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…

The Child that is born, the Son that is given, is the mighty God; and as the mighty God, and a Child born, or Son, given, he is the Prince of peace, as he is there called, or our Savior. John 1:14. The Word was made flesh.

As, 1. That he offered himself a sacrifice to God, to make atonement for our sins, and that in his death and sufferings (Isaiah 53:10): "When you shall make his soul an offering for sin" (John 1:29): "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (Ephesians 5:2):…

For the Father, as he whom we worship, is often called so, only with reference to his Son; as the Son is so, with reference to the Father. He is the only begotten of the Father (John 1:14). But now, if this Son had no preexistence in his Divine nature before he was born of the V…

The Covenant was made with man, the obedience due to it was required of man; and therefore it must be a man that must do and die; no other kind of being, no not an angel, would have sufficed or answered the Covenant. The Son of God therefore became a man, assumed a true human bo…

Explication. The principles of mutual, spiritual love among believers, arise from their relation to one Father (Matthew 23:9): "One is your Father which is in Heaven," who gives to all them that believe in Christ, power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). And their being all…

Thus Abraham was instructed in the nature of the Covenant of Grace by circumcision (Genesis 17:10), which is often explained in the Old Testament, by applying it in particular to the grace of conversion, called the circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 10:16; chapter 30:6; Jere…

Question 2. By what means do we come to know that God will thus be worshipped? That God is to be worshipped, and that according to his own will and appointment, is a principal branch of the law of our creation, written in our hearts (Romans 1:21; Romans 2:14-15; Acts 15:16-17; A…

I will accept you with your sweet savour (Ezekiel 43:27). In both giving them intimate communion with himself by Jesus Christ (John 1:3). By all these, he gives that special presence which he requires an especial reverence and regard of faith to, whereby his name is yet farther…

Q. How may it be proved that Christ is God? A. By sundry places of Scripture, wherein he is expresly so called (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6; 1 John 5:20). Q. How else?

Q. What is the work of Christ as a Prophet? A. To reveal and make known to his people the counsel and will of God (Deuteronomy 18:18; John 1:18; John 4:25; John 15:15; Matthew 11:27). Q. How does he this?

Q. You have spoken of the person, offices and actions of Christ; you are now to shew the benefits that come by Christ, and how we are made partakers of Christ and of his benefits? A. We are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith alone (John 1:12 and 3:16, 18, 36…

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…

In the order of nature, the object is before the act that is conversant about it: therefore it is in the order of nature, before the act of our faith. To believe on the name of Christ is an act of faith; to believe on the name of Christ, is to receive Christ (John 1:12). Therefo…

If there be any gracious conditions, or qualifications, wrought in us before faith of dependance; then, before we receive union with Christ: The reason is, For by faith of dependance it is, that we first received union with Jesus Christ (John 1:12). But there be no gracious cond…

Secondly, Christ says of John: "This was that Elias that was to come, that should prepare the way before him" (Malachi 3:1). Thirdly, he was the greatest Prophet born among women: for he saw him come in the flesh, and said to two disciples, "Behold that Lamb of God which takes a…

In the explicating of it, I must first speak what it is that justifies us. First, we do believe, that in our effectual calling, God draws us to union with Christ (John 6:44), shedding abroad his Spirit in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and working faith in us to receive Christ (John 1…

Seeing no man can say, (that is confessed) that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Hence I find it written (John 1:11), Jesus came to his own, but his own received him not, that is, for the Christ, that Messiah which was to come: but only for the Carp…

(2.) He was not called or set apart to his office by any outward unction, solemn consecration, or ceremonious investiture. For the Lord Christ Jesus had none of these, who was made a Priest after the manner that he was; only there was an outward sign of his call to all his offic…

His revelations from the foundation of the world were gradual and partial, increasing the light of the knowledge of his glory from age to age. But put them all together from the first promise, with all expositions of it, and additions to it, with prophecies of what should afterw…

For God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3). He sent him in the flesh, for he sent him made of a woman, made under the Law (Galatians 4:4), wherein the Word was made flesh (John 1:14); but he sent him only in the likeness of sinful flesh. And that becau…

In his incarnation, and his whole converse on the earth, he cast a vail over his eternal glory, so as that it appeared not in its own native lustre. Those indeed who believed on him, saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:…

Therefore God will now secure all the good things of this Covenant, both as to grace and glory, in a third hand, in the hand of a Mediator. Hereon the Promises are made to him, and the fulness of grace is laid up in him (John 1:14; Colossians 1:17; Chapter 2:2; Ephesians 3:8; 2…

He therefore alone is this true Tabernacle. 2. In answer hereunto when he was incarnate, and came into the world, it is said that [in non-Latin alphabet], He fixed his Tabernacle among us (John 1:14); that is the signification of the word which we have translated to dwell, becau…

And he did all things that belong to the establishment of this Covenant, in a spirit of meekness and condescension, with the highest evidence of love, grace and compassion, encouraging and inviting the weary, the burdened, the heavy and laden to come to him. And by his Spirit he…

And Christ called his own body the temple (John 2:19). His flesh was the vail (Hebrews 10:20), and in his incarnation he is said to pitch his tabernacle among us (John 1:14). Herein dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), that is, substantially; represented by…

Effectual vocation is the only way of entrance into the eternal inheritance. For it is accompanied with adoption, which gives us right and title thereunto (John 1:12). In vain do they expect it who are not so called.

True in these expressions is opposed to shadowing and typical, not to that which is false or adulterate. So (John 1:17, 18) real, substantial, the things originally in all these institutions. This is a brief description of the place whereinto the High Priest under the Law did en…

It denotes a concurrent operation, when one works with another. Nor does it always denote a subservient instrumental cause, but sometimes that which is principally efficient (John 1:5; Romans 11:34; Hebrews 1:2). So it does here; the eternal Spirit was not an inferior instrument…

Christ himself with all the grace and mercy we have by him, is from the free love and will of God. So is our election (Ephesians 1:4, 5), our vocation (1 Corinthians 1:26, 27), our regeneration (John 1:13; James 1:18), our recovery from sin (Hosea 14:4). So is our peace and all…

Substantially in the human nature, as it dwelt typically and by representation in this Tabernacle. Hence is it so expressed, He was made flesh, [in non-Latin alphabet] (John 1:14), and pitched his Tabernacle among or with us. The consideration hereof, the Apostle on set purpose…

For no perfection, no consummation in divine favor, no settled peace of conscience could in this way be obtained; all things openly declared that so they could not be. And hence have we an evidence of what is affirmed (John 1:17): The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth…

Once it is used to express his eternity (Revelation 1:8), but generally it has respect to the promise of him. The foundation of the Church was laid in the promise that he should come, and he came in his Spirit to them from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:11; ch. 3:18, 19,…

Our Apostle uses it for to make manifest, that is, bring to light (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy 1:10). And the meaning of it (John 1:9), where we render it lighteth, is to teach. And [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is knowledge upon instruction (2 Corinthians 4:4); [〈 in non-Latin a…

Hence (3.) There is a reaching after these things: a pressing on towards them: a person does not only use means, but in them he seeks after these things. If the question be as to them of old (John 1:28), whom seek you? the answer will be as before; more of God, and more of Chris…

Look to ME. He is the propitiation: as many as received him (John 1:12). He is the portion of the soul, and in Him it hopes (Lamentations 3:24).

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…

God's call is the offer of grace, our answer is the accepting of grace offered; there must be receiving, as well as offering. Vocation is not effectual unless it end in union; it is receiving that gives us interest (John 1:12). The Scriptures do everywhere imply and signify this…

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…

Although that which is foretold in these two chapters, and namely in the fourth and fifth verses of this chapter, was in part fulfilled when the people of God returned from captivity in Babylon at the end of seventy years: yet we must not limit the place to that time only, but m…

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) —…

What was the pattern of this Tabernacle shewed to Moses on the Mount we must enquire, on ver. 5. 3. He himself calls his own Body his Temple, with respect to the Temple at Jerusalem, which was of the same nature and use with the Tabernacle (John 2:19, 22). And this he did, becau…

The bodies of men are often called their tabernacles (2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Peter 1:14). And Christ called his own body the temple (John 2:19). His flesh was the vail (Hebrews 10:20), and in his incarnation he is said to pitch his tabernacle among us (John 1:14).

(Ephesians 4:24) we read of true holiness, or, holiness of truth: so there is true love, &c. a little of it is better than gold; but abundance of affections may be towards spiritual things, and yet no truth; no spiritual life; it is a dead soul still; and abiding as it is, will…

(3) Do you say, but I do and shall sin still. Answ. See 1 John 2:1, 2. If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father. One that is every way able to plead, and manage our case.

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…

The itch of disputing and zeal for an opinion, rather than religion in the main, are bad characters. Again, when men, though in the right, think there is no religion or holiness but within the compass of such an opinion, this is censorious rigor, or to be righteous over-much; or…

There is a believing that does not put the subjects into a state of salvation. Many may be believers on the name of Christ and yet not true and effectual believers, as many believed when they saw the miracles which he did, and yet were short of saving faith (John 2:23). Men may…

Your eyes shall see the land that is very far off (Isaiah 33:17). Jerusalem also was a type of the Church, and of Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26; Revelation 21:2), and so the Temple (Psalms 15:1), and it was a type also of Christ's body (John 2:21; Colossians 2:9). Hence some h…

The wise God observes particular periods of time for doing his great works. (John 2:4): "My hour has not yet come, woman, what have I to do with you?" — which man is no competent judge of. I will do this miracle, but the season is not yet come wherein I will be most beautiful.

