John

They are not taught of God; they have Christ's Word to enlighten them, but not his Spirit to sanctify them. But, that you should have the inward, as well as the outward teaching, that Christ should anoint you with the heavenly unction of his Spirit, that you can say, as in (John…

1. Christ's person in two natures: 1. Look upon his human nature as incarnate. The Valentinians deny his human nature; but (John 1:14) the Word was made flesh; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It is spoken of Christ, the promised Messiah.

John 1:12 — To them he gave power to become the sons of GOD. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, the next is Adoption:

To consider Christ as he is crowned with all manner of excellencies, does rather stir up admiration and wonder; but Christ looked upon as bleeding and dying is the proper object of our faith: therefore it is called faith in his blood (Romans 3:25). 3. Appropriation, or the apply…

Response. Saint Austin understands it not of every [reconstructed: individual] person, but some of all sorts shall be saved: as in the ark, God saved all the living creatures; not every bird or fish were saved, for many perished in the flood; but all, that is, some of every kind…

The plainer the diamond is, the more it sparkles: the plainer the heart is, the more it sparkles in God's eye. What a commendation did Christ give Nathanael (John 1:47). Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile.

If a Christian has any assistance in duty, or victory over temptation, he rears up a pillar and writes upon it, Hucusque adjuvabit Deus — Hitherto the Lord has helped me. John the Baptist transferred all the honor from himself to Christ; he was content to be eclipsed that Christ…

In whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. It is said, not only Christ was with God before the beginning, but he was God (John 1:1), and (1 Timothy 3:16), God manifest in the flesh. The title of Lord so often given to Christ in the New Testament does answer to the ti…

But what a fearful course is this, that men should thus brutishly go on from day to day, not knowing how to worship God? Well, all such as love their own souls, and would be like to godly Jacob; or (as our Savior Christ said to Nathanael) would be true Israelites, John 1.47, the…

And verse 17. You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: for that same day will I bring your Armies out of the Land of Egypt. And touching the second, that it was a sign of a more heavenly deliverance from the bondage of sin and Satan, Paul tells us plainly, when as he says,…

And Saint John says, That as many as received Christ, to them he gave power to be called the sons of God. And lest any man should think that to receive Christ, is not to believe in Christ; he adds, Even to as many as believe in his name (John 1:12). And therefore faith is fitly…

And therefore as Isaac is called the child of Promise, and said, to be born by promise, Galatians 4:23. So, men regenerate and born to the Church, are said, not to be born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1:13. And Saint James sait…

Some do place faith in the mind, and partly in the will, because it has two parts; knowledge, and affiance: but it seems not greatly to stand with reason, that one particular and single grace should be seated in diverse parts or faculties of the souls. The form of faith is, to a…

The second, that saving faith is a particular assurance, is proved by this, that the property of faith is to apprehend and apply the promise, and the thing promised, Christ with his benefits. (John 1:12) As many, says Saint John, as received him, to them he gave power to be the…

He that hideth his sins shall not prosper: but he that confesses and forsakes them shall finde mercy. 1. Ioh. 1. 9. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithfull and just, to forgiue vs our sins, and to clense vs from all unrighteousnesse.

So shall it be with Christ when he comes forth (says the Prophet) to the eyes of the world, he shall, as it were, be like a scraggly shrub on a moor's edge. Our Lord had personal and much divine comeliness in him, as we may see (John 1:14), where he says that the Word was made f…

As namely that of (Isaiah 9:6): To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of whose Kingdom and Government there shall be…

So (Song of Solomon 5:2), By the sleepy bride it is said, It is the voice of my beloved that knocks; and (Psalm 24), last four verses, it's cried, Lift up your heads you gates, and be lifted up you everlasting doors, that the king of glory may come in, which is an [reconstructed…

A second way to clear and confirm it, is to consider his works often joined with his name — the works of creation, providence, redemption, and guiding of his church. So we have it (John 1:1): In the beginning was the Word, the substantial Word of the Father, the Son of his love,…

Most part, think faith to be a conceit, a humor, or a guessing, that they think they may have and never know how; but it's a real thing, a coming from our own righteousness, as I said, to His, from a Covenant of Works, to rest on Christ and His righteousness, held forth in the C…

It is impossible that they can suitably esteem of him, and love him, who are not justified by him; and therefore they that believe not on him to justification, are called despisers of him, and traders of the blood of the covenant under foot. And they fall under that sad complain…

(Romans 5:1): Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 1:12): To as many as received Him, He gave power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believe in His name; where the faith that has the promise of justification, and the…

2. That there be an assent to the thing known; as when we know that we are sinners, and that it is the blood of Christ that must cleanse us from sin, we must assent to the truth of these, as Christ says (John 8), If you believe not Moses his writings, how shall you believe my wo…

And yet this same is His complaint (Matthew 23:37): "How often would I have gathered you, and you would not." And in John 1:11 it is said, "He came to his own, and his own received him not." Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were lifted up to heaven by the Lord's preaching to t…

2. For the time to come study holiness, and take on no more of this burden; always remembering, that when you take on the debt of the least sin, or seek to hoodwink (as it were) the conscience, and to put out the eyes of it, that you may sin the more securely, and with the great…

This is the fourth considerable point, the matter of the answer. Here is a Lord-Speaker from heaven, testifying that the Lord's name shall be, and was glorified: As 1. In Christ's person and incarnation (John 1:14): The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his…

Of carnal walking (1 Corinthians 3:3). Yet they are called something more, sons of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). Saints (1 Corinthians 1:1).

Now you must conceive that all worship stands in advancing another, with the debasing of ourselves; we humble ourselves, that we may advance another. Now if our debasement to them be such as is not compatible to a creature, as when we subject our heart and spirits to them; this…

To show you how God is wont to express himself to his people, when we have broken covenant with him, God will say, he will not look at us any more, he will never protect us more, he will neither meddle nor make with us, but will expose us to all evil; now if thereupon we return…

Our Saviour prays the Father, that all those whom he had given him might be one with him, as you and I are one: you in me by your spirit, and I in you, by the same spirit; and this spirit is such as makes not only me, one with you, but them also, one with me; and they also in li…

Of his own will he begat us; it is that therefore to this life by which we are begotten, for all generation is to life, it is of his own will that we are begotten to this life. And the apostle John sets it forth, by the removal and denial of all other causes (John 1:13). We are…

And when they came and saw it they said, We believe, not because of your word, but because we have heard him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Christ. This is the proper nature of true life, as soon as they are truly begotten, they beget others of their own kind, no…

For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount; and John also (John 1:14).…

The power of his divine nature was manifested, because it enabled him to continue forty days and nights without eating or drinking anything; the utmost that an ordinary man can fast being but nine days usually. Thus his divinity and humanity are expressed in most, or all of his…

It was not the addition of any glory to Christ which he had not before, but a manifestation of the glory which he had, though obscured under the veil of our flesh, for the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily (Colossians 2:9). And we beheld his glory as the glory of the o…

Peter had a family, and household affairs to mind, for we read in the Gospel that his wife's mother was sick and cured by Christ (Matthew 8:14). He had friends and a brother called Andrew, who was one of the disciples of Christ, left below in the valley (John 1:40). Nay, he forg…

A Son coequal with his Father (John 5:18), the Jews sought to kill him because he said, God was his Father, making himself equal with God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his own proper Father. So co-essential, of the same substance with his Father (John 1:1), in the beginning was th…

Their help is not the fruit of our trust in them, but their obedience to God; and it is seen in frustrating the endeavors of Satan and his instruments, and other services wherein Christ employs them. God showed this to Jacob in the vision of the ladder, which stood upon earth, a…

Now this I am persuading to, that they that have found Christ would be so charitable to souls as to communicate the knowledge of him, and the way to enjoy him, to others. Thus does Andrew come to Simon, and Philip to Nathaniel, and both of them were (as a man finding a jewel, an…

For when this article is taken away, there remains nothing else but error, hypocrisy, impiety and idolatry, however much it may seem in outward appearance to be the very truth, the true service of God, and true holiness. Etc. The reason is, because God will or can be known no ot…

Faith therefore in Christ makes us the children of God, and not the law. The same thing witnesses also John in the first chapter (John 1): He gave power to as many as believed in him, to be the children of God. What tongue either of men or angels can sufficiently extol and magni…

Then may charity and good works begin to do their office. Let us learn therefore to discern all laws, yes even the law of God, and all works, from faith and from Christ, that we may define Christ rightly, and know that he is not the law, and therefore he is no exactor of the law…

Christ againe is (as it were) a conduit, or pipe, to conuaie grace from the father to vs. Of his fulnesse we receive grace for grace. Ioh. 1. In him we are complete.

Justifying faith in true manner is defined thus: It is a gift, whereby we apprehend Christ, and his benefits. (John 1:12): to believe in Christ, and to receive Christ, are put both for one. (John 6): faith is the mouth of the soul, whereby we eat the flesh of Christ, and drink h…

If we say we have no sinne, we deceiue our selues. 1. Ioh. 1. 9. The Papists say, that all these places are meant of veniall sinnes.

For he that is sent forth from God, was before he was sent forth. And the sonne is said to be sent forth; because he was with God the father before all worlds, Ioh. 1. 1. and because he came from the bosome of his father, v. 18. Obiect.

Whereby Paul signifies himself and the Galatians that believed in Christ. Believers then are the persons to whom this liberty belongs (John 1:12; 1 Timothy 4:3). And true believers are thus to be discerned.

For Christ is made to vs wisdome,righteousnes—that as it is written, He that gloris, shouldglorie in the Lord: euen to make boast of him all the day long, as the Psalmist speaks. And the reason why Paul professs that he will glorie onely in the Crosse of Christ, is, because Chri…

8.27. By his word, John 1.3. By the Sonne, Col.

Now although Christ had little need of these gifts and graces: yet was it needful for us that he should be thus enriched with them, because he took our flesh upon him; to the end he might afterwards pour out again all those benefits upon us, of which we should otherwise have bee…

So Athanasius, Basil, Chrysostom: 1. Is God the Father called Almighty, so is Christ (Revelation 1:8), 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Almighty. 2. Is God the Father the heart-searcher, so is Christ (John 2:25). He knew their thoughts.

O then be like Christ in humility. 2. Did Christ take our flesh, was he made like to us, let us be made like to him in zeal (John 2:16). The zeal of your house has eaten me up.

Zeal is a mixed affection, a compound of love and anger; it carries forth our love to God, and anger against sin in a most intense manner: zeal is impatient of God's dishonor; a Christian fired with zeal takes a dishonor done to God worse than an injury done to himself (Revelati…

3. The evil tongue is the hasty or angry tongue: They have no command of passions, but are carried away with them, as a chariot with wild horses. I know there is a holy anger, when we are angry with sin: Christ had this anger when they made the temple a place of merchandise (Joh…

He did as it were give them in marriage. And Jesus Christ did honor marriage with his presence (John 2:2). The first miracle he wrought was at a marriage, when he turned the water into wine.

For when Christ had newly received that testimony from all the three persons — the Father proclaiming him to be his Son from heaven; the Spirit descending on him at his baptism (it being the special grace and institution of that ordinance to seal up adoption and regeneration) —…

The second gift is regeneration, whereby a man who was a limb of the devil is made a member of Christ, and one who was a child of Satan (whom every one of us by nature does as vividly resemble as any man does his own parent) is made the child of God. Except a man (says our Savio…

And taking the Word to be God's Word, they may give to it a higher assent than they give to any man's word, because God is worthy, infinitely worthy of more credit than any man, indeed than all men, and angels too. There may be, I say, in this Historical Faith of divine truths,…

And the reason of this is, 1. Because there is nothing that is not saving, but a natural man may have it; now, this doctrinal faith is not saving, and so a natural man may have it — yea, the devils believe and tremble; and James does not dispute with these to whom he writes on t…

1. Because (as I just now said) it may be in reprobates, and devils. 2. Because the Scripture expressly differentiates this sort of faith, from saving faith, many were called believers, to whom Christ would not commit himself, as it is, (John 2:24). For, though they believed it…

2. It is Antinomian doctrine to make opposition between the Gospel promise, and the debt of the promise: the debt of works (Romans 4 and Romans 11) is law-debt due to the worker, as a hireling is worthy of his wages, because he has done the work perfectly, according to a covenan…

So by John Baptist's ministry, all and every one of his hearers must be converted, why? As Arminians expound many that Christ died for (Matthew 20:28) to be all and every man without exception (1 Timothy 2:6, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 2:1) so they are debtors to us for the same libert…

Here the present world signifies the corrupt estate of mē, that liue according to the lusts of their own hearts. 1. Ioh. 2. 16. And men are here said to be delivered & takē out of the world, when they are seuered from the condition of sinnfull men by sanctification, and newnes…

He that says he knowes God, and keepes not his commandements, makes him a liar. 1. Ioh. 2. 4. and 3. 6. Tit. 2. last.

To loue the word of God above all earthly treasure: and to tread our own wills under foote, and to desire that Gods wil may be preferred in all things. 1. Ioh. 2. 5. There are many houses among vs, where the cards and tables are walking, but the Bible is seldome, or neuer seene.

John does: if any man sinne, we have an aduocate. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. This makes against the Catharists or Puritanes, who auouch, they neither have sinne, nor can sinne: because they be trees of righteousnes; and a good tree cannot bring forth euill fruit.

In this sense the Evangelist Saint John shows, that himself and Saint Peter believed the Scriptures after they had seen the signs of Christ's resurrection in the Sepulchre (John 20:8). In another place also he says, that the disciples believed in Christ, when that was accomplish…

Others, which are more plausible, and are not chargeable with any remarkable fault, are condemned on this ground, that they are imagined to be necessary to the worship of God; and thus there is a departure from sincere obedience to God alone, and a snare is laid for the conscien…

Christ had indeed said, that when the temple of his body was destroyed, he would raise it up within three days, (John 2:19.) The false witnesses do not now resort to some new contrivance, but they put a wrong interpretation on his words, as if he boasted that he would practice s…

Christ had said, Destroy this temple, and after three days I will raise it up, (John 2:19;) but now they indulge in a premature triumph, and do not wait for the three days that would elapse from the commencement of its destruction.

So it is called of the Lord the Spirit of truth, of that effect, of which he spoke in that place (John 14:17). Moreover, a celestial power is said to have appeared in the resurrection of Christ, because he rose again by his own strength, as he testified many times, saying, destr…

He showed the glory of his omniscience, by telling the thoughts of men; as we have often an account. Thus in the midst of his meanness and humiliation, his divine glory appeared in his miracles (John 2:11): This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested…

Abraham made a great feast at the weaning of Isaac; and Isaac makes a feast for Abimelech and Phicol the chief Captain of his Army (Genesis 26:30). And the like examples we have in various other places: and our Savior Christ himself was at a feast in Cana of Galilee, where when…

But to cut off this occasion, two rules must be remembred; First,that the falling away of any man, from the truth, is the worke of God, discouering an hidden hypocrite, 1. Ioh. 2. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had beene of us, they would have co…

Buy of me eie salue, that you maiest see: that is, we must get of him the inlightning of his spirit, in the holy ministery of his word; for this is that anointing which teaches us all things, 1. Ioh. 2. 27. which when we doe truly receive, then does our wicked eie become single.…

The second comparison is to the same purpose in these words, and the smell of your ointments than all spices! Ointments typified the graces of the Spirit, the pouring out of which is called the unction (John 2:20), and the oil of joy (Psalm 45:7). The smell thereof signifies the…

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh; as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." This was the house where Christ dwelt, till he came to dwell in the temple of his body, or human nature, which was the antitype of this temple; as app…

'Tis so in all his dealings; see (John 11:6): Jesus loved Lazarus, and when he heard he was sick he stayed two days — little love in that, to stand still when there was need of help — yet that stay was for the advantage of the miracle and commendation of his love. So (John 2): w…

Public reformations are carried on with most credit and comfort, and are most likely to settle upon lasting foundations, when meekness sits at the stern, and guides the motions of them. When Christ was purging the temple, though he was therein acted by a zeal for God's house tha…

He has discerning eyes; nothing is hidden from him; all things are open and naked before him with whom we have to do. It is said of him while he was in this world that Jesus knew all men and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man (John 2:24-25). H…

Christ knows the minds of all. He knows what is in man and needs not that any man testify of him, John 2:25. He searches the hearts and tries the desires of all, Revelation 2:23.

Many of the endowments of Christ, from the Spirit with which he was abundantly anointed, are here recounted. Principally those of wisdom, counsel, and understanding, are insisted on: on the account of which, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are said to be in him (Coloss…

Much wisdom may be learned hereby: for when any meekly take a reproof, thereby they suppress their passion, and keep it from rising as a cloud before their understanding and darkening it, and so may they better judge of the matter reproved whether it be just or not: and whether…

2. The Heart is apt to deceive with a false Faith, it would put the dead child in the room of the living. They in the second of John are said to believe: But Christ did not believe their faith, John 2:24. True Faith, as it casts it self into Christs arms to embrace him, so it ca…

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. In one of the Miracles that Christ wrought, he first caused the Water-pots to be filled with Water, and then says he, Draw out now, John 2:8. So we must first have our Heads filled with Knowledge, and then we shall be able to draw out…

These things his disciples did not understand at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things to him. Mark, they were guided by the Spirit to do that they knew not for the present; they had o…

8. That holiness, faith, meekness and patience, are better treasures than any the world can take from us. Certainly a Christian is to reckon himself by the inward man; if he has a healthy soul, he may the better dispense with a sickly body (third John 2). If the inward man be re…

All God's works have their appointed hour and time, and God will not disturb the order of causes, or work sooner or later; but as the beautiful frame of his providence does permit. (John 2:4) "Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour is not yet come." Our time wherein we would…

He answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there shall be no sign given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonah: for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three night…

For in vain is the Net spread in the sight of any [reconstructed: Bird] (Proverbs 1:17), or of a seeing man. 4 It appears that sin has blinded man, for he knows not where he goes (John 12:35, 1 John 2:11). Men are busy in this world (like a company of Ants) creeping up and down…

It is a zeal that checks sin, and forwards the heavenly life. It is a zeal that makes the glory of God its chief end, which swallows up all by-ends, The zeal of your house, has eaten me up (John 2:17). But now all zeal is not this kind of zeal, there is a false zeal, as well as…

Here is sweet fruit from a bitter stock. Christ caused the earthen vessels to be filled with water, and then turned the water into wine (John 2:9). So when the eye, that earthen vessel, has been filled with water to the brim, then Christ will turn the water of tears into the win…

In matters of religion a Christian must be clothed with the spirit of Elijah, and be full of the fury of the Lord (Jeremiah 6:11). Christ was meek (Matthew 11:29), yet zealous (John 2:14-15): The zeal of your house has eaten me up. Second, meekness is opposed to malice; malice i…

Spiritual mercies are not only worth desiring, but worth waiting for. Third, if God should not fill his people to satisfaction here, yet they shall be filled in heaven; the vessels of their desires shall be filled, as those water jars at Cana (John 2), up to the brim.

Grace is taken for beauty; as we say such a thing is graceful (James 1:11): the flower falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes. Grace is taken figuratively and improperly for the show of grace; as we call that a face in the glass which is but the idea and resemblance…

The vessels of the temple were cleansed (2 Chronicles 29:15); thus the memory, affections, conscience — these temple-vessels must be cleansed (2 Corinthians 7:1). Christ whipped the buyers and sellers out of the temple (John 2); the cares of the world will be crowding into the h…

A man that is thirsty, he desires only a little water to quench his thirst; but bring him to the sea, and here is more than he can desire. In Christ, there is not only a fullness of sufficiency, but a fullness of redundancy; it overflows all the banks: a Christian that is most s…

First, for the season; that is good fruit which is brought forth in its season. Christ liked the work his mother would have put him upon as well as her self, John 2. but his time was not come. Good thoughts and meditations misplaced, are like some interpretations of Scripture, g…

A believer accuses himself and joins actively with the Spirit to convince himself, and heightens his own guiltiness (Psalm 51:1-6; Daniel 9:5-9, 20). But a Law conviction comes upon Devils and they tremble (John 2:19), and upon such as are under the Law, and are unsent for, by r…

2. They so keep their line, that there is more self-denial in their actings, than in man's way: as if fire were not fire, and nature in it denied, the fire devours not the three children (Daniel 3:27-28), the sun stands still, the moon moves not (Joshua 10:12-13), the hungry lio…

Thus it is before Christ teaches us; indeed, the darkness in which a sinner is, while in an unregenerate state, is worse than natural darkness; for, natural darkness frightens (Genesis 15:12): A horror of great darkness fell upon Abraham. But the spiritual darkness is not accomp…

He knew their thoughts. 3. Is God the Father omnipresent, so is Christ (John 3:13). The Son of man which is in heaven.

To this glorious inheritance has Christ redeemed the saints: an inheritance which cannot be fully described, or set forth by all the lights of Heaven, though every star were a sun: and that which is the diamond in the ring, the glory of this inheritance, is the eternal sight and…

Unbelief affronts God, it gives him the lie; he that believes not, makes God a liar (1 John 5:10). So faith brings glory to God, it sets to its seal that God is true (John 3:33). He that believes flies to God's mercy and truth, as to an altar of refuge; he does garrison himself…

1. Poena Damni: Punishment of loss; the soul is banished from the beatific presence of God, in whose presence is fullness of joy. 2. Poena Sensus: Punishment of sense; the sinner feels the scalding vials of God's wrath: It is penetrating, abiding (John 3:36). Reserved (2 Peter 2…

Faith believes the promise, but that which faith rests upon in the promise, is the person of Christ: therefore the spouse is said to lean upon her beloved (Song of Solomon 8:5). And faith is described to be a believing on the name of the Son of God (John 3:23), namely, on his pe…

Quest. Whether are we justified from eternity? Resp. No; for first, by nature we are under a sentence of condemnation (John 3:18). But we could not be at all condemned, if we were justified from eternity.

Meditation is the bellows of the affections. Meditate on God's love in giving us Christ (John 3:16). God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, etc.

Sons of the earth; they have the serpent's curse, lick the dust. John 3:31. He that is of the earth speaks of the earth: as if all their hopes were here, and they looked for an earthly eternity; these have brutish minds. Seneca being asked of what country he was, answered, that…

Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us: as Christ intercedes above, so the Spirit intercedes within. 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit, which is nothing else but regeneration, which is called a being born of the Spirit (John 3:5). This regene…

3. A man may be said to be given to covetousness, when all his discourse is about the world. (John 3:31.) He that is of the earth, speaks of the earth: as it is a sign of godliness to be still speaking of heaven, to have the tongue tuned to the language of Canaan. (Ecclesiastes…

4. Unbelief is a wrath-procuring sin; 'tis Inimica Salutis, Bern. Dying so, he is as sure to be condemned as if already (John 3:18): Iam condemnatus est, [illegible]. He that believes not on the Son, the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36).

