BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM.-Rom. v. 9. Mt. xxvi. 28. which is shed, &c.-Signifying to pour out or sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices before the altar of the Lord by way of atonement-see 2 Ki. xvi. 15; Le. iv. 7, 14, .7, 30, .4; viii. 15; ix. 9; Ex. xxix. 12. many - Blood was spoken of by the sacred writers as representing life itself, or as containing the elements of life, Ge. ix. 4; Le. xvii. 14-When, therefore, Jesus says his blood was shed for many, it is the same as saying that his life was given for many-His life was given for sinners as their substitute-By his death on the cross, the death or punishment due to all believers is, through faith, removed, and their souls are saved-That he died in the stead or place of sinners, is abundantly clear from the following passages of scripture: Jno. i. 29; Eph. v. 2; He. vii. 27; 1 Jno. ii. 2; iv. 10; Is. liii. 10; Rom. viii. 32; 2 Co. v. 15-For the use and meaning of the phrase, remission of sins, see Lu. i. 77. § 3, p. 18; Mk. i. 4, [Lu. iii. 3,] § 7, p. 50; Ac. ii. 38; v. 31; x. 43; xiii. 38; xxvi. 18; Col. i. 14; He. x. 18.-A. C. shed for many-He 'gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,' 1 Ti. ii. 6. remission of sins-Such was the promise of the new covenant, Je. xxxi. 34. 1 Co. xi. 25. this do ye, as oft as ye drink, &c.The Corinthians, in each seeking his own gratification, and in neglecting to attend first to the wants of others, did not worthily partake of the Lord's supper; which is intended to shew forth the Lord's death for us, an example of self-denial and generosity beyond compare, 1 Co. xi. 20-2, .7, 33, .4. Jesus, in ministering to his disciples, had given them an example which they were to follow, Lu. xxii. 26, .7, p. 375, supra. Mk. xiv. 23. all drank of it-see before on Mt. xxvi. 27, p. 378; Jno. xiii. 30; and above on 1 Co. xi. 25. Mt. xxvi. 29. my Father's kingdom-Mk. xiv. 25, 'The kingdom of God.'-Lu. xxii. 18, p. 364,'Until the kingdom of God shall come.' NOTES. testament was confirmed by the blood of bulls and goats, but the new testament with the blood of Christ, which is here distinguished from that. Mt. xxvi. 28. Shed. xxvvópevov, poured out. The word is often so used in a sacrificial sense in the Sept., signifying to pour out or sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices before the altar of the Lord by way of atonement.-See SCRIP. ILLUS. [The doctrine of atonement for sin by the shedding of blood was no new thing. It had been taught to the Jews by the whole appointed course of their sacrifices, which shewed, that without shedding of blood is no remission,' He. ix. 22: and the reason assigned for being forbidden to eat blood was this; Le. xvii. 11, 'The life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the allar to make an atonement for your souls:'-Comp. Le. xvi. 14-.9. Of the heathen nations we have abundant proof, not only in prevalence of the same doctrine among the ancient the frequency of their animal sacrifices, but in the express testimony of many of their writers.] 1 Co. xi. 25. In remembrance of me. The institution of the Lord's supper is a comforting ordinance; in the observance of which, true Christians remember, with lively gratitude, the death of the Lord Jesus, the only foundation of the remission of their sins; and, in short, the whole mercy of the new covenant as founded on the shedding of blood.-See on Jno. vi. 53, § 43, p. 335, ADDENDA, Except ye eat,' &c. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. his disciples the cup of the new testament, Jesus washed their feet. As we desire to have communion together with Christ, we must seek that both we ourselves and our fellow-communicants be made clean: without holiness no man shall see the Lord.] Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, may we do all to the glory of God; making of things seen and temporal, mementoes of things unseen and eternal. Mt. xxvi. 29. Although Jesus would not at this time use the fruit of the vine, yet did he in the kindest manner bestow it upon his disciples. [May we know what it is to have communion with Christ, in the new wine of the kingdom. The symbol may be partaken of, without enjoyment of the reality; and the reality may be enjoyed without the symbol. So was it when the disciples were wrongfully accused of being 'full of new wine,' Ac. ii.] The next ceremony might be the singing or recitation, either wholly or in part, of the usual thanksgiving psalms, called the great Hillel, or psalm of praise, and consisting of the cxv., cxvi., cxvii., and exviii. psalms; which the rabbinical writers inform us were not confined to the passover, but wont to be used at the other feasts also. Maimonides, indeed, supposes them to be recited while the lamb was eaten (De sacrificio Paschali, viii. 14); but this must not be too strictly understood. I place the Hillel here in obedience to the authority of St. Matthew and of St. Mark; both of whom specify the singing of some hymn as the last circumstance before the whole company went out. It is true this hymn was not necessarily the Hillel; and the singing of such a hymn, previous to the departure from the chamber, might have taken place with apparently an equal propriety even after Jno. xvii. 26.'