A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer, Table of contents
The Contents of Mr. Hooker's ſeventeenth Book, made in New-England.
JOHN, 17.20.
CHriſt's Prayer as a Mediator. Page 1
The excellency of that Prayer Page 2
The Parts of it
1 For himſelf, to verſe 6. ib.
2 For his Servants ibid.
DOCT. 1.
The firſt eſpecial ſcope of prayer, ſhould be for ſuch things as do more eſpecially concern us. ibid.
The Subjects of our Saviors prayer, are ſet forth two waies Page 3
1 From their Quality, They ſhal beleeve. Page 4
2 From a compariſon of equality, not only for the Apoſtles, but for all Page 4
For Explication; there is no difficulty in the words, but what is meant by their Word. ibid.
That is the Gospel which they preached ibid.
Their word oppoſed to two things ibid.
1 To the Law ibid.
2 To the Doctrines of men Page 5
DOCT. 2.
The word of the Gospel, is the only ordinary me… to work Faith. ibid.
Reaſ. 1. ibid.
Reaſ. 2. Page 7
Reaſ. 3. ibid.
Uſe 1. Of Terror. Page 8
Uſe 2. For Inſtruction, and Comfort. Page 9
Uſe 3. Examination Page 10
Uſe 4. Exhortation ibid.
DOCT. 3.
Saving Faith hath the Lord Jeſus for its Object. Page 11
The Second thing is, The Compariſon of equality ibid.
DOCT. 4.
The Interceding prayer, or Interceſsion of our Savior, doth alike reſpect all. Page 12
Chriſts Interceſſion was intended for al Beleevers alike. ib. Three things opened
1 The Nature, and manner of Chriſts Interceſſion Page 13
2 The works and vertue of it.
3 The Reaſons of the Point. ibid.
Queſt. What are thoſe spiritual affairs of ours? Page 14.
Anſw. They appear in three Particulars ibid.
The Reaſons are three. Page 16
1 Becauſe Chriſt indifferently undertook to be our Mediator ibid.
2 Becauſe it is common to all alike 17
3 Becauſe it is neceſſary to all alike ibid.
Uſe 1. For Inſtruction ibid.
Uſe 2. For Direction Page 19
Uſe 3. Conſolation ibid.
Uſe 4. Terror. Page 20
Uſe 5. Exhortation to Beleevers Page 21
DOCT. 5.
Chriſt hath eſpecial care of ſuch as ſhal be Beleevers even in the worſt condition of their Unbelief. Page 22
See this made good in ſome particulars,
1. In the ſeveral degrees of it.
2. The Reaſon.
3. The Ʋſe. Page 23
The vertue of Chriſts prayer appears in five particulars. ibid.
The Reaſons are three
1 From the ſoveraignty of Gods will Page 28
2 From the Riches of Gods mercy in Chriſt ibid
3 It is the ſcope alſo of Chriſts coming ibid.
Uſe 1. Of Inſtruction Page 29
Uſe 2. Matter of admiration. Page 31
Chriſt's Prayer for Beleevers.
Ver. 21: That they all may be one, &c. page 35
The Exordium ibid.
The things Chriſt praies for, referred to two Heads page 36
1 Concerning their ſpiritual welfare here ibid.
2 For the top of their Glory in another World ibid.
That which Chriſt begs for, is that they may be all one Page 37
This is, firſt propounded Secondly, amplified by four ſeveral Circumſtances ibid.
DOCT.
The chief priviledg of the Saints, is from Chriſts prayer, that they may be all one Page 38
Enquiry
1 Of what kind of Ʋnity our Savior ſpeaks ibid.
2 What that Ʋnity is ibid.
Anſw.
1. Negatively
2. Affirmatively
Ʋnity of Love is not the chief aim of the Text, proved negatively by two Reaſons. Page 39, 40
2 Affirmatively Here is meant the unity of that spiritual Relation, which they have to Chriſt, and in him to God. ibid.
Two things to be unfolded to ſhew wherein this Ʋnity conſiſts Page 41
1 How the Son is one with the Father ibid.
2 How the Saints muſt be one in them ibid.
Four ſhort Concluſions to expreſs them by Page 41, 42, 43.
The Sum of all that hath been ſaid Page 44
The Reaſons
Reaſ. 1. Our Ʋnion with God the Father, was the next end intended by Chriſt in the great work of Redemption. Page 45, 46.
