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A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened…

Name: A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened…
Author: Thomas Hooker

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.A comment upon Christ's last prayer in the seventeenth of John wherein is opened the union beleevers have with God and Christ, and the glorious priviledges 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 Nye.

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¹Then shall the world know that the Father hath loved the Faithful as his Son, when they come to be perfected in Oneness with the Father and the Son.

1Point.

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These two the Apostle joins together also in his prayer. 2. Thess. 1.11, 12. Wherefore we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, And fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you: that is the first, that Christ may be acknowledged, as he that hath been sent for that work, and hath done it. Secondly, That ye might be glorified in him: according to the Grace of God, at a•d •u• Lord Jesus Christ.

These two the Apostle joynes together also in his prayer. 2. Thess. 1.11, 12. Wherefore we pray alwaies for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, And fulfil al the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you: that is the first, that Christ may be acknowledged, as he that hath been sent for that work, and hath done it. Secondly, That ye might be glorified in him: according to the Grace of God, at a•d •u• Lord Jesus Christ.

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Next under the Advancement of his own Name, the Lord provides, and the Apostle prays for the Advancement of his Servants. 'Matth. 13.41.43. when the Lord shall gather out of his Church, whatever doth offend, whatever persons that are wicked, and whatever things, even amongst the godly, that offend: Then shall the righteous s•ine as the Sun, in the Kingdom of my Father. They have been here under hatches, cooped, up in Du•g••ns, there they shall be in their Kingdom, and that in the Kingdom of their Father. Here they lie among the ports, all din••ed •e•co•ed with the shame and disgrace, that hath been cast upon them, as the scum of the world, and the scorn of Heaven and Earth. This is Zion whom to Man regarded. There they shall shine, and that as the Sun, which every man will see, because he cannot look of• the light of it, and will be dazzled with the beauty of it. This shall be do•e to the man, whom God hath now, and will then honour. They shall sit with the Lord Jesus in his throne, ⟨p. 185⟩and shall judg the twelve Tribes of Israel. The wicked when they shall see the Saints next unto Christ, and judging with Christ, they cannot but acknowledge, and that to the grief of Their hearts, that they be highly honoured, and dearly beloved like unto the Lord Jesus.

Next under the Advancement of his own Name, the Lord provides, and the Apostle praies for the Advancement of his Servants. 'Matth. 13.41.43. when the Lord shal gather out of his Church, whatever doth offend, whatever persons that are wicked, and whatever things, even a•o•gst the godly, that offend: Then shal the righteous s•ine as the Sun, in the Kingdom of my Father. They have been here unde hatches, cooped, up in Dugns, there they shal be in their Kingdom, and that in the Kingdom of their Father. Here they lie among the ports, al dined ecoed with the shame and disgrace, that hath been cast upon them, as the scum of the world, and the scorn of Heaven and Earth. This is Zion whom to Man regarded. There they shal shine, and that as the Sun, which every man wil see, because he cannot look of the light of it, and wil be dazelled with the beauty of it. This shal be doe to the man, whom God hath now, and wil then honor. They shal sit wich the Lord Jesus in his throne,

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That is the truth of the point, before we can come to the Reason, there must be two Questions answered which will give in the light of explication to the several branches of the Doctrine.

That is the truth of the point, before we can come to the Reason, there must be two Questions answered which wil give in the light of explication to the several branches of the Doctrine.

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Quest. 1. How wicked men, the world, can be truly said, to know the love of God to believers, which is so special a secret, that it is not (many times) made known to Gods own, for many years together: nay the Apostle professeth, it exceedeth knowledge. Eph. 3.19. At least, this new name writ upon the White-stone no man knows but he that hath it. And therefore this love seems to be beyond the reach of the world, too far off, for their blind Eyes to see: yea the Apostle professeth, they have not received the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God, that they might know the things, that are graciously given them of God: and is one, if not the chiefest of all those good things given, the surpassing indearedness of the Fathers affection to his. How then can the world, who have no other, but the Spirit of the world be able to know this?

Quest. 1. How wicked men, the world, can be truly said, to know the love of God to beleevers, which is so special a secret, that it is not (many times) made known to Gods own, for many years together: nay the Apostle professeth, it exceedeth knowledg. Eph. 3.19. At least, this new name writ upon the White-stone no man knows but he that hath it. And therefore this love seems to be beyond the reach of the world, too far off, for their blind Eyes to see: yea the Apostle professeth, they have not received the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God, that they might know the things, that are graciously given them of God: and is one, if not the cheifest of al those good things given, the surpassing indearedness of the Fathers affection to his. How then can the world, who have no other, but the Spirit of the world be able to know this?

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Answ. I answer three things, wherein the meaning of the places will be opened, and the weight of the Objection removed and taken away.

Answ. I answer three things, wherein the meaning of the places wil be opened, and the weight of the Objection removed and taken away.

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1. To discern and judg of the spiritualness of the work of any saving Grace, is wholly beyond the ability and reach of any natural man: much more unable is he to know Gods love therein, or to view the beauty and ⟨p. 185⟩surpassing sweetness thereof. These ways of Wisdom are too high for a Fool. He must have Gods Eye-salve, that must be able to see the things of Gods Grace in himself, much more in another. All sanctifying works are peculiar to the Saints.

1. To discern and judg of the spiritualness of the work of any saving Grace, is wholly beyond the ability and reach of any natural man: much more unable is he to know Gods love therein, or to view the beauty and ⟨p. 185⟩surpassing sweetness thereof. These waies of Wisedom are too high for a Fool. He must have Gods Eye-salve, that must be able to see the things of Gods Grace in himself, much more in another. All sanctifying works are peculiar to the Saints.