-Greswell, Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 190. The paschal celebrity being concluded, still our Saviour and his eleven disciples might not immediately leave the supper chamber; and if they actually stayed there some time longer, this interval can not be otherwise devoted than to the conversations, ending with the prayer of Jesus, which are successsively recorded in the xiv., xv., xvi., and xvii. chapters of St. John. There is internal evidence that the subject-matter of these chapters is a series of circumstances and discourses, all of consecutive occurrence; omitted perhaps by the other evangelists because they came between the close of the paschal ceremony, and the departure to the garden; and therefore, according to his practice, supplied by St. John. It is manifest that, even so early as the end of the fourteenth chapter, the time was come when they must have been preparing VOL. II.] ALL HAVE SINNED:-Rom. v. 12. [379 ALL THAT THE LORD HATH SAID WILL WE DO, AND BE OBEDIENT.-Exod. xxiv. 7. FROM THE TROUBLES WHEREWITH WE ARE SURROUNDED LET US LOOK UPWARD TO THE REST THAT REMAINS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. (G. 90.)-[Lesson 87.]-The supper being ended, Jesus discourses with his disciples, before his departure from the supper chamber.-John xiv. ANALYSIS. Jno. xiv. 1-3. Jesus invites his disciples into the enjoyment of peace, as exercising faith and hope in the Father and in him. He tells them whither and wherefore he is going, and promises to come again to receive them to himself. 4, 5. Jesus having said that they knew whither he was going, and the way; Thomas declares they are ignorant of both. 6, 7. Jesus explains that he is himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and says that in knowing him, they know the Father. Father; and justification, as being in Christ; and sanctification, Christ being in them. Jno. xiv. 21. Jesus shews that love to him is to be known by having, and also keeping, his commandments. The disciple who thus loves the Son will be loved of the Father, and will be given the revelation of Jesus Christ. 22-.4. In answer to Judas, not Iscariot, Jesus shews how he will manifest himself to his dis ciples and not to the world. The Father and the Son will come and make their abode with him who keepeth the words of Jesus. 25, .6. The Holy Ghost is promised to teach them, and bring all these sayings to remembrance. Jesus leaves peace with his disciples; his peace, freely bestowed; and not after the manner of the world. They are to be neither trou15-7. Jesus tells how his disciples are bled nor afraid. to shew that they love him; and how they may have (from the Father through him) the communion of love to him should make them rejoice in his depar28, .9. He intimates to them that true the Comforter, the Spirit of truth. how the Father may be seen. 8-11. In reply to Philip, Jesus shews Both the words and the works of the Son are of the Father. Jesus' works give sufficient evidence of his oneness with the Father. 12-4. The privileges about to be bestowed on those that believe in Jesus and pray in his name. 18, .9. Jesus promises that he himself will come again to his faithful disciples; and that although he must soon be removed from the view of the world, they will see him, and will at length through him be given resurrection life. 20. He describes their intimate union with the Father through him. They have illumination, the knowledge of the Son as being in the 1 27. ture to be with the Father. 30. He will not hereafter talk much with them; must gird himself for the grand conflict with the prince of the world. 31. The work to which he now addresses himself, he does in manifesting his love to the Father, and in obedience to his commandment, 'Arise, let us go hence.' JOHN xiv. [xiii. 38, p. 375.] 2, In my Let-not your heart-be-troubled: ye-believe in God, believe also in me Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I-would--have-told you. 1-go to3 prepare a-place for-you. And if I-go and prepare a-place for-you, I-will-come èрxoμaι SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xiv. 1. Let not your heart be troubled-Jesus had shewn his disciples, that the most trusted among them would betray him, ch. xiii. 21-30, pp. 370-..2, supra-that the boldest of them would deny him, ver. 37, .8, p. 374, supra-but although deprived of all occasion of glorying in the creature, they had still, according to the terms of the new covenant, an assured ground of confidence, Je. xxxi. 33, .4 (see on Mt. xxvi. 28, 'new testament,' p. 378); Rom. iii. 19-28. believe in God-Ps. xlvi. 1, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.'