John 17:1

Our blessed Saviour having ended his consolatory and valedictory sermon, contained in the three foregoing Chapter s; in this chapter we have recorded his last prayer, with and for his disciples, before he left the world; which is. copy left upon earth, of what he doth now intercede for as an advocate in heaven. "It is good (saith one) to compare scripture with scripture, but not to prefer scripture before scripture; all scripture being written by inspiration of God:" but if any part of scripture be magnified above another, this chapter claims the pre-eminence; it contains the breathings out of Christ's soul for his church and children, before his departure; not for his disciples only, but for the succeeding church to the end of the world.

In the verse before us, observe, 1. These words spake Jesus; that is, after he had finished his excellent sermon, he closes the exercises with. most fervent and affectionate prayer; teaching his ministers, by his example, to add solemn prayer and supplication to all their instructions and exhortations: if every creature of God be to be sanctified by prayer, much more the word of God, which works not as. natural agent, but as. moral instrument in God's hand. Now as God sets the word on work, so is it prayer that sets God on work.

Observe, 2. As the order of Christ's prayer, so the gesture in which he prayed: He lifted up his eyes to heaven: as an indication of his soul being lifted up to God in heaven; to signify his reverence of God, whose throne is in heaven; and to denote his confidence in God, and raised expectation of aid and help from God, and not from any creature.

Learn, that the gestures which we use in prayer, should be such as may express our reverence of God, and denote our affiance and trust in him:

Observe, 3. The person prayed to, God, under the appellation of. Father: it intimates. sweet relation; it is. word of endearing affection, and implies great reverence towards God, and great confidence and trust in him.

Learn, it is very sweet and comfortable in prayer, when we can come and call God Father.

Observe, 4. The mercy prayed, for; The hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify thee. The hour is come; that is, "The hour of my sufferings, and thy satisfaction; the hour of my victory, and of thy glory; the hour, the sad hour, determined in thy decree and purpose." No calamity can touch us till God's hour is come; and when the sad hour is come, the best remedy is prayer, and the only person to fly unto for succour is our heavenly Father.

Father, the hour is come, the doleful hour of my death and passion; glorify thy Son, glorify him at his death, by manifesting him to have been the Son of God; glorify him in his death, by accepting it as the death of thy Son for the sins of the world: glorify him after his death, by. speedy resurrection from the grave, and triumphant exaltation at thy right hand.

Here note, how the glory of the Father and the Son are inseparably linked together; it was the Father's design to glorify the Son, and it was the Son's desire to have glory from the Father, for this end, that he might bring glory to the Father: Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.