Reaſ. 2. This work being ſavingly made good upon the ſoul, makes way for the enlarged expreſſion of the fruits of Holineſs. Page 49
Uſe 1. Of Inſtruction Page 50
Uſe 2. Of Comfort Page 51
Uſe 3. Of Exhortation Page 54
Verſ. 21. — That the world may beleeve that thou haſt ſent me. Page 56
The words opened ibid.
Two particulars in the words Page 57
1 Chriſt is ſent by God the Father ibid.
2 God will have this beleeved by the Ʋngodly ibid.
Three things to open the phraſe 58
1 What the weight of the phraſe carrieth ibid.
2 In what regard our Savior is ſaid to be ſent ibid.
3 Wherein this ſending lies ibid.
Uſe 1. Matter of wonderment Page 64
Uſe 2. For Comfort Page 65
Uſe 3. For Direction ibid.
Three things to be done. Page 66
For Explication enquire
1 What is meant by the world. Page 67
2 How they are ſaid to beleeve ibid.
3 What they beleeve in the ſending of Chriſt ibid.
Wicked men are called the World, from three things
1 Becauſe the god of this world ruleth in them ibid.
2 They are acted by the ſpirit of the world Page 68
3 They take contentment in the things of the world ibid.
Uſe. To diſcover our own condition Page 69
Queſt. What is this Faith? Page 72
Anſw. It includes two things mainly ibid.
1 It is a humane faith that grows from force of argument ibid.
2 The evidence of this truth carrieth a control with it. ib.
Queſt. 3. What the World ſhal thus beleeve concerning Chriſts ſending Page 73
Anſw. Our Savior looks at three things ibid.
Three Reaſons of this Page 74
Uſe, Of Exhortation. Page 76
Verſe 22. And the glory which thou haſt given me, I have given them, &c. Page 77
Three things to be attended here
1 What it is our Savior hath received ibid.
2 What it is he doth communicate ibid.
3 The End why ibid.
Two words opened touching the former ibid.
1 What is meant by Glory.
2 How Chriſt is ſaid to receive it ibid.
1 Glory ſignifies Gods incommunicable propertie Page 78
2 Glory is taken for Grace ib. Hence we learn
1 How to judg of true Glory Page 79
2 We ſee the way to walk, if we deſire to be glorious Page 80
Queſt. 2. How our Savior receives this Page 82
Anſw. As man, by gift ibid
1 It is given by Grace of perſonal Ʋnion ibid.
2 It is given by way of Covenant Page 83
1 Our Savior received all moſt glorious Grace in a moſt eminent manner. Page 84
2 He hath it out of meaſure. ibid.
3 Without alteration Page 85
Uſe 1. Of Examination Page 86
Uſe 2. Of Comfort to the Saints Page 87
Uſe 3. For Direction ibid.
II. What Chriſt gives to the Saints. ibid.
1 The Saints ſhare in a like glorious Grace. ibid.
2 They have it by gift from our Savior ibid.
The firſt Truth made good by four Particulars Page 88
1 This Grace is inward and ſpiritual ibid.
2 This impreſſion of Grace is univerſal ibid.
3 They partake of all perfections of theſe kinds Page 90
4 They ſhare in the immutability of Grace ibid.
2. They receive this by Gift Page 91
For the Saints in Adam forfeited
1 This Glory ibid.
2 They have nothing of worth to purchaſe it. Page 91
3 They cannnot receive it otherwiſe than by gift Page 92
Object. Our Savior is bound to do this by Covenant. ibid.
Anſw. affirmatively: He is ſo bound ibid.
Queſt. Put why did the Lord ſo engage himſelf? ibid.
Anſw. Of his free Grace ibid.
The Reaſons of both Particulars together. ibid.
1 Taken from the proportion between the firſt and ſecond Adam Page 93
2 Chriſts Humane Nature received this Grace for that end ibid.
Uſe. This gives heavy evidence againſt wicked men Page 94
1 Againſt all Hypocrites Page 95
2 Againſt thoſe that pleaſe themſelves with the apprehenſion of ſome Grace Page 96
Uſe 2. Of Inſtruction ibid.
Uſe 3. Matter of Thankfulneſs Page 97
Uſe 4. Exhortation ibid. The way lies to Chriſt in four things ibid.
DOCT.
The End why the Saints receive all glorious Grace from Chriſt, is this, That they may be one, as the Father and Son are one Page 99
Two Queſtions anſwered. Page 99, 100
For the opening, do three things Page 102
1 Recal what this oneneſs is. ibid.
2 How this oneneſs, and glorious Grace differ ibid.
3 The Reaſons of the Point. ibid.
The choiceſt of all Graces ought in special manner to be improved Page 105, 106
Uſe 1. Of Reprehenſion Page 107
Uſe 2. Matter of great Comfort ibid.