Let that be your prayer, especially in regard of your last hopes. In 1 John 2:28, Abide in him, that when he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Oh! that's the comfort of the Saints, that they shall not be ashamed at the coming of Je…

In this is forbidden no continuance, no care, too little, too slack, etc. (Genesis 3; Eve; David, 2 Samuel 11:1-2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3-6). The remedy of our sins in these, is Christ his death; with his knowledge (Luke 2:52); with his feeling (John 4:34); with his zeal (John 2:…

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…

No man whatever mettle he be of, the finest of men can come, or has power to come to me, and to believe on the only begotten Son of God, except the Father who sent me draw him. We know Christ was much to extol his Father, his Father was ever in his esteem an eminent one, as (Mat…

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…

And he also appeared to be full of Affection, in the Course of his Life. We read of his great Zeal, fulfilling that in the sixty-ninth Psalm, The Zeal of thine House hath eaten me up, John 2:17. We read of his Grief for the Sins of Men, Mark 3:5.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. And 1 John 2:3. And hereby do we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

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…

But notwithstanding the reparation of it by Herod, it still continued the one and the same House, though much enlarged and beautified by him. And therefore the Jews in the days of our Savior, overlooked as it were the re-edification of the Temple by Herod, and affirm, that that…

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…

Ophni and Phinehas are publicly zealous for the Lord; Moses meek in the injury done to him by Miriam, and by Korah and Dathan, and his, is fiery against the golden calf in the Lord's cause. Hence influences from God set them a work, and eat them up as zeal for the Lord's house e…

'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…

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…

In this state and condition all mankind, had they been left without divine aid and help, must have perished eternally. Sixthly, that God out of his infinite goodness, grace and love to mankind, sent his only Son to save and deliver them out of this condition (Matthew 1:21): "You…

Ver. 14. And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. John 3:3. And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John 8:56, 57, 58. Then said the Jews to him, you are not fifty years old…

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, he died to satisfy divine justice for such, and therefore they hope that they shall escape condemnation, and be admitted into his favor, and be justified upon this mere account, but yet they never had the impressions of a saving…

And as these are all distinct in themselves, having several formal reasons of them, so they all concur to complete that effectual vocation or calling that is required to constitute persons members of the Church. For besides that this is signified by the typical holiness of the C…

Explication. What in general is required to the fitting of any persons to be members of a visible Church of Christ, was before declared, and that is, that which the Lord Jesus has made the indispensable condition of entering into his Kingdom, namely of being born again (John 3:3…

Q. How is this sinne propagated? A. It is conveyed from parents to children not by imitation but by generation (Genesis 5:3; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; John 3:6). Q. What do you understand by actual sins?

Q. If God did not work the deliverance of man because himself had need of it, or because man did desire it, what then was the cause that moved him to it? A. Only his free grace, mercy, and love (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4, 5; Titus 3:4, 5). Q. What is the true way and means of del…

Q. How was he furnished with gifts and abilities for discharge of this office? A. As God never calls any to any office, but he gives them gifts requisite thereto: so Christ was furnished with all wisdom and knowledge, and other gifts of the Spirit, that might fully fit him for h…

You have shewed many excellent benefits that come by faith; but whether is faith of such necessity that these things cannot be without it? Such is the necessity of this grace of faith, that in respect of the usual way of God's dispensation, there is no hope nor possibility that…

The promising is that, whereby Christ being from eternity ordained for the salvation and spiritual life of men, is revealed and offered to them, together with grace to be obtained by him: this promise is universal in respect of all and every one that do believe. John 3:16. God s…

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…

For there is salvation in none other (Acts 4:12). 2. The spiritual materials are such as are born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5). Who are they which are born of the Spirit?

If our faith be first active in laying hold on Christ for his righteousness, before God imputes it to us; then we do justify God, before he does justify us. For he receives the testimony which God has given of his Son: that God has given us life in his Son, he has set to his sea…

But why may not the holy Spirit breathe his first comforts into our souls, even on such conditions? Is not this to limit the Spirit, who is free, and blows where he lists (John 3:8)? He does not breathe his first comforts in such conditions, because he lists not: it is not his g…

First, the cause of remission, the sacrificed body of Christ on the cross, or accursed tree; (Hebrews 10:4) by one offering, he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Secondly, the ground is a free promise tendered to us from God; as to Adam, The seed of the woman shal…

Until he set us the example of it in his inexpressible love to us which is so frequently proposed to our imitation, we could not know what kind of love it was wherewith we ought to love one another. So says he here, that you love one another as I have loved you; see John 3:16. H…

For those who render the words, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] — Et venit Jacob pacificus or incolumis ad Urbem Shechem, so making the word appellative, and not the name of a place, are undoubtedly mistaken. For the same place is mentioned again in the New Testament by the same nam…

But quite otherwise, above all thoughts that could ever have entered into the hearts of angels or men, after he had declared the nature of the apostacy, and his own indignation against it, he proposes and promises a way of deliverance and recovery. This is that which the Scriptu…

Although he came down from heaven, though he descended into the lower parts of the earth, although he was exposed to all miseries, was obedient to death, the death of the cross, wherein God redeemed his Church with his own blood, yet did he all this in the humane nature that he…

The Son of God in his own Person did declare it. This he spake from heaven, as the Apostle observes, in opposition to the giving of the Law on the earth (Hebrews 12:25), yet did he speak on the earth also; the mystery whereof himself declares (John 3:13). And he did all things t…

They were the shadow, he the body or substance, as he speaks elsewhere. He was the Lord from Heaven; who is in Heaven, who speaks from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:49; John 3:13). (2) All spiritual and eternal grace, mercy, blessings, whereof the souls of men are made partakers by t…

His appearance before God in Heaven, is his [in non-Latin alphabet]. And his illustrious appearance at the last day, is his [in non-Latin alphabet]; though that word be used also to express his glorious manifestation by the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:10); see 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 John 3:8…

In him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4). God gave to him the Spirit not by measure (John 3:34). And the Holy Spirit rested on him in all variety of his gifts and operations, especially those of spiritual light, wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2, 3).

And there is an antithesis included herein, between the Law and the Gospel; the former being given on Earth, the latter being immediately from Heaven. God in the giving of the Law made use of the ministry of Angels, and that on the Earth; but he gave the Gospel Church state, by…

For, (1.) his coming into the World in the act of the assumption of our nature, was in obedience to, and for the fulfilling of the Word of God. For God sent him into the World (John 3:17). And he came not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him.

Therefore consider this; did you ever find any thing of this change, of this new way of living; do you grow still less and less, and does Christ grow greater and greater in your hearts? John said of Christ; he must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30), and as verse 29, ther…

You say, perhaps that you dare not believe, you dare not cast your selves upon Jesus Christ, and you think you are much humbled; but the truth is, you are full of ignorance, and spiritual Pride, and in danger of eternal ruin. See Matthew 16:16. John 3. the wrath of God abides up…

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…

Civility, which is nothing else but a fair demeanor in the world, or in the Apostle's expression, a fair show in the flesh, a darker representation of holiness, rather Heathenish strictness than Christian: you may descry it by these notes. 1. It is usually accompanied with ignor…

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,…

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…

That he have the understanding or apprehension of the things that are promised, and of the terms of the promise: there can be no justifying faith without this; the object must be revealed to the man, or otherwise it cannot be relied upon by him; without the knowledge he cannot c…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

Of old both to the things themselves, and the places wherein they were according to his appointment to be celebrated; those of places, being also of his special institution. Under the New Testament, all difference of, and respect to place is taken away (John 4:21). The hour come…

Q. What is the work of Christ as a Prophet? A. To reveal and make known to his people the counsel and will of God (Deuteronomy 18:18; John 1:18; John 4:25; John 15:15; Matthew 11:27). Q. How does he this?

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…

John confesseth, I am not the Christ (John 1:20). The Woman of Samaria said, I know the Messiah commeth which is called the Christ (John 4:25). Apollos mightily convinced the Jews, shewing by the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:28).

(1.) In that it is suited to the nature of God, so as that thereby he is glorified as God. For God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit, which our Savior asserts to belong to the Gospel-state, in opposition to all the most glorious carnal ordinances and institutions of…

(1) As to its time, there is a determined and unalterable day fixed for it; God has appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). And this time is commonly called the day of judgement (Matthew 10:15, Chapter 11:22, 24, Chapter 12:32, Mark 6:11, 2…

God in an especial manner requires truth in the inward parts in all that come to him (Psalm 51:6). Especially he does so in his worship (John 4:24). Now truth respects either the mind, and is opposed to falsehood; or respects the heart and affections, and is opposed to hypocrisy.

Judgment is taken sometimes for punishment itself (Psalms 9:16; James 2:13; 1 Peter 4:17; 2 Peter 2:3). But most commonly it is used for the sentence of judicial condemnation and trial, determining the offender to punishment; and so 'tis most commonly used to express the general…

So is the gift of Christ used also (Ephesians 4:7): according to the measure of the gift of Christ, that is, according as he is pleased to give and grant of the fruits of the Spirit to men; see (Romans 5:15, 17; Ephesians 3:7). Sometimes it is taken for the thing given; properly…

3. The season of his speaking these words in the manner declared, was, on his coming into the World; therefore coming (or when he cometh) into the World, he says, [in non-Latin alphabet], veniens or venturus; when he was to enter into the World, when the design of his future com…

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…

'Tis Paul's advice, be instant in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), not only at such seasons as are fairly offered, but where corruption and laziness would plead an excuse. Christ discoursed with the woman at the well when weary (John 4). We have but a little while to li…

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…

And indeed this is the right use we should make of differences in Religion, not to throw off all Religion (for a man may upon the very same ground abandon his reason, because of the differences and contradictions in mens reasonings one with another) but to be the more inquisitiv…

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…

But there is no word of institution in the New Testament to sanctify any one place more than another, but on the contrary it lays all places level in regard of holiness. When the woman of Samaria pleaded, Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is…

This a ruling Elder ought to do by virtue of his calling, and with authority (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Private Christians ought in charity to instruct the ignorant (John 4:29; Acts 18:26), to exhort the negligent (Hebrews 3:15 & 10:24, 25), to comfort the afflicted (1 Thessalonian…

That you may know the excellency of this life, consider it comparatively with this other life, that we live: It has three properties wherein it differs from, and excels this common life which we all live. First, it is an eternal life (John 6): "Your fathers did eat manna and die…

4. And therefore, fourth: "That Holy Spirit alone is able to bring anyone to the saving perception of this theology, or to bestow on anyone the understanding by which the evangelical doctrine is savingly understood (John 16:13; 1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:10–16; 2 Corinthians 4…

Christ dismissed all external splendor and all carnal adornment, however resplendent with visible glory, by newly appointing to His worship very few ceremonies, and those simple ones. See (John 4:23; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:1-12). But as long as it pleased God to employ…

In this is forbidden no continuance, no care, too little, too slack, etc. (Genesis 3; Eve; David, 2 Samuel 11:1-2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3-6). The remedy of our sins in these, is Christ his death; with his knowledge (Luke 2:52); with his feeling (John 4:34); with his zeal (John 2:…

In which part, by a usual manner of the Law, a part being put for the whole, as in the 6th, 7th, and 9th commandments, and that one of the foulest, look to note the filthiness of the rest, we are forbidden generally to acknowledge, love, delight in, desire, make or use, being ma…

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,…

Other physicians take diseases so early as they can, lest the malice of the disease overcome art; but Christ lets sin of purpose ripen, to the eleventh hour, often to the twelfth hour: He knows his art can overtake and outrun seven devils, most easily. The omnipotency of grace k…

But Christ's word is more than a word. (John 4:10) Jesus said, if you knew that gift of God, and who it is that says to you, give me drink, you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. (Psalm 119:33) Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I sha…

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,…

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).…

Such are they, of the Father the Son (John 10:30): I and my Father are one. Father, Son and Spirit (John 5:7): three that bare witness in Heaven, Father, Son and Spirit, and these three are one (Matthew 28:19): Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. For if th…

Justification is an act of authority, Pilate speaks in the quality of a judge (John 19:10): Do you know not that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you? God only can justify a sinner, for he is the mouth of his own law, and reserves the dispensation of it to…

Qu. 3. How then are these ways and means of the worship of God made known to us? Answ. In and by the written word only; which contains a full and perfect revelation of the will of God; as to his whole worship, and all the concernments of it: John 5:39, Isaiah 8:20, Luke 16:19, 2…

Q. What is the eternal misery? A. Damnation and destruction in another world (2 Thessalonians 1:9; John 5:29). Q. Wherein does that consist?

