does not proceed from our own merits, nor is it procured by human works and powers, but it is brought unto us, bestowed upon us, and freely given to us, by Christ. For, as to works, they only cause sects, and make divisions; wherein, one pursues this work and another that; even as, in an external life and community, there must be various offices and conditions, each one doing his own work. But, by the Word we are all made one in one faith and by that faith we become one spiritual body, although the works of each member be not the same. Even as, in our natural body, there are many and distinctly different operations, each member performing its own function, and no one member exercising the function of another; and yet, all the members are united in one, and in one mutual participation of all good. For the weakest and most infirm member is equally of the same flesh and blood, and enjoys the same health and life, as the strongest and most noble member. And yet, the operation of each separate member tends mutually to serve all the other members, and the whole body; and one member always helps another. And so also it is here faith collects and concentrates all the works and makes them one. All the hearts therefore hang on Christ and the Father by faith, and all things that they do or hope for, flow from this faith.

That they be made perfect in one.

Here again he melodiously harps upon the same string in which he seems so to delight, as though he knew not what else to speak of: and yet the words seem to sound so childishly to the judgment of reason, that,' (to say without fear what I have so often said before,) I never read any book where the words were so simple, and yet contained, in that plainness and simplicity, matter so important and unspeakable. It'is not enough, (saith he,) that they be one, but they must be "made perfect in one." As though he had said, I have some Christians who must all be made and become one; but there is a deficiency, arising from many of them being yet weak. The unity of essence is indeed effected, but it

stands only in faith; and as much as there is of faith, so much is there of perfection-Therefore he prays the Father, that they may be made perfect, may grow more strong in their begun faith, and may be made one perfectly in Christ. In the same manner Paul also speaks, Col. ii. "Ye are complete in him :" that is, ye have an overflowing abundance in Christ, nor have ye need to seek any thing more elsewhere.

Hence, he that hath Christ is said to be perfect: that is, he has a full and perfect treasure of all the blessings that the mind can think worth craving or desiring: which are, eternal life, righteousness, wisdom, and all divine blessings: nor does such a man want any thing, but a taking heed to persevere in holding fast these things unto the end. The treasure is present with us, and collected together into one place; but the vessel is weak; for which cause, we cannot hold it fast so perfectly as we ought; for we carry, as Paul saith, 2 Cor. iv. "This treasure in earthen vessels." On that account, therefore, we are to labour daily in unceasing prayer, continual preaching, and much admonition, and to fight against all opposition and temptations, that we lose not so great and precious a treasure, nor give the devil an occasion or opportunity of plucking it out of our hands, (which is what he is ever aiming at with all his powers;) but that we take the more earnest heed to guard and hold it fast, and shun no peril for such a treasure's sake.

And that the world may know that thou hast sent me.

There are two things that he especially dwells on in this chapter. The one, that we who have come to the faith by the preaching of the apostles, and those who shall be brought to the same faith daily, should by that faith become "one. The other, that by this unity, it might become known to the world, that Christ was sent by the Father, and that we are loved by him. For in these two things, namely, the Word and faith, stand the whole matter: and he that loses these, loses all: nor is there any counsel or help remaining for him, nor any consolation: no moral probity can avail him any thing:

all works, and all life, however blamelessly spent, are vain all unity is taken away, Christ is lost, and neither the knowledge of the Word nor of the Father can be attained unto. And, in a word, the light is gone, and the way cannot be found by reason of darkness, but we are carried away into by-paths, while the devil pursues us at his pleasure; for this I have sufficiently experienced myself, and that to my own sorrow.

And hast loved them as thou hast loved me.

This is what ought to flow from the knowledge of the Father and of the Word-that our hearts may, with gladness and without a doubt, be enabled to say, that we are the children of God and have a propitious Father. For it is the peculiar office of Christ, to make us fully assured by his Word, that we may promise to ourselves all the love and grace of God; even that love wherewith he loved Christ his only begotten Son from the foundation of the world; so that, it may be called the love in Christ, and through Christ; and, in a word, that inestimable and eternal love, which is comprehensible by no heart of man!-Behold! This is the wonderful and ineffable glory which is freely given us in Christ; but in the Word and faith only, until we get into the full enjoyment of it in the life to come; as now follows

Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, &c.

