2. Positively, * For their sakes.' The apostles are chiefly concerned in the context, who were sent into the world upon a peculiar message and errand ; but all the elect are intended, partly because it is pre- sently added, ver. 20, * Neither pray I for these alone, but for all that shall believe in me through their word ;' partly because it is a common benefit, and what doth not concern the apostles as apostles, but is common to them with others, must be extended to all ; for their sakes he doth wholly consecrate himself, and set himself apart for his people's benefit, that he might be theirs ; it was for their weal, not for his own, that he might be their mediatpr and sacrifice. Christ was wholly set apart for our use ; as mediator, he had no other work and employment but to procure our salvation. How doth this engage us to make use of Christ, for otherwise his undertaking is in vain, if we do not improve him for those ends and purposes for which he doth set apart himself; even as the sun would shine in vain if we did shut up our- selves in a dark place, and did not enjoy the light and comfort of it, and the brazen serpent would in vain be lifted up upon the perch and pole, if none that were stung would look upon it. Oh ! let not Christ be a Christ in vain : 2 Cor. vi. 1, ' We then, as workers together with him, beseech you that you receive not the grace of God in vain.' If he wholly gave up himself to be a fountain of grace, holiness, comfort, and glory in our nature, and did fit himself to justify and sanctify us, and we never look after the benefit, we make him to be a Christ in vain.
Secondly, We come now to the end, effect, and fruit of it, ' That they might be sanctified through the truth.'
First, The benefit, or blessing intended, ' That they also might be sanctified.' Where —
1. Observe, it is honum morale, not that they might be rich, happy,
10 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XXXIII.
great, glorious in the world, but ' that they might be sanctified.' When Christ was on the cross, he neither wanted wisdom to choose, nor love to intend, nor merit to purchase the highest benefits, and those which were most necessary for us ; but that which he had in his eye was our sanctification : Eph. v. 26, ' He loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it ;' and Heb. xiii. 12, ' Jesus, that he might sanctify the people, suffered without the gate.' All his aim was to recover us to God, and dedicate us to God ; for he came to repair the ruins of the fall, and save that which was lost : Luke xix. 10, ' Tiie Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost,' And we were first lost to God before we were lost to ourselves; as appeareth, Luke xv., by the parable of the lost sheep, which was lost to the owner ; and the lost groat, which was lost to the possessor ; and the lost son, which was lost to the father. Our misery is included ; but the principal thing intended was, that God hath lost the honour of the creation.
2. It is honum congruum : ' I sanctify myself, that they may be sanctified.' The scripture delighteth in these congruities : Heb. v. 8, 9, 'He learned obedience by the things that he suffered : and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.' As there is a suitableness between the seal and the impression, so between Christ and his people. In all things Christ must irpwreveiv, he must have the pre-eminence. We have the blessings of the covenant, not only from him, but through him. Christ was elected : Isa. xlii. 1, * Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my elect in whom my soul delighteth ; ' so are we. Christ was justified : I Tim. iii. 16, ' God manifested in the fiesh, justified in the spirit ;' so are we. Christ was sanctified, and we, in conformity to him, are sancti- fied also, as in the text. Christ rose again, ascended, and was glorified ; so do we — he as the elder brother and first heir, and we in our order.
3. It is honum specificativum. It showeth the parties, or that sort of men to whom Christ intended the benefit : Heb. x. 14, ' For by one ofiering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified ;' them and no other : the godly themselves, while unconverted, and lying in their sins, have not the actual benefit of Christ's redemption.
But in what manner are we sanctified ? Christ consecrated and sanctified himself as a sin-offering ; but we are sanctified and conse- crated as a thank-offering ; Christ to do the work of a redeemer or mediator, we to do the work of the redeemed. We are set apart for the Lord, to glorify him in all holy conversation and godliness.