The Fountain of Life Opened

A Third Argument. And yet to make all fast and sure he adds in the beginning of this, vers. 11. a third Argument in these words, And now I am no more in the world. Where we must consider the sense of it as a proposition, and the force of it is an argument. This proposition I am no more in the world, is not to be taken simply and universally as if in no sense Christ should be any more in this world; but only respectively as to his corporal presence, this was in a little time to be removed from his people, which had been a sweet spring of comfort to them in all their troubles. But now it might have been said to the pensive disciples, as the sons of the Prophets said to Elisha a little before Elijah's translation; know ye not that your Master shall be taken from your heads to day? This comfortable enjoyment must be taken from them: this is the sense. And here lies the Argument; Father, consider the sadness and trouble I shall leave my poor Children under. Whilst I was with them, it was a sweet relief to their souls, whatever troubles they met with. In all doubts, fears and dangers, they could repair to me. In all their straights and wants I still supplied them. They had my counsels to direct them, my reproofs to reduce them, my comfort to support them; yea, the very sight of me was an unspeakable joy and refreshment to their souls: but now the hour is come, and I must be gone. All the comfort and benefit they had from my presence among them is now cut off. And except thou do make up all this to them another way; what will become of these children, when their Father is gone? What will be the case of the poor Sheep, and tender Lambs, when the Shepherd is smitten? Therefore (O my Father) look thou after them. See to them, for they are thine, as well as mine, I am glorified in them, and now leaving them, and removing out of this world from them.

A Third Argument. And yet to make all fast and sure he adds in the beginning of this, vers. 11. a third Argument in these words, And now I am no more in the world. Where we must consider the sense of it as a proposition, and the force of it is an argument. This proposition I am no more in the world, is not to be taken simply and universally as if in no sense Christ should be any more in this world; but only respectively as to his corporal presence, this was in a little time to be removed from his people, which had been a sweet spring of comfort to them in all their troubles. But now it might have been said to the pensive disciples, as the sons of the Prophets said to Elisha a little before Eliahs translation; know ye not that your Master shall be taken from your heads to day? This comfortable enjoyment must be taken from them: this is the sense. And here lies the Argument; Father, consider the sadness and trouble I shall leave my poor Children under. Whilst I was with them, it was a sweet relief to their souls, whatever troubles they met with. In all doubts, fears and dangers, they could repair to me. In all their straights and wants I still supplied them. They had my counsels to direct them, my reproofs to reduce them, my comfort to support them; yea, the very sight of me was an unspeakable joy and refreshment to their souls: but now the hour is come, and I must be gone. All the comfort and benefit they had from my presence among them is now cut off. And except thou do make up all this to them another way; what will become of these children, when their Father is gone? What will be the case of the poor Sheep, and tender Lambs, when the Shepherd is smitten? Therefore (O my Father) look thou after them. See to them, for they are thine, as well as mine, I am glorified in them, and now leaving them, and removing out of this world from them.