-2 Co. i. 9, We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: believe also in me-Ps. ii. 12, Kiss the Son .... Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.'He. ii. 17, A merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.' the heavenly Jerusalem,'-and, 1 Pe. i. 4, an inheritance. . . . reserved in heaven'-Rev. iii. 12, New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: '-comp. He. xi. 16, But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.'-Eph. ii. 19, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the houshold of God;'-see its amplitude and glory, Rev. xxi. 2-27. many-Lu. xiv. 22, § 67, p. 184, And yet there is mansions-abidings-2 Co. iv. 18, For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." room. cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto if.... not, &c.-2 Pe. i. 16, We have not followed you the power and coming of our Lord,' &c. I go to prepare, &c.-He. ix. 24, For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:' 3. I will come again-see Lu. xix. 12, § 80, p. 248; Ac. i. 11, § 98; 1 Th. iv. 13-.8. NOTES. 2. In my Father's house-2 Co. v. 1, 2, We have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.... Our house which is from heaven:'-Abraham, He. xi. 10, looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,'-It is called, xii. 22, the city of the living God, Jno. xiv. 1. Be troubled. rapaσosoba. Be not so troubled as to be put into a hurry and confusion, like the troubled sea. Be not ruffled and discomposed.' Ye believe in God, believe also in me. 'Place your confidence in God, and in me as the Mediator between God and man.' 2. In my Father's house, &c. The words imply a Jno. xiv. 1 As we desire to enjoy peace, and to have strength for resisting temptation, let us comply with our Saviour's kind invitation, and repose our confidence in God, in the Father and the Son. participation in those mansions of bliss which our Lord himself was going to occupy, and to which he would lead the way to all his disciples. I go to prepare a place for you. By his going is meant his death and ascent to heaven. The figure here is taken from one who is on a journey, who goes before his companions to provide a place to lodge in, and to make preparations for their entertainment. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. [Our Lord would not have us indulge in vain expectations; He would have us not only to build upon the true Foundation, but to build upon that foundation nothing but truth.]-See margin, next page. to leave the place where they were : εγείρεσθε, ἄγωμεν εντεύθεν, though it may not amount to a command actually to set out, cannot imply less than that the time for setting out was at hand.-Gres., Vol. III. Diss. xlii. p. 190. 380] HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED;-Rom. v. 5. [VOL. II. IN OUR HEAVENLY HOME, THE HOUSE OF OUR FATHER, THERE IS ABUNDANCE OF ROOM FOR ALL THE BRETHREN OF CHRIST. SURELY IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TO EXPECT THAT WE ON EARTH PREPARE FOR THAT WHICH OUR LORD IS PREPARING FOR US IN HEAVEN! JOHN xiv. 3-9. again, and receive Tapaλnouat you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may-be 4 also. And whither I go ye-know, and the way ye-know. 5, Thomas saith unto-him, 6 Lord, we-know not whither thou-goest; and how can-we know the way? Jesus saith unto-him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no-man cometh unto the Father, but 7 by me. If ye-had-known me, ye should-have-known my Father also: and from henceforth ye-know him, and have-seen him. Philip saith unto-him, Lord, shew us the 9 Father, and it-sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto-him, Have-I-been so-long time with you, and yet hast-thou-not-known me, Philip? he that-hath-seen me hath-seen the Father; 8 SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xiv. 3. that where I am-ch. xii. 26, § 82, p. 267, 'Where I am, there shall also my servant be:'-1 Th. iv. 17, And so shall we ever be with the Lord." 4. whither I go ye know-He had often discoursed to them of the kingdom, and to some of them given a sight of the Son of man coming in his kingdom,' Mt. xvi. 27, .8, § 50, p. 43; xvii. 1-5, § 51, p. 51, &c. and the way ye know-It had been told them, both before the Transfiguration and after, Mt. xvi. 21, § 50, p. 40; xvii. 22, .3, § 52, p. 70-And the decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem,' had been the theme of Moses and Elias, while appearing with him in glory, Lu. ix. 30, .1, § 51, p. 53. 