15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.



Ver. 15. We know that we have] Iste vir potuit quod voluit, That man could do what he would with God, said one concerning Luther. {See Trapp on "Joh_15:16"}



We have the petitions that we desired of him] If we can perceive and discern that God listeneth, the thing is done. Now the former we may find, first, by a cast of God’s countenance, by a smile of his face, Psa_22:24; Psa_34:15, for a godly man is admitted to see as well as speak; like a good angel, he is ever looking on the face of God; and can gather by that how he shall speed in his suit. The upright shall dwell in his presence, Psa_140:13, when the hypocrite shall not come before him, Job_13:16. Secondly, By the answer of a man’s own conscience, 1Jn_3:20. God answers us by this, as he did the high priest by Urim and Thummim, and as he answered Elijah by fire from heaven that consumed his sacrifice. This faithful petitioners seldom fail of, Psa_35:13; Psa_6:8-9 Php_4:6-7.