CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...

SERMON CXLIII. Of Christs teaching Believers: Shewing what great need the most illuminated Christians have still to be taught. (Book 143)

JOH. 17.26.

And I have declared unto them thy Name, and will declare it, &c.

OUr Saviour having in the former verse affirmed himself to be the cause of all that saving knowledge beleevers have, he doth in this verse ma∣nifest, that he is the conservant cause, as well as the efficient, that as God is both the Authour of Creation and Preservation in the order of nature: So Christ is in the order of grace.

We have therefore in the words,

• 1. The gracious action of Christ toward his people.
• 2. The efficient cause.
• 3. The Subject to whom.
• 4. The final Cause hereof.

The gracious action of Christ is set down both by the Preterperfect and Fu∣ture tense, ushered in with the part cle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some make causal in this con∣n••xion, They have known thou hast sent me, for I have declared thy Name unto them. And thus it may very well be taken in this place, and thence we may ob∣serve,

That the saving knowledge of Christ cometh not by our own natural strength or abilities, but by the meer revelation and will of Christ. But I shall not insist on that.

In the next place, the Benefit ascribed to us, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at the sixth verse, he used the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The word is sometimes used of Gods making a thing known to us, Luke. 2.15. Sometimes of our making a thing known to God. as Phil. 4.6. Let your requests be made known to God Not that God is ignorant of any thing, but as much as lieth in us, we spred them in Gods presence, to take notice of them: Sometimes of one mans making known a thing to another, as 1 Cor. 15.1. Ephes. 6.21. In this place it's attributed to Christ, as the efficient cause, I have declared. In the next place, there is the diversity of time, I have, and will declare it. Austin referreth this to the pre∣sent life, and the life to come, but it rather denoteth the constant and daily re∣velation or manifestation of Christ himself, and his truth to belevers. 3. There

is the Object declared, thy Name, that is God himself. 4. The Subject to whom, that is, not the Apostles, but to all believers.

Now I have already handled the benefit mentioned, Christs declaring the Name of God to believers: I shall onely take notice of the Necessity of continuing this Benefit even to Believers, though Apostles, though never so eminent in gifts and graces, yet Christ doth still keep up and encrease their sa∣ving knowledge.

* 1.1Observ. That believers do not only at their first conversion, but in the whole progress of their life, need constant illumination and teaching from God. There is none can learn so much in Gods School, that God himself can teach him no lon∣ger. This truth will be of great use to keep the most knowing Christians very humble and low in their own eies, as also to make them continually depend up∣on Christ in the Word and Ministry, that they may grow in knowledge. This truth is abundantly confirmed by that notable prayer of the Apostle for the E∣phesians, who though they were made light in the Lord, and had the mystery of Gods will so much made known unto them, that he did not cease to give thanks for them daily in that behalf, yet still he prayeth, Ephes. 1.17, 18. That God would give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, that the eyes of their understanding may be inlightned &c. Here it's plain, That though these had knowledge, yet they might still encrease in it. Hence the Apostle Peter, 2 Pet. 1.19. doth encourage beleevers for their diligent at∣tending unto the Scripture, untill the day dawn, and the day-starre arise in their hearts, that is, till they obtain more firm and evident knowledge of the things of God. In the Old Testament we have David, Psal. 119. though professing he had more knowledge then his teachers, and the Word was continually his coun∣sellour, yet prayeth he, That God would open his eyes, that he may understand the wonderfull things of Gods Law. Davids eyes are not opened clear enough, the word implieth, there are some scales and film upon his eyes, that must be rolled away, and that there are excellent precious things in Gods word, that he doth not yet understand.

For the improving of this truth, Let us consider in how many particulars a further constant teaching by Christ is requisite to the most able belie∣vers. And

* 1.2First, They need further revelation in respect of the objects of their knowledge, to know more then they do know. So imperfect is every godly mans knowledge, that it may be called ignorance rather then knowledge; We are ignorant of farre more excellent truths in Religion then we do know; If the Heathen could say, Our eyes were in respect of natural truth, but like those of the Owl to the Sun; How much more is this true about spiritual objects? You see how the Apostles knowledge was successive, they come to know one thing after another, as Christ revealed it, till they had that plentifull effusion of the holy Ghost upon them; And the Apostle Paul, who was taught, not of men, but of Christ himself, yea he was caught up into the third heaven, yet for all that he puts himself in the number of those who know but in part, 1 Cor. 13. So that this is true not only of believers, but of the eminent Doctors and Teachers in the Church, they know but in part; yea and that will be true of them, even at their last hour though their whole life hath been to obtain knowledge of God. Therefore this should quicken all up to diligent use of the means, for who can sit down and say, He knoweth enough, or he knoweth all things? Indeed there have been those that were called Guostiques, because of the great knowledge they boasted of, but yet they made themselves even like bruit beasts: O then confess that the waters of divine truth are so deep, that though thou wert an Elephant, yet thou mightest swim in it, we are as the Ancients said.