2. Is God the Father infinitely immense, filling all places (Jeremiah 23:24), so is Jesus Christ. While Christ was on the earth by his bodily presence, he was at the same time in the bosom of his Father (John 3:13), in regard of his divine presence. 2. The same royal prerogative…

We are to prefer God's glory before our nearest concerns: Before there can be a preferring God's glory before private concerns, there must be a new birth wrought. The natural man seeks his own secular interest before God's glory (John 3:31): "He is of the earth, earthly." Let hi…

For illustration I shall show, 1. What a new creature is: 2. What a kind of work it is. 1. What a new creature is: It is a second birth added to the first (John 3:3). It may be thus described: It is a supernatural work of God's Spirit, renewing and transforming the heart into th…

First, here we learn, that though Gods Commandments seem foolish, and unreasonable, yet we must obey them. Christ says; If a man will ever come in the Kingdom of heaven, he must be born again, John 3:3. Saint Paul says; If any man among you seem to be wise, let him be a fool tha…

And this is not only true faith, but even the excellency of faith. For example, God's promise is (John 3:16,) God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son into the world, that whosoever believed in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now, when we are…

2. Secondary: all inferior promises annexed thereunto. The main promise is: So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life, John 3:16. Now true faith, first of all, directly and pl…

He who is afraid to own Christ, has but little love to him. Nicodemus came sneaking to Christ by night, John 3.2. He was fearful of being seen with him in the day time.

And here we must take heed of two opinions: the first is of the Anabaptists, which hold, that the flesh of Christ came down from heaven, and passed through the virgin Mary as through a pipe, without taking any substance from her: the places which they allege for the purpose are…

Their wares and drugs; like the fish in the Gospel that had a piece of money in its mouth. He that is of the earth speaks of the earth (John 3:31). And too often corrupt communication proceeds from the wicked; their mouth being like a sink where all the filth of the house runs o…

Fourthly, in the conversion and salvation of a sinner, the scripture ascribes all to God, and nothing to man's free will. (John 3:3) Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Ephesians 2:10) We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good works.

We for our parts deny it, as having no warrant in the word of God, which mentions only two places for men after this life — heaven and hell — with the twofold condition thereof: joy and torment. Luke 16:25-26; John 3:36; Revelation 22:14-15; Revelation 21:7-8; Matthew 8:11. Nay,…

Reason 1. (John 3:14-15) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. In these words Christ makes a comparison on this manner: when any one of the Israelites were stun…

In one case it is lawful to make an image to testify the presence or the effects of the majesty of God — namely when God himself gives a special commandment to do so. In this case Moses made and erected a bronze serpent, to be a type, sign, or image to represent Christ crucified…

But there is a taint come upon the souls of all men by sin, so as this alliance is thereby worn out, indeed forfeited, until it be restored. Now therefore these souls (the only subject of our discourse) being such as God has wrought, and so are become his workmanship by a new an…

Only if it be here asked, what is the reason, why the Prophet does so much insist, in pointing out Christ's sufferings, and the extremity of them, that scarce almost is there one verse, but he has in it some one or other new aggravation of them? We conceive the reason of it is,…

This makes God and them to be at [reconstructed: feud], and lays them open to the stroke of justice. Second, consider the intervening of the law of God, that threatens the curse on sin wherever it is, and pronounces this sentence, that the wages of sin is death, and says to the…

But on the contrary, Christ having suffered, and satisfied justice, it gives us ground to make this proclamation to you: Be it known to you, that through this man is preached to you forgiveness of sins. And these two, put together: 1. That there is a sufficient price laid down,…

And to add here the third branch of the doctrine, we say, that no less will do your turn as a necessary means for attaining the promise and that which is promised. 1. Look to all the promises, whether of pardon of sin, or of peace with God, of joy in the Holy Ghost, of holiness…

Many of us, alas, live as if we were never to be called to an account, and as if there were no tribunal that we were to appear before. Secondly, observe that all men and women, even the elect themselves, are naturally, and as in themselves obnoxious to condemnation, and liable t…

As for the confirmation of it by Scripture, if we look through the Gospel, it is our Lord Jesus Christ his own doctrine, which he preached, and the way which he laid down therein, for justifying and saving a sinner. So, John 3, where it is three or four times repeated, as (verse…

When many other nations will be condemned, because they leaned to their own merits, and made not use of Christ; and many of us shall be condemned, because, though we professed an indignation at these errors, yet we made no more use of Christ, than these, who by their doctrine ex…

Consult the Scriptures, and we will find, that Paul clears both these questions: 1. Who are justified? All that believe. 2. When are they justified? When they believe. Second, consider these Scriptures, that place all men before believing, into a state of wrath, and they will fu…

If so, then it must be a most dreadful thing not to believe. If you would know what is your condition, you may read it (John 3:18, 36): He that believes not is condemned already, and he shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him; and (Galatians 3:10): As many as are…

(1 John 2) We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins, where He is held forth in His sufferings, as the propitiation that faith lays hold on. (John 3:14) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the S…

And therefore it is so often said by divines according to the Scripture, that faith is the instrumental cause of our justification; which we shall make clear in two or three similitudes, which the Scripture makes use of. 1. Christ compares Himself to the brazen serpent lifted up…

The third use is matter of consolation to the believer; who may as certainly conclude an interest in Christ's death, as if he had heard the transaction of redemption read over, and had seen his name in the book of life. For our Lord says (John 3:16), God so loved the world, that…

Think you that faith cannot be a missing, nor mistaken, or that it is ordinary and common, or that it is indifferent whether you have it or not? We are persuaded, that many of you think, that if you have a good mind, (as you call it,) and a square civil honest walk, and keep sti…

4: He knows nothing of the Gospel who thinks not that God by his promise comes under a sweet debt of free grace to fulfill his own promise, and that this debt and grace are consistent. But Antinomians' breath smells of fleshly liberty, for they tell us: conditional promises are…

Answer: The thing in question is not concluded; we say not we are to pray for the salvation of none but believers only, and that Christ died for none but those that already believed: we are to pray for all ranks, believers or unbelievers, as Christ died for thousands of both, bu…

Secondly, take this means: as ever you desire to have life in Christ, if you know any sin in yourself, you are much to blame in yourself, if you do not by any means wash your hands of it, cleanse yourself from it. There are many sins which a man lives in, which he might avoid by…

This is true, but yet this is not it, that makes him a new man in God's sight, it may reach to the reformation of his outward man, and to the alteration of several of his former courses, which no means else could have reclaimed; but yet this makes him not live a spiritual life,…

1. Let me open the term that expresses his filiation, that he is God's Son. Christ is the Son of God properly so called, a Son only begotten (John 3:16), God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Eternally begotten (Proverbs 8:22-23), I was set up from everlasti…

2. The dearness between God and him, my beloved Son; Christ is the object of his Father's love, both as the second person in the Trinity and mediator. The one is the ground of the other, for because he loved him, he entrusted him with souls (John 3:35). The Father has loved him,…

After the same manner Christ speaks also in the seventh of John: "The world can not hate you, but me it hates, because I testify of it that the works thereof are evil (John 7:7)." And in the third of John: "This is condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved d…

That is to say, I live indeed in the flesh, but this life, whatever it is, I esteem as no life, for it is no true life indeed, but a shadow of life: under which another lives, that is to say, Christ, who is my true life indeed, which life you see not but only hear and I feel. Yo…

Contrariwise, to the sinners he threatens wrath and destruction (Luke 13). Also he pronounces that the unbelievers are damned already (John 3). Moreover, Christ worked many good works: he suffered also many evils, and commands us to follow his example.

Rom 3:25. Ioh. 3. 14. and Act 4:12. In this giving there are fiue things to be cōsidered.

Faith therefore justifies, because it is an instrument to apprehend, and apply that which justifies, namely, Christ and his obedience. As the Israelites stung of fiery serpents were cured, so are we saved (John 3:16); the Israelites did nothing at all, but only look upon the bra…

Answ. 1. We please God when we comport with his Will. It was Christ's meat and drink to do his Father's will (John 4:34). and so he pleased him (Matthew 3:17). A voice came from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.

The Angel of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1), a Lamp (2 Samuel 22:29), the bright Morning-star (Revelation 22:16). Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his church; the woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess (John 4:19). He is the best teacher; he makes all other teaching effectual (Luk…

He came to the fig tree, and would have eaten. 2. Weariness: as when he sat on Jacob's well to rest him (John 4:6). 3. Sorrow (Matthew 26:38).

Resp. God is a Spirit. 2. The thing expressed (John 4:24). God is a Spirit.

Such as know not God aright, will by degrees fall off. The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Jews when they were in favor, afterwards disclaimed all kindred with them, when Antiochus persecuted the Jews: And no wonder the Samaritans were no more fixed in religion, if you consi…

1. To make a true image of God is impossible. God is a spiritual essence (John 4:24). And being a spirit he is invisible (Deuteronomy 4:15).

And, it is God's goodness thus by sacraments to condescend to our weak capacities. John 4:48. Except you see signs you will not believe. God to strengthen our faith confirms the covenant of grace, not only by promises, but by sacramental signs.

His words, either preceptive or minatory, must be observed. Christ himself, as man, obeyed God the Father (John 4:34), much more than must we (Deuteronomy 27:10). 2. Obey God the Son (Psalm 2:12).

Communion of Saints we have in our Creed, but it is too little in our practice: men usually travel fastest in company, we travel fastest to heaven in the Communion of Saints. 15. If we would attain to this Kingdom of Heaven, let us be willing to come up to Christ's terms; many w…

Jesus Christ did his Father's will; (John 6:38) I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. God the Father and Christ, as they have but one essence, so but one will; Christ's will was melted into his Father's; (John 4:34) My meat is to do the…

How can nature do them? So disputed the woman of Samaria with Christ, John 4:11. When Christ told her he would give her of the water of life; she replied, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the Well is deep: whence then hast thou that water of life?

For, these servants of God, here commended for their faith, did fly when they were persecuted; and that by faith: therefore the action is lawful, as I might prove at large, but that I have spoken of it heretofore. When our Savior Christ knew that the Pharisees heard of the multi…

Him that is invisible.] That is God, who is a most simple essence, void of all composition, or corporal substance: for, God is a Spirit, (John 4.24) and therefore invisible, and not subject to man's senses. But some will say, God is said to have head, heart, hands, and feet; wit…

Answer. We must know, that there is in the child of God a certain seed, or beginning, or preparation to a true and lively faith; which our Savior Christ in the Scriptures, does honor with the title of a true and lively faith: as, when a man knows no more but this, that Christ Je…

For the former petition is a step or degree to these two following. The ruler by the healing of the body of his child is brought to believe in Christ (John 4:53). He then that will rest on God's mercy for the pardon of his sins, must first of all rest on God's providence for thi…

Well, this foolish and ridiculous kind of faith we renounce, as being a means to nestle men in blindness, superstition, and perpetual ignorance: yet withal we do not deny but that there is an implicit or infolded faith; which is, when a man as yet having but some little portion…

We hold that there is a kind of implicit or unexpressed faith, and indeed that the faith of every man in some part of his life — as in the time of his first conversion, and in the time of some grievous temptation or distress — is implicit or enfolded. The Samaritans are said to…

1. God is a Spirit, and thereupon in a special manner (as Wisdom 11:26) the Lord a lover of souls above all his other creation. So it is there, You are merciful to all because they are yours, O LORD YOU LOVER OF SOULS [God is a Spirit] when therefore this naked, and withal subli…

Use 1. Wonder, believers, at the extensiveness and infiniteness of the grace of God, and at the heart-affecting and soul-ravishing love of the mediator — at grace in God that spared the debtor and exacted payment from the surety the Son of his love; at love in the mediator that…

I rejoiced, says he, (Proverbs 8:28) in the habitable parts of the earth, before the foundation of the world was laid my delight was with the sons of men: So it may be made evident, that in all the parts of his sufferings, and in every step thereof, he did most exactly, and also…

To clear it further, we may take the words as alluding to several similitudes. As, 1. To that of hungry and thirsty persons, who are said to be satisfied, when their hunger and thirst are removed, by meat and drink; which implies, that Jesus Christ in His pursuing and performing…

4. It imports this, that the work which he performs in the redeeming of souls is so acceptable to God, and does so mightily concur, and cooperate to the promoting of his design, that the Lord owns every thing that he performs, as performed by his great ambassador; and by him, wh…

He came to seek and save that which was lost; to bring home the lost sheep on His shoulder; to seek and find the lost coin; to reclaim prodigals (Luke 15). This is His meat and His drink, His work and business; as He Himself says, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me,…

How many have lived a considerable number of years strangers to the advantages that are to be gotten by Him, through their want of knowledge? Therefore (John 4) Christ says to the Samaritan woman, "If you had known who it is that asked it of you, you would have given him drink,…

1. Because Christ Redeemer is a relative person, there is a full redemption in Christ, but not for Christ, but that he might make over that redemption to his poor brethren; there is a purchased salvation in Christ, not to lie by him like a treasure of silver rusted through not u…

2. And as this is ground why there is no sufficiency in the creature to give us the life of our justification; so it is also taken from the root of our sanctification and consolation, for they spring both from one fountain, and that is the Spirit of God's grace (John 16:7). He i…

Fifthly, the last act of the life of sanctification is the begetting of the like, and propagating according to their kind; it is the nature both of spiritual and natural life, it propagates its kind, though at the first it may be weak, yet it grows to that temper by which it may…

When Elisha was in a little village, not able to defend him from the Syrians, he had chariots and horsemen of fire to defend him (2 Kings 6:17); but when he was in Samaria, a strong walled town, and the king of Israel sent to fetch his head, he said to those that were with him,…

These two notions live and die together; that God is, and that he ought to be worshipped. It appears by our Savior's reasoning (John 4:24): God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit, and in truth. He gives directions about the manner of worship, but su…

So (Hebrews 1:2-3). God has spoken to us by his Son, he having by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. The effect of them is more briefly described (John 4:6). I am the way the truth and the life. The way was opened by his Passion, and is k…

It's true, in the Old Testament dispensation, after the erecting of the temple, prayer was to be made at it, or towards it, as it typified Christ, by whom our prayers are accepted: but that holiness being ceremonial, it's now abolished by the Gospel. Now that takes place, in (Jo…

Thus does Andrew come to Simon, and Philip to Nathaniel, and both of them were (as a man finding a jewel, and cannot contain) overjoyed, and cry out, "I have found him, we have found the Messiah" (John 1:41, 45). And when the poor woman of Samaria had been privately conversing w…

Loue is by grace. 1. Ioh. 4. 9. Euery good inclination is of grace.

I answer: it is the commandement of God, prove the spirits, 1. Ioh. 4. 1. and this commandement pertaines to all persons. Therfore though men may not be compelled to believe: yet may they be compelled to come to the congregation, to heare our sermons, and therein the reasons and…

The king's daughter is all glorious within (Psalm 45:13). True worshippers worship God in the spirit (John 4:25; Romans 1:12). He is a Jew, that is a Jew not without, but within in the spirit, in the circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).

Col 2:23. And the true worshippers of God in the new Testament, worship him in spirit and trus, Ioh. 4. v. 24 The fulnesse of time, or the full time, is that time in which the captiuitie of the Church ends, and her libertie begins.

In spirit] that is, in the powers of the soul sanctified and renewed. In this sense Paul says that the true circumcision is that which is in the heart, in spirit (Romans 2:29), and Christ says, that true worship of God is in spirit (John 4:24). And that spirit is here taken in t…

So, whatever a man sows, the same commonly, and usually, he does reap. But it will be said, how can a man reap that which he sows; seeing that Christ affirms it to be a true saying, that one sows, and another reaps (John 4:37)? Answer: In that one sows, and another reaps, it is…

Christians have now that certain truth, in which they may boldly rest; unless they forget themselves, and reject the grace of God. For it is manifested to all, and has taken from them all occasion of doubting; so as they may safely boast, that they truly know what his will is: i…

If it be objected that this appertains not at all to the Jews, who are now cut off from the Church: I answer, the Gospel notwithstanding came from them into all the world: and thus we acknowledge Jerusalem to be the fountain from which this pure doctrine of life issued. In old t…

For those that understand it of the doctrine of the Gospel which they oppose to the Law (whereof the Jews suppose the Prophet speaks in this place) do only comprehend one part of that which Isaiah meant to say. For the others, who refer it to the Holy Spirit, they have a little…

But since God has manifested himself to all: he is not now served in any particular region, but in every place alike. Which Christ also himself teaches (John 4:21), saying; The hour is come, and now is, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Fathe…

And for as much as they judged of God and of his service, according to the outward face of the Temple, the Prophet shows, that it was unworthy the Majesty of so great a Lord, to fix him to a visible and perishable building. He disputes not here simply about the essence of God, b…

Hence we learn what value the Lord puts on his word, when, in order to punish for the contempt of it, he takes from the midst of us those favors, which are the testimonies of his presence. With respect to that saying, no prophet is acceptable in his own country, the reader may c…

"that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers," (Romans 15:8) with which agrees that saying of Christ, "Salvation is of the Jews," (John 4:22.) Matthew, therefore, presents him to our contemplation as be…

This term must be viewed in reference to the present subject. In another passage, the Apostles are called reapers, as compared with the Prophets, because they have entered into their labors, (John 4:38,) and it is enjoined on all the ministers of the word, that they should bring…

The reward of works has been treated by me as fully as was necessary under another passage. “Alibi is a general reference, but en un autre passage is more specific; and the passage to which he probably refers the reader for a distinct exhibition of his views, and in which, so fa…

James and John plead the example of Elijah, but they do not consider how far they differ from Elijah; they do not examine properly their own intemperate zeal, nor do they look at the calling of God. Under a pretext equally plausible did the Samaritans cloak their idolatry, our f…

Certainly it was not the fury of passion that led him to curse the tree, (for that would not only have been an unjust, but even a childish and ridiculous revenge;) but as hunger was troublesome to him according to the feeling of the flesh, he determined to overcome it by an oppo…

Hence, also, the woman of Samaria said, When the Messiah comes, he will teach us all things, (John 4:25). Now we know what splendid promises of peace, righteousness, joy, and abundance of all blessings, are to be found everywhere in Scripture.

4. Does [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], divine worship belong to the first person in the Trinity? So it does to Christ (John 5:23; Hebrews 1:6): Let all the angels of God worship him. 5. Is creation proper to the Deity?

Who hate God and his people, (as the vine and laurel) have an antipathy, who do all they can to disparage holiness — are these redeemed who are unreconciled? Christ has purchased a reprieve for these, but a sinner may have a reprieve and yet go to hell (John 5:6). 2. Such as are…

In his resurrection he was exalted above the grave, in his ascension he was exalted above the airy and starry heaven, in his sitting at God's right hand: he is exalted above the highest heavens far (Ephesians 4:10): Far above all heavens. 5. God has exalted Christ in constitutin…

Seventh Fruit: Absolution at the Day of Judgment. Christ shall judge the world (John 5:22). God has committed all judgment to the Son.

Branch 2. If Christ be King, it informs us that all matters of fact must one day be brought before him. Christ has Ius vitae & necis, the power of life and death in his hand (John 5:22): the Father has committed all judgment to the Son. He who once hung upon the cross shall sit…

1. Concerning God's providences towards his Church: We are ready to quarrel with providence if every thing does not jump with our desire: Remember God's work goes on, and nothing falls out but what he has decreed from eternity. 2. God has decreed troubles for the Church's good;…

I may pray, says a Christian, but I shall be never the better, I question whether God does hear, or whether he will grant. This is to dishonor God, and take his name in vain; this is to make God either an idol, that he has ears and hears not, or a liar, who promises mercy to the…

Quest. 3. Who shall be Judge? Resp. The Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:22). The Father has committed all judgment to the Son.

John 5:28. Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. Question. What benefits shal…

The letter of Scripture has been preserved without any corruption in the original tongue. The Scriptures were not corrupted before Christ's time, for then Christ would never have sent the Jews to the Scriptures; but he sends them to the Scriptures (John 5:39): Search the Scriptu…

He seemed not to be so much troubled at the fear of losing his own life and kingdom, as that God should lose his glory. 12. We hallow and sanctify God's name, when we give the same honor to God the Son, as we give to God the Father (John 5:23): That all men should honor the Son…

Christianity teaches compassion. (4.) Masters must endeavor the spiritual good of their servants; they must be Seraphims to kindle their love to religion: They must be monitors to put them in mind of their souls: They must bring them to the pool of the Sanctuary, waiting till th…

2. If we would have the word written effectual to our souls, let us peruse it with intenseness of mind. (John 5:39) Search the Scriptures. The Greek word [in non-Latin alphabet] signifies to search as for a vein of silver.

