A44344:1437
A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened the union believers have with God and Christ, and the glorious privileges thereof ... / by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ... ; printed from the authors own papers written with his own hand, and attested to be such in an epistle by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nigh.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We here see the Reason, why many of the Faithful are at such a loss for the Knowledge of the Love, and Favour, and Acceptance of the Father. They seek not to Christ for this: and therefore they are not acquainted, ⟨p. 429⟩and informed. They take not the right way to come to the Speech of the Father, John, 14•6. I am the way: there is none that comes to the Father, nor can be acquainted with his mind, but by me.
We here see the Reason, why many of the Faithful are at such a loss for the Knowledg of the Love, and Favor, and Acceptance of the Father. They seek not to Christ for this: and therefore they are not acquainted, ⟨p. 429⟩and informed. They take not the right way to come to the Speech of the Father, John, 14•6. I am the way: there is none that comes to the Father, nor can be acquainted with his mind, but by me.
When our Saviour was checking Nicodemus for his ignorance, as not reaching the knowledge o• Mercy, he gives this as the reason, we repair not to him, who only can relieve, and reveal, John, 3.13. No man ascends up into Heaven, but the Son of Man, w•• is in Heaven.
When our Savior was checking Nicodemus for his ignorance, as not reaching the knowledg o• Mercy, he gives this as the reason, we repair not to him, who only can relieve, and reveal, John, 3.13. No man ascends up into Heaven, but the Son of Man, w•• is in Heaven.
So our Saviour did with Philip, when he so earnestly desired the knowledge of the Father; Show us the Father, and it shall suffice. So many perplexed ones; Show us the Face of a reconciled Father, and it's enough: they are to be checked, as he, John 14.9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me? He that hath •een me, hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
So our Savior did with Philip, when he so earnestly desired the knowledg of the Father; Shew us the Father, and it shall s•ffice. So many perplexed ones; Shew us the Face of a reconciled Father, and it's enough: they are to be checked, as he, John 14.9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me? He that hath •een me, hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
2. Hence we may discern the Cause how it comes to pass, That men of mean Place and Parts, shallow Compass and Conceivings, poor, and feeble Abilities, not able to see much in ordinary occasions; and yet so comforted, assured, persuaded of the Love of the Father. The reason in from hence: They are taught of Christ; he knows all, and he makes them know. As it was said, when they wondered at the Answers of the Disciples; They knew they had been with Jesus, Act. 4.13. He that hath intelligence daily from such, as have the Ear of the King, sit at Counsel-Table, he in the Bosom of his Majesty; if he have an express, and Intelligence, it's no wonder; because he understands the Mysteries of State, the mind of the King. So it is here, Christ lies in the Bosom of the Father, and Christ discloseth those bosom Expressions, and Affections of the Father.
2. Hence we may discern the Cause how it comes to pass, That men of mean Place and Parts, shallow Compass and Conceivings, poor, and feeble Abilities, not able to see much in ordinary occasions; and yet so comforted, assured, p•rswaded of the Love of the Father. The reason in from hence: They are taught of Christ; he knows all, and he makes them know. As it was said, when they wondred at the Answers of the Disciples; They knew they had been with Jesus, Act. 4.13. He that hath intelligence dayly from such, as have the Ear of the King, sit at Counsel-Table, he in the Bosom of his Majesty; if he have an express, and Intelligence, it's no wonder; because he understands the Mysteries of State, the mind of the King. So it is here, Christ lies in the Bosom of the Fa•her, and Christ discloseth those bosom Expressions, and Affections of the Father.
We have done with the First. The Second follows:
—And these have known that thou hast sent me.
Here is another Circumstance touching the Description of the Parties for whom our Saviour prays, which may yet further his Petition, that it may be of prevailing force with the Father, for the grant of his desire (to wit) That they may be where he is, and see his Glory.
Here is another Circumstance touching the Description of the Parties for whom our Savior praies, which may yet further his Petition, that it may be of prevailing force with the Father, for the grant of his desire (to wit) That they may be where he is, and see his Glory.
Had they indeed been the wicked of the World, who never knew the Father, nor himself, and therefore were never fit, nor able to see his Glory, or to take any satisfaction in it, or to return any Glory to the Father, or himself thereby: It had been bootless for him to have begged such a favour, and it had been impossible for them to receive any good by it, as having no interest therein, nor fitness for the enjoyment of such a Privilege.
