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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.

:909p. 189

The hearts and minds of the World, be so perverted and surfeited with the sweetness of their own lusts, that they cannot judg of the fruits of Gods Love, though presented before them:

The hearts and minds of the World, be so perverted and surfeted with the sweetness of their own lusts, that they cannot judg of the fruits of Gods Love, though presented before them:

:910p. 189

Then it is no marvel that they do not know it, nor acknowledge it as dispensed to the Saints.

Then it is no marvel that they do not know it, nor acknowledg it as dispensed to the Saints.

:911p. 189

The Point now explicated, the Reasons which give in the Proof thereof, will appear more easy, and more undeniably plain.

The Point now explicated, the Reasons which give in the Proof thereof, will appear more easie, and more undeniably plain.

:912p. 189–190¶1

1. At the Day of Judgment, the World of the wicked, they come to have convicting Evidence, which can neither be gain-said, nor will ever be removed, what is a never failing proof of Gods Love, by the sense woeful Experience they have of Gods direful hatred and displeasure upon their own Souls. Their hearts now find it, and feel it; their Consciences confess it; their Judgments acknowledge it, that the Plague of all Plagues, the Curse of all Curses, that wherein the venom of Gods ⟨p. 190⟩Vengeance and infinite Indignation and hatred of the Lord from his Blessing and comforting presence, to be destroyed from the Presence of the Lord, and the Glory of his Power; the glorious and powerful expression of his saving Mercy. However formerly the soul while it was surfeiting in its sinful distempers, found no greater content, nor conceived any greater favour, than to have it full of its own lusts, and not to be crossed with the Counsel of the Lord; and concluded no other Heaven, nor happiness like the enjoying of their hearts delight, without check of God or Conscience. Yet now he sees the sweet and surfeits of those sins, become the greatest torment unto him, the very quintessence of the Curse, and the substance of the Sentence of Condemnation (Depart from me ye cursed) was the Commission thereof; I thought nothing so delightful, that I might without gainsaying depart from God by sinning: therein the execution of Gods Indignation doth wholly appear, to cast me out of his presence, and to stake me down in his departure, never to see his face, enjoy his presence, come within the smile of his Favour any more.

1. At the Day of Judgment, the World of the wicked, they come to have convicting Evidence, which can neither be gain-sayed, nor wil ever be removed, what is a never failing proof of Gods Love, by the sense woful Experience they have of Gods direful hatred and displeasure upon their own Souls. Their hearts now find it, and feel it; their Consciences confess it; their Judgments acknowledg it, that the Plague of al Plagues, the Curse of al Curses, that wherein the venom of Gods ⟨p. 190⟩Vengeance and infinite Indignation and hatred of the Lord from his Blessing and comforting presence, to be destroyed from the Presence of the Lord, and the Glory of his Power; the glorious and powerful expression of his saving Mercy. However formerly the soul while it was surfeting in its sinful distempers, found no greater content, nor conceived any greater favor, than to have it ful of its own lusts, and not to be crossed with the Counsel of the Lord; and concluded no other Heaven, nor happiness like the enjoying of their hearts delight, without check of God or Conscience. Yet now he sees the sweet and surfets of those sins, become the greatest torment unto him, the very quintessence of the Curse, and the substance of the Sentence of Condemnation (Depart from me ye cursed) was the Commission thereof; I thought nothing so delightful, that I might without gainsaying depart from God by sinning: therein the execution of Gods Indignation doth wholly appear, to cast me out of his presence, and to stake me down in his departure, never to see his face, enjoy his presence, come within the smile of his Favor any more.

:913p. 190

Therefore those who are brought so near to God, so accepted of him, Christ at the right hand of the Father, they at the right hand of Christ, being ever with him; what that Love is, we cannot tell, that is beyond our reach, yet it is a fruit of the greatest Love, we cannot but see and confess, our departure being the fearful fruit of Gods fierce displeasure. Thus Ecclesiasticus brings them in at the day of Judgment taking the shame to themselves, which formerly they cast upon the Saints. We Fools thought this mans life madness; but now he is advanced, and we cast out of Gods fight and presence for ever.