God's works of Providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. The work of God's Providence (John 5:17): My Father works until now, and I work. The great God has rested from the works of creation, he does not cr…

There is not more or less in the Trinity, the Father is not more God than the Son and Holy Ghost. There is an order in the Godhead, but no degrees; one person has not a majority or supereminency above another, therefore we must give equal worship to all the persons (John 5:23).…

To instance in those more common and inferior works of the Spirit on the hearts of men not as yet savingly regenerated: the Spirit enlightening them, together with impressions of joy and a taste of sweetness in the promises of the gospel and of salvation revealed therein, which…

This point is carefully to be marked, as declaring the great power of true saving faith; for, if faith can overcome created and sanctified nature, then undoubtedly the power thereof, will enable man to overcome the corruptions of his nature, and the temptations of the world: for…

He is omnipresent, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, [illegible] am I in the midst among them (Matthew 18:20). Lastly he is omnipotent, Whatever things the Father does, the same does the Son also (John 5:17). 4. The works of creation and preservation are as we…

4. He is undervalued when folk think not themselves happy enough in him, nor sure enough in bargaining with him, and when he does not satisfy and fully content them, as if he were yes and no, and as if all the promises were not yes and amen in him. When he is not credited entire…

4. It may be confirmed from the many sad complaints that the Lord has for not receiving Him, and not believing His Word, and from the dreadful designations by which He holds out the sin of unbelief; all which, will make out this, that God lays Christ at sinners' door in His Word…

It is said that this Word was not only with God, but was God; and then follows in several verses together his works — the works of creation: all things were made by him, etc. The works of providence are attributed to him (John 5:17): My Father works until now, and I work. And th…

4. It will be clear, if we consider, that the great disobedience that He quarrels for is when there is not believing, when sinners will not come to Him. This is His quarrel (John 5:40): You will not come to me that you may have life — and here, Who has believed our report? So (M…

Oh, let Him have His errand among you! The offer comes, as I just now said, to every one of your doors, and your answer will be, and must be, either yes, or no — either that you are content to be His children, that His grace may be glorified in you, or that you are not content,…

2. It is called pleasing to the Lord, in respect of the end, and as it is a means to the glorifying of His grace, and the performance of His Promise to the Mediator; for by this, His grace comes to be glorified, and He has access, to perform what He has promised to the Mediator.…

But also, thirdly, it is so in these two respects further: sinners coming to Him, resting on Him, and getting good of Him is His delight. First, in respect of the honor that is done to Him: when a sinner believes on Him, He counts it the putting of the crown on His head, as it i…

Therefore, 1. You must know God, that justifies you, before you can be justified; as it is (John 17:3), "This is life eternal, to know you the only true God, and him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ." If ever you be absolved, before such a judicatory, you must know your Judge; t…

That unbelief though there were no other sin, is exceeding sinful, and is first. The great ground that makes God expostulate with the hearers of the Gospel, and that makes them come under the complaint, (John 5:40) "You will not come to me that you may have life," and (Matthew 2…

It cannot be more free than without money, it cannot be more seriously pressed than with a "Ho" and cries to come. Sometimes He complains, as (John 5:40), "You will not come to me that you might have life," and sometimes weeps and mourns because sinners will not be gathered, as…

This is some other difference than the rain can make between the just and the unjust. And 1 John 5:8: "And there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one." And that we may know that the Spirit is in us, is evide…

5. All within the visible Church, have means sufficient in their kind, in genere mediorum externorum, to save them. 6. As none can be saved by the light of nature, nor ever any used, or could use it so far forth, as to improve it for their sufficient preparation, to receive the…

So Proverbs 20:8 says, 'A king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters the wicked with his eyes' — and so does Christ his and our enemies. See what Christ says in John 5:21–22: 'The Son of man raises up whom he will, for the Father judges no man but has committed all judgme…

But God having placed Christ on his throne, bids him ask even to the whole of his kingdom, for God has made him a King, sitting on his throne with him, not to share halves, but to have all power in heaven and earth; he has committed all judgment to the Son, to save and condemn w…

So if Christians have a knowledge of God, but no zeal, there is no saving life in that knowledge, it is not the knowledge of God's people. Notable is that speech of our Savior (John 5:35, speaking of John): He was a burning and a shining light, not only a shining light to give c…

Felix would be spared in his Delilah, but if you would be spared, in any sin excused for, nor parting with any iniquity, then you have not Christ for your Savior; Remember what our Savior said to the man (John 5:6): Would you be made whole? He said, Indeed Lord, and he was heale…

An Angel brought Elijah his food under the Juniper Tree (1 Kings 19:5). An Angel stirred the waters at the Pool of Siloam (John 5:4). An Angel was the guide of the way to Abraham's servant (Genesis 24:7), He will send his angel before you, and you shalt take a wife to my son fro…

And this voice which came from heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount. 2. Their consent in doctrine, which is obvious in all their writings, the Apostles related nothing concerning Christ, but what Moses and the prophets had foretold, and what was history in th…

Eternally begotten (Proverbs 8:22-23), I was set up from everlasting, the Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old. A Son coequal with his Father (John 5:18), the Jews sought to kill him because he said, God was his Father, making himself equal with…

1. Do you seriously come to him that you may have pardon, and life. When Christ had proved that he was the Son of God, the great Prophet of the Church, by the testimony of John, the testimony of his works, the testimony of his Father, and the testimony of the Scriptures (John 5:…

So says Christ also (Matthew 6:2), that hypocrites do all things to be praised of men. And in (John 5:44) he sharply reproves such: "How can you believe (says he) which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes of God alone?" These things which Paul has hit…

Hosea says, The righteousness of the Israelites, was like the morning dew, which the rising of the sun consumes (Hosea 6:4). John was a burning light, and the Jews rejoiced in this light: that is well; but mark what is added: for an hour or moment (John 5:35). They which cried H…

Thirdly, we must be as spies, in searching of the Scriptures. Ioh. 5. 39. that we may vnderstand the words of the lawe of God, and find comfort to our soules. The third and last degree of vrging, is, that the false brethren seeke to bring the Apostles in bondage, that is, to bin…

Again, there is hardness of heart, whereby the will of man is unpliable to that which is good, unless it be renewed. In the body there are more diseases, than the Physicians' books can express: and as many diseases as there be in us, so many fruits of sin there are (John 5:14).…

Rom 8:27. 1. Ioh. 5. 14. Thirdly, they are divine and spirituall, touching things which concerne the kingdome of God.

There is no religion in that heart, that is wholly bent to seeke the praise of men. Ioh. 5. 44. And the man that desires to be talked of, and admired by others, dos thereby in effect give notice to all the world, that his heart is not sound in the sight of God.

These men must remēber, that in bearing coales, that is, in suffering, and forbearing, they heape vp coales of fire upon their heads, (as Paul speaks, Rom 12:20.) as also that God does beare with them in greater matters, euen when they wound him with their oathes, Leuit. 24. 11…

Having spoken before then of light and darkness, and having promised light to such as gave ear to the voice of the Lord; he now says, that the Jews rejected this light, to kindle one of their own: and in conclusion affirms; that they shall be consumed as with a fire, by their ow…

As the name, Son of God, belonged to the divine essence of Christ from the beginning, so now it is applied unitedly to both natures, because the secret and heavenly manner of generation has separated him from the ordinary rank of men. In other passages, indeed, with the view of…

It is when he infuses into his word a secret power, so that it enters into dead souls, as he himself declares, The hour comes, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they who hear shall live, (John 5:25.) 16. And fear seized all.

Thus he proves the efficacy of the Gospel for quickening men from the fact, that at the last day he will raise the dead by his voice out of their graves. Wonder not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, (J…

According to them, under the figure of a wounded man is described the condition of Adam after the fall; from which they infer that the power of acting well was not wholly extinguished in him; because he is said to be only half-dead. As if it had been the design of Christ, in thi…

God the Father has decreed him to be King (Psalm 2:5-6), I have set my king upon my holy hill; I will declare the decree. God has anointed and sealed him to his regal office (John 6:27), Him has God the Father sealed. God has set the crown upon his head.

Malice is the Devil's eye, hypocrisy his cloven foot. It turns a man into a devil (John 6:20): Have not I chosen twelve, and one of you is a devil? 2. Sin is a grieving of God's Spirit (Ephesians 4:30): Grieve not the holy Spirit of God.

Question 2. By what arguments may the resurrection be proved? Response. Argument 1. By Scripture (John 6:44): I will raise him up at the last day. Isaiah 25:8. He will swallow up death in victory.

In like manner the Arminians wrest Scripture: (John 5:40) "You will not come to me" — here they bring in free will. This text shows 1. how willing God is that we should have life; 2. that sinners may do more than they do; they may improve the talents God has given them: but it d…

Tully. A heart void of grace looks blacker than Hell: Sin transforms one into a devil (John 6:70). Have not I chosen twelve, and one of you is a devil.

Though there is a sufficiency in Christ's merit to save all, yet only some partake of its saving virtue; all do not believe. (John 6:64) There are some of you that believe not. Christ does not pray for all.

Thus Christ honored his Father. John 6:38. I came down from Heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. This he calls honoring of God.

He will swallow down treason. Judas was first an unbeliever, and then a traitor (John 6:64). He who has no faith in his heart, will have no fear of God before his eyes.

1. It makes us like Christ: is it not our prayer that we may be like Christ. Jesus Christ did his Father's will; (John 6:38) I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. God the Father and Christ, as they have but one essence, so but one will;…

There may be affections of sorrow; some upon the reading the history of Christ's Passion may be ready to weep, but it is only a natural tenderness which relents at any tragical sight. Affections of desire may be stirred (John 6): Lord, evermore give us this bread — but these bas…

Oppositely, drugs and drinks that have lost their virtue and are ineffectual we call dead. In respect to this energy and power to work upon men's hearts is that saying in John 6:63: 'The words I speak are spirit and life' — that is, full of an operative principle. For an active…

By standing steadfast in which, we resist him so that he flees from us (1 Peter 5:9). As therefore faith is that chief work of God and the master-grace (John 6), so despair and doubting is the masterpiece of Satan. And in faith he is especially envious at the joy of our faith (R…

And this was Moses case: because he could not both serve God, and continue his thankfulness, to Pharaohs daughter (for in staying with her, he should have made shipwreck of true religion) therefore he forsakes her favour and honour; and for this cause is here commended unto us.…

To them therefore here is matter of good advice. Let such a man learn but one promise of God out of the holy Scripture, as this; Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all things else shall be given unto you, Matthew 6:33: or this; Cast all your care on him, for he careth for you, 1…

2. Take notice what a mighty power God puts forth in Calling of sinners! God doth so call as draw, John 6:44. Conversion is styled a Resurrection, Revelation 20:6.

Of the whole will of God there be three special points, which are in this place meant. 1. To believe in Christ (John 6:40): This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes in him, should have everlasting life. 2. Sanctification of body and s…

For he would rather reason contrarily thus: I indeed am baptized, yet for all that I believe not, and therefore my Baptism is not availing, I must needs be condemned. For the saying of Augustine in his treatise upon John 6 is very true, who speaking of Simon Magus, says, What go…

And if we should expound the word all, for every particular man, as some would have it, Paul must contradict himself, who said before that God would have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens, and in this very chapter his drift is to prove the rejection o…

I deny not but a bad man may have some faint velleities after the best things. Those deserters of Christ, cried, Lord, evermore give us this bread (John 6:24). But a righteous man's desires excel.

Objection 1. John 6:55: My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Therefore (say they) Christ's body must be eaten with the mouth and his blood drunk accordingly.

In this their doctrine is a twofold error: 1, that they make faith which justifies, to go before justification itself, both for order of nature as also for time: whereas by the word of God, at the very instant, when any man first believes, he is then justified and sanctified. Fo…

2. We say it comes in to clear and explicate the former words, whether we take it by way of a reason, or of an answer to an objection; for if it be said, how can it be that Isaiah, Paul, indeed, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself, should preach so powerfully, and yet that so few…

To whom (says he) is the arm of the Lord revealed? It's a word like that which Christ had on the like occasion (John 6:44): Murmur not among yourselves, no man can come to me, except the Father who has sent me, draw him. We opened up the meaning of the words the last day; in sho…

So then we say, when the Lord is pleased to apply the work of His grace to convert a sinner, that work is never frustrated, but it always has necessarily the work of faith, renovation, and conversion following on the back of it. Secondly, we shall a little confirm the doctrine,…

Before we come to answer this question more particularly, we would 1. Premit this word in general, that none would account the preaching or hearing of the Word of God to be useless or fruitless, albeit that without the work of grace, men cannot yield the fruit which it calls for…

2. It's set out under the expression of inviting to a feast, and hearers of the gospel are called to come to Christ as strangers, or guests are called to come to a wedding feast (Matthew 22:2-4), All things are ready, come to the wedding, etc. Thus the gospel calls not to an emp…

And the words being thus expounded they lead us to this doctrine, that Jesus Christ in bearing the punishment of sin, had a particular and distinct respect to some definite sinners; for confirmation of it, we shall not go out of the Chapter, the scope whereof we would clear a li…

Observe, 1. That the benefits of Christ's purchase redound only to the elect; there is a certain select number to whom they are applied, and not to all indifferently. It's only of as many as are healed, whose chastisements he has borne; it's only they whom the Father has given h…

For the first then, There is (we say) an eternal transaction between God and Jesus Christ the Mediator concerning the redemption of sinners, his actual redeeming by being wounded and bruised, supposes this; for the Son is no more liable to suffering (not to speak of his suitable…

It is just that the surety should pay the debt; and yet that debt is most freely and frankly pardoned as to us; it is justice in the height as to the Mediator, but free grace as to us in the height; we come to it freely and without price though it cost him dear. And that is one…

A second is John 1:49, in Nathanael's words: Christ tells him, before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you; and he, having gotten this proof of Christ's omniscience, presently breaks out, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel — and t…

3. There is a differencing in respect of Christ's undertaking and executing his offices for them; he accepts of them (John 17:9): "For their sakes I sanctify myself, I have separated myself to the office of Mediator, and do offer myself for them, that they also may be sanctified…

[reconstructed: A 2nd ground] is drawn from the strain and frame of the [reconstructed: Covenant] of Redemption, where we find two things clear. 1st. That as to the end and intent of it the Elect are the only persons for whose good and behalf it's intended; and if it be the Elec…

Even so the believer draws the conclusion from Christ's sacrifice, according to the terms of the covenant, that he has absolution, and rests on and acquiesces in it. And this is called trusting or confiding in Christ, when not only he casts himself on him but has confidence that…

We show that Jesus Christ is the only sin-offering, by which sin is taken away; and that it is implied here; so that it is denied to all other things, or means to have any efficacy, virtue, or merit in them, as to the removing of sin, and the curse brought on by it; this is, I s…

The plainest way to set it out, as we conceive, is, to name some Scripture expressions, and similitudes, that hold it forth, the first of which is in that of Matthew 11:28. Come to me all you that are weary and heavy laden; and John 6:35, He that comes to me shall never hunger,…

For the first doctrine, we suppose, it will be clear, if we consider how the seeing of his seed is subjoined to, and depends upon the former words, regarding His making His soul an offering for sin which holds out this, That the great design of God, and of Christ the Mediator in…

It is a determined thing, if we look, 1. To the certainty of the event; our Lord Jesus Christ must have a seed, to wit, believers in Him; that is concluded on, and promised to Him. 2. If we look to the seed that He shall have; they are particularly determined upon, to wit, how m…

And should it not be a motive to press you to give Him credit? For He says (John 6:39-40) that it's His commission and service to keep them who are committed to Him, and to raise them up at the last day, and to give them eternal life; and He is righteous and faithful in performi…

And will He not, do you think, do that which He is entrusted with, and for which He is mainly sent? This is, He says, the will of him that sent me, that every one that sees the Son, and believes on him should have everlasting life, and that I should raise him up at the last day…

That which makes many believers to be in hesitation as to this, is their never thoroughly settling and making it clear to themselves, whether they have believed; and therefore, if you would see your election, and interest in Christ's death, put the matter of your believing to a…

Now it's promised to the Mediator (Psalm 110:3), "Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth": Where there are these things promised to Christ. 1. That His people shall be made…

Second, it shows also how the sins of these many are taken away; it was by Christ's bearing the punishment due for their sins; this is that which we spoke to from verse 6: the Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all; in a word, it is this: the Mediator agrees, and consents…

How then? (John 6:32) My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. We are ill lodged in bits of sick and groaning clay; our best house is in heaven.

Now all are not so, but certain definite [illegible] is only. 3. These [illegible] the Lord has chosen to life, are given of the Father in Christ (John 10:26; John 6:37; John 17:2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 24). And all such are raised up at the last day and saved (John 6:37, 39).

How long a night is it, he stands at the church door knocking? (Song of Songs 5:1; Revelation 3:20). There be many hours in this night; since he was preached in Paradise, and yet he stands to this day, how gladly would he come, and how glad would he be of lodging; the arm that h…

Therefore God might well make him an absolute king, and entrust him with all power; and Christ might well oblige himself, notwithstanding this power, to ask all that he means to do; for they have but one will and one power, so as our salvation is made sure by this on all hands.…

For the first, God the Father has given Jesus Christ a special command to love sinners; and has withal implanted a merciful gracious disposition in his heart toward them. This I mention to argue it, because it is that which Christ alleges (John 6:37) as the original ground of th…

He does not say, he that has such and such spiritual gifts has the Son; no, though you have never so many gifts, and they such as do accompany salvation, but that which he principally commends to us is himself. You shall read of a company of professors that had Christ, and affec…

You say, you are somewhat unwilling to it, but does not the Apostle say: every thought must be brought into subjection to the gospel of Christ, into captivity; and were it not better to be free, and voluntary. It is true, God's people know that when they were first brought on to…

4. If you would have the teachings of Christ, walk according to that knowledge which you have already. Use your little knowledge well, and Christ will teach you more (John 7:17). If any man will do his will, he shall know of my doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak…

Such as speak of the philosopher's stone suppose it to have such a property that when it touches the metal, it turns it into gold; such a property has the Spirit of God upon the soul — when it touches the soul, it puts into it a divine nature, it makes it to be holy, and to rese…

He who dwells in a house keeps the house in repair; the Spirit dwelling in a believer keeps grace in repair. Grace is compared to a river of the water of life (John 7:38). This river can never be dried up, because God's Spirit is a spring which continually feeds it.

If a man were sick, they thought on this day they might not use means for his recovery. Christ charges them with this, that they were angry that he had wrought a cure on the Sabbath (John 7:23). If a house were on fire, the Jews thought they might not bring water to quench it.

As the apostle says of the law, so I say of your former title: it is not destroyed but established rather by this. And as Christ says in John 7:17, 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it is of God' — so often the best way to know the truth is not…

To all such Christ has made most sweet and comfortable promises, which can appertain to none but to the elect. John 7:37: If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink: he that believes in me, as says the scripture, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life. Revelati…

Secondly God in making promise of salvation respects not men's worthiness. For he chose us to life everlasting when we were not: he redeemed us from death being enemies: and entitles us to the promise of salvation, if we acknowledge ourselves to be sinners (Matthew 9); if we lab…

If you continue in my word (says Christ, John 8:31-32), then are you my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. And (John 7:17), if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of mysel…

I rather believe the Holy Ghost, Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the water, come buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). And if any man thirst, let him come to me and drink (John 7:37). And whoever will, let him take of the water of life freely (Reve…

And I, when I am lifted up on the cross, will draw all men to me. Here is a drawing of all men, and so an effectual conversion, but not of all and every man, as Mr. Den says: 1. Because verse 33, this drawing is by the power of Christ, lifted up on the cross, and by the Holy Spi…

Therefore verse 33 of that Acts 2, Peter giving an account how it came to pass that they were so filled with the Holy Ghost, says, that Christ having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, had shed him forth on them; which receiving is not to be only understood…

As pacified in Christ, received into glory (1 Timothy 3:16): Certainly God is well pleased since he has given not only a discharge, but a reward. The gift of the Spirit, for renewing the heart of man, which is the great pledge of God's being satisfied (John 7:39): This he spoke…

7. Closet Prayer must be with all secrecy and solitariness: In a closet, door shut: As we must not blow a Trumpet when we give alms, so we must not hold out a flag when we go to wait on God in the duty of Prayer. It was carnal counsel the brethren of Christ gave him (John 7:4):…

They are like those who are propping up some remote members of their body, while their vitals are wasting in a languishing consumption: These are like a man in a fever, his face and hands burn, but his heart shakes and quivers for cold: These I may call Pepper-professors, hot in…

Therefore this witnesses sufficiently, that I teach not man's doctrine. After the same manner Christ speaks also in the seventh of John: "The world can not hate you, but me it hates, because I testify of it that the works thereof are evil (John 7:7)." And in the third of John: "…

He therefore that seeks his own glory in the Gospel, speaks of himself: and he that speaks of himself is a liar and there is unrighteousness in him. Contrariwise he that seeks the glory of him that sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him (John 7). Paul therefore…

He preaches glad tidings to the poor: he gives drink to the thirsty. If any thirst (says John) let him come to me, etc. (John 7:37-38). He heals the broken hearted, etc.: that is, he comforts those that are bruised and afflicted by the law.

And this was the care of Christ: who says, My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me. Joh 7:16. And at this daie, this must be the care of the Ministers of the Gospell, to deliver nothing of their own.

And therefore we must learn the way of life in humility (Psalm 25:9). We must obey it, and in obedience we shall learn it (John 7:17). We must as heartily love the word of God, as in mind we conceive it; lest by not loving of it we be given up to strong illusions to believe lies…

For it was not shut in the old Testament. And, the holy Ghost was not yet, Ioh. 7. 39. that is, in the full measure. And, the way into the Holiest, was not open while the Tabernacle was standing, Hebr. 9. 8. that is, plainly made manifest.

Read the Scriptures: & be a doer of them in the exercises of inuocation, faith, repentance, then shalt you neuer be a heretike. It is Gods promise, Ioh. 7. 17. If you will obay, you shall know whether my doctrine be of God or no.

For whereas in former time they were wont to say, Let vs goe heare a Masse: now the common saying in Italie is this, Let vs goe see a Masse. Let vs therefore trie the spirits before we trust them, and especially in matters of religion, follow Christs precept, not to judge by the…

And this guide is either the outward, or the inward guide: the outward guide (I speake of reading onely) is a Commentarie, especially such a one as a sanctified spirit has much breathed upon: seeing it is the best learning the Theorick of him which is skilfull in the Practicke.…

This arrogance was chiefly displayed by the high priests, and by others who had any share of government or authority. The common people were treated by them as profane and "accursed," (John 7:49,) and they looked upon themselves as the holy first-fruits; just as, in our own day,…

Under the fruits the manner of teaching is itself included, and indeed holds the chief place: for Christ proves that he was sent by God from this consideration, that "he seeks not his own glory, but the glory of the Father who sent him," (John 7:18.) Is it objected, that few per…

Some persons, by way of excusing the leper, think that Christ did not seriously forbid him to publish the miracle, but rather gave him an additional excitement to do so. Others more justly consider the reason of the prohibition to have been, that the full "time was not yet come,…

And this was a part of that emptying of himself which Paul mentions, (Philippians 2:7,) that when he could easily have protected his life by a miracle, he chose rather to submit to our weakness by taking flight. The only reason why he delayed to die was, that the seasonable time…

When they see that he has already obtained some reputation, their ambition leads them to desire that he should be admired in Jerusalem; for they exhort him to go up to that city, that he may show himself more openly, (John 7:3, 4). But now that they perceive him to be hated on o…

In short, in order to walk uprightly, we must necessarily put away respect of persons, which obscures the light and perverts right judgment, as God frequently inculcates in the Law, (Deuteronomy 1:16; 16:19), and as experience also points out. Thus Christ (John 7:24) contrasts a…

The Word is a light to your feet, Psalm 119:105 (i. e.) it has a discovering and directive usefulness as to all duties to be done, and dangers to be avoided: it is the great Oracle at which you are to enquire: treasure up its rules in your hearts, and you will walk safely, Psalm…

Indeed the Apostle affirms that the privilege of sonship was brought in by the Incarnation of Christ, who is said, in the fullness of time to be made of a woman, etc., that we might receive the adoption of sons (Galatians 4:5). But in Scripture a thing is spoken of as newly done…

And that this imputed and renued righteousnes may here be understood, will appeare by these reasons: First, in such places of Scripture where like sentences are repeated, we must understand not Ciuill righteousnes, but justification, sanctification, and regeneration: as Isa. 55.…

Many men there be that will bee of no religion, because there are so many and diverse opinions about matters of religion in the world; and therefore till some generall Councell have determined of the truth of religion, they will live as they doe: but these men must know, that th…

In a word, she is not only a garden, but a spring, that is furnished with moisture and water, for making her fruitful. More particularly, by this may be set out the graces of the Spirit, compared to waters (John 7:38-39) and said to become a well of water in these that believe o…

The Bride's lips were spoken of (Chapter 4:3, 11) and explained to signify her speech: by proportion they hold forth in him the loveliness of his Word, wherein he is especially lovely, in that he magnifies it above all his Name (Psalm 138:2) and makes it often sweet as the honey…

Again, this heap of wheat is said to be set about with lilies, not only thereby to express its beautifulness, with its usefulness, but also the fruitfulness thereof, in having particular graces as lilies growing about it, which are moistened and nourished by these two parts, the…

On (John 7:19) Did not Moses give you the Law: And yet none of you keeps the Law? I have in several discourses, according to the measure of divine assistance, endeavored to unfold to you the vast contents of the law, and those various duties that are summarily comprehended in th…

And the sum of the blessings, which the redeemed shall receive in heaven, is that river of water of life, that proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb (Revelation 22:1). Which doubtless signifies the same with those rivers of living water, explained in John 7:38-39, which i…

It is said of the almond-tree (of which Aaron's rod was) that the rind thereof is bitter, but the kernel is very delicious, and the oil pressed out of it very physical, and of much virtue; just such are the chastising words of a plain-dealing ministry, bitter at present, but pro…

Says Doctor Hammond, and quotes an ancient saying, "The end of Christian philosophy is to make them better, not more learned, to edify, not to instruct" ([reconstructed: Practical Catechism] p. 2). The truth is, conscientious practice is both the end of knowledge, and the means…

But they that are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God; indeed, they shall bring forth fruit in old age (Psalm 92:13-14). For a lively principle is the seed of God that will never die, and this spring of grace is fed with supplies from the fu…

He was by most esteemed a poor insignificant person; one of little account, slighted for his low parentage, and his mean city Nazareth. He was reproached as a glutton and drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners; was called a deceiver of the people; sometimes was called a mad…

His sun shall set, and never rise again; but I live in expectation of a sweet morning, after this dark night. Rouse up therefore, O my soul, set your faith to work on Christ for quickening grace, for he has life in himself, and quickens whoever he will (John 7:38). Stir up that…

Thus is the power of the word in many, baffled by the power of prejudice. They do not believe, because they are resolved they will not: they conclude that no good thing can come out of Nazareth (John 1:46), and will not be persuaded to come and see: thus do they prejudge the cau…

Is it the Spirit he gives us? He sheds him upon us richly and abundantly, Titus 3:6 — not only bidding us drink of the waters of life freely, but bestowing him in such plentiful measure that rivers of water shall flow from those who receive him, John 7:38-39, and they shall neve…

First, declaratory — in the conditional promises of the gospel. John 7:37, Matthew 11:28: he that believes shall be saved; come to me and you shall have life. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to those who believe, Romans 10:4.