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There is sanctifying work in the understanding, to act it, and enable it to close with its object, as well, as any sanctifying work upon any of the other faculties: and this is proper to the Saints.

There is sanctifying work in the understanding, to act it, and inable it to close with its object, as well, as any sanctifying work upon any of the other faculties: and this is proper to the Saints.

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And the Scripture is plain and peremptory, the world knows not the Father nor Christ: Nor yet any that are begotten of Christ: and so neither the love of the Father conveyed by Christ unto any. 1 Joh. 3.2. Therefore the world knows us not, because it knows not him. And upon this ground it is, they are called, Gods hidden ones.

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Though the world and wicked men cannot discern, nor rightly understand what this love is, nor the spiritual Nature of it, which is done by a spiritual light; yet they may know, and then they shall-know, that God the Father hath and doth affect them with a most peculiar love, both glorious for the manner, and incomparable for the measure of it, even next unto the Lord Jesus: and this shall be discovered by the fruits of this love, and the amazing expressions of the riches of his mercy, which then shall appear upon the faithful, in their deliverance from so great evils which is wrought for them, the crowning of them, with that Excessive, Exceeding weight of glory, with which they shall stand possessed, and that unto the astonishment of the ungodly, and the torment of their Souls with envy and indignation thereat.

Though the world and wicked men cannot discern, nor rightly understand what this love is, nor the spiritual Nature of it, which is done by a spiritual light; yet they may know, and then they shal-know, that God the Father hath and doth affect them with a most peculiar love, both glorious for the manner, and incomparable for the measure of it, even next unto the Lord Jesus: and this shal be discovered by the fruits of this love, and the amazing expressions of the riches of his mercy, which then shal appeare upon the faithful, in their deliverance from so great evils which is wrought for them, the crowning of them, with that Excessive, Exceeding weight of glory, with which they shal stand possessed, and that unto the astonishment of the ungodly, and the torment of their Souls with envy and indignation thereat.

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No man knows the affection of a Father, or Husband, but those that are in that estate and condition: because its a secret of Nature, which is only to be seen in the impression of the work: yet that a Father loves his Son, above all other his dearest friends, and nearest acquaintance: ⟨p. 187⟩That the Husband tenders his Spouse with an endeared affection above all mortal creatures: This appears by the expressions of his respect, that all he hath, is at her command, all he can do, is wholly improved for her content and comfort, she lies in his Bosom, and his heart trusts, in her, which forceth all to confess, that the stream of his affection, like a mighty current, runs with full Tide and strength; Though what that affection is, he doth not know: yet this he knows, The choicest affection is there.

No man knows the affection of a Father, or Husband, but those that are in that estate and condition: because its a secret of Nature, which is only to be seen in the impression of the work: yet that a Father loves his Son, above al other his dearest friends, and neerest acquaintance: ⟨p. 187⟩That the Husband tenders his Spouse with an indeared affection above al mortal creatures: This appeares by the expressions of his respect, that all he hath, is at her command, al he can do, is wholly improved for her content and comfort, she lies in his Bosom, and his heart trusts, in her, which forceth al to confess, that the stream of his affection, like a mighty current, runs with ful Tide and strength; Though what that affection is, he doth not know: yet this he knows, The choicest affection is there.

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So it was with Haman, when the Question was by the King made, What shall be done to the Man, whom the King will Honour? He expressed his opinion, and was forced to put it also in practise. He then knew who was most deep and dear in the Kings Royal affection. Mal. 3.20. When God makes up his Jewels, then men shall discern betwixt him that serveth the Lord, and him that serveth him not, how ever happily before they were all shuffled up together, and then there was no differencing betwixt the most precious Jewel, and the most refuse Pebble.

So it was with Haman, when the Question was by the King made, What shal be done to the Man, whom the King will Honor? He expressed his opinion, and was forced to put it also in practise. He then knew who was most deep and dear in the Kings Royal affection. Mal. 3.20. When God makes up his Jewels, then men shal discern betwixt him that serveth the Lord, and him that serveth him not, how ever happily before they were al shuffled up together, and then there was no differencing betwixt the most precious Jewel, and the most reffuse Pebble.

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3. This knowledge in the full extent of it, as it is here to be attended, and that which is appropriated to that time in peculiar, it may be expressed in two particulars, if we would lay out the limits and bounds thereof.

3. This knowledg in the ful extent of it, as it is here to be attended, and that which is appropriated to that time in peculiar, it may be expressed in two particulars, if we would lay out the limits and bounds thereof.

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1. They shall then stand persuaded of the love of God to believers, by a settled and well grounded conviction, that cannot be removed: I say, settled conviction; because for a time or turn, for a present push and under pressure, they may freely yield, and confess, and profess as much. So many profane wretches, in the horror of their hearts, they have then honoured, then advance• the faithful as the most happy. Oh Blessed such, that ever they were Born, Balaam-like, Let my Soul die th• Death of the righteous, and my latter end be like his But this is but a pang. Now only settled conviction Seizeth upon the Souls of the worldly men,

1. They shal then stand perswaded of the love of God to beleevers, by a setled and wel grounded conviction, that cannot be removed: I say, setled conviction; because for a time or turn, for a present push and unde• pressure, they may freely yield, and confess, and profess as much. So many profane wretches, in the horro• of their hearts, they have then honored, then advance• the faithful as the most happy. Oh Blessed such, that ever they were Born, Balaam-like, Let my Soul die th• Death of the righteous, and my latter end be like his But this is but a pang. Now only setled conviction Seizeth upon the Souls of the worldly men,

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

1Then shall the world know that the Father hath loved the Faithful as his Son, when they come to be perfected in Oneness with the Father and the Son.

¹Then shall the world know that the Father hath loved the Faithful as his Son, when they come to be perfected in Oneness with the Father and the Son.