Verſe 23. I in them, and thou in me, &c. 109
The words opened ibid.
DOCT.
Chriſt in ſpecial manner by his spiritual Preſence, is in the Faithful Page 111
Three things here opened.
1 In what respect Chriſt is ſaid to be in his Page 111
2 What kind of preſence this is ibid.
3 After what manner communicated ibid.
Uſe 1. Caution to all, especially to the wicked Page 117
Uſe 2. To deſire the fellowſhip of the Faithful Page 118
Uſe 3. Tryal of our ſelves. ib.
Uſe 4. Shews the excellency of the Saints, in their meaneſt condition Page 122
Uſe 5. Matter of Comfort. Page 124
Uſe 6. Of Humiliation Page 125
Uſe 7. Of Admiration Page 126
Uſe 8. Of Exhortation ibid.
1 To be affected with the preſence of ſuch a Gueſt ibid.
2 To entertain him ſuitably Page 127
This is performed in four things ibid.
Thou in me.
1 The Father is in the Son. Page 129
2 The ſubſiſtance of the Father in the Son, is the original whence the Saints come to be one with the Son, and the Father ibid.
The Nature of this, is opened in three things Page 130
1 The ground whence this Inbeing proceeds ibid.
2 The ready way to apprehend the Nature of it rightly ib.
3 How it may be attended in our Savior, as God and Man ibid.
The firſt expreſſed in two Concluſions ibid.
The ſecond made good in four Particulars Page 131
Three things for Explication of the third Page 134
This manner of exiſting appears in the Humane Nature in a three-fold regard, Viz. Of
Ʋnion.
Miſſion.
Operation. ib.
The In-being of the Father in the Son, is the firſt riſe whence the Ʋnity of the faithful with the Father and the Son, is perfected. Page 137
The Doctrine opened ibid.
1 Recal what this oneneſs is. Page 139
2 How it's perfected ibid.
This Imperfection lies in three things Page 140
1 In the unſoundneſs of our ſpirit ibid.
2 Croſsneſs to the power of the Spirit Page 141
3 When the ſoul will joyn anything with Chriſt Page 142
Uſe 1. For Comfort Page 143
Uſe 2. For Exhortation Page 144
Ver. 23. That the world may know that thou haſt ſent me, and loved them, as thou loveſt me. Page 145
The words contain a double end of this Dispenſation. ib.
1 That the world may know thou loveſt me ibid.
2 That thou loveſt them as thou loveſt me ibid.
Three Particulars to open. Page 146
The firſt opened, as chiefly intended Page 147
That paſſage of John, 3.35. The Father loveth the Son, is,
1 Opened.
2 The Reaſons given
3 The Ʋſes propounded ibid.
Chriſts Love ſhews it ſelf in three Particulars ibid.
Reaſons upon which Love grows, are three Page 151
1 Neerneſs.
2 Likeneſt.
3 Suitableneſs of worth. ibid.
Uſe 1. Of Reprehenſion Page 152
Uſe 2. Of Tryal Page 154
Uſe 3. Of Exhortation Page 155
DOCT.
God the Father loveth the Faithful, as he loveth Jeſus Chriſt. Page 156
Two things opened Page 158
1 Wherein the love of the Father to the Saints, ſhews it ſelf ibid.
2 That it is like to that wherewith he loved his Son ibid.
The firſt appears by three things ibid.
1 Love of Ʋnion
2 Complacence
3 Benevolence ibid.
Queſt. o… 2 Theſ. 1.12.
Is there any Name higher than the Name of Chriſt Page 163
Anſwered by expounding the place ibid.
Uſe 1. Comfort to the Saints, becauſe God loves them. Page 164
Uſe 2. Terror to thoſe that hate them ibid.
Uſe 3. They are worthy our Love Page 165
The Father loves the Saints, as he loves his Son, proved in each particular ibid.
I. Inſtruction.
The ſins of the faithful, are more grievous to God, than the ſins of other perſons Page 170
Inſtance in two Evils, unto which the Saints are uſually ſubject Page 172
1 To queſtion Gods love ibid.
2 To undervalue it ibid.
Object. Though God loves me, yet my grounds are weak Page 174
Anſw. Gods love is above all Graces thou canſt deſire. ib.