Therefore those who are brought so neer to God, so accepted of him, Christ at the right hand of the Father, they at the right hand of Christ, being ever with him; what that Love is, we cannot tel, that is beyond our reach, yet it is a fruit of the greatest Love, we cannot but see and confess, our departure being the fearful fruit of Gods fierce displeasure. Thus Ecclesiasticus brings them in at the day of Judgment taking the shame to themselves, which formerly they cast upon the Saints. We Fools thought this mans life madness; but now he is advanced, and we cast out of Gods fight and presence for ever.

:914p. 190–191¶2

2. They are fully convinced, and experimentally persuaded, that all this comes from Christ, and not from them; and from Christ as the Head of the Second Covenant: for from Adam it could not come, in whom they ⟨p. 191⟩had a like share, as all the Sons of Men, hewed out of the same Rock, and digged out of the same Pit, had the same Nature, as they; had as good Abilities, and as great means as they: and yet notwithstanding, they found infinitely beyond their power, nay, their own Apprehensions either to attain this, nay, it could not enter once into their thoughts, that they who knew not Christ, should receive him, they who opposed him, should become one Spiritually, and one Spirit with him, even as near as the Members to the Head: for so they now hear the Saints acknowledge it, it was the Son that died for them, that was sent from the living Father, that they might live through him. They now see the Son of God, the Lord Jesus stands betwixt them, and all their harms, that no Devils can accuse them, that no malice can charge them; but Christ says, I have undertaken, answered, satisfied, and they now come to be accepted, as he, advanced as he, set up on the Throne to judg as he, and to reign as he, through all Eternity.

2. They are fully convinced, and experimentally perswaded, that al this comes from Christ, and not from them; and from Christ as the Head of the Second Covenant: for from Adam it could not come, in whom they ⟨p. 191⟩had a like share, as al the Sons of Men, hewed out of the same Rock, and digged out of the same Pit, had the same Nature, as they; had as good Abilities, and as great means as they: and yet notwithstanding, they found infinitely beyond their power, nay, their own Apprehensions either to attain this, nay, it could not enter once into their thoughts, that they who knew not Christ, should receive him, they who opposed him, should become one Spiritually, and one Spirit with him, even as neer as the Members to the Head: for so they now hear the Saints acknowledg it, it was the Son that died for them, that was sent from the living Father, that they might live through him. They now see the Son of God, the Lord Jesus stands betwixt them, and al their harms, that no Devils can accuse them, that no malice can charge them; but Christ saies, I have undertaken, answered, satisfied, and they now come to be accepted, as he, advanced as he, set up on the Throne to judg as he, and to regin as he, through al Eternity.

:915p. 191

They who receive all this good from the Father through Christ, as the Head of the Covenant, for them, and in their behalf; and enjoy all next unto Christ: they are loved as the Lord Jesus Christ. O! we wretches hated them, when God loved them; contemned them, when God honoured them: we did not know them, and therefore woe unto us; we despised them, we looked at them, as the basest of all men, when they were more than men, yea, more excellent than the Angels, the Spouse of Christ, the Members of Christ, the Beloved of the Father in Christ, yea, beloved as Christ.

They who receive al this good from the Father through Christ, as the Head of the Covenant, for them, and in their behalf; and enjoy al next unto Christ: they are loved as the Lord Jesus Christ. O! we wretches hated them, when God loved them; contemned them, when God honored them: we did not know them, and therefore wo unto us; we despised them, we looked at them, as the basest of al men, when they were more than men, yea, more excellent than the Angels, the Spouse of Christ, the Members of Christ, the Beloved of the Father in Christ, yea, beloved as Christ.

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USE, 1.