Q. Is any work of Christ as King anywhere expressly ascribed to him as man? A. Yes, authority to execute judgment as a kingly work; and this belongs to Christ as man (John 5:27). Q. Over whom is Christ a King?

Q. But divine dominion and sovereignty over all creatures belonging to the Father and to the Holy Ghost, why is this peculiarly ascribed to Christ? A. Not in respect of right but the actual and immediate exercise thereof; for the former belonging to all the divine persons, this…

Q. Wherein else does the resurrection of the godly and wicked differ? A. The wicked shall not rise in such a glorious and excellent manner, nor to the same end with the godly, but to the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29). Q. What follows after the Resurrection?

A. What scriptures do show that there is such a providence of God? Q. Many, and namely these (John 5:17; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 17:25, 28; Lamentations 3:37; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, &c.). Q. How else may the same be proved?

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…

And they do but deceive themselves and others who in the interpretation of mystical passages and prophecies of the Old Testament, do neglect the accomplishment of them and light given to them in the New, taking up with Jewish traditions, or vain conjectures of their own, such as…

A joy it is unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). See (John 5:11; Romans 15:13; Jude 24). It is that inexpressible satisfaction which is wrought in the minds of believers by the Holy Ghost, from an evidence of their interest in the love of God by Christ, with all the frui…

This does our Apostle find out in all that was spoken concerning Melchisedec and the Levitical priesthood. This he gives himself in charge (John 5:39): Search the Scriptures, they are they which testifie of me. Our principal aim in searching the Scriptures ought to be, that we m…

Behold, says he of him, my servant whom I uphold, mine Elect in whom my Soul delights, or is well pleased, [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] (Matthew 3:17). When he undertook this office, and said, Lo I come to do your Will, O God, the Soul of God rested in him (Exodus 23:21; John 5:20,…

It is not a particular judgment on every individual person immediately on his death, although such a judgment there be, for in and by death there is a declaration made concerning the eternal condition of the deceased; but judgment here is opposed to the second appearance of Chri…

And sometimes it is distinguished with respect to its consequents, in different persons, the good and the bad. The resurrection of the former is called [in non-Latin alphabet] (John 5:29), the resurrection of life, that is, which is to life eternal, the means of entrance into it…

And as to the Office it self, this Eternal or endless life of Christ, is his life as the Son of God. Hereon depends his own Mediatory life for ever, and his conferring of Eternal life on us (John 5:26, 27). And to be a Priest by virtue of, or according to this Power, stands in d…

1. The eternal life of God in his divine nature; this he lives in himself. As the Father has life in himself, so has he given to the Son to have life in himself (John 5:26). He has given it him by eternal generation, in a communication to him of all the divine properties.

Hereunto [in non-Latin alphabet] is opposed [in non-Latin alphabet], other blood, the blood of others; that is, the blood of bulls and goats offered in sacrifice, in for cum, say most Expositors, which is not unusual. See 1 John 5:6; Genesis 32:10; Hosea 4:3. The meaning is, by…

For as we read of true holiness: or holiness of truth (Ephesians 4:24), so there is a true love; and a love that is not of truth; and the love which many have to Christ is no better than that which they had of old, who one while cried, Hosanna to the Son of David; and afterward,…

Answ. It is true; but consider what hinders you? The main thing is, you will not come to him (John 5:40). (Revelation 22:17). Whoever will let him come: The Spirit and the Bride, say come. God & Christ, and all that are friends to him, say, Come, and if you do not, it is because…

If it be according to the Scripture, may it not [•]e said to be according to Christs Ordinance? Sure, when Christ himself bids us Search the Scripture (John 5:39), and when the Bereans are commended for searching the Scripture, whether those things were so, which were Preached b…

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…

There is an outward calling, and in that sense Christ speaks, (Matthew 20:16): Many are called, but few are chosen; that is, outwardly called in the invitations of the Word; so all wicked men that live within the hearing of the Gospel; but it seems they are only called obiter, b…

We read in John 12:42-43 that among the chief rulers many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Therefore Christ tells them in John 5:44 that such a believing could be no true faith:…

To go on boldly, carelessly and impenitently in any known sin is inconsistent with effectual faith in Christ, and with that regeneration that the believer is made partaker of. 4. They are yet in unbelief that are so engaged to the things and contentments of the world as that the…

(Matthew 11:27) All things are delivered to me of my Father. And the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son; (John 5:22) that is, the whole government and administration of affairs. It is not to be understood of the last judgment, for then it would be a…

IOHN 5.25. Verily, verily, I say to you, that the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. The occasion of these words was this: when as Christ had affirmed to the Jews, that God was his Father, and the Jews…

She has the keeping of Scripture but gives no authority to Scripture. In (John 5:47) says Christ there, "If you believe not Moses' writings, how can you believe my words?" Mark, Christ would have the authority of his words much to be strengthened by the writings that were before…

And this, I suppose, we cannot better be instructed in, than by considering, what was answered to it by Christ himself, his Apostles, and those that succeeded them in the profession of the faith of the Gospel. (1) For Christ himself; it is certain he pleaded his miracles, the wo…

But insofar as He stood forth as the Head of the church, Mediator, and the apostle of our confession delegated by the Father, He knew only those things (namely, in that nature in which He Himself performed the entire mediatorial office) which were given and revealed to Him by th…

He is not a fit hearer of them, since he neither understands their spiritual wisdom nor is obedient to them. In like manner He affirms of these same Pharisees — who were puffed up with the opinion of the highest skill in hearing and expounding the word of God — that they had "ne…

Now let us see what particulars are forbidden, and what commanded. First, we see forbidden in the first part, the making of images to liken God, or to worship him, whether graven or painted (Romans 4:12; Ezekiel 8:10; John 5:21). No image of God must be made, because he is a Spi…

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…

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…

It remains therefore, that we consider, (1.) how this is revealed and affirmed in the Scripture: and (2.) what is the true meaning of the expressions and propositions wherein it is revealed and affirmed; for in them, as in sundry others, we affirm, that the satisfaction pleaded…

The Word was made flesh; this is that which we believe and assert in this matter. See John 3:13 and ver. 31; John 6:62; Chap. 16:28. All which places assert the person of Christ to have descended from Heaven in the assumption of human nature, and ascended into Heaven therein bei…

(1) 1 Philippians 10, chapter 2:15; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Titus 2:10. (2) John 6:15; Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4, 6. (3) 1 Timothy 1:19, 20; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Titus 1:13; Jude 3.

Q. Who gave Christ a commission or calling to the office of a Mediator? A. As no man can lawfully intrude himself into any office without a lawful calling, no more did Christ intrude himself into the office of a Mediator, but was lawfully called and authorized thereunto by the F…

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…

Again, 1 Corinthians 1:8–9: God shall confirm you to the end blameless: God is faithful by whom you are called to the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. It is also contrary to Christ's speech (John 6:45): Every man that has heard and has learned of the Father comes to…

John 3:16. God so loved the world, that he has given his only begotten Son, that every one that believes in him should not perish. John 6:47. He that believes in me has life everlasting. Matthew 11:28. Come to me all you that are weary and laden, and I will ease you.

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…

In the explicating of it, I must first speak what it is that justifies us. First, we do believe, that in our effectual calling, God draws us to union with Christ (John 6:44), shedding abroad his Spirit in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and working faith in us to receive Christ (John 1…

So the neuter is put for the masculine. So it is in those words of our Savior (John 6:37): [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩]; All that the Father giveth me, cometh to me; that is every one. So is [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], as here, put for [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], ver. 63.

But it was figurative and typical, denoting somewhat that was to be the true and substantial Tabernacle of God. So is the expression interpreted (John 6:32): Moses gave you not the bread from Heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven; that is, spiritually substa…

And it was to be made of that which was most durable, as being to be kept for a memorial throughout all generations. The reason of the sacred preservation of this Manna in the most Holy Place was, because it was a type of Christ; as himself declares (John 6:48, 49, 50, 51). 5. T…

This God did by giving them manna in the wilderness. And that all instructions in grace and mercy might be reduced into a head in this holy place, because of that whereof it was a type, a pot filled with it was placed for a memorial in this holy place before the Ark and mercy-se…

Therefore the matter of it being most precious, and the form of it beautifull and glorious, it might as far represent it, as any thing would do which is of this creation, as all these things were (ver. 11). But that the Lord Christ is the only Bread of life to the Church, the on…

1. [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] is properly, verbum dictum, a word spoken; and although it be sometimes used in another sense by our Apostle, and by him alone (chap. 1:3; chap. 11:3), where it denotes the effectual active power of God; yet both the signification of the word, and it…

You have heard of him, read of him, spoke of him; but has he been revealed to you, and have you seen him? John 6:40: you must see him, not with bodily eyes, for that would confound you: and God must show him, else you cannot see him: and if you see him not, you cannot believe in…

Consider that place (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). Here then consider whether you have seen Christ or not: for till a person see him, he cannot come to, or close with him, as John 6:40. As we have already intimated, persons do not use to match with a person, whom they have never seen;…

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.