2. Inſtruction.
Gods love to the Sainrs, is unchangeable Page 176
Uſe. Study to anſwer Gods love in manner and meaſure Page 178
That the world may know thou haſt loved them, as thou lovſt me. Page 180
A double end mentioned by our Savior ibid.
The firſt End ibid.
Two things noted from hence Page 181
1 It is lawful to pray often for the ſame thing ibid.
2 We ought to pray earneſtly that the power of our Savior might be expreſſed Page 182
The Second End Page 183
Two Points in the words ib.
Queſt. 1.
How wicked men can be truly ſaid to know the love of God to Beleevers; which is a thing ſo ſecret, that is not oftentimes made known to the Saints themſelves Page 185
Anſw. three-fold ibid.
Queſt. 2.
Why do not the world know this in this life? Page 188
Anſw. For a two-fold Reaſon ibid.
Uſe, 1. Of Patience Page 191
Uſe, 2. Of Exhortation Page 192
Verſe 24. Father, I wil that thoſe whom thou haſt given me, be with me, &c. Page 194
Two things especially attended in this Prayer ibid.
We may attend four things in this Prayer Page 195
The General Obſervation.
It's the care of our Savior to ſeek for the welfare of his ſervants. Page 197
Uſe, 1. For Conſolation Page 201
Uſe, 2. For Inſtruction Page 203
Uſe, 3. For Direction Page 204
The particular Scope Page 205
DOCT.
All Beleevers are given to Chriſt, by God the Father. Page 205
Two Queſtions for Explication of this Doctrine, anſwered Page 206
Reaſon 1. ibid.
Reaſon 2. Page 211
Uſe, 1. For Information Page 213
The ſecond Particular Page 214
Three Points obſerved eſpecially in it ibid.
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 221
Uſe, 2. Of Aſſurance Page 222
Uſe, 3. To make us willing to die Page 323
Uſe, 4. To ſee the hainouſneſs of rebellion againſt Chriſt in Glory Page 324
The words opened in four particulars Page 325
Uſe, 1. Of Terror Page 332
Uſe 2. For Direction Page 333
Uſe, 3. For Comfort Page 334
The particulars of it.
1 It cures all fears Page 335
2 Supplies al wants
3 Reſcues from Enemies
4 Removes guilt of ſin
5 Strengthens all Graces
6 Quickens all Duties
7 Gives Eternal Life
All proved ſeverally.
Uſe, 4. For Inſtruction Page 342
The eternal Glory of Chriſt, is a gift of the eternal love of the Father Page 344
Two things opened
1 What is meant by this love Page 345
2 How this love is the cauſe of Glory ibid.
Reaſon 1 Page 348
Uſe, 1. For Tryal Page 350
Uſe, 2. For Comfort Page 353
Uſe, 3. Of Direction ibid.
Doctrine from the Second Particular
Our Savior doth deſire to have the faithful in Heaven with himſelf. Page 354
Three Reaſons Page 356
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 358
Uſe, 2. Of Reprehenſion Page 359
Uſe, 3. Of spiritual Comfort Page 360
Uſe, 4. Of Exhortation Page 362
1 What hinders Page 363
2 What helps this Ʋnion. Hindrances are three ib.
Helps are three Page 364
The third Particular is, That they might ſee his Glory. Page 365
DOCT.
The happineſs of our being in Heaven to ſee Chriſts Glory Page 366
Three things to be enquired
1 What this Glory is Page 368
2 What it is to ſee it ibid.
3 How the ſight of this glory brings happineſs ibid.
For the ſecond Enquiry, conſider
1 What his beholding implies Page 370
2 The manner how it is done ibid.
This manner appears in three things Page 371
To the third Particular, a double Reaſon propounded Page 376
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 379
Uſe, 2. To Examine Page 380
Uſe, 3. Of Direction Page 381 Means are three ibid.
Verſe 25, 26. The Verſe contains the cloſe of our Saviors Prayer Page 383.
1 A deſcription of the Perſon to whom be praies Page 384
2 The Prayer it ſelf, wherein are four Particulars ibid.
Two Points conſiderable
1 We muſt look unto Gods excellency, whence we may receive what we pray for Page 388
2 God in faithfulneſs dispenſeth his fatherly Love to us Page 390
Two things opened
1 Wherein Gods faithfulneſs conſiſts ibid.
2 The reaſon why be thus dispenſeth his love ibid.
Uſe, 1. For Inſtruction Page 392
Uſe, 2. Conſolation Page 393
Uſe, 3. Reproof Page 394
II. The Prayer it ſelf Page 395
DOCT.
