Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-08-26

wonder that they were SAD as they talked
over the past Inks xxiv, ~. He bids them
keep the trouble away from their heart4
They had grncral faith In God. Like devout
Hebrews believing tho Scriptures they be-
leved IN Gods power to protect and fulfin
his pron.ises Now he says, @Bclieve also in
men For
O God lad testified to him by miracles
and yoiecs from heaven John xii, 2S, and by
the fulhlnent Of prophecy in him Luke xiv,
a..
q He came to do Gods win, as his ambas-
sador and representative; God was behind
him, and would make good all that he said in
the divine name.
81 He was himself divine This Is brought
out later Tvs. 10, III, and win be explained
How much depends on believingI
V. 2 They would be friendless and home
less here below, but @n my fathers house are
many mansionsT-a word we get from the
Latin and meaning, not rich, separate resi-
dences, but abiding places las in the margin
of the revisionl. He would not have drawn
them after him if they were to be unpro-
vided for. He was leaving them, as they
knew to their grief, but it was to prepare a
place for them. He opened the door into
heaven; he brought in the Righteousness that
gave title to it; he entered as their fore
runner Hebrews vi, 1920. These three
things are included. The "Father's house" is
one figure; others are "city" Hebrews xi,
1915 and 'within the vail" Hebrews vi, 10,
2O.
V. proves that be thought of the @pre-
pairing" in connection with his dying, rising
and ascension. "If do this, I will come
again" This is the second advent, many as
poets of which we too much neglect. You
shall not be forgotten or orphans. II will re-
ceive you," etc. Acts i, IL will show how
this was believed. Paul sets this truth before
the Colossians (Colossians iii, d. Revelations
iii, q should be examined in this connection.
V. 4 He had always told them of this, and
now recalls it, His death, the mode of it,
and the ends to be served, had all been an
nounced. He no doubt meant to draw them
out by these words.
V. s. Thomas was slow See John TX, "a,
96 He was, moreover, possibly agitated. So
he takes up the Masters words, "How can we
know the wayg It is likely that the en-
phasis is to be on tive" The Revision reads in
v. 4, "whither 60 ye know the way" Thomas
took it that they were to follow him and be
with him; but how could they do that if they
did not know whittier he was going? This
explains the answer of our Lord in
V. 6, "To go Thomas, into my Fathers
house is to go by me, for am the way" etc.
In Christ, we are in the way; not in him, we
are out of the way. In Christ, we are in the
truth; out of him, we are in deadly error. In
Christ, we are in the life; out of him, we are
still dead in sins This rule is absolute. "No
man cometh unto the Father, but by me- !"
See on this John K, 9; viii, 80; Eph Ii, 49,;
Acts iv, 12.
V. Is not SO clear until we have thought
it over Christ was the image, in feeling and
character, of the Father. If they had known
/. e., fully comprehended- they would
have comprehended the Father, and the way
to his house, which it was needful to provide,
but they would "from henceforth"-i O., not
from that moment, but from the time-near
! at hand-when the Comforter would come,
sent by Christ, and reveal the Father. See
VS.. 1917, 90
Now we come to Philips request He
seems to have been matter fact" (see
John vi, q in the turn of his mind Hence
bis words,
W. s., "Lord, shew us the Father, and it
suficeth u.s." will be enough for us, will satis-
fly us. Now we may think of the Father in
two respects: Q) In his nature, the invisible
God, and g) in his attributes The former
none could see John i, 49,; the latter Jesus
had shown, and Philip might well be gently
| blamed - reproached mildly here = for not
| knowing this. Hence the words
W. 81, "He that hath seen me hath seen the
| Father" So the Master said in John xii, 45
| There are three persons in the God-head. 1t
| is not that God is the Father when we think
Of him in heaven, the Son when we think of
him on earth, and the Holy Ghost when we
think of him as dwelling in U.s. IF this were
| SO there would be no sense in Jesus on earth
praying to the Father, or being deserted or
forsaken by him, or sending the Holy Spirit.
(See Eph. ii, Is, again.) The mode Of three In
| One we do not know; the facts are strongly
asserted and applied in Scripture Matt
xviii, 19).
". 10. The "in' of this verse relates to feel
ing, character and purpose. This is shown
| by the second and third clauses, speak the
words he would have spoken, and do the
deeds he approves. Entire unity Of aim is the
| point stated They need not be afraid of
finding the Father in anywise different from
the Son. An agent may make promises
which the principal will not own or be bound
| by; but it cannot be SO here.
| " IL The first element of comfort ". u
| is in believing. The remedy for Philips
| weakness is in the same direction, 'believe."
| Faith admits of extension. Hence the need
| Of getting more knowledge. And it admits
! of increase c'Lord increase our faith, Luke
| xvii, 81. The works Jesus had done in teaching
and saving men, rather than miracles, proved
| his oneness with the Father, as he had ex-
| planned before John v, 36. This leads on to
| another point: / am one in mind with God
| and do his works. You will become one in mind
| with me and do my works. as in v. 12.
Strange as it may seem, they would even do
more than he did. This does not refer to
| miracles, but to spiritual results. There never
| was Pentecost in his ministry.
| V. 49, And IS a part of this oneness with
him prayer would be effectuaL They would
| ask things according to his mind, and he
| would grant them This glorifies the Father,
| who grants, as promised, what believers ask
| insJeslIs' name
| v. Il To make this confidence strong land
how weak it commonly is in disciplesD the
Master repeats and emphasizes if ye," etc.
| Prayer is not dictation to God, nor demand
| of right. 1t is submission to Him. 1t asks
with qualification like this: "If this is right
in itself and best for me- and it leaves all the
conditions to God as to time, means, etc.
| Jesus, as the Son of God, answers prayer.
l . -