2. Though all work jointly, yet there are distinct personal operations, by which they make way for the glory of each other; the love of the Father for the glory of the Son, and the glory of the Son for the power of the Spirit. See how the Scripture followeth these things: you sh…

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…

A man may believe that Christ is the Savior, and yet fall short of saving faith, not having a distinct understanding of the way of closing with Christ in his offices as the object of faith. So they, in John 6:12, when they had seen the miracles that Jesus did, said, "This is of…

If you would take the way to attain to salvation, attain to saving faith: attain to the righteousness which is by faith (Romans 9:30). If you would work out your own salvation, this is the main work (John 6:27, 29). It is not a few moral endeavors, or religious devotions, or ref…

One of the great Gospel enquiries that a Christian ought to be most critical and curious in resolving to himself, upon the most impartial examination of his own heart, concerning his spiritual state, and standing in grace, is, whether he be in the faith or no? Which doubt can be…

You account it a ghastly sight to see many dead men lie together, it affects you much: but to see a multitude of dead men walk and stand before us, that affects us not. The natural death is but a picture or shadow of death, but this spiritual death is death indeed: as it is said…

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 that sees the Son, and believes in him, should have life everlasting. 2. Sanctification of body and s…

For as the apostle plainly declares, "The natural man is not capable of the things of the Spirit of God, nor can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). So the Lord Jesus Himself teaches, "No one is able to come to Him unless the Father…

See (1 Corinthians 13:2). Furthermore, this knowledge of Himself that God demands, He Himself also promises (Jeremiah 31:33, 34; John 6:45). But that disciplinary science of heavenly truth is by no means promised in the covenant of grace, nor is it communicated to men by the pow…

But this evangelical doctrine is "light," (Matthew 4:16; 1 Peter 2:9; Hosea 6:5; John 11:9; Psalm 119:130); and it affords light to all who receive it (Psalm 19:8, 9; John 1:5; Psalm 36:9; 2 Peter 1:19; John 12:35, 36). It is also "life," (John 6:33; Philippians 1:16); and it gi…

Christ, indeed, when He laid the foundations of the new church through His ministry, invited all sinners to Himself. Yet, just as He taught that no one could come to Him unless he were drawn by His Father (John 6:44), so He receives no one into His fold who has not professed tru…

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…

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.

And there are two things especially which serve to heighten the obligation that is lying upon us in this respect, namely, God's great love appearing in it to the children of men; the Evangelist sets it forth emphatically, or rather Christ himself, for they are his own words (Joh…

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…

And when this Spirit is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself: but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show them things to come (John 16:13). Yes, to be to the whole Church, as a river that shall make glad the city of God…

Whereupon, we look for the blessing, not in our gifts and duties; but in going still to Christ, for a clearer and fuller manifestation of him to us, and of comfort in him. As for example, a thirsty soul, to whom promise is made that he shall be satisfied; he looks not presently…

Again, John the Baptist's baptism was the baptism of water only, but had no promise of the holy Spirit annexed, as he himself confesses (Matthew 3:11): "I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I; he shall baptize you with the ho…

In a good sense with respect to the call of God, it is used by Deborah (Judges 5:7): "Until I Deborah arose, until I arose a Mother in Israel." Commonly [in non-Latin alphabet] and [in non-Latin alphabet] are used to this purpose (Matthew 11:11; chap. 24:13; John 7:52). To arise…

See in particular that great promise to this purpose (Joel 2:28, 29), as applied and expounded by the Apostle Peter (Acts 2:17, 18). Yes, so sparing was the communication of the Holy Ghost under the Old Testament, compared with his effusion under the New, as that the Evangelist…

Doing what we know is the great key to give us an entrance into knowing what we do not. If we do the will of Christ, we shall know of his word (John 7:17). And (5) all these are to be managed, with a certain design, and prospect toward this end of growing in grace and knowledge,…

For it was the principal prophecy and promise under the Old Testament, that in the days of the Messiah the Holy Ghost should be so poured out, as I have at large elsewhere declared. And it was to be a consequent of his glorification (John 7:38, 39). Hence by the argument of thei…

3. To deny the application of the initiatory Seal to such as regularly stand in the Church and Covenant, to whom the Mosaical dispensation, yes the first Institution appointed it to be applied Genesis 17:9, 10. John 7:22, 23. 4. To break the Covenant, by denying the initiatory S…

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…

When the Disciples doubted of any thing, they pointed to him whom Jesus loved, and who leaned in Jesus' bosom (John 13:21, 22, 23); those that are in Christ's bosom, know his mind. Well then, if we would pry more deeply into the things of God, walk humbly and closely with him; t…

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…

You should fervently and constantly pray to God for resolution, you should practise what you do know, if you would learn what you do not. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God (John 7:17). It is very likely the generality of these object…

But hence they cry out, "This is of a truth the prophet that should come." And so in John 7:31, many of the people believed on him and said, "When Christ comes will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?" These, you see, had a faith, and what they did understand…

See how he dealt with Nathaniel (John 1:50): because he confessed Christ to be the Son of God, and believed because Christ saw him under the fig-tree, which was but a small thing; Christ tells him that he shall see greater things than these. (John 7:17) If any man will do his wi…

'Tis evidently with reference to this mercy, that God makes that promise, Isaiah 41:17, 18, 19: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them; I will open rivers…

For when sinners, burdened with the sense of their sins and of divine wrath, strive to flee to divine mercy, they do not at once feel themselves embraced with favor and grace, but rather feel themselves sent far away by God as unworthy — lest, by Satan's craftiness — who most ea…

Theology as a complex of spiritual gifts — Extraordinary or ordinary gifts — Ordinary gifts peculiar to the ministry or common to all — Christ the bestower of all gifts (Psalm 68:19; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:8) — The Hebrew word signifies both to receive and to give — Christ the a…

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…

(John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say to you, he that hears my word, and believes in him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death to life. (John 7:37) If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink. (Acts 13:39) And by him,…

And yet the desire remains both in the sweet complacency and liking of the Saints, delighting in present fruition, and also in an act of longing for the highest pitch of degrees of union, just as in the act of drinking, thirst is half swallowed up in begun satisfaction, and thir…

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…

And in answer to this Act of God, those on whom he is bestowed are said to Receive him. Joh. 7. 39. This he spoke of the Spirit which they that believe on Him should Receive. 1 Cor. 2. 12.

The Incarnation of the Son of God was promised and expected from the first entrance of Sin, and received its actual Accomplishment in the fulness of Time, during the continuance of the Mosaical Paedagogie. But this Dispensation of the Holy Ghost whereof we now proceed to treat,…

And whereas in the Verses foregoing he had immediate Respect to his Apostles and present Disciples, that we may know that neither his Prayer nor this Grace are confined or limited to them, he addes, Neither pray I for these alone, that is in this Manner, and for these Ends, but…

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?

John 3:3. And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John 8:56, 57, 58. Then said the Jews to him, you are not fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus says to them, verily, I say to you, before Abrah…

Qu. 9. How do we in our observation, profess our subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel? Answ. In that being all of them 1. Appointed by him as the head law-giver, King of his Church. And 2. Made by him the ensigns and tokens of his Kingdom, and subjects, in their du…

Q. Was the covenant of grace revealed and dispensed in the times before Christ's Incarnation, or only since his coming in the flesh? A. There has been the same covenant of grace for substance, in all times and ages of the Church, since the fall of man till this day (Genesis 3:15…

Q. Do the Angels continue in that estate wherein they were first created? A. Not all, for a great many fell away from that happy condition who are now become devils (John 8:44; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Q. May the rest also fall away, and perish with the devils?

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…

How prove you that? 1 John 2:22: Who is a liar (namely, born of the evil one, who is a liar, and the father of lies, and abode not in the truth (John 8:44)) but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ (namely, the eternal King, Prophet, Priest of his Church, bought with his own…

Whether were it more absurd to light a candle to the Sun, or to light a candle to see to a man's eyes? Now faith is instead of eyes to the soul: by Faith Abraham saw the day of Christ, and rejoiced, though it were afar off (John 8:56). The same Apostle says, that there be six wi…

But so many as received him (namely to be the Christ) to them he gave power to be called the sons of God; even to them that believe in his name; which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, But of God (John 1:12, 13). And as for that other T…

And this the Apostle knew full well, that if once he proved him greater than Abraham, he should not need with that people to prove him above any of his posterity, but they would immediately give over the contest. So in their exceptions to our Savior's testimony concerning himsel…

That other fabric was a type thereof, and so partook of the same name with it; but yet was no farther a Temple, or an habitation of God, but as it was typical of that Body of his, wherein the fulness of the Godhead did dwell. This testimony of his seems to have provoked the Jews…

Hence our Apostle says, that he was the Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the Fathers (Romans 15:8). And this he testified to them (John 8:24): I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for if you believe not that…

But their obligation to Faith towards that individual person arose from the Declaration that was made of him, and the Evidences given to prove him to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world. So he tells those to whom he preached and who saw his miracles, if you believe not th…

That which these Hebrews insisted on as their chief and fundamental privilege in Judaism, and which they were most unwilling to forgo, was the greatness of their predecessors, with their nearness to God in favor and office. In the first way as to divine love and favor, they glor…

That, as one by living is able to kill himself, but by killing himself is not able to live, nor has power to raise up himself when he has killed himself, so when sin had been committed by free will, sin being the conqueror, free will also was lost; for as much as of whom a man i…

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…

Fearful and unbelievers are reckoned among the inhabitants of hell. First he is condemned by that ancient sentence, that whoever sins shall die; which is not reversed, but stands in full force till faith in Christ (John 8:24), If you believe not that I am he, you shall die in yo…

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…

Moreover, Smalcius denies far too shamelessly that any mention of this promise is made in the New Testament. The serpent is the devil (2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9, 14; 20:2); the wicked are a brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7); they are of their father the devil (John 8:44);…

VI. The devil was, in a special manner, the instigator of this murder for Cain. Therefore Cain is said not only to have been of the evil one on account of this very murder (1 John 3:12), but also the devil is called a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). For he is called a m…

By His authority, therefore, he who is not regenerate can in no way understand the evangelical doctrine. Again, rebuking the unbelieving Pharisees (John 8:47): "He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear, because you are not of God." To be of God is…

Hence if anyone has not received that spiritual light of which we have spoken, or having received it has not diligently stirred it up by the assiduous use of the means which God has appointed, or having stirred it up has not exercised it in the daily practice of all evangelical…

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…

They shall go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, but they shall not find him; for he has withdrawn himself from them. (Proverbs 1:24) I called, and you refused; verse 26. then this must follow, verse 28. (as also John 8:21, the like is) they shall call upon me, but I…

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…

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…

This could not be the Church of the Jews neither in its whole body, nor in any of its judicatories. For as at that time there was a solemn decree of excommunication against all and every one that should profess his Name (John 9:22): the Jews had already agreed that if any man di…

And you are Peter, and upon this Rock (Jesus the Christ, whom you have confessed) I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:16, 17, 18). Many for fear durst not in those days confess Jesus to be the Christ: Instance the Parents of the…

Therefore this figment is contrary to common sense, the meaning of the words, the design of the place, and other express testimonies of Scripture, and is of no use, but to be an instance how men of corrupt minds can wrest the Scripture for their ends to their own destruction. Th…