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Hence we have matter of Patience for the Saints of God: they are the contempt of the wicked, the scorn of the World, the Object of the ignominy and reproach of ungodly men: But their Life is hid with Christ in ⟨p. 192⟩God, beyond their ken, their reach and reason; and no wonder they know nor them nor Christ, The God of this World hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts: no marvel, that what they cannot see, they cannot judg aright of, they know not the things of the God of Heaven, nor the work of his Grace, nor the worth of his Servants.

:918p. 192

The Saints are Princes, but they are not in their Country, they are in strange places, and amongst strange People, who do not know them, and therefore cannot honour them: and therefore they are content to bear it for the while, to stay till they come into their own Country, and to the day of Coronation. Says Paul, I pass not for mans day. This is mans day, but at that day, the day of Jesus, &c. The Lord Jesus hath here been under hatches, and the wicked have seemed to carry the day against him. This is your hour. But Christ will have his day, and then ye will have yours. As David encouraged himself in the simplicity of his heart; I shall be had in account of those Maid Servants. So here.

The Saints are Princes, but they are not in their Country, they are in strange places, and amongst strange People, who do not know them, and therefore cannot honor them: and therefore they are content to bear it for the while, to stay til they come into their own Countrey, and to the day of Coronation. Saies Paul, I pass not for mans day. This is mans day, but at that day, the day of Jesus, &c. The Lord Jesus hath here been under hatches, and the wicked have seemed to carry the day against him. This is your hour. But Christ wil have his day, and then ye will have yours. As David encouraged himself in the simplicity of his heart; I shall be had in account of those Maid Servants. So here.

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USE, 2. Of Exhortation.

:920p. 192–193

To persuade the Saints, that they should labour to know this Love, that so they may know their own honour and happiness. It's part of their Privilege, their Propriety, a note of Christs Sheep, They know me, and are known of me. If the Lord will have the wicked acknowledge thee, who only see it; how much more doth it concern them that have it? It they who are but Spectators, much more they who are the Possessors, and do enjoy the same: how would this support in all wants? It's but to diet and physic us, not to hurt us; it's out of Love: How would it sweeten all our Sorrows and Corrections, even the sharpest? It's out of love to purge us, and to fit us for himself; nay, solace our souls in Death? ⟨p. 193⟩it's out of Love, it's to take down our Bodies, not to destroy them; to take out of the World, because he loves us, to take us nearer to himself. How should this settle us, and establish us in all Change? There is an end of all things, and an end of all Perfections; but whom God loves, he loves to the end. He loved our Saviour, when he brought him to the Grave, that he might bring him to Glory: And so with us; when we are parted from all things, when we shall be separated one from another; Wife from the Husband, Child from the Father, nay, our Bodies separated from our Souls; so that they are not, or if they were, they cannot live: There is an end of all those Relations, no marrying in Heaven, no trading in Heaven; yet nothing shall be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ.

To perswade the Saints, that they should labor to know this Love, that so they may know their own honor and happiness. It's part of their Priviledg, their Propriety, a note of Christs Sheep, They know me, and are known of me. If the Lord wil have the wicked acknowledg thee, who only see it; how much more doth it concern them that have it? It they who are but Spectators, much more they who are the Possessors, and do enjoy the same: how would this support in al wants? It's but to diet and physick us, not to hurt us; it's out of Love: How would it sweeten al our Sorrows and Corrections, even the sharpest? It's out of love to purge us, and to fit us for himself; nay, solace our souls in Death? ⟨p. 193⟩it's out of Love, it's to take down our Bodies, not to destroy them; to take out of the World, because he loves us, to take us neerer to himself. How should this settle us, and establish us in al Change? There is an end of al things, and an end of al Perfections; but whom God loves, he loves to the end. He loved our Savior, when he brought him to the Grave, that he might bring him to Glory: And so with us; when we are parted from al things, when we shal be separated one from another; Wife from the Husband, Child from the Father, nay, our Bodies separated from our Souls; so that they are not, or if they were, they cannot live: There is an end of al those Relations, no marrying in Heaven, no trading in Heaven; yet nothing shal be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ.