Galatians 3:2: they received the Spirit by the hearing of faith. Hence believing is put as the qualification of all our receiving the Holy Spirit, John 7:39. Believers thus receive the Spirit, and they receive him by faith.

He instructed them to pray for him of the Father, as that which is needful for them as bread for children, Luke 11:13. He promised him as a well of water springing up in them for their refreshment, strengthening, and consolation unto everlasting life, John 7:37-39. He also promi…

Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest, John 7:37. If any Man thirsts, let him come unto me and drink,

Have any of the Rulers believed in him? But this people who know not the Law are cursed (John 7:48-49). 2. We need not wonder then, that not only the powers of the world are usually enemies to Christ, and that the contrivers of policies, those builders, leave out Christ in their…

The reasons which incline me to believe so are, 1. It is said, Satan was a murderer, ab initio, from the beginning (John 8:44). Now whom did he murder?

6. Christ when he teaches, does not only illuminate, but animate. He does so teach, as he does quicken; (John 8:12): I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall have lumen vitae, the light of life. By nature we are dead, therefore unfit for teaching; who will make an o…

Question. How many ways may we glorify God? Response. 1. It is a glorifying God when we aim purely at God's glory; it is one thing to advance God's glory, another thing to aim at it; God must be the Terminus ad quem, the ultimate end of all our actions; thus Christ (John 8:50):…

Satan can do what he will with an ignorant man: he does not see the error of his way, therefore the devil can lead him into any sin; you may lead a blind man anywhere: Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia. 2. Satan rules the will: though he cannot force the will, yet he can by a…

To them he gave power to become the sons of God. Let us put ourselves on a trial; it is no sign we are adopted sons, because we are sons of godly parents: The Jews boasted that they were Abraham's seed (John 8:33), they thought they must needs be good, because they came of such…

2. He rules their memories; they shall remember that which is evil, and forget that which is good: Their memories are like a strainer that lets go all the pure liquor, and retains only the dregs. 3. He rules their wills: Though the Devil cannot force the will, yet he draws it (J…

God's children have this character: they are children that will not lie (Isaiah 63:8); the new nature in them will not suffer them. The liar is near a kin to the devil; and the devil will shortly claim kindred with him (John 8:44): "The devil is a liar and the father of it." He…

2. Mendacium Iocosum, a jesting lie, when a man tells a lie in sport to make others merry: he goes laughing to hell. When you tell a lie, you make yourselves like the Devil (John 8:44). The Devil is a liar, and the father of it.

Question 7. How we may know that God is our Father? All cannot say Our Father: The Jews boasted that God was their Father (John 8:36): We have one Father, even God. Christ tells them their pedigree, verse 44: You are of your Father the Devil.

2. The sacred observation of it, touching which these things are to be practiced. (1.) Rejoice at the approach of this day, as being a day wherein we have a prize for our souls, and enjoy much of God's presence (John 8:56). Abraham saw my day and rejoiced.

They represent no less than God himself (2 Corinthians 5:20): Now then we are ambassadors for Christ. Jesus Christ was of this calling; he had his mission and sanction from heaven (John 8:18). And this crowns the ministerial calling with honor.

This he calls honoring of God. John 8:29. I do always those things which please him. Verse 49. I honor my Father.

If God would have a beast stoned that killed a man, who had not the use of reason to restrain him, then much more will he be incensed against those, who go both against reason and conscience in spoiling the life of a man. 3. Murder is a diabolical sin: it makes a man Primogenitu…

Mark 14:22-24. Jesus took bread, etc. (2.) It must be a joyful remembrance (John 8:56). Abraham saw my day and rejoiced.

Quest. But are any so wicked as to do the devil's will? Answ. Yes; (John 8:44) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. When a man tells a lie does he not do the devil's will?

And the like he endeavored between Christ's human nature and the divine, though hypostatically united. And likewise 4. 'That God has given us eternal life, and that life is in his Son' — this being the great truth of the gospel, so that a Christian who believes it not makes God…

Christ is a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world: That is, slain as well then as now: and that not only in the counsel and decree of God, whereby he is born and slain in all times and places: nor only in regard of the eternal power, efficacy, and merit of his death: but al…

Secondly, this teaches us, that Abraham's faith is rare in these days. Many make profession of Abraham's religion, but it seems they are as far deceived as the Jews were, John 8:39. The Jews would be Abraham's children, because they were of his flesh: and men now will be so, bec…

But this is a rare thing to be found in these days: our practice generally is contrary; for in our lives we follow our own humors and affections, never regarding what God does either will or nill. But if we will be Abraham's children, we must follow Abraham's practice in this pl…

And thus Christ reasons against the Scribes and Pharisees. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do (John 8:44). And true it is, that no child is so like his father that begat him, as every man by nature is like the devil: and the whole tenor an…

Grace itself gives no charter of exemption from it; an earthen pot though full of gold may break: the righteous who are earthen vessels, though they are filled with the golden graces are not freed from breaking by death: but their death is precious (Psalm 116:15). Wicked men lik…

Why are you afraid, O saint, that this sickness may be your death — as long as you know that the death of Christ is the death of death? Indeed, if you were to die in your sins — as John 8:21 — if death as a king reigned over you — Romans 5:14 — if it could feed upon you as the l…

Philosophers and physicians generally reckon sorrow among the chief causes of shortening life. Christ was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs, and this some think was the reason, that he appeared as a man of fifty, when he was little more than thirty years old (John 8:5…

Why so? You are generally, in your own opinion, already good friends with God; almost none of you think that you have hatred toward God, and so you carelessly and unconcernedly let the opportunity of making your peace with Him slip away — even like those Jews spoken of in John 8…

Where men do not like to retain God in their knowledge, or where the truth is detained in unrighteousness, it provokes God to give up to a reprobate mind, as the Apostle tells us (Romans 1). If you continue in my word (says Christ, John 8:31-32), then are you my disciples indeed…

1. That there be distinct knowledge in some measure of the object; an antecedent that faith presupposes, and for which cause faith gets the name of knowledge here and elsewhere in Scripture; the antecedent being put for the consequent; for faith has always knowledge with it, tho…

This rugged and uneasy temper of spirit, being the great hinderer, indeed the very opposite, of that stayed and sweet contentment of heart with and in every state; which is the very life of a Christian's life, consisting (as the Lord says) not in the abundance of the things whic…

Assertion 1. Jesus Christ that holy thing (Luke 1:35), was a fit high Priest, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners (Hebrews 7:26). Which of you (says Christ to the Jews) convinces me of sin (John 8:46). There could not be a spot in this Lamb sacrificed for the sins…

Children of Belial (Deuteronomy 1:3). Of the Devil (John 8:44). And with an emphasis, the wicked (Psalm 9:17).

And indeed, so far as these affections are seated in our souls, and not drenched in the passions of the body, (to which our souls are united) they are the very same kind of affections in us, that are in them. Hence the same lusts that are in men, are said to be in devils (John 8…

The second work of the Spirit is, that it is not only a spirit of union, but it is also a spirit of liberty; for of all the kinds of temper in a Son, there is nothing more expresses the frame of a Son (next to his likeness, and union with the Father) than liberty does; where the…

And he is called also [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the wicked one (Matthew 13:19) as the first and deepest in evil. And because this malicious cruel spirit ruined mankind at first, he is called a liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). A liar because of his deceit; a m…

You stand upon the vantage ground, but are not taller in stature than heathens and Jews. Disciples in name, not in deed (John 8:31): 'If you continue in my words, then are you my disciples indeed': Christians of letter, not of the Spirit. Oh, reverence Christ, if Moses and Elija…

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image, which you have set up. Please God, and God will always be with you, when you seem to be left destitute (John 8:29). And he that sent me, is with me; the father has not left me…

Our conversion is more pleasing to God, than our destruction. 3. He is pleased with the execution and management of it by Christ; he carried himself in the office of the mediator, according to what was enjoined him (John 8:29): I do always the things that please him. John 5:30:…

Christ's sheep whether Jew or Gentile, they have all the same character, they all hear his voice, and (John 10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. They distinguish his voice, own his voice, obey his voice; so (John 8:47) Whoever is of God hears God's…

This liberty then is not given to us by the law or for our righteousness, but freely for Christ's sake: which thing Paul here witnesses, and plainly declares throughout his whole Epistle. Christ also in John 8 says: If the son shall make you free, there shall you be free indeed.…

For there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). Also: If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8). However then a Christian man be terrified through the law, showing to him his sin, notwithstanding he therefore despairs not: For he…

Hereof it follows that the blessing and faith of Abraham is the same that ours is: that Abraham's Christ is our Christ: that Christ died as well for the sins of Abraham as for us. Abraham, which saw my day and rejoiced (John 8). Therefore all sound but one thing.

Notwithstanding, although we have this prerogative, that we are righteous by nature, born to the law and the works thereof, and are not sinners as the Gentiles, yet are we not therefore righteous before God. Hereby it is evident that Paul speaks not of ceremonies, or of the cere…

I. They held, that there was one God, and that this God was the father, without any distinction of persons: for when Christ mentioned the distinction of the father, and the sonne, they would not acknowledge it, John 8. 19. II.

So must we do, that of children of the devil, are made the children of God. And if we live according to the lusts of our flesh, as the men of this world do, whatever we profess, we are in truth the children of the devil (John 8:44; 1 John 3). Secondly, we must use every day to b…

It pertains not to all mankind, but only concerns the Jews, to whom it was a yoke of bondage (Acts 15). The sign of this bondage, whereby it may be discerned, is to keep a course or practice in sinning (John 8:34). He that commits sin is a servant of sin: or again, a life led ac…

Thirdly, such as reioyce in the vertues of their ancestors, as the Iewes bragged they were the seede of Abraham. Ioh. 8. 33. which vaine glorying of other mens vertues, John Baptist reproous, when he says, Thinke not to say with your selues, we have Abraham for our father&c. Mat…

From there it is that these calumniations and false accusations are raised up against the faithful servants of God at this day: from there is it also that such doubtful and curious questions are propounded to them, even as nets and snares to put the innocent in hazard of their l…

For who is sufficient to be his own redeemer? Now because the work of this redemption belongs in particular to the kingdom of Christ, it thereupon follows, that he is only the finisher of it; as himself says (John 8:36). Again, it is not enough to be once redeemed: for mark what…

It is also the end of the Gospel to set the captives at liberty. We are all prisoners and fettered, until Christ has set us free by his grace (John 8:36). But let us beware that we reject not the benefit which he offers us when he is about to smite off our irons.

The covenant, which God had made with Abraham, was employed by them as a shield to defend a bad conscience: not that they rested their salvation on the person of one man, but that God had adopted all the posterity of Abraham. Meanwhile, they did not consider, that none are entit…

What then? He gave sight to the blind, in order to show that he is “the light of the world,” (John 8:12). He restored life to the dead, to prove that he is “the resurrection and the life,” (John 11:25).

Although the fathers were satisfied with their lot, and enjoyed a blessed peace in their own minds, yet this did not prevent their desires from extending farther. Thus, Abraham saw the day of Christ afar off, and rejoiced, (John 8:56,) and yet longed to enjoy a nearer view, but…

They are not taught of God; they have Christ's Word to enlighten them, but not his Spirit to sanctify them. But, that you should have the inward, as well as the outward teaching, that Christ should anoint you with the heavenly unction of his Spirit, that you can say, as in (John…

Quest. But how comes faith to be so precious? Ans. Not as it is a more holy quality, or as if it had more worthiness than other graces, but respectu Objecti, as it lays hold on Christ the blessed object, and fetches in his fullness (John 9:16). Faith in itself considered, is but…

It is most true, none can work faith, but the only Creator and Author of faith: but will the Author hence infer, no man, the most wicked, nor any that ever heard Christ or his Apostles preach, doubted of their faith? 2. The sun, with all its light, cannot persuade a blind man wh…

And Matthew 12:24: This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Generally they looked upon him as an enemy to Moses; John 9:29: We know that God spoke to Moses, as for this fellow we know not from where he is. Others had a more moderate opinio…

But when the plagues and miseries should cease, then the Lord would open the eyes of those that were his, to the end they might see and embrace the goodness of God. For this is the true way to effect the restoration of the Church; namely, in giving sight to the blind, and hearin…

We do not render to God the honor which is due to Him, unless with reverence and modesty we adore His justice, when it is concealed from us. Whoever wishes to obtain more full information on this point, may consult my Commentary on these words, Neither has this man sinned, nor h…

Though all men have always sin enough to be the meritorious cause, yet oftentimes sin is not the moving cause of their afflictions. When the disciples put that question to Christ concerning the blind man (John 9:2), 'Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born…

Others denie the Historie of Moses to be true, by reason of Noahs Arke, which (they say) as it is described for quantitie could not containe a couple of every kind of creatures, with prouision and fodder for them, for a whole years space: of this opinion was Appelles an auncient…

It is imprudence for one to begin to work for Heaven, when he is past his labor. There is a night of sickness and death coming, and our Savior says, The night comes when none can work (John 9:4). Sure a man can put forth but little violence for Heaven when old age, and old sins…

He was called a blasphemer, and was accounted by many a wizard, or one that wrought miracles by the black art, and communication with Beelzebub. They excommunicated him, and agreed to excommunicate any man that should own him, as, John 9.22. They wished him dead, and were contin…

I have heard (and my soul is grieved for it) that since my departure from you, many among you are turned back from the good old way to the dog's vomit again. Let me speak to these men: it was not without God's special direction that the first sentence that ever my mouth uttered…

But there is also a believing on him, called believing on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13). So also (John 9:36) yea the distinct affixing of faith, affiance and confidence on the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, as the Son of God; is most frequently pressed. John 3:16.

As then was said before, the Scriptures being [illegible], is not the case the same, as with a man that was so? is there any thing in the Writing of it by Gods Command, that should impair its Authority? nay is it not freed from innumerable prejudices that attended it, in its fir…

Thus That is often taken in Scripture. John 9:39. Christ says there, For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind. It was not Christ's scope to do so, but Christ foresaw that this would be the event of hi…

There is far more reason why we should hear God, than God hear us: for there is more equity in his precepts, than there is reason in our prayers; and we are bound to obey God's will, more than he is to grant our request: and therefore if we would not have God turn away his ear f…

This is a great hindrance to the entertaining of the word. So Christ tells the Pharisees who were conceited of their own knowledge (John 9:39), For judgment am I come into this world, that they which see not, might see; and they which see, might be made blind. The Pharisees were…

So (2 Chronicles 18:23) he smote him on the cheek, and said, "When went the spirit of the Lord from me, to speak to you?" So the Pharisees hated Christ, because of his free reproofs (John 9:40): "Are we blind also?" They cannot endure to hear of their faults, especially from one…

And our Lord Jesus came to be, and give light to them that sat in darkness (Luke 1:76-79). And indeed none but he can open the eyes of them that are born blind (John 9). He was the light of the world, which without him is a dark dungeon.

What it was in the sermon that could possibly offend, I cannot guess, unless the eighth head; and I wonder not much at their offence at that, since it appears they are weak brethren. It is sad that men should walk not as wise but as fools, when the drift of the discourse was to…

That under such ceremonies is contained no higher mystery, they shall easily judge who note how great liberty the Lord and his Apostles used in these outward things. The Lord going about to restore sight to the blind man, made clay of dust and spittle, some he healed with touchi…

And (1 Peter 2:8): The stone which the builders refused is made a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. With that of our Saviour himself (John 9:39): For judgment I am come into th…

The places are: Matthew 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 24:3; 28:20; Mark 4:19; Luke 1:70; 16:8; 20:34, 35; Acts 3:21; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:6, twice, 7, 8; 3:18; 10:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:1…

This is manifestly the argument, by which he presses on us the present diligent discharge of our duty; and this argument would be utterly inconclusive, if there were another state, in which what our hand now finds to do, might be done. Of similar import is (John 9:4): I must wor…

No man would understand the expression in any other sense than this, that in the midst of the war and battle, he was struck with conviction of his wickedness, and became cordially reconciled to his sovereign. If the Doctor depended on the original words [in non-Latin alphabet],…

When my father and mother, says David, forsakes me, the Lord will take me up (Psalm 27:10). Have you not read of that poor man which the Pharisees excommunicated for cleaving to me, and how the Lord Jesus graciously received him (John 9:35)? Come, Poverty, don't fear, the worst…

Wildfire cannot roast raw flesh. 2. God hears not sinners (John 9:31). Let his prayer be sin (Psalm 109:7).

That which is next, is a word of the Essential principle of true Faith, and that is a proportionable measure of grace (Philippians 1:29) required in Faith: men naturally imagine that faith is a work of nature; hence that speech of a multitude of Atheists (I believe all my days,…

It is time of war with the saints in this life: and then all cities keep watch, and strangers without a pass are examined, searched and tried, what correspondence they have with the enemy. 4. God's way of hardening by Satan is often mysterious, silent, dumb and speaks not (John…

And does not this light which you have from Christ call for your love? If the man that was born blind, and was cured of his natural darkness by Christ, did love Christ for this favor, so as boldly to plead for him before the Pharisees, though he were for it cast out of the synag…

But take you a man pricked in conscience, he is like the scribes and Pharisees, when the blind man answered them with a mighty power of a gracious spirit, and set them to the wall, that they knew not what to say, they said, you are altogether born in sin, and will you teach us?…

An ordinary lawyer will have his fee, and sometimes a bribe too; but Christ is not mercenary: How many causes does he plead every day in Heaven, and will take nothing. As Christ laid down his life freely (John 10:15, 18), so he intercedes freely. 2. Feelingly; He is sensible of…

1. God has asserted it (1 John 3:9): His Seed remains in him (1 John 2:27): The anointing you have received of him abides in you. 2. As God has asserted it, so he has promised it: The Truth of God, the most brilliant Pearl of his Crown, is laid a pawn in the promise (John 10:28)…

What can make us love God more than the fixedness of his love to us? He is not only the author of grace, but finisher; his love is perpetuated and carried on to our salvation (John 10:27). My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Oh! in this be wise as serpents, stop your ear to the charming of false teachers. God has given his people this wisdom to stop their ears to heretics: John 10:5: a stranger will they not follow, but flee from him. 3. The serpent has a chief care to defend his head; a blow there…

And so he shall be a head without a body, but be assured a believer's union with Christ cannot be broken, and so long he cannot be hindered of the kingdom (John 17:12). What was said of Christ's natural body is as true of his mystical body (John 10:39): A bone of him shall not b…

So that it was nothing but pure love for Christ to lay out his blood to redeem such as he could not expect to be really bettered by. 5. That Christ should die so willingly (John 10:17). I lay down my life.

It is said, not only Christ was with God before the beginning, but he was God (John 1:1), and (1 Timothy 3:16), God manifest in the flesh. The title of Lord so often given to Christ in the New Testament does answer to the title of Jehovah in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5; M…

In a word, all that is written in law or gospel, tends to this, that we should be doers of God's will, Your Will be done. 3. By doing the will of God we evidence sincerity; as Christ said in another sense, (John 10:25) The works which I do, bear witness of me: So it is not all o…

Thirdly, they are distinct in their actions or operations; which though they go together inseparably in the work of redemption: yet they must in no wise be confounded but distinguished as the natures themselves are. Christ says of himself, I have power to lay down my life, and I…

That which secures His decree and makes it infrustratably to take effect, is, that He has effectual means to bring about His decree. Second, if we consider the covenant of redemption, between Jehovah and the Mediator, we will find that upon the one side the Mediator particularly…

For 1. We are to expound this universal with respect to God's purpose and Covenant, the contrivance of the Elect's Redemption, and to the death of Christ, the execution of it, and so these words our, us, we, all are, and must be restricted to these, and in them we are to find ou…

He will not suffer his disciples to draw a sword in his defense (Matthew 26), but when Peter drew his sword, he bade him put it up again, for he could have commanded more than twelve legions of angels; but it behooves him now to suffer — he came for another end than to oppose hi…

He answers, it is true that he was cut off out of the land of the living, but for no offence in himself, but for the transgression of God's elect was he stricken, or as the word is, The stroke was upon him; Indeed this (as we conceive) is given as a reason of his exaltation. Bec…

And therefore, by my people here is not meant, 1. All the world, or all that ever lived and had a being. We find not anywhere in Scripture that these are called my people, or God's people, but whenever my people is spoken of, it is used to mark boundaries between his people and…

There are several things implied here concerning the efficacy of the price of Christ's death, and concerning the extent of it, as it's laid down as a price for the sins of the Elect, which I shall first passingly touch upon, and then come to these doctrines that are more directl…

What is rendered death here in our translation, is deaths in the plural number in the Hebrew; to show the greatness and terribleness of the death which he underwent, and the sore spiritual as well as bodily exercise that he was put to, at, and in, his death, so that it was a com…

And will, or can, folks expect that for which they have no promise? The Scripture is plain and peremptory in this, as namely (Acts 4:12), there is no other name under heaven whereby a sinner can be saved, but by the name of Jesus; he is the door (John 10), the way, the truth, an…

And 4. All this was according to God's prescription and appointment, in the covenant of redemption. This commandment, says he (John 10:18), have I received of my Father, to wit, that I should lay down my life for my sheep. And most emphatically he says (John 14:13): as my Father…

Such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners: a priest, who is the Son, and is set over the house, as the heir; and though the human nature was the sacrifice, yet (as was said before) not as abstracted from the divine nature, the person b…

(1 Timothy 1:15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation; and what is it? That Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners: and that (John 10:10) I came that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. There are two things that we wou…

If we could rightly discern His sufferings, and the benefits that we have by them, it would say, that there is good reason, that He should have a kindly meeting, who has done, and suffered so much to obtain these to us. 4. Consider the cheerful way of His suffering, and of His l…

And it cannot be but these many shall be justified, because He did bear their sins, as to the punishment, and curse due to them; and whoever sins are borne by Christ, these are, and shall be justified. And therefore He must be victorious, and have a glorious triumph and out-gate…

Thirdly, from the connection, because He has poured out His soul to death, observe: that our Lord Jesus His willing condescending to die, is most acceptable to the Father; therefore He says, I will give him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,…

If the Lord's will that Christ should die be nothing, but his mere decree, it could not oblige us in the like case to be willing, as John says, to lay down our life for the brothers. Indeed (John 10:18), Christ has a commandment of God, and the revealed will of God, to die for u…

Christ told down a definite and certain ransom, as a told sum of money, every penny reckoned and laid, and he knew who was his own, and whom, and how many, by the head and name, he bought; there is no hazard that one come in, in the lieu and room of another. John 10:14: I am the…

Romans 8:3: 'God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh.' Mark that phrase 'for sin' — [reconstructed: the Greek word] there is put for 'on account of,' as in John 10:33 'not for a good work' — that is, not because of a good work or…

What holy confidence may this breed in us? He is at God's right hand, and we are in his hands (John 10:28), and all his enemies are under his feet, who then can pull us out? (Revelation 1:18) says Christ, I have the keys of hell and death.