They are not Christ's that neither know how they are called, nor can give any proof that they are called. The blind man (John 9), when they asked him, 'How did he come to open your eyes?' answered, 'How he did it I cannot tell; but this one thing I know, that whereas I was blind…

And some have well observed, that of the two, the name Christ seems to be more peculiar and distinguishing than the name Jesus. For the Jews never took offence at any for calling him Jesus, but they excommunicated such as confessed him to be the Christ (John 9:22); neither did t…

Yet this we may add withal, that if the Apostles and those primitive Christians, men of such excellent discerning were sometimes deceived, and could not always so discern, but that some hypocrites would creep into the Church: as the example of Ananias and Saphira does witness; h…

I read (Luke 4:28, 29) that Christ was in a great tumult cast out of the city of Nazareth — but this I hope no man will call excommunication. The blind man (John 9:34) was indeed excommunicated out of the synagogue, but we nowhere read that he was thereafter found in the Temple:…

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…

If we see a man that boldly calls God his Father, and commonly speaks in the most bold, familiar and appropriating language in prayer, My Father, my dear Redeemer, my sweet Savior, my Beloved, and the like,—and it is a common thing for him to use the most confident expressions b…

On the like occasion did the Pharisees ask of our Saviour that question with pride and scorn; are we blind also? Joh. 9. 40. But as he lets them know, that their presumption of light and knowledg, would serve only to aggravate their sin and condemnation, v. 41. so he plainly tel…

2. That the great reason why the Jews adhered so pertinaciously to Mosaical institutions was their persuasion of the unparalleled excellency of the revelation made to Moses. This they retreated to, and boasted of when they were pressed with the doctrine and miracles of Christ (J…

Causes of Niddui. Instance, John 9:20. Of Cherem.

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…

3. Neither may we dispute or racket arguments with Satan. Object. We may dispute with Heretics, and convince them, though they be Satan's instruments (Titus 1:9; Titus 3:10), and the blind man (John 9) hold up a dispute in defence of Christ against the Pharisees; therefore we ma…

It were good men were not permitted to treasure up pieces of brass and copper, and suffered to dream they have a treasure of gold. 4. Sense of deadness in prayer oftener speaks the life of prayer; and a godly sense of blindness is a large measure of seeing (John 9:41). Obj. 2. T…

3. There is a spiritual disposition in the conscience of the Centurion (Luke 23:47), in Thomas (John 20:27), in Peter (1 Peter 5:8). The contrary whereof was in the Pharisees and Rulers wrestling against the manifest light of God (Matthew 12:22, 23, 24; Matthew 21:33, 34 & 45, 4…

Job 26:7. He stretches out the North over the empty place, and hangs the Earth upon nothing; give a reason of East and West. 3. The Lord puts forth sovereignty on Jeroboam's arm to dry it up, on Mephibosheth's feet, upon the man's eye-holes (John 9) that they should be empty of…

It's better experiencedly to feel, than literally to search how the word is the chariot, the Spirit the driver of the chariot. 2. Such as receive the ingrafted word, or the word and Spirit, shall not much dispute how or by what cleft quâ rimâ the Lord came in, here he is now, th…

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.

The word which is Metaphoricall, as to the businesse we have in hand, is used in the Scripture, both in its primitive, native sence, in reference to things Naturall, as also in the tralatitious use of it about things Politick and Spirituall or Morall. In its first sence we have…

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.

There are moreover spiritual judgments, which sin is the woeful cause of; judgments that light immediately on the souls of men, and which are indeed the most fearful; though sinners themselves are for the present the least sensible of them: a blind mind is a dreadful judgment. J…

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…

The word there used in the original implies a sleight of hand as we call it, when such wily spirits can turn themselves into all shapes, to [reconstructed: slip past] the evidence of the Truth; so many windings and turnings, so many twistings of devices, so many outs and doubtin…

For it is above the power of natural generation, that the substance of one creature should be really turned into the substance of another, as the substance of a rod into the substance of a serpent. Of the like kind, were the standing of the sun in the firmament without moving in…

Now this they cannot do, for if the blind, lead the blind both shall fall into the pit of destruction. And here I might have just occasion of complaint: first, of the superstitious pride of the late clergy of this land, who could not endure to have their doctrine tried by their…

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…

This text and sermon would be out of season to preach to the damned in hell. If I should bid them work, it is too late, their time is past; 'tis night with the devils, 'tis yet day with you; work while it is day (John 9:4). If you lose your day, you lose your souls.

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…

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…

Jesus says to them, verily, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. John 10:30. I and my Father are one. John 17:3. And now O Father glorifie you me with your own self, with the glory which I had with you before the world was.

Q. Who gave Christ a commission or calling to the office of a Mediator? A. As no man can lawfully intrude himself into any office without a lawful calling, no more did Christ intrude himself into the office of a Mediator, but was lawfully called and authorized thereunto by the F…

Q. Do you mean then that a true believer can never totally nor finally fall away, but shall persevere in grace to the end? A. Yes, I mean so indeed; this perseverance of believers in the state of grace being plainly and plenteously taught in the holy Scriptures (1 Peter 1:5; Luk…

Q. Who then were redeemed by Christ? A. He gave himself for none others but only for his Church (Ephesians 5:25; Acts 20:28; John 10:15; 11:52). Q. What is meant by the Church in the holy Scriptures?

Although the faithful do fall away, so much as is in them, yet God remains a father in Christ; and they also as touching right to eternal life, remain sons. John 10:28: They shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Here some do say that the sheep cannot b…

He is Antichrist (an enemy and an adversary to Jesus the Christ) that denies the Father and the Son. For he that denies the Son's authority, to be the eternal King and Prophet of the Church of the New Testament, to the end of the world, according to the royal commission he recei…

He is that Antichrist (namely an enemy and adversary to Jesus the Christ) that denieth the Father and the Son. He that denieth the Son's Authority, to be the eternal King, and his Commission to be in force (Matthew 28:18, 19, 20; Mark 15:15, 16), and to be the eternal Prophet; a…

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Ostentare: V. L. that is, to make show of, ostendere, to show forth, to manifest. Praestare, Eras. to act, to perform; so the word is sometimes used (John 10:32), [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], many good things have I showed you: that is, wrought and p…

(3) He had full power and authority over his own body, his whole human nature, to dispose of it in any way, and into any condition, to the glory of God. No man, says he, takes my life from me, I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it agai…

Predestination is the rule of effectual vocation, all and only they are so called by the Word, who are predestinate. So speaks our Savior also, I have other sheep which are not of this fold, them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice (John 10:16). He had some sheep in t…

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…

What is required in particular, that any of them may be meet to be joined to such a Church, we shall afterwards enquire. 7. It is generally said, that out of the Church there is no salvation; and the truth hereof is testified to in the Scriptures (Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 3:20, 21; Ma…

If God say, Sinners, you should subsume and reply, I am chief. I remember it is said (John 10:3), Christ calls his sheep by name, and leads them forth: How does Christ call them by name? By speaking expressly to their case, as if he did strike them upon the shoulders, and say, H…

Not they that are subjected to the former, but to this latter have been accounted possessed persons. The Jews of old had such an opinion concerning mad men (John 10:20). Consider also (Matthew 17:14–18) with (Luke 9:39).

Thirdly, in this Temple, beside the Holy of Holies, were three Courts; the Court of the Priests, the Court of the people, commonly called Atrium Israelis; and without both these Atrium Gentium, the Court of the Heathen, so called, because the Heathen, as also many of those who w…

And though we do not read expressly, that either God or any prophet did require this feast of Purim, yet forasmuch as it stands approved in Scripture, there is no doubt but it was done by warrant from God. The feast of dedication (John 10:22, 23) has also been objected from the…

I read (Luke 4:28, 29) that Christ was in a great tumult cast out of the city of Nazareth — but this I hope no man will call excommunication. The blind man (John 9:34) was indeed excommunicated out of the synagogue, but we nowhere read that he was thereafter found in the Temple:…

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…

4. It is but little drawing possibly that will do the business, some gentle blast or air of golden words, some moral suasion, some breathings and spiration of fine reasonings, from men or angel, can do much. No, but it is not so, no less (says Christ) can draw a sinner to me tha…

It cannot be denied, but that the Gospel both charges or awes us to believe in Christ, and to bring forth good fruits, worthy of Christ, except we would be hewn down, and cast into the fire; and also that Grace works Faith, and to will, and to do; and so voluntary obedience and…

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…

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…

Let us therefore consider some instances. John 11:50. The words of Caiaphas's counsel are, [in non-Latin alphabet]: It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not: which is expressed again, chapter 18:14, [in non-Latin alphab…

The partition wall is broken down, and the gates of the new Jerusalem are set open to all comers upon the Gospel invitation. This is frequently taken notice of in the Scripture; see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 11:51, 52; John 12:32; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; Galatians 5:6; Eph…

[in non-Latin alphabet], the resurrection of the dead. It is usually expressed by [in non-Latin alphabet], the resurrection only (Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27, 33; John 11:24; Matthew 22:23, 28). For by this single expression, the whole was sufficiently known and apprehended.

I will not say that these things were needless on the part of Christ himself, seeing it became the glory of his person to be thus testified to in his condescension to office; yet was it in all these things the good and benefit of the Church that was designed. What the Lord Chris…

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…

They do oftener bewray their unbelief in distrusting God about outward supplies than about eternal life, which yet I confess is very irrational; for if a man cannot trust God with his estate, how shall he trust him with his soul, and to a considerate person there are far more pr…

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 (…

They are "blind," (2 Peter 1:9; Isaiah 42:7; Luke 4:18); and they are "darkness," (John 1:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8); "their minds are darkened," (Ephesians 4:18); "they walk in darkness," (1 John 1:6); and "they love darkness," (John 3:19); they are "dead," (Eph…

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…

Now the Law had a promise of life, if you do this, you live eternally, but God neither did work, nor was tied by the tenor of that Covenant, to work in us to do, to will, to continue, to abide in all written in the Law of God to the end, and therefore it was a broken Covenant. N…

(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…

Communion with your God has two particulars in it. First, in keeping you free from sin (John 11:14-15). Secondly, in keeping in the exercise of grace (Isaiah 32:17).

