over al enemies of the ſalvation of his people, that they ſhould never be able to hinder them: over al means which might procure their good, that they ſhould never be wanting, to help and further them in the good waies of Gods Grace: power over al wants, weakneſſeſs, infirmities, that they ſhould never be able to diſcourage their hearts in a Chriſtian courſe. He wil not fail of his end, they cannot fail of their comforts. 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. He muſt reign until he hath put al his enemies under his feet: the laſt enemy, that is to be deſtroyed is death. The Lord wil ſee the laſt enemy deſtroyed, and ſee them beyond death and danger. So that our Savior wil come laſt out of the field, as Conqueror, and wil not leave his people, their Souls under diſtreſſes, or their bodies in their Graves: and make them Conquerors and triumph over al their Adverſaries. O Death, where is thy ſting, O Grave, where is thy Victory: thanks be given to God, who hath given us the Victory through Jeſus Chriſt.
2. The love of our Savior conſtraines him to lay out himſelf and the improvement of his power and prayers, and al he hath for their good in al conditions, until they come to be with him. Joh. 13.1. Having loved his own, he loved them to the end. In love there is no lack: if he love them to the end, he wil care for them, and their comforts unto the end. He loves and tenders in al their neceſſities and occaſions, therefore wil undoubtedly relieve and ſuccour them in al; Therefore the Apoſtle concludes ſo confidently: nor life, nor death, nor Principalities, no… Powers, ſhal ever be able to ſeparate us from the love of God in Chriſt.
If death cannot put an end to his love, It skils not though it put an end to our lives; his love wil quicken and raiſe. If he love us in priſon, he wil deviſe means to free us. Love us in temptation, he wil provide Grace and Comfort to ſtrengthen & ſuſtain us in al our trials. It was an argument which they pleaded, and by which they ſupported their hearts for help in the death of Lazarus. Joh. 11.3. He whom thou loveſt is Sick, and then he recovered him: He whom thou loveſt is overwhelmed with temptations and diſtempers, therefore he ſhal be comforted and delivered.
3. The neceſſities of the Saints prevail with our Savior to pity, to help and to pray for them, who are not able to help themſelves in the ſhock and ſtreſs of the violence of their aſſaults. He comforts the Abjects. 2 Cor. 7.6. Beares the Lambs, and little ones in his Armes. Iſa. 40.11. Their enemies be many and mighty, which do purſue them with deadly hatred: Their ſtrength and ability but weak to oppoſe, and their Grace but ſmal, and unable to maintain them, if they ſhould live meerly upon the ſtock; and therefore the Lord lends them daily ſupply. For in a mans own ſtrength, no man ſhal be ſtrong. 1 Sam. 2.9. He ſpeaks to them, as unto Paul. His Grace is ſufficient, when there is nothing but Inſufficiency in themſelves. Renewed neceſſities, renewed mercies; his power pitcheth his Tent in weakneſs.
USE, 1.
CONSOLATION: To ſuſtain, and ſhore up the fainting hearts of the Saints under their heavieſt trials, and in the midſt of the many alterations and temptations, which may attend them in their daily courſe, to the diſcomfort and diſcouragement of their Hearts.
Its the care of our Savior to provide for their comfort, when happily they cannot either care, or provide for themſelves and their own relief and ſuccour; ignorant and unskilful to foreſee, we…k to oppoſe, unable to bear the miſeries, and hopeleſs to deliver themſelves from under them: behold, the Lord Jeſus hath ſaid in help before-Hand for you in Heaven.
Object. Oh but thou ſaieſt, Though the aſſaults be fierce and diſtempers ſtrong, and diſcouragements ſad; yet if I had a heart to ſeek, a ſpirit to ſend to Heaven for ſome relief I could conceive, there mere ſome ground of Hope: But when I have no help in my ſelf, and yet no heart to ſeek for help elſwhere, what can I expect, but utter confuſion?
Anſw. Chriſt hath laid in proviſion of prayers for thee, when thou canſt not pray for thy ſelf: he wil provide help, and a heart, to pray alſo. When Peter was Marvailouſly foiled by the ſodain ſurpriſal of that over-bearing aſſault, that carried him Head-long to the commiſſion of ſo many notorious evils. Our Savior leaves a receipt with him, to which he might reſort for ſome relief after his fal. Simon, Simon, Satan hath deſired to winnow thee, but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luk. 22.31, 32. It may be thy condition, as it was Peter's caſe: Thy aſſaults may be Fierce, and thy overthrow and Failings ſo Foul, that thou mayſt ſit down confounded in thy ſelf: thy Hope, thy Heart, and thy Prayer may fail alſo. Yet remember, whither to repair for thy ſupport. It was ſpoken to Peter, but it was performed for al, may be applied to al the Saints. The Lord Jeſus hath prayed that thy faith ſail not. His Prayer is laid in beforehand, to ſtay thy heart at a dead lift.
