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

Therefore others by faith do not understand saving, but an historical faith, and by the world do understand reprobates, for even such by the preaching of the Word, and other demonstrations are many times so far convinced, as to believe the Christian Doctrine: Therefore (they say) Christ doth not here pray for the world of reprobates, only this is a consequent of believers amongst themselves.

Therefore others by faith do not understand saving, but an historicall faith, and by the world do understand reprobates, for even such by the preaching of the Word, and other demonstrations are many times so farre convinced, as to believe the Christian Doctrine: Therefore (they say) Christ doth not here pray for the world of reprobates, only this is a consequent of believers amongst themselves.

But I rather with Calvin, take the world here for mankind, in a negative and indefinite sense; First, Negative, for such as do not believe yet, and then Indefinitely of those who do believe. Some do truly and savingly believe; others, but for a season only. The sum then of this speech amounts to this, Christ therefore prayeth, that believers may be united amongst themselves, because hereby a wide door is opened for the progress of the Gospel. Hereby the world may be persuaded, that Christ was the true Messiah, because ⟨p. 591⟩he had brought such true peace amongst his Disciples. From whence observe,

But I rather with Calvin, take the world here for mankinde, in a negative and indefinite sense; First, Negative, for such as do not believe yet, and then Indefinitely of those who do believe. Some do truly and savingly believe; others, but for a season onely. The summe then of this speech amounts to this, Christ therefore prayeth, that believers may be united amongst themselves, because hereby a wide door is opened for the progresse of the Gospel. Hereby the world may be perswaded, that Christ was the true Messias, because ⟨p. 591⟩