CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Lastly, When Christ saith, Hitherto I have kept them in thy Name, attributing the power of keeping them to the Father, it is not as if he were not also God, but he speaks here as Mediator, as in the form of a servant, and an Ambassador doing all things in the Fathers Name. Hence in other places he saith, it's not his doctrine, but his Fathers; and so he seeketh not his own glory, but the Fathers. Thus much for explication. Whereas then our Saviour for a while was in a corporal, sensible manner with them, providing for them and protecting of them, but at last is to leave them to greater hardship, and stronger temptations, Observe,

Lastly, When Christ saith, Hitherto I have kept them in thy Name, attributing the power of keeping them to the Father, it is not as if he were not also God, but he speaks here as Mediatour, as in the form of a servant, and an Embassadour doing all things in the Fathers Name. Hence in other places he saith, it's not his doctrine, but his Fathers; and so he seeketh not his own glory, but the Fathers. Thus much for explication. Whereas then our Saviour for a while was in a corporall, sensible manner with them, providing for them and protecting of them, but at last is to leave them to greater hardship, and stronger temptations, Observe,

¹That though God may afford his people for a while many comfortable and sensible supports, yet they must not look to enjoy them always. As the child must not think always to hang on the breast, or to be dandled on the knee, so neither must Gods children always think to have comforts, mercies, and whatsoever their souls desire, but they must expect changes and several trials. Hence the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 4.12. they are not to think any fiery trial strange. The godly are to be prepared in the midst of their mercies, that if God on a sudden raise the clean contrary, this should not seem a new or an hard thing to them. John 21.18. Christ tells Peter, when he was young, he went whither he would, but in his old age, another should girt him and carry him whither he would not: In his younger years he had liberty and freedom, but in his old age he should meet with bonds and imprisonments. Thus God saith to many, in thy younger years thou hadst health, comforts, but afterwards thou shalt have diseases, pains,