:921p. 194

Verse 24. Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me, be with me, where I am; that they may behold my Glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World.

Verse 24. Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me, be with me, where I am; that they may behold my Glory, which thou hast given me: for thou loved'st me before the Foundation of the World.

:922p. 194

IN this Prayer of our Saviour, two things were especially attended. 1. He prayeth for himself, to verse 6. 2. The for his Children, from thence to the end. And that, Either especially for his Apostles, because the greatness of the Work now under their hand, their pressures and difficulties that would necessarily attend them therein, the large measure of Grace and Abilities that might suit them to so weighty and Spiritual employment, together with the need of more than an ordinary presence and assistance of the Lord, without which, they would not only be unfitted for a business of that worth, but wholly discouraged in it. Therefore the Lord Jesus lays in for a larger measure of Spiritual supply and relief for them in the first place, and here he is marvellous importunate, to verse 20.

IN this Prayer of our Savior, two things were especially attended. 1. He prayeth for himself, to verse 6. 2. The for his Children, from thence to the end. And that, Either especially for his Apostles, because the greatness of the Work now under their hand, their pressures and difficulties that would necessarily attend them therein, the large measure of Grace and Abilities that might suit them to so weighty and Spiritual employment, together with the need of more than an ordinary presence and assistance of the Lord, without which, they would not only be unfitted for a business of that worth, but wholly discouraged in it. Therefore the Lord Jesus laies in for a larger measure of Spiritual supply and relief for them in the first place, and here he is marvelous importunate, to verse 20.

:923p. 194–195

Or else for all the Faithful, that ever did, or for the future should believe in him unto the end of the World, whose case he commends from Verse 20. and the things ⟨p. 195⟩he begs, are partly such which might concern their Spiritual good in an especial manner in this Life; and because that was the Root and Treasury of all the rest of their good things, in which they were contained, and from whence they might be received, he propounds and pursues with much instancy of desire, That they might be one, as the Father and Son were one. Partly such as did concern their everlasting welfare in the world to come; and this our Saviour (as though he would carry them to Heaven, being presently to ascend himself) seeks to the Father for, here in the closure of his Prayer: that so nothing might be wanting, that either they did need, or could desire; but that they might be fully furnished with a sufficiency of supply, for whatsoever concerned either Grace or Glory; the present comfort of this, or the happiness of a better life.

Or else for al the Faithful, that ever did, or for the future should beleeve in him unto the end of the World, whose case he commends from Verse 20. and the things ⟨p. 195⟩he begs, are partly such which might concern their Spirittual good in an especial manner in this Life; and because that was the Root and Treasury of al the rest of their good things, in which they were contained, and from whence they might be received, he propounds and pursues with much instancy of desire, That they might be one, as the Father and Son were one. Partly such as did concern their everlasting welfare in the world to come; and this our Savior (as though he would carry them to Heaven, being presently to ascend himself) seeks to the Father for, here in the closure of his Prayer: that so nothing might be wanting, that either they did need, or could desire; but that they might be fully furnished with a sufficiency of supply, for whatsoever concerned either Grace or Glory; the present comfort of this, or the happiness of a better life.

:924p. 195

Thus the Lord lays in Provision, and that in a plentiful manner: 1. That which might fit them for their way and Voyage, while they are travelling towards their home. 2. That which might give them sweet welcome when they came at the end of their Hopes. Our Saviour is not satisfied until he see them in the Haven, safely arrived in Heaven with himself, beyond all the rage of Devils, and malice of Men, dangers of Sin, or the sorrows of the Grave, and Death.

Thus the Lord laies in Provision, and that in a plentiful manner: 1. That which might fit them for their way and Voyage, while they are travelling towards their home. 2. That which might give them sweet welcome when they came at the end of their Hopes. Our Savior is not satisfied until he see them in the Haven, safely arrived in Heaven with himself, beyond al the rage of Devils, and malice of Men, dangers of Sin, or the sorrows of the Grave, and Death.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

USE, 1.

USE, 2. Of Exhortation.