1. The mercy of preservation, both from sin and danger : so in the text ; " Keep, through thine own name, those whom thou hast " given me :" which is explained, ver. 15. "I pray not that thou " shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep " them from the evil.11 We, in ours, and the saints that are gone, in their respective generations, have reaped the fruit of this prayer. How else comes it to pass, that our souls are preserved amidst such a world of temptations, and these assisted and advan- taged by our own corruptions ? How is it else, that our persons are not ruined and destroyed amidst such multitudes of potent and malicious enemies, that are set on fire of hell ? Surely, the preser- vation of the burning bush, of the three children amidst the flames; of Daniel in the den of lions; are not greater wonders, than these our eyes do daily behold. As the fire would have cer- tainly consumed, and the lions, without doubt, have rended and devoured, had not God, by the interposition of his own hand, stopped and hindered the effect ; so would the sin that is in us, and the malice that is in others, quickly ruin our souls and bodies, were it not that the same hand guards and keeps us every moment. To that hand, into which this prayer of Christ delivered your souls and bodies, do you owe all your mercies and salvations, both tem- poral and spiritual.
% Another mercy he prays for, is the blessing of union among themselves. This he joins immediately with the first mercy of pre- servation, and prays for it in the same breath, verse 11. " That " they may be one, as we are.11 And well might he join them together in one breath ; for this union is not only a choice mercy in itself, but a special means of that preservation he had praved for before : their union with one another, is a special means to preserve them all.
3. A third desirable mercy that Christ earnestly prayed for, was, that his "joy might be fulfilled in them,11 verse 13. He would provide for their joy, even when the hour of his greatest sorrow was at hand ; yea, he would not only obtain joy for them, but a full joy : " that my joy might be fulfilled in them.11 It is as if he had said, O my Father, I am to leave these dear ones in a world of troubles and perplexities ; I know their hearts will be subject to frequent despondencies ; O let me obtain the cordials of divine joy
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for them before I go : I would not only have them live, but live joyfully ; provide for fainting hours reviving cordials.
4. And as » continued spring to maintain all the forementioned mercies, he prays " they all may be sanctified through the word " of truth, verse 17. i. e. more abundantly sanctified than yet they were, by a deeper radication of gracious habits and principles in their heart. This is a singular mercy in itself, to have holiness spreading itself over and through their souls, as the light of the morning. Nothing is in itself more desirable. And it is also a sin- gular help to their perseverance, union and spiritual joy, which he had prayed for before, and are all advanced by their increasing sanctification.
5. And lastly, as the complement and perfection of all desirable mercies, he prays, " that they may be with him, where he is, to " behold his glory," verse 24. This is the best and ultimate privi- lege they are capable of. The end of his coming down from hea- ven, and returning thither again, all runs into this, to bring many sons and daughters unto glory. You see Christ asks no trifles, no small things for his people; no mercies, but the best that both worlds afford, will suffice him on their behalf.
Secondly -, Let us see hpw he follows his requests, and with what arguments he pleads with the Father for these things : and, among others, I shall single out six choice ones, which are urged in this text, or the immediate context.
The first argument is drawn from the joint interest, that both himself, and his Father, have in their persons, for whom he prays, f* All mine are thine, and thine are mine," verse 10. As if he should say, Father, behold, and consider the persons I pray for, they are not aliens, but Christians : yea, they are thy children as well as mine ; the very same on whom thou hast set thy eternal love, and in that love hast given them to me ; so that they are both thine and mine : great is our interest in them, and interest draws care and tenderness. Every one cares for his own, provides for, and secures his own. Property, (even amongst creatures) is fun- damental to our labour, care, and watchfulness ; they would not so much prize life, health, estates, or children, if they were not their own, Lord these are thine own by many ties or titles : O therefore keep, comfort, sanctify, and save them, for they are thine. What a mighty plea is this ? Surely, Christians, your in- tercessor is skilful in his work, your advocate wants no eloquence or ability to plead for you.
The second argument, and that a powerful one, treads as I may say, upon the very heel of the former, in the next words, " And " I am glorified in them ;" q. d. my glory and honour are infinite- ly dear to thee ; I know thy heart is entirely upon the exalting and
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glorifying of thy Son. Now, what glory have I in the world, but what conies from my people ? Others neither can, nor will glorify me; nay, I am daily blasphemed and dishonoured by them : these are they from whom my active glory and praise in the world must rise. It is true, both thou and I have glory from other creatures objectively ; the works that we have made, and imprest our power, wisdom and goodness upon, do so glorify us : and honour we have from our very enemies accidentally ; their verv wrath shall praise us: but for active and voluntary praise, whence conies this but from the people that were formed for that very purpose ? Should these then miscarry and perish, where shall my manifestative and active glory be ? and from whom shall I expect it ? So that here his property and glory are pleaded with the Father, to prevail for those mercies ; and they are both great, and valuable things with God. What dearer, what nearer to the heart of God ?