* 1.3Secondly, As in the object we need much revelation, so in those things we do know,

we need much assistance and direction from Christ in respect of the adjuncts of it. For,

1. Though we do know the objects, yet we may every day know them more evident∣ly, more distinctly, more clearly. Alas our knowledg about God and Christ is very confused, and therefore Paul is every day desirous to know Christ better then he did: As it is with digging in a Mine of Gold, every daies labour brings richer and fuller supplies; or as the draining from a Spring, doth not exhaust, but makes it more plentifull: Thus it is with the heart of a man when set to know God or Christ: There are new considerations, new respects, and new argu∣ments arising alwayes from them; Insomuch that God and Christ may seem new to the soul every day; we begin to nauseate, and grow weary, when the same things we know, are alwayes suggested unto us, but the soul of a man can never he weary of the knowledge of Christ, For in him are hidden all trea∣sures of wisdom and grace: And therefore even those principalities and powers in heavenly places, that are so vast and comprehensive in knowledge, yet Eph. 3.10. The Lord Christ is in the Ministry of the Church made more known to them continually; So that if Angels do learn in Christs School, and obtain more knowledge of him, and do with great delight search into these things; no wonder then, if the most enlightned men may yet search deeper and deeper into the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul though one of the highest Scholars in Christs School, yet desired to know nothing but Christ crucified, for if in heaven the knowledge of God, when yet it is intuitive and transcendent to this, we have will not weary us, but daily provoke the soul to know God more, no wonder then if in this life our knowldge be not satisfied, when it is but in part.

2. As we need Christs daily manifestation in respect of the evidence of them, so al∣so in respect of the firmnes and immoveableness of our knowledge. Faith, you heard, is knowledge, and that doth necessarily imply assent: Now if our assent be not firm and setled, We are like children tossed up and down with every winde of Do∣ctrine: Instability and inconstancy is much condemned in Scripture; and in∣deed it doth directly oppose faith, which makes the soul confidently and firmly-adhere to the truths of Christ, as divine, as those which cannot be dispensed with, or ever prove false; for if Paul thought it so great a disparagement, that with him should be yea and nay in his words, much more would this be reproch∣full to Christ himself, who saith, He is the truth it self, Joh. 14. So that as truth cannot be a lie, so neither can the Doctrine of Christ be false: Now the Do∣ctrine being in it self thus true, the power of Christ is seen in making a gracious heart thus strongly to adhere upon divine motives to it, as that which wil abide, though heaven and earth shall pass away; Scepticism and faith are directly op∣posite; when we are inabled to believe, we receive it as the truth of God, and not as the truth of man: So although while this gift of faith was not bestow∣ed upon us, we debated truths of Religion, like those in Philosophy, and were prone to have, as Hilary said of old, Menstruam & annuam fidem, a monethly or yearly faith, yet when God shall once strengthen us to believe then we are no longer reeds shaken with wind, but as Origen of old alluded, When many things are removed from us, then this Arundo (for of that they made pens formerly) is made the Calamus the pen of a ready writer: Where God strengthens us to be∣lieve, there that turning this way and that way, that mutability is removed, and our hearts are fixed, so as to be able to dig for that we so firmly adhere unto. Thus the Martyrs they were confirmed by God exceedingly, in respect of the stability of their assent to divine truths, when yet they had great temptations to assault them; and we read sometimes of the Disciples, that upon the working of some great miracles by our Saviour, they are said then to believe, not but that they beleived before, only they did grow and encrease in this more: Oh then in times of great disputes, when learned and godly men differ in many

things, it behoveth the godly Christian to fly to this manifestation of Christ! Oh say, declare it Lord, and still declare it to me more and more! And certain∣ly it appeareth by Mat. 24. That those who are false Prophets, have so many fair pretences and deceivable wayes, that if it were possible, they would de∣ceive the very elect; so that it's a very great mercy to be of a sound mind, and established in the truth; That as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, so also believers are to be.