Christ's Father will not displease him, nor go against him in anything. Now that you may see a reason of this, and have all cavils and exceptions taken away, that may arise against this; and how that there is an impossibility that it should be otherwise: know, that this Father a…

And this lies now still upon him now he is in heaven, as much as ever: for his will also is (says he, verses 39-40) that I should raise them up at the last day, so as it must needs continue the same till then. And compare with this John 10, from verse 15 to 18, where having disc…

Meaning principally that the prophecies, and figures, and types which prefigured his death were all now accomplished. 2. His voluntary submission which he should accomplish, notes his active and voluntary concurrence; it is an active word not passive, not to be fulfilled upon hi…

Likeness is another loadstone of [reconstructed: affection] (Hebrews 1:3). He is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, such as the Father is so is Christ. 2. As Mediator, so God loves him on the account of his obedience (John 10:17). Therefore does my…

The Father has loved him, and put all things into his hands; the elect and all things else; all power that conduces to their salvation. Afterwards loved him as mediator (John 10:17). Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. Now suc…

Their second propertie is, that they crept into the Church, which I conceiue on this manner. The Church of God is as a sheepefold, or house, Ioh. 10. 1. Christ is the onely dore.

The first is, the spirit of grace and supplications (Zechariah 12:10), that is, the spirit of regeneration, causing men to turn to God, and with that to make instant prayer and supplication for mercy and forgiveness of sins past. The second, is to hear and obey the voice of God…

Act 2:23. And thus is he said to be sealed of thefather, Ioh. 6. 27. and to be sanctified, and sent into the world, Ioh. 10. 36. And therefore this sending implies no alteration or change of place.

Again, hence I gather, that in the prime of the Church in the Apostles' days, when the Church of the New Testament was but in founding, the ministry was in contempt: and (as it may appear out of other places) the ministers were not only neglected, or contemned, but reviled, pers…

From here let us observe, that we cannot be gathered to the Lord, unless we come under this ensign, and be united to him by faith. For he will not acknowledge us for any of his sheep, if we be not gathered in from our scattering, and that all of us do assemble ourselves under th…

These then rather lead and conduct others to Christ, who is the only safe keeper and protector of his people: who indeed gathers together the remnant that is scattered. Thus then he brings the faithful back to Christ: as if he should say, You know what God you serve: he has prom…

And in the same sense he says (2 Timothy 1:12), I know whom I have believed; God is able to keep that which I have committed to him. To this belongs the saying of Christ, My father which gave them me is greater than all (John 10:19). Seeing then that we have continually to wrest…

But we have said heretofore, (Isaiah 43:1) that by these words the Prophet meant another thing, namely, that God calls those by name whom he chooses and ordains to execute some special work, in which respect he separates them from the common multitude, for this signifies a neare…

The Prophet therefore says; that albeit human helps should fail, yet God of himself is rich enough to supply all their wants. This is the reason why the Spirit of God delights so much in comparing the faithful to sheep; that feeling their own weakness, they might willingly and w…

But all, says Saint Augustine, shall be taught of God. His disciples therefore are taught with efficacy, and follow his calling (John 10:27). He also alleges that sixth of John by us cited before, from which it manifestly appears that it proceeds not from any free election that…

Yet will I gather upon him.] I willingly retain the propriety of the Prophet's words: Gnal, that is, to, or upon: for (as I think) he has an eye to that which he said in the former verse, namely, that the Temple should be set open to all people: and here signifies, that God shal…

To this purpose also is that saying of Christ: “The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd; and a stranger they do not follow, but flee from him,” (John 10:3, 5) Hence too we infer, that there is no reason why believers should be discouraged or alarmed, when wolves creep into the…

For they have not sufficient energy to resist the attacks of Satan, unless in consequence of their being the sheep of Christ, which none can pluck out of his hand, (John 10:28.) It must therefore be observed, that the permanency of our salvation does not depend on us, but on the…

So it is called of the Lord the Spirit of truth, of that effect, of which he spoke in that place (John 14:17). Moreover, a celestial power is said to have appeared in the resurrection of Christ, because he rose again by his own strength, as he testified many times, saying, destr…

But when he says, that God raised up Christ by his spirit, which he has also given to you, nothing can be brought against it, seeing thereby he does put us in sure hope of the resurrection. And for all this there is nothing derogated from that sentence of John: namely, I have po…

Christ underwent death in obedience to the command of the Father: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire: then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart' (Psalm 40:6-8). John 10…

Never any one received commands from God, of such difficulty, and that were so great a trial of obedience, as Jesus Christ. One of God's commands to him was, that he should yield himself to those dreadful sufferings that he underwent (John 10:18): No man takes it from me, but I…

John 10:27-28. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; and they follow me. And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.

What will not a Father grant his Son? John 11:42: I know that you always hear me. If God could forget that Christ were a Priest, yet he cannot forget that he is a Son.

Did not Israel question God's power? Can he prepare a table in the wilderness? (Psalm 78:19) they thought the wilderness was a fitter place for making of graves, than spreading of a table. Did not Martha doubt of Christ's power? (John 11:39) He has been dead four days. If Christ…

3. Christ prays that the saints may have this kingdom settled upon them, (John 17:24) Father I will that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that is, in heaven. This is Christ's prayer that the saints may be with him in his kingdom, and be bespangled with som…

How powerful must Christ's prayer needs be. He is a favorite (John 11:42). He is both a high priest and a son, if God could forget that Christ were a priest, yet he cannot forget that he is a son; besides, Christ prays for nothing but what is agreeable to his Father's will, if a…

Now eight days after, our Savior Christ appeared again to all the disciples, especially for the curing of Thomas his unbelief, which was no small sin, considering it contains in it three great sins. The first is blindness of mind, for he had been a hearer of our Savior Christ a…

It is Seneca's observation, and experimentally true, that even sorrow itself has a certain kind of delight attending it. The Jews that were with Mary in the house to comfort her, when they saw that she went out hastily, followed her, saying, she goes to the grave to weep there (…

How little pains he takes to escape them; yes, when Peter labors to dissuade him (Matthew 16) from suffering, he disdains and rejects the suggestion with a severe rebuke: Get behind me, Satan, you are an offense to me, you do not savor the things that be of God but of men. And w…

You have the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God — there is much in these words, we believe and are sure that it is so. A fourth place is John 11:27, and it is Martha's confession: Yes, Lord, I believe that you ar…

And verse 16, some that were not for the time professing themselves to be his people, are reckoned: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring in. Nor 3. Can it be limited to them that were actually converted and believers, for he says (as I just now h…

It heightens not their praise that all of every kindred, and tongue, and nation were redeemed, but this does it — that when the Lord had the whole world before him, he was graciously pleased to purchase and redeem them out of it. That, as it is (John 11:52), he should gather tog…

3. He performs this his intercession by his constant care, and by his continual willingness, and actual willing, that what he has purchased for his elect people may be applied to them; that such and such persons may be brought to believe, that upon their believing they may be pa…

Therefore, (1 John 2:2) it's said, If any man sin: O, strange word, We have an advocate, what, an advocate for any man? Indeed, for any man that will make use of him: for as we showed before, though it's true that his intercession is bounded to his elect, yet it's as true, that…

But 2. There is not only consolation for a believer's particular condition from this ground, but also in reference to the public case of God's Church: There are four things especially, that seem very heavy to the Church, and public work of God; in reference to all which we will…

It is as much as he has left no cross, no shame at all to be suffered by us; and (Philippians 2:8), he was obedient to the Father: he says not to the death, but to death, even death of the Cross, [illegible]. It holds forth to us, that Christ suffered so much for us, as he has t…

(Mark 14:14): "This is my blood of the New Testament, that is shed for many," as (Romans 5:15): "Through the offence of one, many were dead" — that is, all were dead. So the sheep of Christ (John 10:11), the scattered sons of God (John 11:52), his people (Matthew 1:21), his bret…

What man is he that can deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? (Psalm 49). And if the soul be severed from the body: no man can quicken his own soul, that is beyond the power and reach of the creature, death is the passage to eternal life, and this passage is of invincible…

This reason is taken from the faithfulness of God in the promise, and from the suitableness of God's will to ours, when we so pray. Reason 2. Secondly, it is taken from the mighty power of the name of Christ, whenever we use his name in prayer, not in lip labor; but when we pray…

It is true the deserved wages of all unrighteousness is to death, but there is a sin that is not to death, not that there is any sin, which does not deserve death, but not that which does undoubtedly cut off a man from all hopes of life, but notwithstanding that sin he may be co…

And therefore let us not tempt him by confining him to our time, means and manner. He may love us, and yet delay our help (John 11:5-6): Jesus loved Lazarus, and yet verse 6: When he heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then for his pow…

I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. God will not fail a waiting soul, his delay is no denial, nor a sign of want of love to you (John 11:5). Jesus loved Lazarus, and yet verse 6: When he had heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in…

Therefore we are sure that Christ is present with us, and that he teaches and speaks in the midst of us and in our church. As for the false Apostles, if they be anything, they are but sent either of men or by men: but I am sent of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, who is our…

Now Christ was alway heard in that which he praied for. Ioh. 11. 42. Lastly, upon the life of Christ, which is communicated to all his liuing members, Gal. 2. v. 20.

He gave sight to the blind, in order to show that he is “the light of the world,” (John 8:12). He restored life to the dead, to prove that he is “the resurrection and the life,” (John 11:25). Similar observations might be made as to those who were lame, or had palsy.

A woman, who had been possessed by seven devils, and might be said to have been the meanest slave of Satan, was not merely honored to be his disciple, but admitted to enjoy his society. Luke adds the surname Magdalene, to distinguish her from the sister of Martha, and other pers…

The meaning therefore is, that by the spirit of prophecy he spoke of his own death, which no man could have suspected to be so near at hand. John explains the reason why the scribes and priests held this meeting: it was because, from day to day, the people flocked to Christ in g…

For Cyril has properly said: “That the suffering of Christ on the cross was not in every respect voluntary, but that it was voluntary on account of the will of the Father, and on account of our salvation, you may easily learn from his prayer, Father, if it be possible, let this…

This was not, indeed, the lawful preaching of the Gospel, for Pilate was unworthy to be employed by God as a witness for his Son; but what was afterwards to be accomplished by the true ministers was prefigured in Pilate. In short, we may look upon him to be a herald of Christ in…

The accompanying of others in a Neighbourly civil Visit, has been over-rul'd to the same end. Thus many of the Jews accompanied Mary unto Bethany, (designing only to manifest their civil respect) but there they met Christ, saw the things which he did, and believed on him, John 1…

So sanctification, is preparation. And (John 11:55), to name no more, the Jews' Passover was near at hand, and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves, or to sanctify themselves, that they might be fit and ready for the sacrifice. So…

Thus must we have him showed to us in this vale of tears, as he was showed to the patriarchs and prophets, that we may know him in this mortal life and believe in him, as they have done: and then surely shall he show himself well enough after this exiling and banishment. If else…

By Friends and Beloved, are understood believers, there are none other capable of these titles, and it was she that prayed, that is here understood by Friends and Beloved, and so he answers her. Hence we see, the believer is [reconstructed: a] Friend, as Abraham (James 2:23) and…

To gather, is a borrowed expression from men that use to gather some flowers they delight in, to bring to their chambers with them, or some fruits, that they may dress and prepare them, as we heard (chapter 5:1). Christ's gathering of his lilies, points, 1. At his calling of the…

2. For men of one stock and nation, so Samaria was sister to Jerusalem, etc. (Ezekiel 16:46). 3. For the elect who are yet unconverted, who are sisters in respect of God's purpose, as they are Christ's sheep (John 10:16), and sons of God (John 11:52), even before their conversio…

God loves to hide the particular way and path of his providence, so that your times shall seem not to have the least connection or respect to your hopes. 'Tis so in all his dealings; see (John 11:6): Jesus loved Lazarus, and when he heard he was sick he stayed two days — little…

A meek man will never be angry at a child, at a servant, at a friend, till he has first seriously weighed the cause in just and even balances, while a steady and impartial hand held the scales, and a free and unprejudiced thought had adjudged it necessary. It is said of our Lord…

That which beats swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks? Or, was he the author of a sect who is the great creator of unity, and who died to break down partition walls, and to slay all enmities (Ephesians 2:14-16; John 11:52), that he might gather together in one t…

Some things as mediator — so he prayed for his elect only, John 17:9. When he prayed as mediator, his Father always heard him and answered him, John 11:41. This then is the obedience of Christ, which was the first thing proposed to be considered.

They which love one another, will not be strange one to another; a man cannot be long out of the company of him whom he loves. Christ loved Lazarus, and Mary, and Martha (John 11:5), and therefore his great resort was to Bethany, to Lazarus's house. Surely they which love God, w…

Now therefore, just as to know the original cause of our death and damnation, we must not range beyond the fall of our first father Adam, because that by him sin entered into the world, and by sin, death (Romans 5:12): so to find our recovery and salvation, we must not seek else…

1. For consulting against them to their ruin. We have instances of a council gathered against Christ (John 11:47): Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. They meet together, and plot the ruin of Christ…

Did we sit more loose from our earthly comforts, it would not be so irksome to part with them. Grief is always a sign of affection (John 11:34): And Jesus wept, and then they said, Behold how he loved him. When we are surprised with so great sorrow and trouble at the parting of…

So men think they are going heaven-ward, when alas sin leads them to hell, while their eyes are shut, and they know not where they go. 5 Man's darkness is seen by this; That he stumbles, and knows not at what (John 11:9-10, Proverbs 4:19). Sinners are ever and anon stumbling at…

The Apostle tells us of some who (like Jannes and Jambres) resist the truth, and calls them men of corrupt (or rotten) minds: and Solomon gives us to know, that as a sound heart is the life of the flesh, so envy (anything opposed to the sound heart) is rottenness to the bones; i…

But Christ professed [reconstructed: otherwise], nor would not pray for the world (John 17:9). [reconstructed: I pray] not for the world; and the [reconstructed: text] proves it, for what Christ prays for, that he [reconstructed: obtains] (John 11:22, 42): I know that you hear m…

Break forth into thankfulness; though sin is not quite cured and there are still some grudgings of the disease, yet the reigning power of it is taken away. You are so healed that you shall not die (John 3:16; John 11:26). Those who were cured by the bronze serpent afterwards die…

Do we not see the chemist can out of several metals mingled together, as gold, silver, and alloy, extract the one from the other, the silver from the gold, the alloy from the silver, and can reduce every metal to its own species or kind: and shall we not much more believe, that…

Now God can deny Christ nothing, being the only favorite. I know you always hear me (John 11:42). Fifth, in regard of Christ's ascension: he is gone before to take possession of heaven for us.

This holy man had lost the sight for a time of the Almighty Power of God, and now he is projecting how this should be done; as if he had said in plain termes, How can this be accomplished? for so God interprets his reasoning, v. 23, And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lords han…

4. If Christ prayed for infants as Matthew says the mothers or parents sought that of him (Matthew 19:13) his prayers must be grounded upon the word of the Covenant, and what could he seek for infants' peace in these, but Covenant mercies and salvation: for Christ was not to wor…

What says then Christ (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:58; Luke 5:20, 24; Mark 5:34; Mark 9:24) indeed and much more says the Holy Ghost of our case, even of everlasting consolation (2 Thessalonians 2:16), strong consolation (Hebrews 6:18), all comfort (2 Corinthians…

2. Then we aim at God's glory when we can be content that God's will should take place though it cross ours: Lord I am content to be a loser if you a gainer; to have less health, if I may have more grace, and you more glory; whether it be food or bitter medicine you give me, Lor…

Absalom masks over his treason with the pretense of a religious vow. Judas dissembles his envy at Christ, and covetousness, with a pretense of charity to the poor (John 12:5). Jehu makes religion a stirrup to his ambitious design (1 Kings 10:16). but God sees through these fig l…

Do they honor God who are ashamed of him? John 12:42. Many believed on him, but dared not confess him. They are bastard sons, who are ashamed to own their Heavenly Father.

Achan's covetous humor made him steal the wedge of gold, which wedge did cleave asunder his soul from God (Joshua 7:21). 2. The external cause of theft is Satan's solicitation: Judas was a thief (John 12:6). How came he to be a thief?

Secondly, the written word, as it is our pattern, so it will be our judge. (John 12:48) The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day. We read of the opening of the books (Revelation 20:12).

3. Consider Satan's power in tempting. He is called the Prince of the World (John 12:31), and [in non-Latin alphabet], the strong man (Luke 11:21), and the Great Red Dragon who with his tail cast down the third part of the stars (Revelation 12:4). He is full of power, being an a…

Indeed, the Holy Ghost reproves such as do lean on the Lord and yet transgress; and besides, the text speaks of such who, for their present condition, fear God and are obedient to him, which if they thus walked in darkness, they could not be said to do. Neither, secondly, is it…

Secondly, let us further consider the other phrase, and what is intimated thereby to be his condition when, as it is said, he walks in darkness. First, to walk in darkness implies to be in doubt where to go: so John 12:35, 'He that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.' And…

Which two glorious and incommunicable attributes of his that description of the word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13) seems fully to hold forth to us. Where, as at the gate of paradise was set a cherub with a flaming sword to keep our fallen parents from ever entering in again, so there…

Answer. We may use them not only for necessity, but also for honest delight and pleasure (Psalm 104:15): God gives wine to make glad the heart of man: and oil to make his face shine. And (John 12:3) our Savior Christ allowed of the fact of Mary, which took a pound of ointment of…

2. Consider that the prophet speaks of this report, not as in his own person only, but as in the person of all that ever preached, or shall preach this gospel; therefore this report is not peculiar to Isaiah, but it's our report, the report of the prophets before, and of these a…

For the first, the causes why so few believe the Gospel, we cleared to you already, that generally the powerful preaching of the Gospel has been with little fruit, so that Isaiah has this sad complaint, Lord, who has believed our report? And our Lord Jesus has it also on the mat…

He answers, it's not to be marveled at, in respect of God as if he were frustrated of his design, no such matter; it's because the power of Jesus Christ is revealed but to few; and we take this the rather to be the meaning of these words, because when Christ is preaching and man…

And we shall instance several places of Scripture that serve to hold them out. The first is that of (John 12:27-28) — now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; here our blessed Lord is troubled in spirit, and so pinched and hedged in as in a…

The second thing then, is, the duty that lies on people to whom the Lord sends the gospel, or this report concerning Christ, and you may take it in this general; that it lies on all that hear the gospel to believe the report that it brings concerning Christ, and by faith to rece…

Indeed, considering that it was the wrath of God and His curse due to the elect that He had to deal with, His soul was more capable of being affected with it than His body. Hence He says, when no hand of man touched Him (John 12:27), "Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I sa…

And these two, put together: 1. That there is a sufficient price laid down, for the satisfying of the justice of God, for the debt of elect sinners. 2. That this is the Lord's design, in laying of the price down, even to procure, and to communicate life to them, according to tha…

Only take this for an advertisement, that when we speak of the soul-sufferings of our Lord, we do not mean of any sufferings after death (as Papists falsely slander us) but of these sufferings, especially that were about the time of His passion, when He got the full cup of the F…

And His accepting of the satisfaction tells plainly, that He was content, that the guarantor's payment should stand for the principal debtor's: all this supposes a covenant, which is as real, as if we had seen, and had been ear-witnesses of the reading over of the covenant in al…

The 2. Promise is, that He shall see the fruit of His soul-travail; or His seed; it is much to have a seed, but it is more to see it; it is not only this, that Christ shall have a numerous issue, but that He shall outlive death, to see and oversee, and be a tutor to them, though…

For further clearing, and confirming of this, you should know that there are three courts, that especially the hearers of the gospel are liable to, which we should make ourselves ready for; they are all put together (Romans 2:12, 15, 16). There is 1. the court of the word, where…

Much and long — or many years of preaching, much plain and powerful preaching — and yet little or no fruit; they are snared and taken, and fall backward, for all that. And this was not in Isaiah's days only, but in Christ's days (John 12:37-38), and in Paul's days (Romans 10:16)…

Yet He did abide it all out; He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that pulled off the hair, and hid not His face from shame and spitting; and had a most glorious victory and triumph over all. What we said in expounding of the words clears it somewhat, and that…

John 12:27. Now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: But for this cause came I to this hour. 28. Father, glorify your Name. It is a question whether these words of our Savior's soul-trouble be nothing but the same words and prayer which Matt…

Answ. The argument is strong for us; the Apostle speaks of the Gospel-truth; but he will not have the Gospel preached to Samaritans (Matthew 10), to Bithinians, and thousands others. 2. He will not open the hearts of thousands that hear the Gospel, because he will (Matthew 11:28…

Or the troubles which accompany a strict profession are many. The world will note us (John 12:42): Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the Synagogue. Whereas we must…

That may be good for the glory of God, which is not good for our personal contentment and ease. Now the glory of God is our greatest interest; if it be for the glory of God that I should be in pain, bereft of my comfort, my sanctified subjection to the will of God must say it is…

3. Though this was a lie, yet here is the color of the lie. God permits that men sometimes by indirect means to become great in honor and dignity in this world; all which are done by the instinct of Satan, and his help: and evil men often succeed in their attempts, and from henc…

The Apostle Peter who was one of the parties present, could never forget this testimony of the Father, concerning his Son Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:17), he received from the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved So…

And Christ says, When I am exalted, I will draw all men to me. Ioh. 12. 32. And he liues for euer to make intercession[•] for vs. Heb 5:27.

