and pray that the

grace of God may be with us, and trust then that it will be given, rather than assert or expect to feel that it is.

This, however, might seem a difficulty to those who were as yet but just instructing in the elements of Christ's religion, and Judas (that is, Thaddeus) therefore said unto him, "Lord, how is it that thou will manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"15 and the answer of our Saviour places the doctrine in its proper light," if a man love me," that is, if a man be a righteous, a religious one, a real Christian," he will keep my words,' and be diligent not only to know, but to make them the rule of his life; and if he do so, 66 my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and take up our abode with him.'””

In the mode of the expression, we might observe again the same doctrine, and in the assurance of it every good man may feel comfort; for while he endeavours to approve himself before his God and Saviour, and in all humility of

mind to seek his grace, he is taught that that

15 Verse 22.

16-23.

17_23.

grace will be vouchsafed him. He may not expect evidences of the real presence any more than by its effects upon his heart, nor expect to "see God, visibly, standing on his right hand;" but he may still be assured that "God is with him ;" and "if any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine that it is of God;" for he will find in the belief a conviction that cannot be withstood, a serenity which cannot be disturbed, and an elevation of mind which nothing else can give; he will find what will make him "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus;" he will "find the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, and it will fill him with all joy and peace in believing."

These are the points which, in this conversation with his disciples, our Saviour briefly suggested, and which, after his ascension, they more fully understood: "the Comforter, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things; and now I have told you before it is come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may remember that I told you of them."18 In

18 Verse 26.

the mean time, saith he, as I am now departing

from you, I would bequeath my blessing; and, as the most valuable of all, "Peace I leave with

you, my peace I give unto you; not as the "19 for this is one

world giveth, give I unto you;'

which the world cannot give, neither can it take away. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me"-believe that "the authority of the Son is equal to the authority of the Father;" that "all men are to honour the Son even as they honour the Father;" that "hereafter ye shall know distinctly those things which at present ye must receive by faith"-stablish your hearts in that faith, and it will support you under the heaviest pressure of fear, or suffering, or of persecution; and what I said unto you at first, I say unto all," let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid ye have heard how I said I go away, and come again unto you.

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It was his desire that his disciples, on being parted from him, should not confine their thoughts to the present scene; that they should anticipate periods more distant and different; and that the

glory to which he was about to be exalted should soften the pangs of separation. "If ye love me,

you would rejoice because I said I go unto the Father, for the Father is greater than I;" greater than I appear amongst you now, taking the form of a servant, and coming, not to be ministered unto, but to minister; soon to be advanced to that mediatorial throne which is on the right hand of God, and there to reign till, all enemies being subdued, God shall be all in all, and it shall be seen how I and the Father are one.

When they who have lived in the faith and fear of God are taken away, and angels, perhaps, who rejoice over "a sinner that repenteth," experience a new delight because a believer, who hath been combating under the banners of Christ, against sin, the world, and the devil, is released from the "burden of the flesh," and comes to be admitted to a participation of their glory, they might, in the same words, repress unreasonable grief, "if you loved me, you would rejoice, because I go to the Father," and not wish to recall to a scene of tribulation and distress, to

21 Verse 28.

struggle again with the calamities which are inseparable from this fallen and mortal state.

It is in the views which our Saviour here discloses of that future world, on the confines of which we stand, and know not how soon we may be called to it-into which we see others, who had as much reason to expect to live as ourselves, called early or suddenly away, and in the contemplation or recollection of whom our hearts would else be troubled and afraid-it is in these views, and the means by which alone we can be partakers of them, that real support is found in life or death; that we are able to bear the troubles of the one with fortitude, or meet the terrors of the other with hope; that in the anticipation or experience of evil there is a "refuge and strength," which in this world or the next leads us to trust in Him, "beside whom there is no other name under heaven given among man whereby they can be saved."

"Hereafter" saith our Lord, in conclusion, (having now pointed out these sources) "hereafter, I will not talk much with you," (these

22 Verse 30.

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