John 17

John 17:1-3

O Father, the time fixed in thy eternal counsel for completing my course of obedience on earth is now come. Own and support me as thy Son under my sufferings, that in finishing all righteousness, triumphing over sin, Satan, and death, and in ascending to heaven, I may manifest and spread the honour of all thy perfections in the world; that, in the exercise of that mediatorial authority over all mankind which thou hast allotted me as the reward of my obedience, I may freely and effectually bestow the great blessing of eternal life upon all those whom thou hast, in thy great love, committed to me as my peculiar property, trust, and treasure. And the way to, the beginning, earnest, and evidence of right to, this eternal life, and even the complete enjoyment of it, is by an approving and fiducial knowledge of thee as the only true and faithful God, in opposition to all idols; and of me as the anointed Saviour and the only Mediator, in opposition to all others. 4, 5. As I have invariably intended and manifested thy glory in the whole of my doctrine, miracles, and practice, and am just ready, without fail, to honour all thy perfections by my death, which will complete that work of the purchase of redemption which was intrusted to me; do thou therefore, according to thy engagements to me, advance my incarnate person to the highest glory at thy right hand, where I may appear in my human nature and mediatorial office like myself, and shine forth in that divine majesty which I had with thee from eternity, but which has been obscured in my debased state on earth

John 17:6-8

As for those true believers, whom, as thine by peculiar and eternal choice, as well as by the right of creation, thou gavest to be the objects of my ministerial care, I have begun to give them a spiritual understanding of thine excellencies, mind, and will, and of my relation to thee and commission from thee; and they, under my powerful influence on their hearts, have embraced and adhered to thy truths which I taught them; and, by my instructions, have been made to know and believe that all things, which I as Mediator have undertaken, taught, performed, or suffered, are by thy appointment and commission, and the fruits of thy infinite wisdom and sovereign grace. 9, 10. I therefore affectionately recommend to thy care, not all mankind, but only those whom, in thy purpose of election, thou didst commit to me as members of my mystical body, to be redeemed and saved by me, that thou mayest perfect every thing which concerns them. And as thy right in them is so inseparably and entirely the same with mine, I pray that thou wouldest perform in them all the good pleasure of thy goodness, that I, together with thee, may be glorified in their redemption and effectual calling, and in their faith, love, worship, obedience, and eternal salvation

John 17:11-13

And now the time is come that I must die a sacrifice for their sins, and afterwards be but little with them in this world, to instruct, defend, and comfort them; yet these my apostles, as well as my other disciples, must, for a time, remain in it, compassed about with many infirmities, temptations, and dangers.—And, as I am coming to appear in thy presence for them, I beseech thee, by thy mighty power and infinite wisdom, and for thine own name’s sake, to preserve them stedfast in their faith and holy profession, that, as my witnesses and chief ministers, they may be entirely united in heart and affection, testimony, interest, and designs, as we are in ours.—While I have been personally conversant with them, I have, according to thy commission, by my doctrine, example, and powerful influences, so confirmed and preserved them from apostasy, that not one of them has miscarried, except the perfidious Judas, who, by forsaking and betraying me, is just now bringing inevitable ruin upon his own head, agreeably to the ancient predictions concerning him.—But now, as I am coming to be glorified at thy right hand in heaven, leaving them without the benefit of my company, to guide, protect, and comfort them, I thus supplicate thee in their hearing, that they may rejoice, in hope of thy preserving, teaching, and comforting Spirit, and that their joy may be more abundant than ever it was in my personal presence. 14, 15. I have given them a spiritual understanding of, and commission to preach, thy gospel; and carnal and unbelieving men are filled with enmity, rage and violence against them, because their principles, tempers, doctrines, and views, as well as mine, are utterly disagreeable to their carnal lusts, sentiments, and interests. However, I do not plead that thou, to deliver them from their troubles, shouldest deprive this world of their holy example and useful ministrations; but that thou wouldest preserve them from the temptations of Satan and their own remaining corruptions, and support them under, sanctify to them, and carry them through, all the persecutions which they may meet with before they have finished their work