Had they indeed been the wicked of the World, who never knew the Father, nor himself, and therefore were never fit, nor able to see his Glory, or to take any satisfaction in it, or to return any Glory to the Father, or himself thereby: It had been bootless for him to have begged such a favor, and it had been impossible for them to receive any good by it, as having no interest therein, nor fitness for the enjoyment of such a Priviledg.
But he prays, who knows him as a Son, knows his Father, yea, such a Son, such a Father, known by an Eternal Generation.
But he praies, who knows him as a Son, knows his Father, yea, such a Son, such a Father, known by an Eternal Generation.
And he prays for such, who know that the Father hath sent him; and therefore are well acquainted with him and the Father, and with the Embassy he comes of, and with that great Work which he had undertaken, and hath now discharged, and for which he shall have a Name, that at the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, both in Heaven and Earth. And therefore they who know what the Father hath purposed, and the Son hath performed, and that experimentally to their own good; They are the fittest to see it, and to celebrate the Name of the Father and Son for ever in Heaven.
And he praies for such, who know that the Father hath sent him; and therefore are wel acquainted with him and the Father, and with the Ambassage he comes of, and with that great Work which he had undertaken, and hath now discharged, and for which he shal have a Name, that at the Name of Jesus, every knee shal bow, both in Heaven and Earth. And therefore they who know what the Father hath purposed, and the Son hath performed, and that experimentally to their own good; They are the fittest to see it, and to celebrate the Name of the Father and Son for ever in Heaven.
These, all these, and none but these, have this Knowledge, as their privilege, and peculiar Favour appropriated to them: in which the World hath no Portion, nor yet shall ever be made Partakers of it.
These, all these, and none but these, have this Knowledg, as their priviledg, and peculiar Favor appropriated to them: in which the World hath no Portion, nor yet shal ever be made Partakers of it.
At the great Day, when all Flesh shall appear before God, and all his Saints gathered, and by Christ brought home to the Father, when he hath fully finished the Work, and done the Will of the Father: That as he now professeth, I came not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me: and this is the will of him that sent me, That of those that thou hast given me, I should lose none, but raise them up at the last day.
At the great Day, when al Flesh shal appear before God, and al his Saints gathered, and by Christ brought home to the Father, when he hath fully finished the Work, and done the Wil of the Father: That as he now professeth, I came not to do mine own wil, but the wil of him that sent me: and this is the wil of him that sent me, That of those that thou hast given me, I should lose none, but raise them up at the last day.
Then I say, when the Work is finished, and performed in the Eyes of the Ungodly, and he shall be admired in his Saints; not of them only, but admired in them, even by the Wicked, who shall be forced to admire that Power, and Love, and Mercy, which hath done such great things for such undeserving Creatures: and therefore shall see it, and be constrained to acknowledge the truth and reality of that great Work: what the Father purposed, and plotted from Eternity with the Lord Jesus; how out of infinite Love and. Faithfulness he was sent, and hath now accomplished it.
Then I say, when the Work is finished, and performed in the Eyes of the Ungodly, and he shall be admired in his Saints; not of them only, but admired in them, even by the Wicked, who shal be forced to admire that Power, and Love, and Mercy, which hath done such great things for such undeserving Creatures: and therefore shal see it, and be constrained to acknowledg the truth and reality of that great Work: what the Father purposed, and plotted from Eternity with the Lord Jesus; how out of infinite Love and. Faithfulness he was sent, and hath now accomplished it.
This they shall see, and be forced to know with grief and vexation of Spirit, that it is so: And for this also our Saviour prayed in the former Verse, That the World may know, that thou hast sent me.
This they shal see, and be forced to know with grief and vexation of Spirit, that it is so: And for this also our Savior prayed in the former Verse, That the World may know, that thou hast sent me.
But to find, and own this, in the reality of the Work of it; to tract the foot-steps of the unsearchable Wisdom, and Riches of Mercy in marking this good upon their Souls, in that miraculous, and my sterious manner ⟨p. 432⟩as he hath: this is peculiar to the Saints.