6. I am the way-We have entrance into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,' &c., He. x. 19, 20. and the truth-The ark of the testimony was a figure of him who could truly say, Ps. xl. 7,8, In the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.' He. x. 5-10-Ac. x. 43, To him give all the prophets witness,' &c. and the life-see the description of the living creatures, Eze. i., x.; Rev. iv.-I Jno. i. 2, The life was manifested, and we have seen it,' &c.-v. 12, He that hath the Son hath life;'-Ga. ii. 20, Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'-Ph. iii. 21, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,' .... cometh unto the Father, &c.-The high priest bare the children of Israel on his heart, and upon his shoulders before the Lord, Ex. xxviii. 12, 29-1 Ti. ii. 5, There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; '-He. iv. 14, .6, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest,.... Jesus the Son of God, 16, let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,' &c.-Ac. iv. 12, Neither is there salvation in any other:" 7. If ye had known, &c.-same said to the Jews, ch. viii. 19, § 55, p. 101. from henceforth, &c.-2 Co. v. 16-.9, 'Wherefore henceforth,' &c.-see on ver. 11, next page. 8. shew us the Father, &c. Philip may not have understood what Jesus had before said, Jno. xii. 45, § 85, p. 311, He that seeth me seeth him that sent me.' 9. so long time with you, &c.-Philip had been one of the first called, ch. i. 43, § 10, p. 72, and had, in the case of Nathanael, then been given evidence of the oneness of his Master, with the omniscient and heartsearching God, ver. 45-51, ib. he that hath seen me, &c.-see on ver. 8-2 Co. iv. 4, Christ, who is the image of God,'-Col. i. 15, the image of the invisible God,'-He. i. 3, the express image of his person,'-Jno. i. 18, § 7, p. 48, No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.' NOTES. [Jno. xiv. 6. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, &c. The way that leads to the Father. Jesus Christ is our way to the Father and to heaven, in his person, as God manifest in the flesh; in his office, as our Mediator with God, introducing us to the Holiest by "a new and living way;" in his sacrifice, as our great High Priest for ever; who, by his perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, hath made propitiation for the sins of the whole world; in his intercession, as our Advocate with the Father, who hath given us access with confidence to the throne of grace; lastly, he is our way, as being our great Moral Teacher and Perfect Exemplar, being the great Shepherd of the sheep, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps," and preceding us in a way open to all, plain and even secure; pleasant, and terminating in everlasting bliss."] 'He is the truth, both in his essence and attributes, as being one with the Father (who "is truth"); he is the fountain of all truth, the complement of all truth (being the substance of all the types and figures of the Old Testament), having all the characters of truth. As such, he is our great Prophet, pointing out by his word, which "is truth," the way which leadeth unto everlasting life. 'Finally, he is the life, as being (what he elsewhere testifies of himself) "the resurrection and the life;" through whom alone any one cometh unto the 7. Ye should have known my Father also. A cor- plans and designs. Ye know him. You shall have just views of his image, and the brightness of his glory, He. i. 3, which Have seen him. That is, had seen Jesus Christ, his was the same as having seen the Father, ver. 9. 9. Hast thou not known me. Meaning, hast thou not known who I am, and what is my true character? He that hath seen me, &c. He who hath seen me hath [in effect] seen the Father;' of whom Christ PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Jno. xiv. 3. As truly as our Lord hath gone and for us entered within the vail, so truly will he come again in the same manner as he went.-See margin. 4 ver. Let us indeed prize highly the knowledge of Christ: in knowing the Son we know the Father, and the way whereby he can be approached with acceptance. 5 ver. It is better, like Thomas, to confess our deficiency of knowledge, and have it supplied, than to remain in pride and ignorance. is not only our Prophet, but the TRUTH testified to by all the prophets: He is not only our King, but the LIFE whereby we live unto Him here in grace and hereafter in glory. It is as acknowledging Christ to be our Priest, Prophet, and King, that we approach the Father with acceptance.] [7 ver. As it is only in Christ that the Father can be known, so certainly He is known by the true disciple of Christ. No other knowledge sufficeth, but the knowledge of Christ is sufficient.] [6 ver. Christ is not only our Mediator, but the [8-10 ver. Let us prize above all things the revelaground and WAY of our reconciliation with God: Hetion of God in Christ. He who seeth the Son seeth VOL. II.] WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.