His grant is strengthened by redemption, purchase, and acquisition. This was the condition of the former grant (Isaiah 53:10, 11, 12), which was made good by him; so that his lordship is frequently asserted on this very account (1 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 1 Timothy 3:…

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…

So our Savior's enumeration of four sorts of hearers takes in all (Matthew 13). How many wonder, and despise, and persecute (Luke 4; Mark 7; Mark 9; Matthew 12; John 11; Acts 3; Acts 4, &c.)? 2. Influences of the spirit saving and lively are called by the names of the Father's d…

1. Means used are the Lord's way of coming to us, and our way of coming to him, whether in the word preached (Acts 2:36, 37; Acts 4:4; Acts 10:44; Acts 16:14; John 4:9, 10, 14–29, 30, 39, 40, 41; John 4:50, 51), or in miracles or any other lawful way. 2. Because to some certain…

2. That Christ by the blood of his cross has made peace between God and the Brasilians, who so lived and died without the Gospel; that Christ has satisfied upon the cross for their sins against the Law, and borne their sins in his own body on the tree; that Brasilians being dead…

And the faith that God is, and rules, and is good to Israel, and that he punishes wicked men though he makes them rich, leads the Prophet to the faith of God, his gracious providence in guiding the godly by his counsel, in holding them by the right hand (Psal. 73:1-3, &c., 23-25…

1. The corrupt wisdom and the wicked learning of men, who are carnal and destitute of the truth, can produce nothing, but doting about questions, and strife of words; whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, or blasphemies, evil-surmisings, [illegible] perverse disputing: these are…

Isaiah 53: Who has believed our report? Did not Christ himself convince the world of sinful unbelief (John 3:18, 36; John 5:24; John 11:26, 27): and all the ministers of the New Testament convince men that they ought to believe and receive Christ by faith? But all these are but…

Yes, but do you think that your faith is greater than the faith of Mary or Martha. (John 11:21). Lord, if you had been here my brother had not died.

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…

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…

Proverbs 8:22 to the 31: "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways; before his works of old: I was set up from everlasting, in the beginning or ever the Earth was, when there were no depths, I was brought forth when there were no fountains abounding with waters, before…

The ground and reason of this duty is evident. The Lord Jesus Christ strictly enjoins all his disciples the profession of his name, and lays it on them as indispensable to salvation (Romans 10:10): "With the heart man believes to righteousness, with the mouth confession, or prof…

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…

Verse 11: "For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Thirdly, if Christ be no Prophet to teach us, he will be no Judge to acquit us (John 12:48): "He which rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him; the words that I have spoken, the same…

Your Priest to intercede for you (John 17:20). Your Judge to acquit you (John 12:48). And if the love of Christ draw you to keep all his Commandements (though in the world you meet with affliction for his sake; yet in Christ you shall find peace) for the Father, Son, and Spirit…

[in non-Latin alphabet] is rendered, loco moveo, abrogo, abdico, irritum facio; to take out of the way, to abrogate, to disannul, to make void; and for the most part it has respect to a rule, law or command, that was or is in force. Sometimes it is used of a person, who ought in…

The partition wall is broken down, and the gates of the new Jerusalem are set open to all comers upon the Gospel invitation. This is frequently taken notice of in the Scripture; see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 11:51, 52; John 12:32; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; Galatians 5:6; Eph…

This was the faith of the Jews concerning the Messiah, and his office. We have heard, say they, out of the Law, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (John 12:34), that Christ abideth for ever; whereon they could not understand what he told them about his being lifted up by death. And so…

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…

You shall see the Scripture carries out our acts of faith to him every where: (Romans 4:24) If we believe in him, who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; that is, in God the Father. So (John 12:44) He that believes in me, believes not in me, but in him that sent me: that [no…

Where you may understand by the filth of the daughters of Zion, their former idolatries, and such like abominations against the first Table (which the Prophets call often by the name of filth and pollution) and by the blood of Jerusalem, the sins against the second Table. These…

All faith in the name of Christ is not sound and saving; this truth is confirmed also from other Scriptures. We read in John 12:42-43 that among the chief rulers many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, for they loved the praise of men more th…

The rain which makes the earth fruitful is exhaled out of the salt-waters, which would of themselves spoil the ground and make it unfruitful. The deceiver and the deceived are his (John 12:16). Both the action of the devil the seducer, and of wicked men the seduced are restraine…

(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 spikenard very costly, and anointed his very feet, so that all the house was filled with…

The prophecies of the New Testament do no less evidently show, that a time will come when the gospel shall universally prevail, and the kingdom of Christ be extended over the whole habitable earth, in the most proper sense. Christ says (John 12:32), I, if I be lifted up from the…

They are "blind," (2 Peter 1:9; Isaiah 42:7; Luke 4:18); and they are "darkness," (John 1:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8); "their minds are darkened," (Ephesians 4:18); "they walk in darkness," (1 John 1:6); and "they love darkness," (John 3:19); they are "dead," (Eph…

Hence is commanded to desire his presence more visible in heaven above all, and rejoice in it above all (Psalm 16:10, 11, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:8). Here is forbidden the love of men, wives, children, or any thing of this life, to desire it more than the Lord and his presence (Phil…

The second, which requires concerning ourselves. This teaches, that first and chiefly, we must desire all things to God's glory, above our own salvation, and that the other must be asked to that end, as depending on it, and no further, than as it may serve to his glory, which is…

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…

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…

Not unlike the speech of Otho the Emperor in Xiphilin, when he slew himself to preserve his army; for when they would have persuaded him to renew the war after the defeat of some of his forces, and offered to lay down their lives to secure him; he replied, that he would not; add…

Qu. 11. How are mutual love and communion among believers testified and confirmed in their observation? Answ. In that they are appointed by the Lord Christ for that end, and in their own nature as attended to in their assemblies, are in an especial manner suited to that purpose…

And what is not so appointed, neither does, nor can be any part thereof. Of this nature are the celebration of all other ordinances with prayer; for every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5); of some of them indispensably in the assemblies of the Ch…

And (2.) some temporary appointments relating to gifts in the Church, bestowed only for a season in the first plantation of the Gospel, are ceased. But (3.) no institution or command of Christ, given to the whole Church, relating to the evangelical administration of the New Cove…

For, says he, whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels. Hereby do we keep the commandments of Christ, as his friends (John 1…

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…

[in non-Latin alphabet], the word here used, is an example showing or declaring any thing in a way of instance. John 13:15: [in non-Latin alphabet], I have given you an example, says our Savior, when he had washed his disciples' feet; that is, showed you in what I have done, wha…

Yes, the highest privileges should make men ready to condescend to the meanest duties. This is that which our Lord Jesus Christ so signally instructed his disciples in, when he himself washed their feet, and taught them the same duty towards the meanest of his disciples (John 13…

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…

Jesus Christ came from heaven, not only to repair and preserve the notions of the Godhead by the greatness of his sufferings, but to propound to us a more exact pattern of charity, and to elevate duty between man and man. 3. None have a greater charge, Christ calls it his new Co…

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…

As we are often too hasty in our desires for mercy, and are not content to stay God's time, so we are too hasty in making constructions of providence, and will not stay God's leisure of informing us. When God seems at the beginning of every providence to speak the same language…

In his company man does speak out of the abundance of the heart, he then betrays himself what he is: there is no dead man, nor living man but he is inward with the like: no sign so much pointed at in the Scripture, as this, you are translated from death to life, if you love 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…

Matthew 18:6. 'Whoso shall offend one of these little ones, etc. Verse 10. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones. Verse 14. It is not the Will of your Father which is in Heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.' John 13:33. 'Little Children, yet a li…

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…

(John 15:12) This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. (John 13:34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. V. 35. By this shall all men know, that you are my Disciples, if you…

For this is the end of all sacred truth, and all instruction therein. This that great rule of our blessed Savior both teacheth us, and obligeth us to an answerable duty, If you know these things, happy are you if you do them (John 13:17), words so filled with his wisdom, that ha…

Though he was in his own Person above the Law, yet he submitted himself to every Law of God, and righteous Law of men; that he might give an example to them who were of necessity to be subject to them. So he tells his Disciples, as to one instance of his humility, I have given y…

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…

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…

Whither shall I go from your Spirit? John 14:26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.

(4) Revelation 8:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14, 15, 16; Chap. 6:20; Chap. 10:20, 21, 22. (5) John 14:13; Chap. 15:16, 22, 26; Ephesians 3:14, 15. Qu. 36. May not the Church in the solemn worship of God, and celebration of the ordinances of the Gospel, make use of, and content itself in the…

Q. Is Christ the only Mediator? or are there not others that may be mediators also? A. Properly there is no other mediator between God and man but Christ only (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6). Q. Who gave Christ a commission or calling to the office of a Mediator?

Q. What is the teaching of the holy Spirit? A. It is that inward work of the holy Ghost upon the soul, whereby the outward teaching is made efficacious and powerful for opening the understanding and humbling the heart to embrace the truth and will of God (John 16:13; John 14:26;…

Q What was the place to which he did ascend? A. The third heaven, far above this earth, and all these inferior and visible heavens (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11; John 14:1-2; Ephesians 4:10). Q. Was this ascension of Christ a true and real mutation and change of place, or o…

Q. Whether must we pray to God directly and immediately, or through a Mediator? A. Only through the mediation of Jesus Christ (John 14:6 & 16:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). Q. What are the parts of prayer?

Q. How many are the persons in the Godhead? A. They are three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16-17 & 28:19; John 14:16-17 & 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 5:7). Q. Whether are these three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost several, a…

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.

Two or three disciples of Christ, gathered together in his name, (that is, by his power, authority, and royal commission) wherever, (whether in the mountain, or in the desert, or in ship, or in the dungeon) there will Christ be in the midst of them, to hear and grant their petit…

Your Judge to acquit you (John 12:48). And if the love of Christ draw you to keep all his Commandements (though in the world you meet with affliction for his sake; yet in Christ you shall find peace) for the Father, Son, and Spirit will dwell in your heart, and take it for the S…

And this can be from no other principle but the Spirit and divine power of God, giving testimony thereby to the Lord Christ whose disciples they are. Our right to, our privilege in, and evidence of our being the disciples of Christ, depends on our mutual love (John 14:34, 35). "…

Therefore this reconciliation and peace with God, is a great part of this Gospel-perfection. So our Savior testifies (John 14:27): "Peace," says he, "I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, I give to you; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it b…

And it is now by Christ alone that we have an access in one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). He is the only way of going to him (John 14:6). And it is in and by his blood that he has consecrated a new and living way to the holy place (chapter 10:19, 20).

But this difference principally consists herein, that under the New Testament the Holy Ghost has graciously condescended to bear the office of the Comforter of the Church. That this unspeakable privilege is peculiar to the New Testament, is evident from all the promises of his b…

For in their Judaism they were sufficiently taught Faith in God, and needed not to have been instructed therein as a part of the Doctrine of Christ. And there is a distinction put by our Savior himself, between that Faith in God which they had, and the peculiar Faith in himself…

(2) As to our future entrance into glory. Under this capacity as a Forerunner, it belongs to him to prepare mansions for us in his Father's house, whither he is gone, and which he has promised to do (John 14:23). He prepares mansions for us, and he prepares us for those mansions…

He did not undertake any Office for the Church to lay it aside while he lives, until the whole Design and work of it be accomplished. And therefore he tells his Disciples, that because he liveth they shall live also (John 14:19). For while he lives, he will take care of them.