John 17:16-19

They are already of such a religious temper and disposition, and engaged in such excellent work, as is directly contrary to the inclinations of carnal men, even as I myself have been before them. Let this holy temper and practice be maintained and increased in them by means of thy word; and, by the anointing of thy Spirit, let them be consecrated to serve thee in propagating gospel truth. For, as thou hast sent me into the world with a commission to preach thy important and infallible truths to mankind, I have authorised them to carry on the same work wherever providence may cast their lot after my departure from them. And for this, as one great reason, have I devoted myself to the mediatorial office, and am going to consecrate myself by suffering and death, that they, through the truth, may, by the Holy Ghost, be consecrated to, fitted for, supported and succeeded in, preaching it. 20, 21. Nor do I only pray for such preserving, supporting, sanctifying, and comforting, influences to my apostles; but to all who, in this and the following ages, shall be brought to a saving faith in me by means of their publication of the gospel;—that the whole number of believers in all generations may be joined together, as one body, in faith and love, worship and obedience, by one spirit, in as near a resemblance as possible to that union which we have by our mutual inbeing; and that, in their measure, they may be united to us; that others, beholding the powerful effects of the gospel on them, may be induced to believe in me as the promised Messiah. 22, 23. And, in pursuit of this great design, I have given them an interest and subordinate partnership in that glory which thou hast given me, as their Head, Representative, and Trustee; that, as members of my mystical body, and joint heirs of God with me, and partakers of my Spirit, they may be united in the most close, honourable, and beneficial manner. In order to which, I will dwell in them by my Spirit, according to their measure, as thou dwellest in me by him without measure, that they, being joined to me, may attain to the most perfect union they are capable of in one spiritual body under me as their head;—that, by means hereof, multitudes of both Jews and Gentiles may clearly and satisfactorily perceive and believe that I am the Christ whom thou hast sent into the world for the redemption of men; and that thou hast a peculiar, affectionate, and delightful, love to them for my sake, some way resembling that supreme love which thou hearest to me as thine eternal Son and their Mediator

John 17:24

And I further claim that, according to my purchase and thy agreement, all those whom thou hast given me to receive eternal life be, in due time, admitted into thy immediate presence in heaven, where I already am in my divine nature, and for ever shall be in my entire person;—that there they may have an appropriating, blissful, and transforming, vision of that glory which thou hast bestowed on me as their head and representative, because from all eternity thou hadst an infinite delight in me, as thy Son, and as their Surety, who engaged to glorify thee in their salvation. 25, 26. All these things I ask from thee, not only as thou infinitely hatest all impurity and lovest me, and them for my sake, but as thou art a righteous and faithful Father, ready to give them whatever I have purchased for them. As for the unregenerate worldlings, they are ignorant of, and reject, thee and thy counsels: but I am thoroughly acquainted with thy nature, perfections, and will; and these my apostles have known and received me as the true Messiah, whom thou hast sent for the salvation of Israel.—And as, according to my commission, I have fully declared to them whatever was proper, and have savingly enlightened them in the knowledge of thyself, I will, after my resurrection by personal visits, and after my ascension by the effusion of my Spirit, more clearly and fully acquaint them with thy glorious perfections and will, that the infinite love, with which thou hast from eternity loved me, may extend to, and manifest itself in, them; and that I may dwell in their hearts by faith, till they arrive at that perfection of eternal blessedness which, in thy distinguishing love, thou hast prepared for them

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVII.—It is necessary to conclude important advices, and prepare for impending temptations, by fervent and solemn prayer, and with heart and eyes lifted up unto God. In what a dignified manner Jesus intercedes for his elect, particularly his ministers, upon the footing of his own finished righteousness, and his Father’s perfections manifested and promises ratified thereby! It is impossible for those to fall short of grace or glory who are interested in such prayers which so closely connect the glory of God and the good of men.—Marvellous is his exaltation and his saving power! And thrice happy are they who have the saving knowledge of him as the only Mediator, and of his Father in him! His glorification of his Father’s perfections, by fulfilling all righteousness in our stead, wonderfully secures eternal glories to himself, and conversion, perseverance, and everlasting happiness, to all his true members. And, by our holding fast his doctrine, by our holiness in heart and life, and giving him the glory of all that we are and do, he marks our relation to him as his elect children.—Great is the mercy that all our spiritual knowledge, faith, holiness, and eternal happiness, are secured in and by him; and that, though he be no more in this world, his word and Spirit are left to supply his room. This polluting and ensnaring world is the greatest enemy to his saints. But, while multitudes of professors, and even noted preachers are eternally ruined by its influence, Christ’s prayers, the directions of his word, and the influences of his Spirit, will carry all his true children safely, and even comfortably and honourably, through it. If we be not carnally disposed, we shall quickly get to heaven, out of the reach of carnal men. For, if Jesus devoted himself to sufferings for us, he will advance us to glory with him. Whatever good work he once begins shall be carried into perfection: and, if his ministers need to be eminently holy, stedfast, and faithful, he offers up particular prayers in their behalf: and, if he send ministers, he will make their labours effectual for increasing, uniting, and edifying, his mystical body the church. Let carnal men deride it now as they will, they shall be made to know that Christ and his people are one in law, spirit, temper, and design. And, while his enemies are ruined by their ignorance, his people shall be admitted into the most immediate vision of, and fellowship with, him in his glory and in his Father’s love