Our Sauiour bidds vs walke in the light, while we have light. Ioh. 12. 35. II.

For it is a rendering of the cause, why the Gospel gets no more attendants; namely, they cannot comprehend the mysteries thereof by the dexterity of their natural wit. This is a very worthy sentence therefore, and it is alleged both by Saint John and Saint Paul to this very purp…

The Lord bears with our slothfulness for a time, and patiently waits for us; but if he gets nothing by it, he will leave us, and bestow his grace upon others. Christ therefore admonishes us to walk while it is day, because the night will come, in which we can walk no more forwar…

That it lies not in the will and power of the minister to bring men back to God, we conclude from this that John did not indiscriminately bring all back, (which he would unquestionably have done, if every thing had yielded to his wish,) but only brought those back whom it please…

The word conceive is enough to set aside the dream of Marcion and Manichaeus: for it is easy to gather from it that Mary brought forth not an ethereal body or phantom, but the fruit which she had previously conceived in her womb. You shall call his name Jesus The reason of the n…

24. Verily, I say to you He reproaches them with the blame of preventing him from exerting his power among them as he did in other places, by working miracles: for the unbelief of men presents an obstruction to God, and hinders him from working, as might be desired, for their sa…

By these words he intended to charge them to walk in the light before the darkness of the night overtook them, (John 12:35;) for this ought to have been a very powerful excitement to endeavor to make progress, so long as they enjoyed the presence of Christ, when they learned tha…

As to some slight diversity between John’s narrative and that of Matthew and Mark, it is easy to remove the apparent inconsistency, which has led some commentators erroneously to imagine that it is a different narrative. John 12:3 expresses the name of the woman who anointed Chr…

nailed to his cross the handwriting which was opposed to us, (Colossians 2:14,) and has destroyed death and Satan, and in his resurrection has triumphed over the prince of the world, (John 12:31,) it would be unreasonable to suppose that the passage from death to life will be mo…

God is said to speak, as men are said to speak: but God does not speak, as men speak, forming a voice by such organs or instruments of speech: But when the Lord speaks it is either by forming and creating a voice in the air, so God is said to speak sometimes, As when Christ was…

Ans. In this case learne of Paul, to passe littlefor mans judgment, but be carefull to get and [illegible] this grace of meekenesse, and then Christ will pronounce you []ssed, which ought more to preuaile with you, then all mens estimatiō in the world; and so it will, unless yo…

Now this petition for the glorifying of Gods name, is rightly set in the first place: for Gods glorie is the absolute end of all things: Prov. 16. 4. The Lord made all things for his own sake, yea even the wicked for the day of evil: and therefore it must be preferred before all…

That Christ is a rocke, yet not every way that man frames in his own heart, but onely so as he has offered himselfe in the promise of the Gospel, which is the word of the couenant of grace. And for this cause we must labour that this word of Gods grace may be rooted and grounded…

1. That there are many precious excellencies in Christ. So that, 2. the speaking of his name, is as if a man would open a sweet favoring box of ointment, as that woman did (John 12:3). There is no title, or office, or qualification in Christ, but all are savory; his very garment…

The word takes in also wronging with the tongue (Jeremiah 18:18): "Come, let us smite Jeremiah with the tongue": and it is likely, by the words following in that verse, the profane priests had no little role in it. 3. They wound her: this is a further step, and implies such a sm…

3. It is a tree of long continuance, and keeps long green; hence (Psalm 92:12, 14) it is said of the righteous, they shall flourish like the palm tree; therefore (Joel 1:12) it is an evidence of great drought, when the palm tree withers. 4. They were looked on as most fit to be…

How cunning is the heart to go to hell! Sometimes Covetousness pretends Conscience; Judas fisheth for money under a pretence of Religion, This ointment might have been sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor, John 12. 5. how charitable Judas was!

Gathering in summer is a token of wisdom, but sleeping in harvest, is a sinful, shameful, beggaring practice. God expects that we should work in the light, and walk in the day, while this day of grace lasts (John 12:35); It is a sad, astonishing thing, that God should hold men a…

With what seriousness does a child read over the will and testament of his father, that he may see what is left him? Read it as a book by which you must be judged (John 12:48). The Word I have spoken, shall judge him at the last day.

For, as I observed before, the Jews that lived in other countries, used frequently to go up to Jerusalem at their three great feasts, which were from year to year; and so, by this means, they could not but become acquainted with the news of the wonderful things that Christ did i…

When he was on earth he lay in the manger, now he sits in the throne; then he was hated and scorned of men, now he is adored of angels; then his name was reproached, now God has given him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Then he came in the form of a servant, and as a…

Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. God never repents of his electing love (John 13:1). He loved them to the end.

O what a hyperbole of love does Christ show in redeeming us! 9. That Christ's love in our redemption should be everlasting (John 13:1): having loved his own, he loved them to the end. As Christ's love is matchless, so it is endless: the flower of Christ's love is sweet, and that…

How came he to be a thief? Satan entered into him (John 13:27). The Devil is the great master-thief; he robbed us of our coat of innocency, and he persuades men to take up his trade: he tells men how bravely they shall live by thieving, and how they may catch an estate.

Christ knew his blood was never shed effectually and intentionally for Judas. In eating the Passover, Christ gave Judas a sop, which was a bit of unleavened bread dipped in a sauce made with bitter herbs; Judas having received the sop, went immediately out (John 13). But suppose…

Malice poisons the sacramental cup; men eat and drink their own damnation. Judas came to the Passover in malice, and after the sop Satan entered (John 13:27). 5. God has tied his mercy to this condition: if we do not forgive, neither will he forgive us (Matthew 6:15): "If you fo…

Thirdly, he is able indiscernably to communicate all his false reasonings (though never so spiritual) which he does forge and invent, and that in such a manner as to deceive us by them and to make them take with us. First, he is able not only to put into the heart suggestions an…

Answer. This is a mere forgery, and cannot be proved out of the word of God. The bag which Judas carried, doth prove the contrary; for, he was (as it were) the steward in Christ's family, who looked to their provision, and to their contribution to the poor: as may be seen, John…

I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. God never takes off his love wholly from his people, 'tis Amicitia immortalis, John 13.1. He loved them to the end: God being such a friend he will make all things work for our good.

There be two wills in God, one whereby he determines what he will do to us or in us: the other, whereby he determines what we shall do to him: Now Predestination is the first: whereupon it is commonly defined to be the preparation of the blessing of God, whereby they are deliver…

The coherence (if observed) makes this forth clearly: for whereas in the verse immediately foregoing, he had commended their present state of faith by this, Whom [NOW] though you see not, yet believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable, and glorious. That [NOW] you see not (in this…

In this case, the Lord by a merciful dispensation is providing both for their safety, and your own easier passage to them. In removing your friends beforehand, he seems to say to you as he did to Peter (John 13:7), What I do you know not now, but hereafter you shall know it. The…

Make this use of it, because he is a friend that sits on the throne. — Secondly, observe that our Lord Jesus did not only become man, but a man in an exceeding low and afflicted condition; it had been much to the Son of God to have come in the shape of man, though he had been Em…

Here His soul-sufferings begin clearly to show themselves when there was no cross, nor suffering in His body, yet He is put to such a pinch, considered as man, that He is, in a manner, nonplussed, and put to say, "what shall I say" — the horror of that which was begun, and was f…

Not a love that falls to nothing by a consequent act of hatred, nor a love to which the hatred of reprobation may succeed every hour, and out of which we may be decourted; a love that puts the honor of sons on us (1 John 3:1). It is a saving and a pitying love (Isaiah 63:9); a l…

And these relations are they that do move Christ to continue his love to us. Jesus knowing that he was to depart out of this world, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (John 13:1). And the reason thereof is put upon his relation to them; they wer…

Christ the Example of Ministers. John 13:15, 16. For I have given you an Example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily verily, I say unto you, The Servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him.

Some are of a scrupulous spirit, that they make conscience of all things; and the devil hurries them into a large atheistical spirit, that they make conscience of nothing: how often have we known a fond scrupulosity to end in a profane licentiousness, when they have been wearied…

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of fish that they had taken. You find him at other times transported with a passion of excessive reverence or humility (John 13:8): Lord, you shall never wash my feet. With a passion of love, or pity to his Master…

I deny not but a carnal soul should retire himself into a corner, examine his state, fall down on his knees, and beg converting and pardoning grace; and thus they must acquaint themselves with God, that they may come before him; for unsound unconverted sinners have no right as c…

Christ after he had redeemed us, renewed us and made us his church: gave us no other law but the law of mutual love. (John 13) A new commandment give I to you, that you love together, etc. And to love is not (as the Popish Sophisters dream) to wish well one to another: but one t…

The like he does (2 Corinthians 12), I know a man taken up into the third heaven: that is, himself. And John says, the disciple that leaned on the breast of Christ, whom Christ loved, asked whom he meant (John 13:23). After this practice, we are to give praise to God, and to his…

Paul says, to will is present with me, but he addes, that he cannot doe the good he would. Christ says to all the Apostles, He that is washed and is all cleane, must still have his feete washed, Ioh. 13. 10. Therefore they are to be rebuked, that thinke there must be no want at…

Again, we must be warned to take heed that we deceive not ourselves, thinking it a sufficient matter that we have been baptized. For except Christ inwardly washes us by his spirit, we have no part in him (John 13:8). Circumcision (says Paul) avails not, unless you be a doer of t…

Answer: The commandment [You shall love your neighbor as yourself] does not prescribe that we must in the first place love ourselves, and then in the second love our neighbor: but it sets down the right manner of loving our neighbor, and that is, to love him, as heartily, and un…

Hence it follows, that true regeneration is that which is a reformation and change according to the whole law of God, and contains in it the seeds of all good duties. Christ says, He that is washed is all clean (John 13:10). Josiah turned to God according to the whole law.

For the Apostle says, As every man has received a gift, so let him minister it to others (1 Peter 4:10). This duty was practiced by our Savior Christ (John 13:12). And it meets with the sin of many, who having received great gifts and graces of the Spirit, are so far from restor…

Besides, it ought to be remembered that a comparison is here made between the greater and the less, as in that passage, If I, who am your Master and Lord, have washed your feet, much more ought you to perform this service to one another, (John 13:14.) And to give his life a rans…

Therefore says Saint Peter: You are all clean, and have your full righteousness, there now remains nothing for you, but that you stoutly fight against these wicked and naughty affections. And so also speaks Christ (John 13): He that is washed, needs not, saving only to wash his…

Betwixt these two is the same difference, as betwixt the sight of the dis-jointed wheels and scattered pins of a Watch, and the sight of the whole united in one frame, and working in one orderly motion: or, betwixt an ignorant Spectators viewing some more observable vessel or jo…

Look over all the before mentioned Examples, and you shall see the blessed work of Conversion begun upon those souls, when they minded it no more, than Saul did a kingdom, that morning he went out to seek his Fathers Asses, 1 Sam 9. 3, 20. Providence might truly have said to you…

Now then (to apply this to the point in hand) a man is lead into temptation, when he is left of God to an evil motion suggested into his minde, so as hee gives consent unto it, and goes on to the practise of it. See this in Judas, Ioh. 13. 2. Satan cast this evil motion into his…

Now consider this well, if God had neuer indued man with grace, nor given him meanes to come by happinesse, and yet had beene excluded from all means of grace and happinesse, this indeed might have seemed hard; but considering that by creation he gaue man happinesse, and likewis…

Further, this commendation did agree to believers before Christ came in the flesh. And this love-assertion, "you are all fair," holds true of the Bride, in these four respects, 1. In respect of justification and absolution she is clean, though needing washing in other respects (…

There is added here a more express description of her posture: in this ascending, she is leaning on her beloved; that is, as they who are weak, make use of a staff, in climbing of a strait and steep ground, or ease themselves by leaning upon one that is strong, and especially on…

Thus (Genesis 19:2), the angels tell Lot, that they would not come into his house; but would abide in the street all night; yet upon his importunity and earnest entreaties, they went in with him. And thus Saint Peter, with some heat and vehemency of his humility, refused that Ch…

The end must be considered as first in order of nature, and then the means; and therefore we must conceive, that God having professed this end, had then as it were the means to choose; and the principal means that he pitched upon was this great work of redemption that we are spe…

(2.) When the methods of providence are dark and intricate, and we are quite at a loss what God is about to do with us, his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known, clouds and darkness are round about him, a meek and quiet spirit acqui…

Be charitable to the poor, for we know the grace of our Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9). Wash one another's feet, that is, stoop to the meanest offices of love, for Christ did so (John 13:14; Matthew 20:27-28). Doing all with lowliness of mind, for it is the same mind that was in…

Thirdly. He can inject and cast motions into the Mind, to close with those tempting objects; as it is said of Iudas, Joh. 13. 2. The Devil put it into his heart.

Christ having given himself to the soul, loves the soul; and the soul having given itself to Christ, loves him also. Christ loves his own; he loves them to the end, John 13:1. The saints love Christ; they love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Ephesians 6:24.

The steadfastness and unchangeableness of his will, is the only cause thereof. Whom he loves, he loves to the end (John 13:1). His gifts and calling are without repentance (Romans 11:29).

6. The continuance of Christ's love was without date: Having loved his own, he loved them to the end. His love was constant (not by fits, now loving, then hating) and everlasting (never repenting thereof, never changing or altering his mind) — no provocations, no transgressions…

Contrary is hypocritical service: when servants have a heart, and a heart, making show of one heart outwardly, and have another, even a clean contrary heart within them. Such an one was Gehazi, who came in and stood before his master, as if he had performed some good service for…

Again, I might take Notice that in Matters which are Prophetical, both in the Old Testament and in the New, there are many dark Expressions, many Parables and hard Figures of Speech, which are made use of to express and convey some general and indistinct Ideas of future Events,…

Secondly, Not only our Sincerity towards God, but our Charity towards fellow-Christians is hereby put to the Trial, and Charity is the very Livery of the Disciples of Christ. Hereby shall all Men know that you are my Disciples if you love one another, John 13:35. The Lord has co…

It was this Love dwelling personally amongst Men, calls himself our Brother, and charges us to love all the Professors of the same Faith as Brethren. He requires that we should be ready to lay down our Lives for one another, as he did for us all: And orders it to be the distingu…

3. He does it by internal suggestion (1 Chronicles 21:1): And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel; that is, by internal suggestion. (John 13:2): The Devil put it into the heart of Judas to betray him. He haunts and pesters the hearts of men, by vai…

They fly to God's grace in Christ for daily pardon (1 John 1:9). They are ever washing their garments in the Lamb's blood (Revelation 7), and every day are cleansing themselves from the filthiness and defilement they contract by sin (John 13:10). He that is washed, needs not sav…

2. We must distinguish between a part of God's work, and the end of it. We cannot understand God's providence till he has done his work; he is an impatient spectator that cannot tarry till the last act, wherein all errors are reconciled (John 13:7): What I do you do not know now…

3. The saints at death shall not only have a sight of God, but shall enjoy the love of God; there shall be no more veil on God's face, nor his smiles checkered with frowns, but God's love shall discover itself in all its radiant beauty and fragrant sweetness. Here the saints pra…

7. Is recumbency and trust peculiar to God the Father? This is given to Christ (John 14:1): You believe in God, believe also in me. Christ must needs be God, not only that the divine nature might support the human from sinking under God's wrath, but also to give value and weight…

Christ has prayed for this (John 17:24): Father, I will that all those whom you have given me, be with me where I am. And he is said to go before to prepare a place for believers (John 14:2). Christ is called the Head, and the Church is called his body (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Was Christ incarnate, was he made like us, let us be made like him in holiness of life. No temptation could fasten upon Christ (John 14:30). The prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.

Did we indeed come in our own name in prayer, it were presumption, but Christ intercedes for us in the [reconstructed: force] and efficacy of his blood, now, to be afraid to come to God in prayer, is a dishonor to Christ's intercession. Fifth Fruit: The sending the Comforter (Jo…

In Christ we see some sparklings of the divine glory; in him there is the exact resemblance of all his Father's excellencies. The wisdom, love, and holiness of God the Father shine forth in Christ (John 14:9): He that has seen me has seen the Father. 3. Inference: If God be a Sp…

Your comforts delight my soul; that is, the comforts which distill from the alembic of the promises. 2. The Spirit of God (who is called [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], the Comforter (John 14:26)) does sometimes drop in this golden oil of joy into the soul; the Spirit whispers to a…

What is that? 1. He will give us peace in trouble: when a storm without, he will make music within: the world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble: He will send the Comforter, who as a dove brings an olive branch of peace in his mouth (John 14:16). 2.…

2. The bringing Israel out of the house of bondage, was a type of their deliverance from Satan. Thus men naturally are in the house of bondage, they are enslaved to Satan: Satan is called the Prince of this World (John 14:30), and the God of this World (2 Corinthians 4:4), becau…

As in the wax we see the print of the seal. Set the eyes of your faith on Christ-God-Man (John 14:9). He that has seen me, has seen the Father.

Exodus 20:6 And keep my Commandments. Love and obedience, like two sisters, must go hand in hand: indeed this is a good evidence of our loving God (John 14:21): If you love me, keep my Commandments. Probatio dilectionis est exhibitio operis.

2. God did not make the world to be a place of mansion for us, we are not to abide here for ever. Heaven is the mansion-house (John 14:2), the world is only a passage-room to eternity; the world is to us as the wilderness was to Israel, not to rest in, but to travel through to t…

How many live in the region of death, where this bright star of Scripture never appeared. We have this blessed book of God to resolve all our cases, to chalk out a way of life to us (John 14:22). Lord! How is it you will show yourself to us, and not to the world?

To begin with the first words of the Preface. (1.) Our Father.] Father is sometimes taken personally; John 14:28. My Father is greater than I: but Father in the text is taken essentially for the whole Deity. This title, Father, teaches us to whom we must address ourselves in pra…

Nor does Christ only remit sin organically, as ministers do, by virtue of a power delegated to them from God; but Christ does it by his own power and authority. (2.) Is God the Father the adequate object of faith, is he to be believed in, so is the Son (John 14:1). (3.) Does ado…

Julian in one of his epistles writing to Arsatius, says, That the Christian religion did much flourish by the sanctity and obedience of them that professed it. 5. By doing God's will we show our love to Christ; (John 14:21) He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is th…

Christians, the trumpet is ready to sound; an eternal jubilee is at hand when a freedom from sin shall be proclaimed; your coronation day is coming; it is but putting off your clothes, and laying your head upon a pillow of dust, and you shall be enthroned in a kingdom, and inves…

1. A City has many houses, greater, less, and for all sorts. So in heaven also, there are many mansions, John 14:2. Places of glory for all men: none need to fear that he shall not have fullness of joy, and perfect happiness.

Therefore if we would believe in the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, we must know them in part (John 17). This is life eternal to know you the only God, and whom you have sent Jesus Christ (John 14:17). The world cannot receive the spirit of truth because it has neither seen him nor…

Answer: It must not be made in the name of any creature, but only in the name and mediation of Christ. John 14:14. If you ask any thing in my name I will do it. A man is not to present his prayers to God in any worthiness of his own merits.

But blessed be God, this great heart-establishing truth is evidently revealed in Scripture. Luke 23:43; you have Christ's promise — John 14:3: 'I will come and receive you to myself.' O what a change will a few moments make upon your condition!

They have gotten to heaven a few years before you, and is that a cause for mourning? Would not your child, if he were not ignorant of your state, say as Christ said to his friends just before his death when he saw them cast down at the thought of parting: If you loved me, you wo…

The fourth and last way of confirmation of this great truth is drawn from the worship which is due to him, and has been given to him. He is the object of faith (John 14:11): You believe in God, believe also in me. He is the object of prayer (Acts 7:59): They stoned Stephen, call…

And will, or can, folks expect that for which they have no promise? The Scripture is plain and peremptory in this, as namely (Acts 4:12), there is no other name under heaven whereby a sinner can be saved, but by the name of Jesus; he is the door (John 10), the way, the truth, an…

This commandment, says he (John 10:18), have I received of my Father, to wit, that I should lay down my life for my sheep. And most emphatically he says (John 14:13): as my Father gave me commandment, even so — mark, even so, most exactly, in conformity to the commandment — do I…

Coming to God by Christ in this sense is to walk, as it were, on Christ's sufferings as a bridge, and to have no other place or ground to stand or walk on to God but this. Again (John 10), Christ calls Himself the door: "I am the door" — and (John 14), to the same purpose, He is…

1. For private mercies. 1. Look to the beginning and growth of our spiritual life, and to the pouring out of the Spirit, it is made the fruit of Christ's intercession (John 14:16): "I will pray the Father, and he shall send the Comforter"; and (John 16): "If I go not away the Co…

4. There is an improvement of Christ's Intercession, when anything is obtained, whether it be a mercy in preventing such and such a stroke, or the bestowing of such and such a favor; and that is, when Faith derives not that mercy from, nor attributes it to, its own praying, thou…

This is even as if a man should credit his able Advocate with the managing of his cause, although he cannot (to speak so) [reconstructed: vouch for his own tale], nor express himself satisfyingly to himself in it. Hence, we have these words often (John 14 and 16): Whatever you a…

Yet there was an actual resting on him by faith, and their prayers were no doubt accepted of God, he not being so distinctly known to be the intercessor as now he is; and therefore there is required a more distinct use-making of him now, and not a resting on him indefinitely, bu…

3. If there be an ill and very necessitous case; or if there be challenges, and some commotion, discomposure and disquiet be in the spirit, there is readily little respect had to Christ; if quietness, and calmness be, there is also hazard of sitting down on that, and we readily…

And though the godly do steadfastly believe their salvation is in a castle, above losing; yet in reason, sin bringing broken bones, (Psalm 51:10), a sad cloud, the damming up of a spring of Christ's love spread abroad in the heart, a temporary hell in the soul, it must be sorrow…

5. All within the visible Church, have means sufficient in their kind, in genere mediorum externorum, to save them. 6. As none can be saved by the light of nature, nor ever any used, or could use it so far forth, as to improve it for their sufficient preparation, to receive the…

What? Mansions are nothing, many mansions are little; indeed many mansions in Christ's Father's house are created chips of happiness, and of blood and kin to nothing; if they be created, [reconstructed: yet] we want himself, and I should refuse heaven if Christ were not there, t…

And accordingly Christ demeaned himself in it, not at all looking at the Jews or their malice, but at his Father's command and intent in it. And therefore when he was to arise to go to that place where he should be taken: 'As the Father gave me commandment, so do I; arise, let u…

1. That the great end and purpose of that his ascending, the errand, the business he ascended for, was to prepare and provide a place for us and to make way for our coming there. This he assures his disciples of, John 14:2: 'In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepar…

And from this it is that Christ has as much work of it still in heaven as ever, though of another kind: he dealt with justice here below to satisfy it and here got money enough to pay the debt, but in heaven he deals with mercy. Therefore all the grace he bestows on us he is sai…

It must never be said, The Spirit of the Lord is departed from Him, who is the Sender and Bestower of the Holy Ghost upon us. And if the Spirit once coming upon his members abides with them for ever, (as Christ promises, John 14:16) then much more does this Spirit abide upon Chr…

Wherein he shows you, that as we do no good, so we can do no good, not a good thought, nor a good word, nor a good work comes from such a man all his days; and all our speeches are rotten and unsavory, not any spiritual life in most seemingly best duties; we are not able to spea…

I answer 1. Some conceive that the devil tempted Christ all the forty days, but then he tempted him invisibly, as he does other men, striving to inject sinful suggestions; but he could find nothing in him to work upon (John 14:30). But at forty days' end he takes another course,…

3. Though this was a lie, yet here is the color of the lie. God permits that men sometimes by indirect means to become great in honor and dignity in this world; all which are done by the instinct of Satan, and his help: and evil men often succeed in their attempts, and from henc…

2. Our duty exactly stated with convenient motives to enforce it. Not only the comfort of man is provided for, but also our subjection to God, and that upon the freest and most comfortable terms, that we should serve him in love, and glorify, and please him, that we may be happy…

This is your hour, and the power of darkness. So (John 14:30), The prince of this world comes and has nothing in me. Satan shall join with the Jews to destroy me, but they shall find nothing to lay to my charge; nor indeed have they power to do me any hurt, but that in obedience…

This is the third direction; let your prayers be warranted by the Word. 4. Improve your advocate (John 14:13). Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do: To ask anything in his name is not, rudely, customarily, or perfunctorily to conclude with these words, Through Jesus Chris…

Therefore to teach the law and to work miracles, are particular benefits of Christ, for the which he came not principally into the world. For the Prophets, and especially the Apostles did greater miracles than Christ did (John 14). Seeing then that Christ has overcome the law in…

For hardness of heart had overspread the nation of the Jews, and they had rejected and crucified the Lord of life. And thus, that is verified which Christ says, that his Disciples believing in him, should do greater things, than he had done (John 14:12), for he by preaching did…

John. Where Christ promiss to give his spirit to his Disciples,to teach them all things, Ioh. 14. 26. and to led them into all truth, Ioh. 16. 13. Now these promises directly, and properly, concerne the Apostles: and they are here verified in Paul.