And unbelief is a refusal to come to him, You will not come to me that you may have life. Faith in God through him, is coming to the Father by him (John 14:6); so to come to God by Christ, is through him to believe in God (1 Peter 1:21). 2. Our access to God in his worship, is o…

And he may be received either as to personal inhabitation, or as to spiritual operations. In the first way the world cannot receive him (John 14:17), where the world is opposed to true believers, and therefore these here intended were not in that sense partakers of him. His oper…

Yes, does not your judgment still stand for a spiritual way of living, though you cannot regulate, and command your affections as you would, but are daily brought into captivity to the law of sin, as he complains (Romans 7:23). 3. If Christ live in you, he will sometimes manifes…

Here note, that true love springs out of a seen, felt enmity against God, and all of God, which the soul has been greatly humbled, and abased for. If you love him, you will love his holiness, his graces; and seek to keep all his Commandments: see John 14:21. He that has my Comma…

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.

It is good to prevent all visible scandals and exceptions against our persons. I observe this, because the Scripture does elsewhere (John 14:22), Judas says to him, not Iscariot, How is it that you will manifest your self to us, and not to the world? The Scripture would not have…

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…

Elisha that waited upon Elijah, and poured water upon his hands, shall do greater miracles than his master. And the Apostles shall do greater works than Christ (John 14:12), that the world may know that God is not tied to any means that men count excellent, that all creatures ar…

A company of Jews and Gentiles believed by hearing the Word preached, and receiving of it (Acts 14:1). The world receives not the Spirit, because they seek it not (John 14:17). We in preaching, can do nothing; it is the Spirit that must do it.

The fifth question is, in whose name prayer must be made. 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 anything in my name, I will do it. A man is not to present his prayers to God, in any worthine…

This is the sum of those gifts, which Christ received for men, even for the rebellious, at his ascension. This is the sum of the benefits Christ obtains for men by his intercession; John 14:16, 17: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abi…

Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Furthermore, evangelical theology is taught by the Holy Spirit and by Him alone: "The Holy Spirit will teach you all things," (John 14:26). Hence all the children of the church are taught of God (Isaiah 54…

And now the soul, laboring under the burden of sins, groaning and sinking, gasps more and more daily for deliverance, for welcome mercy, for righteousness, for acceptance before God. The Holy Spirit was therefore promised by Christ to call back to mind and to suggest to sinners…

Whatever is done in them beyond His prescription is done without His authority (Matthew 28:18-20). X. Sixthly, to these assemblies gathered in His name He graciously promised His presence through the Holy Spirit until the consummation of the age (Matthew 28:20; John 14:15, 16, 1…

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.

Matthew 10:17: they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their Synagogues. John 15:21. And it is not likely that the Lord Christ would send his disciples for direction and satisfaction in the weighty matters of their obedience to him, and mutual love…

The Lord Jesus Christ strictly enjoins all his disciples the profession of his name, and lays it on them as indispensable to salvation (Romans 10:10): "With the heart man believes to righteousness, with the mouth confession, or profession, is made to salvation" (John 12:42, 43,…

Q. What is the work of Christ as a Prophet? A. To reveal and make known to his people the counsel and will of God (Deuteronomy 18:18; John 1:18; John 4:25; John 15:15; Matthew 11:27). Q. How does he this?

Q. Who are the members of that Church? A. Only they and all they that are effectually called to be true believers in Christ (Revelation 17:14; John 15:19). Q. What are the parts of the catholic Church?

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…

The proposition is clear of itself, that we cannot bring forth good fruit, until we be good trees (Matthew 7:18): a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Nor can we become the good trees of righteousness, of the Lord's plantation (Isaiah 61:3), until we be grafted into Chr…

If we be active in laying hold on Christ, before he has given us his Spirit: then we apprehend him, before he apprehend us: then we should do a good act, and so bring forth good fruits, before we become good trees; yes, and be good trees before we be in Christ. But these are all…

True, to others; but not to himself. If a tree could know itself, it would first come to know itself, by seeing upon what root it grew, before it came to see what fruit it did bear (John 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). But this doctrine is new, it is not ancient, nor gray-headed.

It is not by legal institutions, it is not by our own inventions, it is only by his appointment (Matthew 28:20). To come to God any other way, gives us no interest in the care or saving power of Christ (John 15:7, 8). (2.) Of that especial respect which we have in our souls and…

He had before treated directly only of unfruitful and apostatizing professors, whom here he represents by unprofitable ground, and God's dealing with them as men do with such ground when they have tilled it in vain. For the Church is a vine or vineyard, and God is the husbandman…

An end they shall have, wherein their eternal condition shall be immutably stated. And this end is that they must have, to the fire, the fire prepared for the Devil and his angels, they shall be gathered together and burned with a fire that shall never be quenched (John 15:3, 4)…

Now this growth in some, indeed is very little; as some men, so some Christians are very low in stature: and there are winter seasons in many Christians' lives, in which they grow but little, or not at all: yet in their general course they do grow. John 15:2: He purges them that…

3. Because the first distinct operation is the Father's, therefore the whole work in Scripture is often ascribed to him; he is said to justify (Romans 3:26): The justifier of them that believe in Jesus. So he is said elsewhere to purge (John 15:1, 2): I am the Vine, and my Fathe…

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…

God would not surely acquaint them, and advise with them what he should do, did he intend to do anything to their hurt. There is not anything in the heart of Christ wherein the church is concerned, but he does reveal it to them (John 15:5). I have called you friends; for all thi…

It is not lawful to make such a Covenant as the Church-Covenant, because it is not in our power to keep it, and we do not know whether God will give us power. This ground is very true, that no man has power of himself to anything that good is, but all a man's power and ability m…

I answer, that we cannot have these spiritual gifts if we are not born of the Spirit; that which is born of the flesh is flesh. Not Bellarmine himself, nor no man else will say that all are born of the Spirit (John 15:2). Every branch in me not bearing fruit, he takes away, and…

And what fruit indeed is there brought forth to God in the world but by his Churches? and God expects much fruitfulness among his people; however, as you shall hear, they are charged with being empty. Thirdly, no plant requires so great care as the Vine; what a deal of do is the…

5. Fifth: "That the worship of God established by the power of this theology is spiritual, whose glory by no means falls under the eyes of men, nor is exposed to the carnal understanding of anyone" (2 Corinthians 1:6–10, and John 4:21–24). 6. Finally: "That all worshipers of God…

We acknowledge, therefore, that very many of the unregenerate excel greatly in that knowledge of spiritual things which we have described above; but we utterly deny that they are made conformable to God by virtue of it, and consequently the knowledge with which they are furnishe…

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…

2. It's not single weakness, but wicked and willful impotency, that keeps men from Christ: as a beggar would be a king, he has no positive hatred of the honor, riches, pleasures of a king; but he has no legs, nor arms to climb so high, as to ascend to a throne. But the natural m…

Verse 32. And I if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men. This drawing of sinners to Christ is bottomed on Christ's dying on the cross, and his dying on the cross is an act of extreme and highest love (John 3:16; John 15:13; 1 John 4:9-10). Hence let us consider a l…

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…

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…

And I suppose, they will not find out an office for the Holy Ghost whereunto he might be exalted on the account whereof he might become God, seeing this would acknowledge him to be a person which they deny. So he is called the Comforter (John 16:7), a personal appellation this i…

There is no dividing or parting of stakes in this matter: Christ is resolved, that he will either be a whole Savior, or none at all; there shall no person or thing come in to share with him in the honor of this, but he will do the whole work, and he will have the whole glory of…

Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature, as requisite to all solemn worship, and are moreover commanded in the moral law, and explications of it in the Old Testament; how do you look upon them as evangelical institutions to be observed p…

Q. What is the teaching of the holy Spirit? A. It is that inward work of the holy Ghost upon the soul, whereby the outward teaching is made efficacious and powerful for opening the understanding and humbling the heart to embrace the truth and will of God (John 16:13; John 14:26;…

Q When Christ was risen from the dead, did he still continue upon earth? A. No, but after a time he left this world, and ascended into heaven (John 16:28). Q What was the place from where he did ascend?

Secondly, the sacrifices that these priests offer, are all spiritual. 1. The first is prayer, which the Spirit of Christ forms in the heart of a believer, whereby he lays open all his spiritual and temporal wants to God his Father, in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, thro…

The holy Spirit in all his dispensations to us ward, delights to receive all from Christ, rather than from us; that so he might glorify Christ in us. "The Comforter whom I shall send to you, he shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and show it to you" (John 16:14). Nor…

[in non-Latin alphabet] is originally of as large a signification as [in non-Latin alphabet], and denotes any service whatever. But it is here, and constantly in the new Testament, as is also the verb [in non-Latin alphabet], restrained to Divine service (John 16:2, Romans 9:4,…

So our Lord Jesus Christ expressly opposes speaking in parables, to a clear, plain, open teaching, so as to be understood of all. See (Matthew 13:10, 11, 12, 13; John 16:28, 29). Now speaks you openly, and no parable.

(1) Upon the first communication of Gospel light to us by the Holy Ghost. Christ sends him to convince us of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). And if upon the first participation of light and conviction by the Holy Ghost, this repentance is not wrought in us, it is…

(2) A refusal of all such ways of atonement, satisfaction, and reconciliation that might be offered from any thing, that all or any creatures could perform; sacrifice and offerings, and whole burnt-offerings for sin he would not have (Hebrews 10:5, 6), he rejected them as insuff…

It is so to believe in him, as to believe that he is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him. This is the ground whereon in our holy worship we assemble in his name (Matthew 18:20), and make all our supplications to God in his name (John 16:26), that is, by an exe…

This Person, the holy Spirit of God, God himself, his communication of grace and mercy, in the accomplishment of the most glorious promises of the Old Testament, was he whom these apostates renounced. But there is a peculiar notion or consideration of the Spirit, with respect wh…

But this substance is in themselves, which none could take away from them, none could spoil them of. Such is the peace and joy that our Lord Jesus Christ gives to his Church here below (John 16:22; chapter 14:27). And if the substance, here intended, be that which was in themsel…

1. In the power of his Spirit, and the exercise of his royal authority, for the setting up and settling his Church in the world; whereof there are two parts: (1.) The assistance of his Spirit, with his miraculous operations to the ministers of the Gospel, which were the powers o…

When a man sees this his deadness aright, it may be truly said, that he sees what he did not see before. Now that the Spirit is come to convince a person, he sees that, and sees so, as all his hearing, reading, studying, could never shew him before the Spirit of conviction came…

The matter should be considered by them, whom it does concern. 2. Christ reveals things to us by his Spirit, and hence we have the Promise of the Spirit (John 16:7). And we read of the Spirit of wisdom, and of revelation (Ephesians 1:17).