-Rom. vi. 4. [381 DO WE INDEED ACT AS IF OUR FAITH, OUR HOPE, AND LOVE, WERE FIXED ON THINGS ABOVE WERE CENTRED IN CHRIST A MAN CAN RECEIVE NOTHING, EXCEPT IT BE GIVEN HIM FROM HEAVEN.-John iii. 27. JOHN xiv. 10-.5. 10 and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest-thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto-you I-speak not of myself: 11 but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the 12 Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works'-sake. Verily, verily, I-say unto you, He that-believeth on me, the works that I do shall-he-do also; 13 and greater works than-these shall-he-do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye-shall-ask in my name, that will-I-do, that the Father may-be-glorified in the 14 Son. If ye-shall-ask any-thing in my name, I will-do it. 15, If ye-love me, keep my SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xiv. 10. Beinevest thou not, &c.-see ch. x. 38, § 56, p. 123; xvii. 21, infra, p. 403. I.. in the Father He is Alpha and Omega,' Rev. i. 8, 11-Isa. xlv. 21, a just God and a Saviour; -25, In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.' I speak not of myself-see ch. vii. 16, § 55, p. 91. 11. and the Father in me-2 Co. v. 19, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,'-He. i. 1, 2, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,' &c. works' sakech. v. 19, § 23, p. 177, What things soever he [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.'-See also ver. 36, § ib., p. 179. 12. He that believeth, &c.-Mk. xvi. 17-20, § 98, And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they east out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;' &c. | Rom. viii. 26, .7, 'For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us,' &c.-Jude, ver. 20, .1, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God,'-see on ver. 14, .6, infra. that will I do-Ph. iv. 13, 1 can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'-2 Pe. i. 3-8, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things,' &c. things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to glorified in the Son-1 Pe. iv. 11, that God in all whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.'-See Jno. xv. 7, 8, infra, p. 388. 14. If ye, &c.-Our wills must be brought into conask that which we know is the mind of the Spirit, formity to the will of God, so that we shall ourselves Eph. vi. 18; Ja. iv. 3; 1 Jno. v. 14, .5. 15. If ye love me, keep, &c.-1 Jno. ii. 3-5, Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his comgreater.... than these-so to Nathanael, ch. i. 50, .1, § 10, p. 73, Thou shalt see greater things than mandments.... Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily these..... Hereafter ye shall see heaven open,' &c. is the love of God perfected:'-iii. 24, He that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him,'-v. 3, This 13. ask in my name, &c.-ver. 26, infra, The Holy is the love of God, that we keep,' &c.-2 Jno. ver. 6, Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,'This is love, that we walk after his commandments." NOTES. was the image by his doctrines and perfections. He who saw Jesus living, acting, and dying, saw, in fact, the Father.'-Tittman, ["Thus (observes Dr. Pye Smith) the oneness assumed is shewn to be both that of moral excellences, and that of efficient operation. In each respect whosoever had seen or known the Son, had so seen or known the Father. The doctrines taught, the miracles performed, the spiritual excellences and glory displayed by the Son, are identically those of the Father. In short, the perfections were the perfections of the Son." The inference to be drawn from all this is (as Lampe, Tittman, and Smith have shewn), that where there is such perfect oneness of attributes, there must be a oneness also of nature in the Father and the Son.'-Bloomf.] [Jno. xiv. 10. Believest thou not, &c. Here our Lord means to ask whether Philip did not yet believe the essential union and mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son, and of the Godhead in his human nature. He had frequently spoken to them on this subject; and his words were not "of himself," as distinct from the Father; and therefore they ought to have been more regarded, especially as the Father, dwelling in and working by him, had borne witness to him by so many stupendous miracles.'-Scott.] He doeth the works. We are not only one in nature, but one also in operation. 11. For the very works' sake. Intending not merely the miracles themselves, but his sovereign godlike way of performing them. 12. Greater works than these shall he do, &c. The works which he had wrought were chiefly miracles of mercy upon the bodies of men; but those which be read in connection with the next verse. 