In ſome dangerous and infectious places, men take Antid…tes and Preſ…atives, that though they ſhould by occaſion take ſome poiſon unſeen or unſuſpected, which …gh… annoy their Natures, and drive them into ſome …ous and troubleſome ſickneſs: yet this would ſtil and maintain the heart in the heavieſt time. I Hope its not deadly, my Antidote wil out-bid the force of it, free me from the deadly danger thereof: Such is the Preſervative o… our Saviors Prayer, which works out any Poyſon, otherwiſe it had coſt Peter his life. So our Savior directs: In the world ye ſhall have per…ecution, But be of good comfort, I have overcome the world. In temptations be comforted, though they have over-bidden thy feebleneſs, Chriſt hath overcome the violence of them. Joh. 16. and laſt. In thy diſtempers be humbled, and yet comforted, Chriſt hath overcome the power of them, they may plague thee, they ſhal not prevail againſt thee. The ſnares may delude, but Chriſt wil deliver. Oh, but they indure ſtil, live, and are mighty. Anſw. His mercy endures for ever, his Prayers live and wil out-bid al their might. Tis true they are through mercy ſomtimes abated; but they return again with more violence, and take again. But know Chriſt wil provide again. Joh. 16. I will ſee you again. And the vertue of his prayers hath eternal and everlaſting Efficacy, and therefore wil for ever help thee. As thy corruption may for ever plague, while thou liveſt, but the power of Chriſts Prayer wil out-live thy life, and the life of thy ſins, and ſet Heaven Gates open before thee.
USE, 2. Inſtruction.
The worſt condition of a beleever, is better than the beſt Eſtate of the wicked: The poverty of the Saints better than their wealth: The diſcouragement of the Saints better than al their contentments and comfort. Becauſe in al, the Lord Jeſus hath provided for their good, and out of al wil work their welfare and happineſs. A little that the righteous hath, is better than a great deal of the wicked, for God bleſſeth his ſtore. Though the Diet be but mean, yet the dreſſing is much, and the ſweetneſs of the ſauce makes it more pleaſant, and cordial, than better proviſion that wants both. Pſ. 37.16, 17. Gods love, that ſweetens al: and the vertue of our Saviors Prayer, that perfumes and gives a pleaſing relliſh to al. It turnes the Water of the Saints into wine, nay make their Water better than Wine. For thy Love is better than Wine.
But there is a Canker, that Breeds in the beſt comforts of the wicked; their table is their ſnare, their pro…perity their ruin, and a curſe accompanies the choiceſt of their moſt comfortable bleſſings. From hence it is, that holy Aſaph beares up his heart in that heavy temptation, when he was ſo much taken aſide by the proſperity of the wicked, that his Foot had wel-nigh ſlipt, he thus recovers himſelf, Thou wil lead me by thy counſel, and after bring me to Glory. Pſ. 73.24. Thou leaveſt them in their Errors, they have an eaſie way, but a wrong way, that wil lead them to confuſion. Pſ. 17.14, 15.
USE, 3. Of Direction.
Let the practiſe of our Savior be our DIRECTION How to ſteer our Courſe, to Sail by his compaſs: Be good Husbands and wiſely careful to lay in proviſion for every condition. The wiſe man ſends the Sluggard to the Piſmire: Go to the Piſmire thou Sluggard, learn her waies and be wiſe, ſhe prepares in ſummer, before the Winter; when there wil neither be means nor meat to be got, nor ſeaſon to get it. Be we ſo careful. In peace provide for war, in proſperity for want, in health for Sickneſs. This was Jobs care, When his Paths were Buttered and his Breaſts ran ful of Milk: he then Feared and expected. Lay in reverſion of Prayers for Children, as in that Fundamental Prayer of Solomon, he provides for every occaſion. If thy people ſhal be carried Captive, and in the Enemies Land, if Peſtilence &c. Then, what Prayer is made by thy people &c. So lay thou in reverſion of prayers for ſuch times and ſtreits.
Thus we have done with the general ſcope of the verſe, we come now to the particulars obſerved therein. And,
1. To the Parties deſcribed, foreign Thoſe whom thou haſt given me. Obſerve from hence this point. Viz,