The wicked know not the Fatherly love of God Page 396
Obj. Learned men that have ſtudied this point, may be ignorant of it Page 397
Anſw. four waies Page 398
The Sum of all in brief Page 399
Reaſ. 1. Gods ſecrets muſt be diſcerned by Gods Spirit Page 402
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 404
Uſe, 2. Of Terror Page 405
Object. I hope I have ſomwhat more than the world Page 407
Anſw. By the way to try it ib.
DOCT.
The diſpoſition of our Savior, and the Saints towards God, is wholly croſs to the world Page 408
Three Reaſons Page 409
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 413
Uſe, 2. Examination Page 416
O righteous Father, &c. Page 418
The words opened ibid.
DOCT.
The Lord Chriſt hath the knowledge of the Father in a peculiar manner Page 420
Three things opened
1 How Chriſt as ſecond Perſon is ſaid to know the Father Page 422
2 How man comes to ſhare in this kn…wledg ibid.
3 The Reaſon of it ibid.
DOCT.
The Saints have a ſpecial knowledg, that the Lord Chriſt is ſent of God the Father for their ſalvation Page 431
Three things open'd
1 How Chriſt is ſaid to be ſent of the Father Page 432
2 For what he is ſent ibid.
3 How the Saints know this in special manner ibid.
Propoſitions to make way for the firſt thing Page 433
The ſecond thing Page 439
Uſe, 1. Matter of Admiration Page 440
Uſe, 2. Comfort Page 441
The third thing to be enquired of two waies Page 442
1 Wherein the specialty of this knowledge conſiſts ibid.
2 How it comes to be communicated to the Saints ibid.
1 The specialty of knowledg conſiſts in four things ib.
Queſt. Is this the condition of all the Saints? Page 450
Anſw. affirmatively: for the matter, but not for the manner and meaſure ibid.
Object. We ſee by experience, that may of Gods own are ignorant here ibid.
Anſw. They know in part, or know by reflection ibid.
Two Reaſons of the Point ib.
Uſe, 1. Of Thankfulneſs Page 451
Uſe, 2. Of Examination Page 452
Ver 26 I have made known thy Name &c. Page 454
Two things to be here attended
1 Our Saviors Work Page 455
2 His Engagement ibid.
Doct. To make known the name of the Father to an humbled ſoul, is our Saviors peculiar work ibid.
Three things opened
1 What this Name is Page 456
2 What it is make it known
3 why this is properly given to our Savior ibid.
Doct. Chriſt extends the ſame care at al times to al his ſervants Page 4…5
Reaſon Page 466
Uſe, 1. Of Inſtruction Page 467
Uſe, 2. Of Comfort Page 468
Uſe, 3. Direction Page 470
Uſe, 4. Exhortation Page 472
Two Points of Doctrine
Doct. 1. There is much wanting in the ful knowledg &c. Page 476
Two things to be enquired
1 In what this want appears
2 The Reaſons why Page 478
Uſe 1 Inſtruction Page 482
Uſe 2 Direction Page 485
Doct. 2. The Lord lends dayly Directions, &c. Page 486 Attend two things
1 The Meaſure ibid.
2 The Manner. ibid.
Many Collections hence
Col. 1 The beſt Saints here, live on dayly dependance on theſe things Page 489
Col. 2 Chriſt can cloud al our knowledg Page 492
Col. 3 The faithful muſt encreaſe in knowledg Page 494
Col. 4 Chriſt is the way to lead us to the Father Page 496
Col. 5 Matter of abaſement of heart ibid.
Col 6 Ground of thankfulneſs Page 497
Col. 7 Ground of Comfort Page 498
Uſe. Exhortation Page 500
The Cloſe of Chriſts Prayer,
That the Love wherewith thou haſt loved me, &c. Page 501
For underſtanding of which words, obſerve four things.
1 How the Father loves Chriſt ibid.
2 How that love is ſaid to be in them ibid.
3 The means how ibid.
4 The time when we ſhall know this ibid.
Three Points of Doctrine,
Doct. 1. It is Chriſts deſire, that the deareſt of Gods love, &c. Page 511
Uſe, 1 Reprehenſion Page 517
Uſe, 2 Inſtruction Page 518
Doct. 2. Our union and communion with God in Chriſt, is the top of our happineſs in Heaven Page 521
Two things opened
1 What this haypineſs of Heaven is Page 522
2 How this is the top of it ibid.
Uſe, 1 Matter of Admiration Page 530
Uſe, 2 Examination Page 531