13. Whatsoever ye shall ask. This promise referred ing the gospel. It is, however, true of all Christians, particularly to the apostles, in their work of spreadif what they ask is in faith, and according to the will of God, Ja. i. 6; 1 Jno. v. 14. account, or for my sake. If a man who has money in That will I do. He therefore must be one in wil! and power with the Father. That the Father may be glorified in the Son. on ch. xiii. 31, p. 373. See diately after faith he exhorts to love and good 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. ImmePRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. the Father; the words of the Father are spoken by the Son; and the works of the Son are wrought by the Father.] Jno. xiv. 11. The God of creation and providence is the Author of our redemption; and the Author of our redemption is the God of creation and providence. Let us look to see Christ in God, and God as manifested in the Sou. [Christ, in requiring us to believe in himself as being one with the Father, does this upon reasonable grounds He produces abundant evidence of being what he declares himself to be.] 382] 12 ver. The miracles which Christ wrought when upon earth, were generally for the relief of the bodies of men; but those which he wrought after his ascension, were miracles of mercy upon the souls of multitudes. May we be the happy instruments of working these greater works. according to the will of God, and it is Christ that [13 ver. It is the Spirit of Christ that in us prays, puts forth power in answer to prayer. In all our prayers and actings, let our object be that the Father may be glorified in the Son.] 14 ver. May we know the power of the name of Jesus, who saves his people from their sins. 15 ver. Would we shew our love to the Saviour? ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE, ETC.-2 Pet. i. 5. [VOL. II. HE THAT HATH RECEIVED HIS TESTIMONY HATH SET TO HIS SEAL THAT GOD IS TRUE.-John iii. 33. WE MUST OURSELVES BE TRUTHFUL IF WE WOULD ENJOY COMMUNION WITH THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. JOHN xiv. 16-.9. 16 commandments. And I will-pray pwτnow the Father, and he-shall-give you another 17 Comforter Пaрaкλnтоv, that he-may-abide with you for ever eis Tov alwva; even the Spirit of-truth τns aλndecas; whom the world can not receive, because it-seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he-dwelleth with you rаρ' vu, and 18 shall-be in you. I-will-not-leave you comfortless oppavovs: I-will-come èpxona to Yet a-little-while, and the world seeth ewper me no more; but ye see me: 19 you. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. xiv. 16. And I will pray, &c.-see on ver. 13Tit. iii. 5, 6, The washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;'Eph. ii. 18, For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.' Comforter-see ver. 26, infra, p. 384; xv. 26, p. 391; xvi. 7, p. 393-The same Greek word is translated advocate,' 1 Jno. ii. 1-Jesus, the Son of God, who 'is passed into the heavens,' He. iv. 14, is our advocate or intercessor; and the Holy Ghost also is another advocate, for the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us,' Rom. viii. 26. 17. the Spirit of truth-Jesus had declared himself to be the Truth,' ver. 6, supra-and here another Comforter,' given of the Father, at the intercession of the Son, ver. 16, is declared to be, ver. 17, 'the Spirit of truth;'-so also xv. 26, infra, p. 391; xvi. 13, p. 394. ye know him, &c.-He had before said the same of the Father, ver. 7, supra; and had shewn that this was as seeing the Father in the Son, ver. 9-11 What was thus said of the Father, he now shews may be equally said of the Holy Ghost, who then dwelt with them in Jesus, and after whose removal was to be in them, so as to enable them to enjoy the fellowship of the Father and the Son-see on ver. 25, .6, infra, p. 384. The union of which our Lord here speaks, and in ch. xv. 1-7; xvii. 21-3, 6, as subsisting between himself and his disciples, is the same union as that which St. Paul repeatedly declares to subsist between Christ as the head, and believers as the members of his church. See Rom. xii. 4, 5; 1 Co. vi. 15; xii. 12, 25-7; Eph. iv. 12-6; v. 29, 30, .2. 18. comfortless-Gr. orphans'-Ps. ciii. 13, 'Like as a father pitieth his children,' &c.-Mt. vi. 32, § 19, pp. 135, ..6, Your heavenly Father knoweth,' &c.2 Co. vi. 18, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' I will come to you-see the coming of the Lord described-in its aspect toward the righteous, 1 Th. iv. 13-8-toward the wicked, 2 Th. i. 7-9. 19. Yet a little while, &c.-ch. xiii. 33, supra, p. 374, Yet.... I am with you.'-See xvi. 16, infra, p. 395. seeth me no more, &c.