[He illustrates their union with him by the similitude of a vine and its branches ; and informs them that their fruitful- ness in good works depended entirely upon their receiving of grace from him a. This is the most sublime, and the most im- portant doctrine of our holy religion. It is, alas ! too com- monly overlooked, even by those who think themselves well versed in the truths of Christianity. It does not so much as enter into the mind of Christians in general. They have no idea what is meant by an union with the Lord Jesus Christ. They have some general notion that we are to be saved by him ; but, in what manner, they know not. But this doctrine cannot be too attentively considered, seeing that it is the very
corner-stone of our religion the one means of procuring
us an interest in Christ and the only method by which
we can derive any blessings from him ]
The preceptive part directed them how to secure the full advantages of that union —
[Some might possibly infer from the foregoing representa- tion, that the Disciples of Christ were secure by virtue of their union with him, even though they should not exert themselves at all in the way of duty. He therefore cautions his Disciples against any such mistake. He bids them to " abide" in him by the continual exercise of faith, and to approve themselves to him by a diligent observance of his commandments b. These injunctions mark the duty of all his followers. If on the one hand we must not depend on ourselves, but receive continual supplies of grace out of his fulness ; so neither on the other hand are we to be supine as though we had nothing to do.
We must go to him in fervent prayer rely upon him
with unshaken affiance and labour to serve him with
our whole hearts ]
After having delivered these instructions our Lord condescended to declare,
II. For what end he spake them —
The slightest alteration in our translation of the text will both remove an appearance of tautology, and suggest some very important reflections0 —
Our Lord desired to confirm the joy that he and
his Disciples mutually communicated and received —
[Our Lord rejoiced exceedingly in his Disciples, even as
a ver. 1 — 6. b ver. 4, 10.
c Construe iv vfiiv with /'/ \upu »/ e/uri — " My joy in you."