sufferings and death ; insomuch, that though they did not fully comprehend these predictions, they were much troubled and perplexed in relation to them. They were now, like ground that has been ploughed up, and watered with plenteous rains, prepared to receive into their bosoms the good seed, the word of life. Our Lord therefore now opened to them, more fully than on any other occasion, all the deepest mysteries of his religion. He told them plainly who he was, even one with the Father, insomuch that " whosoever had seen him, had seen the Father." He told them also, whither, and for what end, he was going ; even to his Father's house, " to prepare places for them." He told them, that his departure was altogether " expedient for them ;" so that if they considered it aright, instead of mourning on account of it, they would rejoice : for that he would send to them the Holy Ghost to be their abiding Comforter and Guide : yea, he himself would hear and answer every petition that they should present to the Father in his name ; nay more, though removed from them as to his body, he would come and manifest himself to them, and even dwell in them, by his Spirit. He opened to them also the nature and intent of his death, which was to procure " for them the remission of their sins ;" and shewed them, that, notwithstand- ing his removal from them, they should be united to him as branches to the vine, and, by constant communications of grace and strength from him, be enabled to bring forth the fruits of righteousness to his praise and glory. In a word, in his discourses at this feast, he brought forth every subject which their necessities required, and presented it in such a view as should most conduce to their lasting edification and comfort b.]
3. Of commending them to God in prayer —
[Doubtless he had oftentimes prayed with them : but this last prayer was peculiarly tender and impressive. It is the delight of pious friends, when parting to meet no more, to commend each other into the hands of their common Father, in the hope and prospect of seeing each other again in a better world. Thus did our blessed Lord on this occasion. He had taken the charge of his Disciples in this world, and had kept them all in safety, the traitor alone excepted, according to the predictions concerning him : and now he entreats his Father to keep them ; that, through their ministrations, his name may be made known to the ends of the earth; and, through their exalted love and jfiety, the whole world may have an evidence, both of the truth of his mission, and of the sanctifying
h Read attentively the 13th, 14th, loth, and 16th chapters of St. John.