For he prayed for the sending of the spirit, and it is accomplished. Read (John 14:16). And it is a superfluous doctrine, to teach the real presence of the flesh of Christ in the Sacrament.

Thus when we hear of sure dwelling places, and refreshings, let us remember what Paul says (Romans 5:1): Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. This peace Christ left with his Disciples, which the world could not give to them (John 14:27). And what marvel?

And yet we must remember that the Prophet not only speaks of Christ's person, but comprehends under it, the whole body of the church, which must never be separated from her head. We have here then a notable testimony touching the perpetuity of the church: for as Christ lives for…

God's glory is more worth than the salvation of all men's souls. This should be our design to raise the trophies of God's glory, and how can we do it more than by growing in grace (John 15:8): Hereby is my Father glorified, if you bring forth much fruit. Though the least dram of…

This is to be tender of God's glory. 5. We glorify God by fruitfulness (John 15:8): Hereby is my Father glorified, if you bring forth much fruit. As it is a dishonor to God to be barren, so fruitfulness does honor him (Philippians 1:11): Filled with the fruits of righteousness,…

These admonitions do not imply the saints can fall away, but they are preservatives to keep them from falling away. Christ told some of his disciples they should abide in him, yet he exhorts them to abide in him (John 15). His exhorting them was not in the least to question thei…

It must be as the motion of the pulse, always beating. The wind blows off the fruit; our fruits of obedience must not be blown off by the wind of persecution (John 15:16). I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

No man can say, If I had known the will of God, I would have obeyed; no, you are inexcusable, O man, God has given you a rule to go by, he has written his law with his own finger, therefore now if you do not obey, you have no apology left. If a master leaves his mind in writing…

That he should love us more than the angels: he loves them as his friends, believers as his spouse. He loves them with such a kind of love as God the Father bears to him (John 15:9). As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

To sin ignorantly does something extenuate and pare off the guilt. John 15:22: If I had not come, you would have had no sin. That is, your sin would have been less.

5. 'Tis an evil world, as it is a maligning world. It does disgust and hate the people of God (John 15:19). Because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Now, if any man ask, how comes it to pass, that the world should slander them so, and think so vilely of them; Answer. First, because they be taken out of the world, in regard of state and condition in grace, John 15:19, therefore the world hates them, John 15:19. Secondly, the…

And the Prophet Amos says; Surely the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to his servants the Prophets. So saith our Saviour Christ to his Disciples, Ye are my friends; and he giveth a reason, because (saith he) I have revealed unto you all that I have heard of my…

Now this is not a prerogative of Prophets alone, or of such as were extraordinary men as Abraham was: but the secrets of the Lord are amongst such as fear him, Psalm 25:14. All that fear the holy name of God; are God's friends, and of his Counsel: and therefore not Abraham only…

A natural man has no power, a gracious man has some — though not sufficient — and that power he has depends upon the exciting and assisting strength of Christ. Grace within us is indebted to grace without us (John 15:5): 'Without me you can do nothing.' So much of the matter of…

That God the great Party offended should come so low to recover the despicable Parties offending; and that even while they were rank enemies to him? God commends his love to us, says the Apostle (Romans 5:8), that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us; And says himself, J…

Who made you to differ, or what have you, O man, that you have not received? It's election that makes the difference, and it's sure, for their salvation is founded on God's purpose and decree, which is the solid rest of a believer; kindness began not on our side but on God's, as…

(Romans 5:5) God commends his love to us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (John 15:13) Greater love has no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends. There is a world of reprobates whom Christ never loved with peculiar love, and su…

Use 1. See here a great evidence of the love of God and of the Mediator; Behold what manner of love this is, that when it was not required, he should offer and freely give himself to death and to the grave, this is the love of a friend and beyond it, that he should have so loved…

We say in short, as to the first, that there must first be a leaning to His merit, for the buying, or procuring of our peace, and a betaking of ourselves to it for that end. Second, when temptations recur, and when new challenges arise, there must be a constant daily betaking of…

That when they were considered with all their debt lying on their heads, He undertook this soul-travel for them, to procure them salvation from wrath and justice; This is more than His giving them His Word for it, though that had been enough; it's more than the giving them His O…

Christ was both free of sin, and self-happy; what then could have made him stir his foot out of heaven, so excellent a land, and come under the pain of a troubled soul, except free, strong and vehement love, that was a bottomless river impatient of banks? Infinite goodness makes…

But it may be said, they have not all heard the Gospel preached — this must certainly excuse the Gentiles if they believe not, having never heard of Christ, how can they believe, as it is verse 14. It's a rational excuse, I cannot sin in not believing the Gospel, says the Gentil…

And as in us, when we shall be in heaven, though Faith shall faile, and Hope vanish, yet Love shall continue, (as the Apostle speaks) so does this love in Christ's heart continue also, and suffers no decay; and is shewne as much now in receiving sinners, and interceding for them…

Part 2.) of a double capacity of Glory, or a double fullness of Joy which Christ is ordained to have: The one Natural, and so due to his person as in himself alone considered; The other Additionall, and arising from the compleated happiness and glory of his whole Church, (wherew…

Doubtless these books being their Law, they were known among the body of the people; and what did the Priests, if they did not read the books of the Law, were they only to offer sacrifice to the Calves? I doubt not the people did not do it, neither was it usual to offer any of t…

And this league of friendship implies not only preservation of affection, but it requires a kind of secret communication one to another, and a doing one for another. God grants our petitions for us as a friend, and we do his commandments as a friend out of the integrity of our h…

Christ must be received as God gives him, we must acknowledge there is no life in any grace, but in Christ (Hosea 14:8). On me is your fruit found, and without me can you do nothing (John 15:5). Now then carry this truth home with you, and gather from hence a true estimate of yo…

2. Carry it fruitfully, otherwise you obstruct the kindness of the Lord. He proves us, that we may be fruitful (John 15:2). Every branch in me that bears not fruit, he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

And Christ under the title of the law, comprehends not only the books of Moses, but also the Psalms. John 15: But it is, that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law: They hated me without a cause. Verse 22-23. For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one…

So is the doctrine which teaches that men after their conversion, must still remain in suspense of their salvation: and that pardon of sin, is necessarily annexed to confession in the ear, and to satisfaction for the temporal punishment of sin in this life, or in purgatory. On t…

Lastly, we are here to be put in mind, that we lose no time in hearing of the word; for it is a means whereby we are cleansed and renewed. Every branch that brings forth fruit, God purges it by his word and other means, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15). It is a thing…

For our faith and love are both imperfect: and faith is imputed for righteousness without works (Romans 4:6): and therefore without charity. For this is charity to keep the commandments of God (John 15:10). Paul says, that the righteousness whereby we are justified, is by, or th…

The best vine in the vinyard must be lopped and cut with the pruning knife, that it may beare the more fruit. Ioh. 15. Againe, we must take heede least there be any hidden corruptions raigning in our hearts: and we must labor to be indeede that which we appeare to be.

We that are by nature wild branches, must be taken out of old Adam, and set into Christ: and after our inscition draw a new sappe and life from Christ, namely, his spirit, and then our actions shall be fruits of the spirit, and consequently acceptable to God. Lastly, hence it fo…

Therefore in regard of the new manner of fulfilling it, it is called a new commandment. 2. Because he abrogating the ceremonial law, and many judicials, only renewed this precept of the moral law, in commanding it as his law to the Church (John 15), This is my commandment, that…

And yet he contents not himself with this, but as if that were too little, he honors him yet further, and adorns him with the title of Friend. Now that which is here said of Abraham belongs to all the faithful, which Christ declares at large (John 15:15): I call you not servants…

Let us therefore renounce all opinion of merit which is not to be found in us, that so we may wholly attribute all to God's free grace, who shows us no mean or common favor, when he vouchsafes to entitle us precious. In which respect he also calls us his firstborn (Exodus 4:22),…

Contrariwise, let the wicked, profane contemners of the word, and all hypocrites tremble; for when Christ shall accuse them, all their defenses will not be worth a rush, neither shall any be able to absolve them from his just sentence of condemnation. We must look to it then tha…

But here we must call that to mind which I have touched before, namely, that the Prophet disputes not in this place of the hidden and secret essence of Christ, but of that virtue which he manifested towards us. He calls him not Counselor then because he knows and understands all…

By this expression, I have no doubt, Mark conveys to us the instruction, that it was to the unmixed grace of Christ, and not to any excellence of their own, that they were indebted for receiving so honorable an office: for, if you understand him to say, that those were chosen, w…

In another passage, the Apostles are called reapers, as compared with the Prophets, because they have entered into their labors, (John 4:38,) and it is enjoined on all the ministers of the word, that they should bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should remain, (John 15:16.…

But the consideration of the perseverance of faith, cannot be excluded out of this congruity or fitness, for it is congruous that he that believes in Christ should have an interest in Christ's righteousness, and so in the eternal benefits purchased by it, because faith is that b…

As to the first, It must be premised that the Question does not suppose the heart or will of a Christian to be at his own command and dispose in this matter: we cannot resign it, and subject it to the will of God whenever we desire so to do: the duty indeed is ours, but the powe…

The returns and answers of all your prayers and cryes to Heaven for the removing of your afflictions, or supply of your wants, are all procured and obtained for you by Jesus Christ. He is the Master of your requests; and were it not that God had respect to him, he would never re…

The corruptions in the world are through lust, 2 Peter 1:4 Our Instrumental fitness for service, depends much upon it, 2 Timothy 2:21 John 15:2 How great a service to our souls therefore must that be, by which this blessed work is carried on upon them? Now there are two Means or…

Secondly, when a man is in Christ, the Holy Spirit purgs and sanctifis the heart inwardly, by mortifying all the corruptions in the minde, will, and affections, and by putting into it inward holinesse, whereby the image of Christ is renued therein. And this our Savior Christ exp…

When men come to the Lords table, they forsake their sinnes and turne unto God; which must also be done before wee pray, for therein we are to deale with God, who cannot abide iniquitie. 3. A man must seeke to be in Christ, that would pray with comfort; Ioh. 15. 7. If ye abide i…

The proud man is hee that builds up his sinnes with posts and beames, and such a one the Lord will not teach; but him that pluckes downe these posts by amendment of his life, will the Lord instruct in the way that he should walke. Christ saith to his Disciples, Ye are my friends…

This is not only mentioned to show there are such enemies, but to set out more fully the Church's strait; she is often more bitterly, and more subtly persecuted by these who are called Christians, or professors of the Gospel, than by heathens themselves. 2. The cause of her suff…

Hence we see, the believer is [reconstructed: a] Friend, as Abraham (James 2:23) and Lazarus (John 11:11) were called. It imports, 1. A privilege on the believer's part, to be admitted to special league of friendship with him, when others are slaves or enemies. 2. A special frie…

1. She is the Lord's, the Father, Son, and Spirit, his by eternal Election; This is the first right (John 17:6), Yours they were, to wit, by your eternal purpose: And from this flows the second, to wit, the Mediator's right, and you gave them to me. The Father is the owner and p…

2. The Bride is the Church, and every believer in diverse considerations (as is said before) who are married to Christ, and are to be made ready and adorned for the solemnizing of the marriage. Of the nature of this marriage see more, Chapter 8:8. 3. The Bridegroom's friends are…

Such as pretend to have a light or revelation above the word, or contrary to it, never had their teaching from Christ (Isaiah 8:20). 2. Christ teaches these sacred mysteries, inwardly, by the Spirit (John 16:13). The world knows not what it is (1 Corinthians 2:14): The natural m…

As the farmer breaks the clods, then casts in the seed; so God by the convincing work of the law breaks a sinner's heart, and makes it fit to receive the seeds of grace. Such as were never convinced, were never called (John 16:8). He shall convince the world of sin.

The word is truth (John 17:17). And the Spirit guides in all truth (John 16:13). The Word's teaching, and the Spirit's leading agree together.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. 2. Spiritual joys are inward; they are heart-joys (John 16:22). Your heart shall rejoice.

Have we faith? By holiness we are made like Christ; by believing we are made one with Christ, and being in Christ, we have peace (John 16:33). 2. True peace flows from subjection to Christ; where Christ gives peace, there he sets up his government in the heart (Isaiah 9:7): Of h…

How glad are children when they are going home? This was Christ's comfort at death, he was going to his Father; (John 16:28) I leave the world and go to the Father; and (John 20:17) I ascend to my Father. If God be our Father we may with comfort at the day of death resign our so…

The Hebrew word to repent, Nicham, signifies Consolari, to take comfort. John 16:21: your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Christ turns the water of tears into wine.

3. It confutes the Arians, who deny the Holy Ghost to be God. The eternal Godhead subsists in the Holy Ghost (John 16:13). He shall guide you into all truth.

God has promised to help us bear affliction, and (Psalm 37:24, 39) how could we experience God's supporting us in trouble, if we did not sometimes meet with it? God has promised to give us joy in affliction (John 16:20). How could we taste this honey of joy, if we were not somet…

- The one is to believe that God can grant our requests, because he is almighty, and thus much is signified when he is said to be in heaven. - The second is to believe that God is ready and willing to grant the same, and this we are taught in the title father, which serves to pu…

Hence it follows necessarily, that Jesus Christ is true God: and the whole tenor of the Scriptures confirms it sufficiently. 1. He is made equal to God the Father, who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6): again, All things that t…

I have read of a river in America, which runs in the day with a full torrent, but it is dry at night. The comforts of the world run strongly in the day of health and prosperity, but at the night of death they are dried up; but as joy abounds in the godly, so it abides (John 16:2…

And hence it is that so few make use of Christ's sacrifice and of His righteousness, because so few are convinced that they believe not on Him. Therefore, when the Spirit comes (John 16), it is said that He shall convince the world of sin — not because they did [reconstructed: w…

2. It may allude to a man's taking pains in planting of a vineyard, or orchard, to whom it is a satisfaction when all the trees grow, thrive well, and bear fruit; and so the meaning is, that our Lord Jesus shall be at vast expense, and great labor and pains, in making sinners to…

2. When folks say that they believed all their days, and believed always since ever they knew good by ill; and though their faith be no true saving faith, but a guessing, yet they will not quit it — indeed it is impossible for men to get them convinced that they lack faith. 3. W…

1. For private mercies. 1. Look to the beginning and growth of our spiritual life, and to the pouring out of the Spirit, it is made the fruit of Christ's intercession (John 14:16): "I will pray the Father, and he shall send the Comforter"; and (John 16): "If I go not away the Co…

Use 1. Is there not as much here, though folks had no more but their unbelief, as may make them know it's an evil and bitter thing, and as may make them scare at it, and flee from it, and to fear lest they be found under the guilt of it, when called to a reckoning, especially wh…

Yet 4. we say it may be used by, and accepted of God, from, many that have not that distinctness, and clearness in the ridding of their thoughts, in this mystery that is requisite; because there may be real faith under such a form of words, (though infirmity in the use-making of…

Or 2. they are hypocrites, that make a fashion of prayer, but come not to God by Him, but at the short cut proudly step forward, and put up their suits upon the account of their own righteousness; as they ground their justification on it, and not on Christ's satisfaction, so the…

Yet it is short, and for a moment, and Christ has a way of outgate, that none of his shall be buried under the cross (Revelation 7:14; Psalm 34:19). (2.) Christ has broken the iron chains of the cross, and the gates of brass: that the cross has but a number of free prisoners, wh…

Answer: All these prove this place will prove only, we are to pray for magistrates under whom we have peace, and the Gospel, not for believers, and so not for all Adam's sons; as the next words, page 59, prove. Object 13. Here is a ground to preach the Gospel to all men, to ever…

Christ himself uses this argument as the strongest that could be brought to convince the world that his righteousness (which he had in his doctrine taught them) was the righteousness which men were only to be saved by, the true righteousness of God indeed. John 16:9–10: 'He shal…

Secondly, Christ is an Advocate for us with our Father: you may perhaps think there is little in that; but Christ puts much upon it: indeed so much, as if God would however grant all that Christ himself means to ask, whether Christ asked it or not. This you have expressly in Joh…

And this shows that it had been impossible for any under the Son of God, to have given a sufficient price for our redemption; neither man nor angels could do it: but he in giving a sufficient price for us, did thereby mightily declare himself to be the Son of God, he only by his…

Notable is that example in Psalm 119:4-5: You have commanded us to keep your commandments diligently; and in the next verse see what is his request: O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes; look, whatever God commands us to do, we have warrant to pray for that — we mu…

2. That the Devil often abuses our solitude. It is good sometimes to be alone; but then we need to be stocked with holy thoughts, or employed in holy exercises, that we may be able to say as Christ (John 16:32): I am not alone because the Father is with me. However a state of re…

6. After the best care is used you must remember that our friends are but an outward help, which God can continue or withdraw at his pleasure; and that our chief help, comfort and counsel comes of God. So it was with Christ (John 16:32): "Behold the hour is come that you shall b…

The child is not to be governed by his own fancy, but his father's discretion, nor the sick man by his own appetite, but the skill of the physician. It is expedient God should displease his people, for their advantage (John 16:6-7): Because I have said these things to you, sorro…

3. Though this was a lie, yet here is the color of the lie. God permits that men sometimes by indirect means to become great in honor and dignity in this world; all which are done by the instinct of Satan, and his help: and evil men often succeed in their attempts, and from henc…

A wilderness is a solitary place, where other speech is not heard, (as the word imports:) then speaks God to the soul when men cannot speak to it: When men are remote, God is near at hand; indeed nearest to help, melt, comfort, quicken, when men are furthest off (Hosea 2:14). Ou…

That's a strange text (Isaiah 45:11) — Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command you me: So some take it; you shall find me as ready to do you service, as if you had me at command: yet this must be warily received, not as though God…

Or shall we think to go our own errand? Lord, forgive this gross ingratitude: Oh Christians, whatever your constraint or enlargements be, make use of him, who is at God's right hand, lay your sacrifices on this golden altar; lay the whole stress of your acceptance upon Christ's…

If Paul had had his praise before men, and not in himself, he should have been compelled to despair, when he saw many cities, countries and all Asia fall from him: when he saw so many offenses or slanders, and so many heresies to follow his preaching. Christ when he was alone, t…

John. Where Christ promiss to give his spirit to his Disciples,to teach them all things, Ioh. 14. 26. and to led them into all truth, Ioh. 16. 13. Now these promises directly, and properly, concerne the Apostles: and they are here verified in Paul.

Sonnes] that is, such as inioy the libertie of sonnes. Sent forth] a speach borrowed from Embassadours, which are sent forth with instructiōs, what they shal say or do: & it signifies, that the spirit reueales nothing but that which is the will of the father & sonne, Ioh. 16. 1…

For by reason of that rebellious nature which is inbred in us, we shall never profit in the word of God, unless we be brought under by violence. Therefore Christ also (John 16:8) from here takes the beginning of the Gospel: namely, that the world might be reproved of sin. Now th…

For so he forthwith expounds himself when he says, that there was no help for them in the earth. That is to say, we see no succor at all (John 16:21). He adds, that the inhabitants of the world did not fall: for the Hebrew word Naphal, signifies to fall.

