Exposition on John 5, John 5 · Verse 36
Verſ. 36.
But I hauehave greater witneſſe then the witneſſe of Iohn: for the workes which the Father hath giuen me to finiſh, the ſame workes that I doe, beare witneſſe of me, that the Father ſent me.
THis Verſe containes the ſecond teſtimony, that Chriſt doth alleadge, to prooue his equality with the Father; namely, the teſtimony of his workes. In ſetting downe whe…eof, firſt, he layes downe a commendation of it. Secondly, hee declares the nature and kind of it.
1. The commendation is taken from a compariſon of vnequalls, in that he ſaith; But I hauehave greater witnes, then, &c. we are to ſee wherein conſi…teth the inequality of this witnes, and the reſt that follow, (for this is a tranſition:) and of that former witne… of Iohn.
It conſiſteth not in the truth of the witneſſes, for all teſtifie the ſame things, but the inequality is in regard, firſt, of the perſons bearing witnes, that were greater then Iohn. Secondly, of the teſtimonies themſelues that were more cleare, and euident, then the teſtimony of Iohn. For though Iohn being a man inſpired could not erre, yet the people did not, or would not ſo clearely ſee the truth of his teſtimonie. But theſe teſtimonies are both manifeſt and euident in themſelues, as alſo to the apprehenſion of the people. Hence note, that
Doctr. In the confirmation of one and the ſame truth, there may bee teſtimonies, ſome greater ſome leſſer then other.
Becauſe a teſtimonie hath his credit from the dignity and credit of the witnes-bearer.
2. The witnes it ſelfe is taken from his workes. Chriſts workes were diuine workes: Therefore they witnes that he was God.
The Doctrine then in generall of this verſe is this: Chriſts workes were a ſure euidence of his diuine power, and that hee was God: as Ioh. 10.25. and 15.24. Ioh. 3.2. and 1.48.49. and 4.19.
For man cannot doe the workes of God.
Obiect. But did not the Prophets doe miracles, and diuine workes, and alſo the Apoſtles?
Anſ. Yea. But the difference betweene their works and the workes of Chriſt, ſtandeth in foure points, firſt in the workes themſelues. Chriſt made choice of ſuch workes, as for the kind, neuer any did before as to raiſe one dead foure dayes and ſtinking. To giuegive ſight to the blind: Ioh. 9.32. and the like. Secondly for the number neuer any did ſo many as Chriſt did: for he healed all that were brought, &c. Thirdly, Chriſt ſtill as he cured the body, ſo he cured the ſoule.
2. The Prophets and Apoſtles were reſtrained, and could not doe miracles when they pleaſed, but when God permitted them. As appeareth in the example of Eliſha: 2. King. 4.27.
But Chriſt did worke how and when it pleaſed him.
3. The workes which the Prophets and Apoſtles did, they did neither by their owne power and authority, nor in their owne name: Act. 3.12. But Chriſt did his works both by the one, and in the other.
4. The miracles which the Prophets and Apoſtles did, were to ſhew, that they were ſent of God and were his ſeruants and meſſengers. But there was a higher ſcope of Chriſts miracles, that they aimed at, namely to ſhew that he was the Sonne of God.
We ſee then how ſtrong an argument this is, and how well this witneſſe of his workes is brought for confirmation of his Godhead.
Vſe is, firſt, that we reade not the miracles of Chriſt, as matters only of Hiſtory, but to take them as props for the ſtrengthening of our faith in Chriſt, whom they ſhew to be God, and ſo an al-ſufficient mediator.
2. To applie this to our adoption) that we ſhew our ſelues to be the Sonnes of God, by being partaker of the diuine nature, and doing the workes of God.
More Particularly we are to conſider
1. A deſcription of theſe workes.
2. A declaration of the witnes which they beare.
They are deſcribed in two clauſes:
1. [Which the Father hath giuen me to finiſh.] Which ſheweth, firſt, the ground. Secondly, the extent of theſe workes.
1. The ground of them is, becauſe they were ſuch workes, as the Father had giuen him in charge to doe: which ſhewes, that what Chriſt did, he did by authority & commiſſion from his Father: a Doctrine heretofore noted, and it is a notable ground for the ſtrengthening of our Faith, becauſe God no doubt will accept of thoſe things that Chriſt did for vsus, they being done by his authority. And ſecondly, it is for our imitation, that wee hauehave the warrant of God for the things wee doe. Now as this is a ground, ſo it is an end why Chriſt do…h theſe workes; as Luk. 2.49. Ioh. 6.38. and before, verſ. 30. of this Chapter: Ioh. 4.34.
2. The extent is, that Chriſt was not onelyonly to begin theſe workes, but to goe thorow with them, and finiſh them. Hence learne,
Doct. That the worke that God hath giuen vsus, is not done, till it be finiſhed. This Chriſt knew, and ſo he fully finiſhed the worke his Father gaue him: as Ioh. 4.34. & 17.4. & 19.30.
Vſe. 1. For reproofe of the opinion of the Papiſts, that Chriſt did not perfectly finiſh his worke, but left ſome things for the Saints to adde thereunto; out of Col. 1.24.
2. We muſt obſerue, that in the worke of God, we adde vntounto diligence and carefulneſſe, conſtancy and continuance.
The ſecond clauſe is [which I doe.] foreign, that [I] is added …mphatically, from whence the Doctrine is, that
Doct. What Chriſt did, he did by his owne power. This did the people obſerue in all his Miracles, how he by his owne authoritie, and in his owne Name, did caſt out Diuels, forgiue ſinnes, teach the people, &c.
Doct. Whence we learne, that Chriſt is to bee acknowledged, adored, worſhipped, beleeued, and truſted in, as one that is abſolute of himſelfe to doe what he will. And thus are not Saints to be truſted vntounto, who are only the inſtruments of God.
2. The Witnes which theſe workes doe beare, is expreſſed in theſe words, [That the Father ſent me.] Now where Chriſt vrgeth this ſending, as a proofe of his equality with the Father, we muſt vnderſtand it of ſuch a ſending, as when an Equall is ſ…nt, and not an Inferior; of the ſending of a Sonne, not of a Seruant or Meſſenger.
This Phraſe of being ſent, is applied to Chriſt in three reſpects: 1. In regard of diſtinction of Perſons, of the Father and the Sonne.
2. In regard of Chriſts Incarnation, who being in Heauen in the boſome of his Father, was ſent to take fleſh vponupon him here in earth.
3. In regard of his Office, as he is Mediatour betweene God and Man, and therevnto ſent, and deputed by God.
This ſhewes, that Chriſt did not vſurpe any authority and dignity of himſelfe, but had this by communication from God the Father. A point before noted.