- 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…

Look as in outward generation the matter is gradually prepared and disposed, so is the soul for the new birth: a man is awakened by the sight of his own wretchedness, convinced of sin, and the evil consequences of it; and then the work is done by the mild voice of the Gospel, as…

Has the Spirit convinced you of sin? That is the first step in order to the working of saving faith (John 16:9). 2. A second requisite of saving faith is the sight of the object, a sight of Jesus Christ revealed and freely offered and held forth in the Gospel.

Third, our Savior distinguishes the synagogical courts from the civil courts of judgment in cities, calling the one councils, the other synagogues (Matthew 10:17). Fourth, the beating and scourging in the synagogues was an error and abuse of the later times, the corrective power…

The second worke of the Spirit is to convince and perswade effectually and fully. The Spirit shall convince the world of sinne (John 16:8): that is, it shall convince and perswade thoroughly: none can doe this but the Spirit. It does also farther perswade men, that it is good fo…

This being the great blessing Christ purchased by his labours and sufferings on earth, it was the blessing he received of the Father, when he ascended into heaven, and entered into the Holy of Holies with his own blood, to communicate to those that he had redeemed. John 16:7: "I…

3. Then, third: "No one is regenerate except by the power of the Holy Spirit, by whose efficacious operation all who are born of God are translated from spiritual death to life" (John 3:5, 6, 1:13; Titus 3:5). 4. And therefore, fourth: "That Holy Spirit alone is able to bring an…

Theology as a complex of spiritual gifts — Extraordinary or ordinary gifts — Ordinary gifts peculiar to the ministry or common to all — Christ the bestower of all gifts (Psalm 68:19; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:8) — The Hebrew word signifies both to receive and to give — Christ the a…

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…

When he ascended to heaven, he sent down the Holy Ghost, (John 14:17) he dwells in you, and shall abide in you. (John 16:13) He will guide you in all truth — he will show you things to come. So there is a Spirit of grace poured on the family of David (Zechariah 12:10), on the th…

Pos. 6. Christ's inviting us to come to him, and that before we can invite him, speaks of union. 1. Such a union as faith can make, which does not rise to the pitch of sight, and immediate fruition, for it is the union of those that are absent one from another, in regard of full…

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…

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.

And this brutish apprehension of theirs, arose from no other principle but this, that the Son had only a temporal existence, and was not the Eternal Son of God. But that I may not in this brief discourse digress to other controversies than what lies directly before us, and seein…

Q. What is his exaltation in respect of his Godhead? A. It is nothing else but the manifestation of that divine power and glory of his, which had been so much concealed in all the time of his humiliation (John 17:5; Romans 1:4). Q. And what is his exaltation in respect of his ma…

Q. Do you mean then that a true believer can never totally nor finally fall away, but shall persevere in grace to the end? A. Yes, I mean so indeed; this perseverance of believers in the state of grace being plainly and plenteously taught in the holy Scriptures (1 Peter 1:5; Luk…

Q. Who is the subject of redemption, or of all that deliverance obtained by Christ? A. Not the blessed angels, because having never fallen they needed no Redeemer, nor all the race of mankind, for Christ would not pray for the world (John 17:9). Q. Who then were redeemed by Chri…

But if we consider that actual efficacy, the price is paid in the counsel of God, and as touching the event only for those which are elected and predestinated. For the Son does not sacrifice for those, for whom he does not pray: because to make intercession and to sacrifice are…

First, if Jesus the Christ be not our Prophet to teach us, he will not be our King to protect us (Matthew 28:10): "Teach them," says Christ, "to observe all things that I command you: and lo, I am always with you to the end of the world." Secondly, if Christ be no Prophet to tea…

He will then be your King to protect you (Matthew 28:20). Your Priest to intercede for you (John 17:20). Your Judge to acquit you (John 12:48).

And the same will yet farther appear if we consider the grounds whereon it is inforced in the Gospel, which are principally these that follow. 1. As the head of all other considerations the Lord Christ expresseth it as that which was to be the great evidence to the world of the…

Faith is of God's elect, and they only believe truly who are ordained to eternal life. (2) The Lord Christ intercedes that this faith may never fail, or be utterly lost (John 17:8, 11, 15, &c.). (3) The power of God is engaged in the preservation of it (2 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:5;…

And so are they called (Hebrews 5:14). This our Savior prayed for in the behalf of his Church immediately before he procured it by his sacrifice (John 17:23): [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], that they may be perfected. And the end of the institution of the ministry of the Gospel, t…

This the whole Scripture testifieth to, namely, a real communication of glory to Christ by the Father after his ascension which he had not before. See Luke 24:16; John 17:24; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20, 21, 22, 23; Philippians 2:9, 10, 11; Hebrews 1:3; Cha…

When he undertook this office, and said, Lo I come to do your Will, O God, the Soul of God rested in him (Exodus 23:21; John 5:20, 21, 22). And to him he gives an account at last of his discharge of this thing (John 17:4). And on our part, unless we resign ourselves absolutely t…

The whole preparation to, and actual oblation of himself, was accompanied with most fervent and effectual intercessions (Hebrews 5:7). And such was his solemn prayer recorded (John 17). These things themselves in the first place were the good things to come: For these they were…

Sometimes it is used in the sense of [in non-Latin alphabet] in the Old Testament, to separate, dedicate, consecrate. So is it by our Savior (John 17:19), [in non-Latin alphabet]. And for them, I sanctify myself; that is, separate and dedicate myself to be a sacrifice.

Christ himself was sanctified, consecrated, dedicated to God in his own blood. He sanctified himself (John 17:19), and that by the blood of the Covenant (Hebrews 10:29), even when he was consecrated or made perfect through sufferings (chap. 2:10). So was the Church and the whole…

It supposes the accomplishment of the work of the redemption of the Church. His words in this appearance before God, are expressed (John 17:4): I have glorified you on the Earth, I have finished the work you gavest me to do; and now I come to you. He was sent of God into the Wor…

(4.) Since, or rather, from the Foundation of the World. This expression is sometimes used absolutely for the original of the world in its creation; for the absolute beginning of time and all things measured by it (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20). Sometim…

Yet we must not so oblige ourselves to the times, seasons, and order of these things, as to exclude the prayers which he offered to God, before the oblation of himself. Yes, that solemn prayer of his recorded in John 17, wherein he sanctified himself to be an oblation, was princ…

To know God as he is revealed in Christ, is the highest privilege whereof in this life we can be made partakers. For this is life eternal, that we may know the Father the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent (John 17:3). Persons destitute of this saving knowledge, ar…

For therein, 1. He sanctified or dedicated himself to God to be an Offering (John 17:19). 2. He accompanied it with Prayers and Supplications (Hebrews 5:7).

And yet at another time while he was in this world, he gave us the best estimate and representation of his present intercession that we are able to comprehend. And this was in his prayer recorded in John 17. For therein his confidence in God, his union in and with him, the decla…

And the election must obtain (chapter 11:5, 6). So the Lord Christ prayed that he would take care of all those that he had given to him, which were his own by election (your they were and you gavest them to me) and sanctify them by his Word (John 17:17). In pursuit of his own pu…

Many will say, Lord, Lord, we have prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, &c. yet he will profess that he never knew them; and they must depart from him for ever: see (Matthew 7:21, 22). Many think they have Christ, who yet indeed fall short of him: not…

2. If you love him, you will love those that are his (1 John 3:14), and on this account, for that of him, that is in them: and he that does not love the people of God, does not love God himself (1 John 4:20). If we love him, we shall love them that are his, because they are his:…

And when he is seen he appears so to be to the soul: he is so in himself, and will be so to his for ever. His prayer for his was, that they might behold his glory (John 17:24). A little glimmering of which, here, at times, outbids all that the world has to give; and makes us des…

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…

When you deride men for their holiness, you deride them for that which is the express image of the glorious God, and so deride God himself. Holy brethren, as the Saints are styled (Hebrews 3:1), should no more be a disgrace than holy Father, as God himself is styled (John 17:11)…

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…

This Church is the fullness of Christ, he would be bodyless without it: therefore since Christ will be a head without a body, if the Church be not preserved; in order to the preservation of it, all things must necessarily concur by the wise disposal of affairs. Therefore since t…

God gives the Spirit not by measure to him, that every one that is his might receive according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This therefore was the great blessing he prayed for in that wonderful prayer, that he uttered for his disciples and all his future Church, the eve…

3. Also, "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6); but "faith is from hearing, and hearing through the word of God" (Romans 10:17). 4. "This is eternal life, that they (men) may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). "…

VI. True theology is that knowledge of the divine mind and will which God Himself requires. See (Psalm 119:27; Jeremiah 22:15, 16; John 17:8; 1 John 1:3, 4, and 4:7). Now that knowledge of Himself and of His will which God requires is pleasing to God (1 Chronicles 28:9; Hosea 6:…

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…

And he was called the second Priest (1 Kings 25:16). From where in times of disorder and confusion they had afterwards two High Priests at once (John 18:13, 24). Thus sacredly was the presence of God in the Holy Place made inaccessible not only to all the People, but even to all…

But they were not all his sureties. So he affirms that he came into the world to bear witness to 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 to the Fathers (Romans 15:8). But…

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…

The firstborn and only begotten Son of God then is manifested, Christ will appear in all his royalty and glory, as the great God and Savior, and Judge of the world, as the great God; therefore 'tis said, he will appear in the glory of the Father (Matthew 24:13; Matthew 16:27). T…

But I do not find in Scripture that the Magistrate is to rule, or to make Laws, or to manage any part of his office in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as the Mediator has not any where given such a Commission and power to the Magistrate: so, as Mediator, he had it not to…

But notwithstanding that in these latter times all good order had much degenerated and grown to confusion, yet it seems to me, that even in the days of our Savior Christ, the civil and Ecclesiastical courts remained distinct. Let me say my opinion with all men's leave, and under…

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…

And therefore when the people would have taken him by force, and have made him a King, he hid himself from them (John 6:15). But he hid not himself, when they came to take him by force, and put him to death, but affirmed, that for that hour, or business he came into the world (J…

Neither did his usurpation make any essential change in the rule or polity of the Nation; although in his own person he were a foreigner: for even during the turbulent government of the Herodians, with the interposition of the Roman Arms, the Nation with that which constitutes a…