This is the last part, but of all the most consolatory, of this prayer for all that depend on Christ; whereby, we are rendered certain and assured of that which we are brought to expect-that we shall have a rest, and sure and peaceable habitations and mansions; seeing that here, in the world, we are exiles and live in utter banishment, having no certain dwelling-place. For we have before heard, that the Christian must willingly part with all the favour, the attentions, the applause, the benevolence, and the protection of men, and all the ease and quiet of this life, and be prepared to receive the darts of the devil, to be every hour in peril of his life, and every hour expecting death. Now, death is a most

awful and terrible thing, especially where the man has it continually before his eyes, not knowing what step to take next, nor where to pass the night. Therefore, Christ performs the office of a faithful and kind Saviour, and has a care over us in providing for us a place of rest and safety; saying, that we shall be and shall live with him, and shall enjoy the same happiness and blessedness which he himself has with the Father.

What he would say is this-Be of good cheer; 'be not troubled about where ye are to abide, or to what place ye are to go. Let the devil and the world roar and rage against you, by destroying you, by burning you, and by exterminating you from off the face of the earth. There is one who holds a most watchful care over you, that ye may arrive in safety in the place that ye desire; where ye shall be safe and secure from the world and all devils, and shall live in the most perfect rest and tranquillity!'-And where is that place? and what is its name?" Where I am," saith he that is, in the arms and bosom of the Father: to which place, all the angels shall be ready to convey us. The place indeed has no certain name, nor does it permit itself to be pointed out by the finger, or even to be described, but it is to be conceived of from the Word by faith !

This scripture therefore, we ought to use as a sup-. port and pillow for our souls; and, securely resting thereon, to depart with joy when the wished-for moment shall arrive, wherein we are to be delivered from sin and every evil, and moreover from the tyranny of the world and the power of the devil, and to be taken away into eternal rest!

But it has already been more than once shewn, whom Christ means by these words, "whom thou hast given me;" namely us, (to whom they administer the greatest consolation,) who hold fast his Word, and especially when the storms of temptations increase, and when the world tries us and loads us with shame for the Word's sake, and spoils us of all our goods: for then, we ought boldly to take to ourselves these promises, and not to have the least doubt that Christ will receive us

into his glory, although we be still sinners, filled with much weakness, and covered with many defects. For these words are spoken to us who are upon earth, and now live in flesh and blood, and not to the angels who are in heaven, nor to the saints who are dead and buried.

But this word, "I will," is to be especially considered; for he uses an authority with the Father, as one who was unwilling to be refused; in order that, the promise might be the more sure, as being of one who. could not lie. And why is this? that he might awaken and stir up us who are slothful and slow of heart to believe, that we might not fall into any hesitation or doubt, but might be as certain of these things, as though we saw them plainly before our eyes.

That they may behold my glory which thou hast given me.

My Christians shall be brought to that state of felicity, that they shall not only be where I am, but shall be brought into an open vision of my glory: concerning which, he thus spoke before in other words, "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them." For here upon earth we know that glory by faith only, and do not see it, "but (as Paul saith, 1 Cor. xiii.) through a glass darkly:" namely, as far as we hear it taught in the ministry, and embrace it in our minds :— that Christ arose from the dead, that he ascended into heaven, and sits in the majesty and glory of the Father, and is the one Almighty Lord of all creatures. But of these things our knowledge is still obscure, like the sun when overcast by a cloud. For the greatness of this glory, it never entered into the heart of man to conceive, nor can it be comprehended by the human mind; even as Christ himself shews, that it is quite the contrary with us. But, in the life to come, another light will shine; where we shall no more believe, nor preach, nor attend to hearing the Word, but shall be in the presence of Christ, and shall see him openly before us, and be filled thereby with joy and pleasure unspeakable!