To conclude, it appears by this place, what profit Christ brings to us; to wit, a steadfast and perfect joy, which can by no means whatever, be plucked away from us; no, not although we be assailed with waves and storms, indeed and pressed with all manner of anguishes. For howev…

This Epistle is attributed to Saint Jude the Apostle, brother of James the less, and Simon: Mark 6, Luke 6. Whose mother was Mary the wife of Cleopas, and sister of the blessed Virgin Mary the mother of Christ: John 16. But it appears not expressly to be written by that Jude who…

When the disciples of our glorious Lord were filled with sorrow upon the heavy news of his departure from them, he cheered their drooping spirits with that good word in John 16:7: 'Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away,…

One Word of God can do more, than ten thousand words of men to relieve a distressed soul. If Providence have at any time directed you to such Promises, as either assure you that the Lord will be with you in trouble, Psalm 91:15 or that encourage you from inward peace, to bear ch…

Who bid us expect rest, ease, delight, and things of this kind in this world? He has never told us, we shall be rich, healthy and at ease in our habitations; but on the contrary, he has often told us, we must expect troubles in the world, John 16:33 and that through many tribula…

(1.) How near the Relation is betwixt you and your Children, and therefore how much you are concerned in their happiness or misery. Consider but the Scripture account of the dearness of such Relations, expressed (1.) By longings for them, as Genesis 15:2 Genesis 30:1 and (2.) By…

Lest the disciples should forget trouble in times of peace, Christ says to them, Behold (Matthew 24:25) I have told you before; Now you are at pretty good ease, it may be you think, it will be thus with you always, but take heed of such thoughts, I have told you what will be her…

As a father has compassion on his children, so has the Lord compassion on all that call upon him: Luk. 11. 13. If you that be evil can give good things to your children, much more shall your heauenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that aske him: and hence it is that Christ…

But besides this, there is a sovereign kind of judgment you c[]safed to the Prophets and Apostles, determining absolutely in matters of faith & conscience what is to be done, & what is not; and this is the judgment of God himselfe, whereupon the Apostles might say, It seem[]th g…

5. Nothing more affects a kindly repenting heart, truly touched with godly sorrow, than that it should have sinned against Christ. Its own hazard is not the predominant cause of this sorrow (she is clear of her interest still) nor is it any sad event that might follow, which so…

2. By bringing forth of the fruits of Christ's Spirit before others; when being, as it were, in travail in the pursuit of holiness, they are helped to manifest his image (after which they are created) in their conversations. 3. By attaining to the knowledge of this, that Christ…

Nor can we be justified by making satisfaction for our disobedience; since the same law assures us, that the divine justice will accept no other satisfaction from us, but our undergoing the penalty threatened; which is eternal death: so that to hope for life by satisfying and re…

4. Lay up tears in God's bottle, prayers in God's book, comforts in others' breasts, and promises in your own; I put all under one head, for brevity's sake. 1. Lay up many tears in God's bottle, comfort is the portion of mourners, it is promised by God, purchased by Christ, appl…

Now when we are bespangled with holiness, our lives are walking Bibles: this is according to God's will, and it pleases him. 2. We please God when we do the Work that he sets us about (John 17:4). I have finished the work which you gave me to do, namely my mediatory work.

Branch 5. Christ being exalted at God's right hand, this is for the comfort of believers, that they shall one day be exalted to that place of glory where he is: Christ's exaltation is our exaltation. Christ has prayed for this (John 17:24): Father, I will that all those whom you…

Question: Who does Christ intercede for? Answer: Not for all promiscuously (John 17:9), but for the Elect. The efficacy of Christ's prayer reaches no further than the efficacy of his blood; but his blood was shed only for the Elect, therefore his prayers only reach them.

As the angel called Lot out of Sodom, when it was ready to rain fire; so God calls his people from the fire and brimstone of Hell, and from all those curses they were exposed to. 3. He calls them out of the world, as Christ called Matthew from the receipt of custom (John 17:16).…

Well, let me lay down some motives to glorify God. 1st Motive: It will be a great comfort in a dying hour, to think we have glorified God in our lives; it was Christ's comfort before his death (John 17:3): "I have glorified you on earth." At the hour of death all your earthly co…

Ans. The Spirit's conduct is agreeable to the Word: Enthusiasts leave the Word. The word is truth (John 17:17). And the Spirit guides in all truth (John 16:13).

What is the Heaven of the angels, but the smiles of God's face, the sensible perception and feeling of those joys which are infinitely ravishing and full of glory? And to encourage and quicken us in seeking after them, consider, that Christ died to purchase this joy for his sain…

As the Spirit is at work in the heart, so is Christ at work in Heaven. Christ is ever praying that the saints' grace may hold out (John 17:11): Conserva illos — Father, keep those whom you have given me; keep them as stars in their orb, keep them as jewels, that they may not be…

And have not they coalition and union with Christ; Christ is the head, they are the body (Ephesians 1:23). This is a near union, much like that union between God the Father and Christ (John 17:21). As you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us.

It is so pure, that it purifies everything else. (John 17:17) Sanctify them through your truth. The Scripture presses holiness so as never any book did: it bids us live soberly, righteously, godly (Titus 2:12).

Has Christ a place in the celestial mansions, so have the saints (John 14:2): In my Father's house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you. Has he his Father's love, so have they (Psalm 146:8; John 17:26): That the love with which you have loved me may be in them. Doe…

Quest. How may sanctification be attained to? Resp. 1. Be conversant in the Word of God (John 17:17). Sanctify them through your truth.

1. By reading the Word. The Word is a great means to sanctify the heart, and bring it into a Sabbath frame (John 17:17). "Sanctify them through your truth," etc.

(1.) The near mystical union between Christ and his saints. As the meat which is eaten incorporates with the body, and becomes one with it; so by eating Christ's flesh, and drinking his blood spiritually, we partake of Christ's merits and graces, and are mystically one with him…

2. The unity of the persons in the Godhead consists in the mutual in-being of them, or their being in one another. The three persons are so united, that one person is in another, and with another (John 17:21). You, Father, are in me, and I in you.

2. Christ causes perseverance and carries on a saint till he comes to the heavenly Kingdom, vi orationis, by his intercession: Christ is an advocate as well as a surety; he prays that the saints may arrive safe at the Kingdom (Hebrews 7:25): "Therefore he is able to save them,"…

They stick at no service; they will run through a sea, and a wilderness; they will follow the Lamb wherever he goes. 3. They are a heavenly people, stars (John 17:16). You are not of the world.

Well then, if we must in this manner believe in God, then we must also know him: for we can have no faith in the thing which is utterly unknown. Therefore if we would believe in the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, we must know them in part (John 17). This is life eternal to know you…

He rejoices over them with joy, and rests in his love (Zephaniah 3:17). It is no ordinary affection that God bears to the righteous; the sun shining upon a burning glass, sets on fire only the object which is near the glass; the beams of God's love are more intensely inflamed to…

Isaiah 53:11: The knowledge of my righteous servant shall justify many. John 17:3: This is eternal life, to know the eternal God and whom you have sent, Jesus Christ. In these places, by knowledge is meant faith grounded upon knowledge, whereby we know and are assured that Chris…

For 1. We are to expound this universal with respect to God's purpose and Covenant, the contrivance of the Elect's Redemption, and to the death of Christ, the execution of it, and so these words our, us, we, all are, and must be restricted to these, and in them we are to find ou…

For the first then, There is (we say) an eternal transaction between God and Jesus Christ the Mediator concerning the redemption of sinners, his actual redeeming by being wounded and bruised, supposes this; for the Son is no more liable to suffering (not to speak of his suitable…

And these four considerations (under which we may see him paying our debt) may clear it. 1. That he laid aside the glory which before the world was he had with the Father, for a time; which therefore that it may be restored to him again, he prays (John 17:5), it having been as t…

The third use serves to be a motive and encouragement to them that hear this Gospel to receive Christ, and for the consolation of believers who have received him. 1. It serves to encourage you all to receive him; He is no mean person that woos you, but King of kings, and Lord of…

So then by my people must be understood these who in God's eternal purpose are separated by the decree of election to be his own, even these whom he has chosen to glorify himself in and by them through his grace, and to glorify them with himself. Even these spoken of, John 17:6:…

And then for a conclusion of the bargain and transaction, there is the Father's accepting of his undertaking; he is content to take his sufferings as the price for the elect's debt. Hence (John 17), he says, Your they were, and you gave them me, that is, yours they were by elect…

Now, when we say, that Christ's sufferings and death, are a price for the sins of his people, we exclude not the reprobate simply from temporal and common favors and mercies that come by his death; they may have and actually have common gifts and works of the Spirit, the means o…

We show that Jesus Christ is the only sin-offering, by which sin is taken away; and that it is implied here; so that it is denied to all other things, or means to have any efficacy, virtue, or merit in them, as to the removing of sin, and the curse brought on by it; this is, I s…

And indeed, if we look to the nature of this transaction, we will find it to be a promise, and a promise of God to the Mediator, that can neither be altered, nor unaccomplished; indeed, it is a covenanted promise, made on a condition, to wit, the laying down of His life; as the…

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Being spoken to, by another lately, in your hearing, and in part by us (John 17:4). And from verse 10.

Second, because he gets not the native credit and honor of his office, till he get this, but counts himself to be like an ambassador, who comes to woo a wife for the king, his master, who is well treated and entertained; but gets a refusal of what he came for. It was the discipl…

It follows now that we consider this part of the words, which holds out the means by which this benefit is made ours, and that is, by his knowledge, which holds out the instrumental cause of our justification; it's ordinarily so called; and we see no cogent reason inducing us to…

If we look to reason, it cannot be otherwise. First, if we consider what our Lord Jesus was in His person, being the Son of God, He cannot but be glorious (John 17:5): He prays, "Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before the world was." Though by being man He…

The first is (Matthew 3:14 and 17:5): This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; He undertook to satisfy for the elect's debt, and has accordingly performed it, so that the Father is well pleased. A second is (John 17:4), where He appears before the Father, and uses it fo…

The fourth and last article, or part of the condition required of the Mediator, is, He made intercession for the transgressors; there was more required of him than to die, and to die such a death for the Elect's sins; He must also make application of his death; and he will do th…

It is the Mediator God-man willing, whose will, as man, being perfectly conformed to the will of God, cannot be (to speak so) gainsaid in whatever he wills for the persons given him. And this is answerable to (John 17:24): Father, I will that these whom you have given me may be…

9. Our perseverance in the faith, and perfect glorification is a fruit of Christ's intercession, so that his own cannot but persevere and be glorified, because he intercedes for them. This is what is spoken to several times (John 17), especially verses 15 and 24. In verse 15: "I…

Christ bases his prayer on the sweetest relation of a Father and a Son: Father, save me. So (John 17) Father, glorify your Son. Verse 5: And now Father, glorify me.

Now all are not so, but certain definite [illegible] is only. 3. These [illegible] the Lord has chosen to life, are given of the Father in Christ (John 10:26; John 6:37; John 17:2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 24). And all such are raised up at the last day and saved (John 6:37, 39).

Indeed whatever God meant to do for us and in us, whatever privilege or benefit he meant to bestow upon us, he did that thing first to Christ and (some way) bestowed the like on him as a common person, that so it might be by a solemn formal act ratified and be made sure to be do…

You heard before what welcome God gave Christ when he first arrived there, and what he said to him; and Christ said (as it were) again to God: 'I come not alone; I have much company, many of my brothers and followers to come after' (for it was the declared and avowed end of his…

That place also in 1 John 2:1–2 seems to make this the great end of intercession: 'If any man sin' (that is, if any of the company of believers, to whom alone he wrote) 'we have an advocate with the Father' — so that intercession principally serves for sins to come or committed…

Christ comforts himself with this in his obedience, [Therefore does my Father love me:] It is spoken in relation to his fulfilling this his command formerly mentioned; and so withall imports, as if God should love Christ the better for the love he should show to us; it pleased h…

In untying a shoe latchet, there is neither shame nor pain: but for a man to be reproached for Christ, if any thing be base and dishonorable, sure it is that: for a man that was taken to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and for him not to be ashamed of the people of God: nor of…

These three the Holy Ghost takes special notice of in this case. First, The spirit of God, wherever it is shed abroad in any member of Christ, it does make us one with the Lord Jesus, it unites us into one fellowship of nature, a likeness in affection and disposition, and a like…

When Christ appeared to Paul from Heaven, he trembled and was astonished, and was three days without sight, as you may see (Acts 9:9); there was a special reason, why an apostle should see him in person. (3.) We shall see this glory when fit for it (John 17:24). Father, I will t…

1. There is the immediate sight and presence of God, and Jesus Christ, who shall be all in all to them (1 Corinthians 13:12): Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, then shall I know as also I am known. And (John 17:24): Father, I will that…

This was the great expression of his love to Christ as Mediator, not to make him a visible monarch of the world, but by the gift of his Spirit to be head of the church. 2. The other expression of his love to him as Mediator, was the gift of everlasting glory (John 17:24). Father…

Again: Depart not from me, for tribulation is at hand, and there is none to help. Etc. [reconstructed: (John 17)] (Luke 4:32) (Psalm 22:6, 15) This is therefore a great commendation of the Galatians, that they were not offended with this infirmity and temptation of Paul, but rec…

And men are here said to be delivered & takē out of the world, when they are seuered from the condition of sinnfull men by sanctification, and newnes of life, and by divine protection, whereby they are preserued from euill after they are sanctified. Tit 2:14. and Ioh. 17. 15. A…

Thirdly, Christ as Judge will absolve them before men and angels. As Pilate said of Christ, I find no fault in this man (John 18:38), so will Christ say of the elect, I find no fault in them, I pronounce them righteous. Then follows, Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the ki…

Dives denied Lazarus a crumb of bread, and Dives was denied a drop of water. 3. If God be our Father let us submit patiently to his will; if he lay his strokes on us, they are the corrections of a Father, not the punishments of a judge: This made Christ so patient, shall not I d…

By speaking to the prejudice of another, and causing him to be put to death. Thus the Jews killed the Lord of Life, when they inveighed against him, and accused him falsely to Pilate (John 18:30). (4.) Murder is committed with the pen.

It was a painful, shameful, cursed death; he suffered the very pains of Hell equivalently, yet he willingly submitted (Isaiah 53:7). He opened not his mouth, he opened his sides when the blood ran out, but he opened not his mouth in repining, his will was resolved into the will…

Secondly, the answer which he makes is only concerning his doctrine: by which the ministers of God and all men else are taught, that being called before their enemies, to give reason of their doctrine: they are (as Saint Peter says) to be always ready to give an account of the h…

Never did men long so much for their wedding day, and for the day of their triumph, as our Lord Jesus did to get the Elect's debt paid and their discharge obtained and drawn out. 4. Consider his ease and willingness to be taken; he goes forth (John 18) to meet the band of soldie…

The glory of the Mediator shines manifestly and conspicuously in all these here. 1. The glory of His obedience, when He has it to say, as it is (John 18:9), "Of all that you have given me, I have lost none" — He gets so many souls committed to Him of the Father to redeem, and wh…

First, it supposes that he was indeed no transgressor, there was no guile found in his mouth, yet he had to stoop so low, as to be reckoned among, or numbered with transgressors; as the former expression holds out the painfulness of his death; so this holds out the ignominy of i…

(Revelation 14:18) The angel cried with a loud voice. To cry with a full and lifted up voice, or with a shout; so is the verb used (John 18:40), when men cry and cast away their clothes, and cast dust in the air. 3. His soul-trouble and death was satisfactory to divine justice,…

Error 2. We tacitly condemn the wisdom of God in our murmuring under the cross; cannot Christ lead his people to heaven a better way, than through the swords, spears and teeth of malignants, and must new armies of Irish murderers land on us again? These would be considered: 1. P…

And when Judas went out at Christ's own provoking of him — 'What you do, do quickly' (says he) — 'the Son of man goes as it was determined': he looked to his Father's purpose in it. When he went out to be taken, it is said, 'Jesus knowing all things that should befall him, went…

As willing to know the future state of his friend, so (Acts 8:14). Peter and John go to Samaria to confirm the disciples, see (John 18:15). And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple, and that other disciple was known to the High Priest, meaning himself, so that…

3. The event and issue of all, verse 8. 1. Their astonishment — they fell on their faces and were sore afraid; their falling on their faces was not out of worship, and reverence, but consternation, as those (John 18:6): as soon as he said to them I am he, they went backward and…

And this he shewed in two things. When he was to be attached he fledde not, but went to a garden in the mount, as his custome was, which was knowne to Iudas, Ioh. 18. 2. And in the very separation of bodie and soule, he cried with a loud and strong voice, which argued that he wa…

Hence we learn, that if a question arise of the doctrine which is delivered in the public ministry, then the hearers that are able to judge, must be witnesses, and the trial is to be made by them. Thus says Christ in the like case, "Why do you ask me? ask them that heard me" (Jo…

First, the exhortation and example of Christ, to be followers of him (1 Corinthians 11:1), who was lowly and meek (Matthew 11:29); for he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer; so opened he not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7). When he was reviled,…

And this is the cause why Matthew attributes that to the sign, which agrees to the thing signified. In the second member the Prophet shows the greatness of this people's ingratitude and perversity, in that they did not see the cause why Christ was thus far humbled and afflicted,…

The Papists too presumptuously do overthrow and corrupt this place, when they wrest it to establish the tyranny of their Pope; to whom they give sovereign dominion over Kings and Princes. And herein they show themselves impudent liars (against the truth) in calling him Christ's…

For John plainly affirms that the day on which Christ was crucified was, among the Jews, the preparation, not of the Sabbath, but of the passover, (John 19:14;) and that they did not enter into the hall of judgment, lest they should be defiled, because next day they were to eat…

But a fearful and amazing stupidity must have seized his adversaries, who were not at all affected by having seen such a miracle. And yet there is the less reason to wonder that they did not see the power of Christ displayed in the person of another, when, after having themselve…

If God will take away my life, I am pleased, but I beg deliverance from the hand of Jezebel: He fled for his life for fear of Jezebel, but he called upon God to die. We may exemplify this in Christ (John 18:11): The cup which my Father has given me, says he, shall I not drink it…

The first example is in these words, Whosoeuer shall smi[]e you on the right cheeke, turne to him the other also: under which, are comprehended all iniuries done to mens bodies, not onely by blowes & words, but also in the contempt of their persons, signified by striking on the…

Secondly, we must alwaies be exercised in doing some good duty, either of our generall or particular calling, or in some commendable furtherance thereunto: for idlenesse is the deuills pillow, whereon men either plot and deuise some evil, or are lulled asleepe in securitie: but…

Christ were lowly and base, yet his doctrine in preaching was of that force in the minds of his hearers, for it did amase and astonish them. This caused the officers that were sent to take him to returne without him, alleadging the maiestie of his doctrine for the reason of thei…

2. Consider who brought her into these chambers; it is the King, even him she prayed to, to draw her, he has heard her: this King (as being the chief of all that ever bore that name) is called the King, by way of eminence; and so, (Psalm 45:1-2) and (Zechariah 4:9) he is not onl…

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled, and turned him about, and said to the people, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. But not to multiply more instances, that one place may seem fully convincing and satisfactory (John 18:36). When Christ was examined conc…

There had been often great kingdoms set up before, which were earthly kingdoms; as the Babylonish, Persian, the Grecian, and the Roman monarchies. But Christ came to set up the last kingdom, which is not an earthly kingdom, but an heavenly, and so is the kingdom of heaven: John…

As particularly, 1. He suffered great poverty, so that he had not "where to lay his head," Matthew 8:20, and commonly used to lodge abroad in the open air, for want of a shelter to betake himself to; as you will see is manifest, if you compare the following places together, whic…

When he was entering upon that sharp encounter, though sense startled at it, and said Father if it be possible let the cup pass from me, yet he soon submitted with a great deal of meekness, not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39, 42). Though it was a very bitter cup, yet…

If he afflicts, it is as a father, only with purposes of good, and not so as an earthly father: (Hebrews 12:10) For verily, for a few days they chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. They mingle a great deal of p…

It argues more wickedness, to break with God for a trifle, and a very small matter; it argues more corruption: As a little force will make a heavy body move downward. Again, in another case; The ceremonialist stands upon some lesser things; as the Jews, (John 18:28) would not go…

True religion is indeed easy to be entreated (James 3:17), but now to make bold with God and conscience to please men is a sad adventure; it is not a good disposition, but pusillanimity. 5. Self-Confidence: When we think to bear it out with natural courage and resolution, and wi…

As small so great. The ceremonialist is apt to stand much upon lesser things: (John 18:28) the Jews would not enter into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled, yet they sought the life of the Lord of Glory. Hypocrites make a great business about small matters, and in th…

A similitude taken from earthly [illegible], our Savior he is the King, and he was now to come in his own person, and in the ministry of the [illegible], and thereby into the souls of his people; and [illegible] the Baptist makes proclamation, not for their [illegible], so much,…

What made Christ so meek in his sufferings? He did not look at Judas or Pilate, but at his Father (John 18:11): The cup which my Father has given me. When wicked men revile and injure us, they are but God's executioners; who is angry with the executioner?

For prowesse, none to compare with him: he never turn'd his head from danger: no, not when hells malice and heavens justice appeared in field against him; Knowing all that should come upon him, went forth and said, Whom seek ye? John 18:4. For success insuperable; he never lost…

He faithfully expounded the Law (Matthew 5), refuted heresies (Matthew 22), glorified God with his miracles, was subject to his parents (Luke 2:51), paid tribute to the prince himself (Matthew 17:27), and taught others to obey lawful governors (Matthew 22:21). He would not usurp…

7. Then said I, lo I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do your will. And if Christ-God-Man did willingly lay down his life of his own goodness, and no man could take his life from him, against his will (John 10:11, 18; John 18:5, 8; John 14:31; Luke 9:51),…

Third, for the world as corrupted — or that universal corruption which is in all things in it (Galatians 1:4; 4:1, 4; 6:14; Ephesians 2:2; James 1:27; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 7:31, 33; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:10; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; 1 Corinth…

But they were not all his sureties. So he affirms, that he came into the world to bear witness unto the truth, John 18:37. that is, the truth of the promises of God; for he was the minister of the Circumcision for the truth of the promises of God unto the fathers, Romans 15:8. B…

For this is the perpetual mark wherewith God has marked them that be his. He that is of the truth (says he) hears my voice (John 18:37). Again, I am that good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of them.

But poor soul he never thought, nor acted any treachery or cruelty against his brother. 3. Hence this Position: Christ was made sin, or imputed the sinner, and died for us sinners: the second Adam, the firstborn among many brethren suffered for his younger brethren, and so, by f…

When children's hearts are shut up against their parents, the plague is in those hearts. Our blessed Savior took great care for his mother: when he was on the cross, he charged his disciple John to take her home to him as his mother, and see that she wanted nothing (John 19:26-2…

Answ. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. John 19:11. He that delivered me to you has the greater sin. The Stoic philosophers held, that all sins were equal.

(3.) The third pillar perseverance is built upon is the mystical union: Believers are incorporated into Christ, they are knit to him as members to the head, by the nerve and ligament of faith, that they cannot be broken off (Ephesians 5:23). What was once said of Christ's natura…

For the Paschal Lamb was a sign of Christ the true Lamb of God, shadowing out diverse things worthy our observation: as first the Lamb; for the Passover was to be a Lamb of a year old, without spot or blemish: which signified unto us, that Christ was that immaculate Lamb of God…

Here then behold the madness of the men of this world, that either seek for this blessing in the last place or not at all. The second testimony of Christ's righteousness given in the midst of his passion was, that he beheld his mother standing by, and commended her to the custod…

Conclusion 1. We hold that Christian charity is to extend itself to the very dead, and it must show itself in their honest burial, in the preservation of their good names, and in the help and relief of their posterity as time and occasion shall be offered (Ruth 1:8; John 19:23).…

See it in David (2 Samuel 16:10): 'Let him alone; it may be God has told him.' And in Christ (John 19:11): 'You could have no power against me, except it were given you from above.' It should much calm our spirits that it is the will of God to permit it; and had not he permitted…

Therefore he will not let them be lost: For their sins he may sometimes lay these Jewels to pawn, as he did, when Israel was in Babylon, but he will recover the pawn. The Church is una cum Christo Caro, Christs mystical body, the least bone whereof he will as surely preserve, as…