Exposition of John, Chapter 17 · Verse 13
Verſe 15. I pray not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the world, but that thou ſhouldeſt keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
In theſe verſes, 1. Chriſt repeats and explains the former petition, ſhewing (for their inſtruction) that he deſired not as yet they ſhould be freed from all danger and trouble, by taking them away out of the world by death, but that he would preſerve them in the midſt of troubles from the tentations and ſnares of their troubles, v 15. 2. He preſſeth and enforceth the petition, thus explained, upon the reaſon propounded, v. 14. taken from their condition oppoſite to the world, and conforme to him their Maſter, v. 16. Whence learn, 1. Chriſts followers have need to guard againſt miſtakes of what he ſaith, that they do not delude themſelves, nor let their own lu…ts put a commentary upon his doctrine; Therefore doth he explain his own meaning, not to informe his Father, but to prevent their miſtakes. 2. Such as are employed to ſpeak in publike for the edification of others, ought to make it their ſtudy to accommodate their ſpeech to the capacity of their hearers; As Chriſt here doth ſo ſpeak as may clearly explain his meaning unto them. 3. Chriſt hath more wayes then one whereby to ſecure his people againſt all they can meet with; As here he hath one way of preſervation, which he layeth by for a time, and another, which he pitcheth upon. 4. There is one fair outgate from all troubles abiding Saints, when by death they ſhall be tranſlated out of the world, and above the reach of all their difficulties; for, this is one outgate, though he will not make uſe of it, at this time, to take them out of the world. See Job. 3.17, 18, 19. Rev. 14.13. 5. Albeit death be very often deſired by Saints in their perplexities; Yet Chriſt ſeeth it meet rather to exerciſe them for a time, and fit them for proofes of his love, then to grant that deſire: And however we ought ſtill to have our eye upon our reſt, and make ready for it; Yet we are not anxiouſly to long after it, till his time come, nor to weary of life, eſpecially becauſe of any trouble, perſecution, or inconvenience we meet with in his ſervice; Therefore Chriſt, who loves his people better then they do love themſelves, will not pray for this, I pray not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the world. 6. …eleevers, while they are thus left by Chriſt in the world, are expoſed to manifold hazards, having not only outward troubles, but Satan and ſin taking advantage of their troubles, to drive them wrong; for, they are in this world, in the midſt of the evil, not ſo much of outward trouble, from which he will not alwaies preſerve them, but Satan the wicked one (as the word will read) and the evil and wickedneſſe to which they are expoſed in an evil world, and by the many preſſures they meet with. 7. Albeit Chriſt will not remove his people from theſe hazards, yet they are no way able to guard themſelves againſt them, but they muſt reſolve to have much to do, and very little, or rather nothing, in themſelves wherewith to do it; for, they muſt be keeped, or elſe they are undone. 8. When Chriſt ſeeth it not fit to remove his own out of the world, he will ſee to their preſervation in it; So as though they get now and then the foile, yet his interceſſion is a ſure pledge that they ſhall recover again; for, theſe two go together, I pray not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the world, but that thou ſhouldeſt keep them. 9. Chriſt doth abundantly teſtifie his care and diligence about his people, when albeit he doth not exempt them from troubles, and theſe it may be very ſharp, yet he keeps them from the evil thereof, or from ſpiritual hurt thereby; And when, albeit he doth not deliver them even from aſſaults, and tentations from that evil, yet he upholds them by ſufficient grace, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9, 10. for, herein doth his care appear, in praying that the Father ſhould keep them from the evil, 10. Albeit many, when they look upon Chriſts promiſes and allowances, and his interceſſion for his people, be ready to delude themſelves with vain hopes of that which Chriſt never allowed upon them; Yet they who are content with being preſerved from evil, however they be tempted and exerciſed, are no way deluded when they expect this from Chriſt; for, it is his expreſs will, when he explains himſelfe, that they ſhould be keeped from the evil. 11. It is frequently to be ſtudied by beleevers, that their ſeparation from the world, is an evidence of their conformity with Chriſt, and conſequently, that they are like to him, in enduring oppoſition from the world, becauſe thereof; Therefore is it again held out, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 12. Beleevers diſconformity with the world and conformity with Chriſt, is a ſure pledge that the Father will keep them from the evil of the world, and will not loſe theſe good things which grace hath begun in them; for, this is an Argument why he ſhould keep them from the evil, v. 15. They are not of the world, &c.