-Jesus, after his resurrection, was shewn openly, Ac. x. 41, Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God,' but ye see me-Those who saw in Jesus the promised Messiah, were given to see still further evidence to the truth, Ae. i. 3, He shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs,'-Mt. xiii. 12, § 32, p. 245, For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance :' NOTES. works. The evidence which we have that a child leves its parents, is when that child is willing, without hesitation, gainsaying, or murmuring, to do all that the parent requires him to do. Jno. xiv. 16. I will pray the Father. This refers to his intercession after his death, and his ascension to heaven: through Christ, as mediator between God and nian, all blessings of grace and glory are bestowed on believers. [Another Comforter. The word wаpákλnτos signifles not only a comforter, but also an advocate, a defender of a cause, a counsellor, patron, mediator. Christ is thus termed, 1 Jno. ii. 1, where the common translation renders the word advocate. Christ is thus called, because he is represented as transacting the concerns of our souls with God; and for this cause, he tells us, he goes unto the Father, ver. 12, p. 382. The Holy Spirit is thus called, because he transacts the cause of God and Christ with us, explains to us the nature and importance of the great atonement, shews the neces sity of it, counsels us to receive it, instructs us how to lay hold on it, vindicates our claim to it, and makes intercessions in us with unutterable groanings. As Christ acted with his disciples while he sojourned with them, so the Holy Ghost acts with those who believe in his name.'-A. C.] That he may abide with you for ever. With you and your followers in faith, who believe in your word, to the end of the world. 17. The world. Kooμos. Meaning the carnal, corrupt, and worldly-minded part of it. So 1 Co. ii. 14, ψυχικὸς ἄνθρωπος. [Can not receive. où dóvara: λaßsiv, i.e., 'cannot bring themselves to receive it;' since they only 'mind earthly things,' they neither understand nor care about those heavenly gifts. And thus it happens, as is just afterwards said, that they have neither any perception nor any knowledge of the thing.] often means more than the act of the mind in simply Neither knoweth him. To know in the scriptures understanding a thing. It denotes every act or emotion of the mind that is requisite in receiving the proper impression of a truth. He dwelleth with you, &c. When our Lord was upon earth, the Holy Ghost dwelt with the disciples; ali the gifts and graces of the Spirit being manifested in Him, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily'; but the Comforter was hereafter to have a more intimate fellowship with them, he was to be in them. [18. I will not leave you comfortless. Literally, orphans. The original word, oppavós, is by some derived from poros, obscure, dark; because, says Mintert, an orphan (one deprived of father and mother) is little esteemed, is neglected, and obliged to wander about in obscurity and darkness. Others derive it from the Hebrew 7 charaph, to strip, or make bare, despoil, because such a child is destitute of comfort, direction, and support, and is a prey to misery and disease, to sin and to death.] The disciples of a particular teacher among the Hebrews called him father; his scholars were called children, and on his death were considered orphans.' PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Let us manifest the same by keeping his command- | knowledge of spiritual things: the world is neither ments, which direct us to love one another, do good to those that are opposed to us, and shew kindness unto all. [Jno. xiv. 15, .6. Although our obedience does not merit the intercession of Christ, the favour of the Father, and the fellowship of the Spirit, yet we may not expect to enjoy these except as keeping Christ's commandments. Should we lose the enjoyment of communion with God by his Spirit, let us rather suspect our own unfaithfulness, than suppose the Lord has failed to fulfil his promise, that the Comforter would abide with the disciples for ever.] [17 ver. We may not go to the world to get a VOL. 11.] by perception nor by consciousness qualified to judge: but the disciples of Jesus should know the way of the Spirit, first, by having seen his manifestations in our great Exemplar the Son of God; and, secondly, by their having experience of his operations in themselves.] those that are altogether bereaved of him whom [18 ver. The disciples of Jesus need not feel as they love. It is true they desire to behold him in glory; but even now they have communion with him in thought and affection; they can also be given his counsel and his help in every time of need. He is ever near, yea, around and within them.] THE LORD IS FAITHFUL,-2 Thess. iii. 3. LET US SEE IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST THE ASSURED PLEDGE OF OUR OWN. [583 |