3. We need Christs daily declaration in respect of the efficacy and practical ope∣ration of our knowledge. So that although we know all mysteries, yet if the power of Christ doth not make us to acknowledge these things in a godly manner, We are but as tinkling cymbals; you see Paul made knowledge a meer puff, a nothing without charity, 1 Cor. 13. and our Saviour puts happiness upon the doing, not knowing of these things, John 14.17. A Christian may grow two wayes in the extension of knowledge, or in the efficacy of knowledge, and this is greatly to be lamented; many desire to know more opinions, and more notions; many are still propounding more questions after questions, but the Apostle Ephes 4. tels us of the knowing of the truth as it is in Jesus, which makes a Christian put off the oldman, and put on the new, as also an acknowledgment of the truth after godliness, Tit. 1. Oh therefore pray, that Christ would declare his truths to thee, so as they may not only be in thy head, but sink down into thy heart, and be there like fire inflaming thy bowels! It's not growing in know∣ledg, at it is knowledge, but growing in it, as it is saving and operative, which makes a man fitted for everlasting glory. As it is not the knowing of what is excellent food, that doth nourish a man, but the eating of it, and this only doth the Scripture vouchsafe to call knowledge indeed: Oh then examine thy self! Dost thou so know God, as to live on him by faith, to love and fear him? Dost thou so know Christ, as to make him a Mediatour to thee in an appropriated manner? Doest thou so know the promises, as to relie on them, and to make them thy cordial in all temptations? This is to know, in the Scripture language: So that the Christians knowledge is wholly in tendency to operation, as all mo∣tion is for rest, if it be barren it increaseth our condemnation, and not further our consolation.

In the next place, Let us consider what are the reasons, why Christ must conti∣nually teach his people, And

1. It is because all heavenly things are revealed from God only. Even as it is said of the Creation, John 1. All things were made by him▪ and without him was no∣thing made that was made: Thus all knowledge in a supernatural manner comes from him, and without him we know nothing. Now all those things which re∣quire a supernatural power for to give the first existence to them, require such a power to continue them therein. Hence as Christ made all things, Heb. 1. he is still said to bear up all things by his power; and thus likewise it is in regard of all saving knowledge, that same Spirit of Christ which did at first teach us, must in the whole progress of our lives teach us; As a man cannot beleive of him∣self, so neither increase in faith, or know more firmly and evidently of himself.

All saving knowledge is part of that work of grace, which God is the author of in the soul. Now in all the course of grace and progress therein, it's plain we need the auxiliary power of God continually. Thus the Apostle speaking even to those that did believe already, yet he saith, It's God that worketh in us, to will and do; and as it's God that beginneth, so it is he that finisheth every good work: Hence Christ is said to be the author and finisher of our Faith, Heb. 12.2. As it is thus in grace, if God did not keep every godly man, he would fall into the dirt, and all noisome lusts from which he was once converted: So if God did not keep us firmly and constantly in his truth, there is no damnable heresie, or blasphemy that is fetched out of hel it self, which a godly man would not fal

into: So that it's the Covenant and promise of God, which keepeth a man equal∣ly from erroneous opinions and sinfull practices.

3. There is a necessity of Christs constant teaching his people, because of the im∣perfection and weakness, which is in their best knowledge. That as he pray'd about his faith, I believe, help my unbelief; so I know Lord, help my ignorance; and therefore it is, that he will have a Ministry alwayes in the Church, which as that is to grow constantly in knowledge, so ought the people much more: Oh then be affected with the true and right apprehensions of the sins of thy minde, and thou wilt quickly see, that unless Christ be thy teacher, thou shalt die in thy igno∣rance.

4. There is a necessity of Christs further teaching, because of the great advan∣tage in a grown knowledge. As

1. A man is thereby more able to discern between things that differ, he can separate the dross from the gold.

2. He will be more evangelical in the frame of his Spirit, Heb. 6. The babe is un∣skilfull in the word of righteousness; Ignorance causeth many scruples and fears, which do hinder those spiritual consolations that should abound in the heart of the godly.

3 Hereby they may be guides to others. The Apostle Rom 14. sheweth the ma∣ny duties of a strong Christian in respect of a weak. It's a blessed thing to be a means of edification of others, or the reducing of such as have gone astray for want of this growth, many parents, many husbands, though godly for the main, cannot do their duties.

Ʋse 1. Of humiliation to the best persons, and the best Churches, they still need more light; It's not enough Christ hath declared to them, but he must still declare, not indeed new substantials and essentials to salvation, but in regard of the superstructures of holiness and truth: That Doctrine in Popery, The Church cannot erre, makes her incurable, and is also grosly arrogant. In par∣ticular persons, this would also breed self-emptiness, an high esteem of the Ordinances, it would prevent heresies and errours, men being commonly con∣fident of themselves therein, as also any severe and uncharitable censuring of others, knowing, as it is said, Phil. 3.15. God may in time reveal even this truth unto them also.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct. That Believers do not only at their first con∣version, but in the whole pro∣gress of their life, need con∣stant illumina∣tion and teach∣ing from God.
• * 1.2

  I. In respect of the object.
• * 1.3

  II▪