Exposition of John, Chapter 17 · Verse 15
Verſe 18. As thou haſt ſent me into the world: even ſo have I alſo ſent them into the world.
The firſt Argument preſſing this petition, is taken from their emploiment and calling to be his Embaſſadours in the world, which preſſeth the neceſſity of their ſanctification. This their calling and Commiſſion is amplified from its ſimilitude and likeneſſe unto the Fathers ſending of him. Which (as all ſimilitudes have their own diſſimilitudes, and are not to be ſtrictly preſſed in every thing) is not to be extended to all the ends of Chriſts coming into the world, for he alone came to die for, and redeem his people; but only to his Miniſterial office of preaching the Goſpel; In which, albeit there was ſome reſemblance betwixt Ch…iſt and the Apoſtles, as to the matter of extraordinary calling and aſſiſtance, immediate direction, and great difficulties; yet there was alſo as great difference, both in reſpect of their perſons and authority, he being the Lord and true God, but they were men and ſervants: in reſpect of the manner of their furniture, he being furniſhed inwardly by the ſubſtantial in-dwelling of the Godhead, they by extrinſecal revelation and aſſiſtance; and, in reſpect of the meaſure of aſſiſtance, he being furniſhed without meaſure and conſtantly, and they only but in part, and when it pleaſed the Spirit to breath. Doct. 1. Chriſt is the great Apoſtle of our Profeſſion, ſent to us by the Father; ſo that we need not think ſhame of a Profeſſion which is owned by ſuch a one as he is; for, Thou haſt ſent me into the world. See Heb. 3.1. 2. Chriſt hath employed the Apoſtles, and their ſucceſſours in their own room, to be his Embaſſadours, and to ſupply his place as he was a Preacher of reconciliation; ſo that as they ought to ſtudy an imitation of him, 1 Cor. 11 1. ſo they ought to be received in their Miniſtry, as coming in Chriſts ſtead, 2 Cor. 5.20. Gal 4.14. Therefore, ſaith he. As thou haſt ſent me into the world, ſo have I alſo ſent them, as is before explained. 3. It doth commend the love of God, that he hath employed the Miniſtry of his Son and ſervants even in this corrupt world, that out of ſuch baſe materials he may build up an excellent Church and habitation to himſelf; and that he may encourage the moſt deſperate to come to him, who out of ſuch gathereth his precious jewels, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Tit. 3.2, 3.4. Therefore it is ſaid that both he and they are ſent into the world. 4. Beſide the obligations and neceſſitie which lie upon Miniſters, with all Saints, to be holy, Heb 12.14. their calling doth particularly call for ſanctification and ſeparation from the world, as neceſſary by divine precept, and for the well-being of the Miniſtry, that ſo they may ſtand in their Maſters counſel, and be kept near him, that their face may ſhine, and they may be more ſucceſſeful in their Miniſtry; for, this is a condition calling for the granting that ſuit that they ma… be ſanctified, even that they are ſent into the world. It is true, men may be lawful Miniſters, yea, and ſucceſſeful alſo in their Miniſtry, who are not ſanctified themſelves; for, even Judas was an Apoſtle. And Chriſt is here more expreſly praying for his eleven Apoſtles, who beſide that they were Apoſtles, were given to him alſo by the Father, in oppoſition to the world, and the ſon of perdition, who yet was an Apoſtle, v 9, 1…. yet his reaſoning in prayer doth lay before all Miniſters, how needful it is they be ſanctified, not only in order to their own ſalvation, but even that their labour may be more ſucceſſeful, and this his reaſoning doth plead for holineſſe to all Miniſters, (who employ him for that end) in their own meaſure; however the extraordinary emploiment of the Apoſtles did plead for an extraordinary meaſure of this ſanctification, that they might be kept from errour, being ſanctified through the truth, and made fruitful in their great work. 5. When God doth call his ſervants to any employment, his calling may aſſure them of furniture, and what they need for diſcharge of that calling: And particularly, Chriſt will have a ſpecial care to furniſh Church-officers ſent out by himſelf; for, this is the face of Chriſts pleading in prayer, which prevails with the Father, that ſince they are ſent into the world, therefore they may get ſanctification, Sanctifie them, v. 17. for, I have ſent them into the world. See John 20.21, 22.