Exposition on John 5, John 5 · Verse 32 – Verse 35
Verſ. 32.
There is another that beareth witnes of mee, and I know that the witnes which he beareth of me is true.
WEe are now come to the point it ſelfe, viz. the Teſtimonies that are alleadged. Which are firſt propounded in generall in this 32. verſe, to be Diuine teſtimonies, The teſtimonies of God the Father himſelfe for that is meant: where he ſaith, There is another, that is, God the Father: not Iohn, as ſome ſay; for Chriſt would here bring in an vndeniable teſtimonie.
But how is God another from Chriſt?
Anſw. In foure reſpects. Firſt in regard of the Iewes conceit, that Chriſt was but a man: ſo is God another. Secondly, in regard of his Humane Nature: for though both make one perſon, yet the Diuine Nature is one, and the Humane Nature another.
3. In regard of his Office, as he was Mediator betweene God and Man, ſo hee may bee ſaid to bee another then God. Fourthly, in regard of his perſon, as he is God, being a diſtinct perſon from the Father: ſo is the Father foreign, but not foreign.
The meaning then is this, as if Chriſt had ſaid; You except againſt my teſtimonie, as a humane teſtimony; but I hauehave a diuine teſtimonie of theſe things, euen the teſtimonie of God himſelfe, who by Iohn, by his owne voice, by his workes, And by his word, doth beare witnes vntounto mee.
The Generall then of this verſe is this; That thoſe things which Chriſt had deliuered, were confirmed by diuine teſtimonie.
The points to be noted are, firſt, Who it is that beareth witnes. Another, that is God.
Doct. The teſtimonie whereby Chriſt doth iuſtifie himſelfe and his actions, and vponupon which he doth reſt, is the teſtimonie of God: Ioh. 8.14, 18.
For firſt, he would not ſtand vponupon his owne teſtimonie as is before handled: and ſecondly, this teſtimonie is vncontrouleable; as ſhall be ſhewed hereafter.
Vſe. Here wee learne whereon to reſt, and ground our actions, viz. vponupon the teſtimonie of God, and his approbation: 2. Cor. 10. laſt. For men may deceiue through flattery, and be deceiued through ignorance: but God can neither. And better it is to ſeeke for the app…obation of the maſter, then of the ſeruant.
2. The kind of Teſtimonie: wherein we may obſerue two points.
1. The thing it ſelfe; It is a true teſtimony.
2. The manner of ſetting it downe. [I know, &c.]
1. Doct. The witnes which God doth giuegive, is an infallible certaine true witnes: for God is truth; both actiuely declaring only the truth with falſhod without error, and paſſiuely, becauſe he cannot be deceiued he is truth in abſtracto: Exod. 34.6. Pſal. 31.5. Tit. 1.2. Heb. 6.18.
Vſe. We heard before, that we were to ſeeke for Gods witnes and approbation of the things we do. This now is a motiue to vrge vsus thereto, becauſe his witneſſe is without exception. Rom. 8.31.
2. Chriſt in ſetting downe this teſtimony, ſheweth his aſſured perſwaſion, and ſetled faith in it, and this from his owne experience that hee had found it ſo. [I know:] hereby, firſt, ſhewing that hee went vponupon ſure and certaine grounds in all that he did. Secondly, checking the Iewes infidelity.
Doct. The witneſſe of God is ſo effectuall and powerfull, that it worketh credence in thoſe to whom it is giuen: Iob 16.19.
Wherein ſtands a maine difference betweene a humane teſtimony, and a diuine teſtimony. For man, though hee may giuegive a teſtimony, which for the matter is true, yet hee cannot for the effect, to aſſure him to whom it is giuen, that hee may certainely know that it is true.
Vſe. Apply we this teſtimony of Adoption, that they who hauehave it, doe know, and are aſſured of it: Rom. 8.15. Gal. 4.4.6.
2. Doct. Though others know not the teſtimony of God, yet we muſt not ſhrinke from it: as Chriſt doth here, Ioh. 17.25. Ioh. 6.67, 69. Mat. 26.33. a good reſolution of Peter, had it not been in too much confidence and preſumption of himſelfe. Which holy and conſtant courage ought to be in vsus all. So much for the Generall.
Verſ. 33.
Yee ſent vntounto Iohn, and hee bare witneſſe vntounto the truth.
WE hauehave heard in generall, that Chriſt hath diuine teſtimony to confirme his authority, and equality with his Father.
Now in particular this is exemplified, and ſet forth in foure branches: firſt, by the teſtimony of Iohn, in this Vreſe vntounto the 36. Verſe.
In which note,
1. The occaſion thereof; Verſ. 33.
2. The witneſſe it ſelfe; Verſ. 33.
3. The end of alleaging it; Verſ. 34.
4. The commendation of the witneſſe-bearer; Verſ. 35.
1. The occaſion is in theſe words; [Yee ſent vntounto Iohn.] which pointeth vntounto that ſolemne embaſſage which the Iewes ſent vntounto Iohn: Ioh. 1.19, &c. From whence note the good guiding and ouer-ruling power of God, who diſpoſeth of the actions of the aduerſaries of his truth, to the confirmation of the ſame truth: for it is likely they ſent not vntounto Iohn with any good minde, but in hypocriſie; for ſo Iohn reproues them: yet doth Chriſt hereby confirme the truth of Iohns witneſſe. Shewing hereby, firſt, that this witn…ſſe came not voluntarily from Iohn, he went not vntounto them to declare it, but they ſent an embaſſage vntounto him, to aske him touching thoſe things. Secondly, that there was no compact betweene Iohn and Chriſt: for Iohn knew not Chriſt vntill after that time: Ioh. 1.29.
2. In the teſtimony it ſelfe note, firſt, the action; ſecondly, the obiect.
1. The action is in th…ſe words [he bare witneſſe.] This was proper to his offi…e vntounto which he was appointed to be a witneſſe-bearer: Ioh. 1.6, 7. Luk. 1.15, 76.
Obiect. Act. 10.43. it is ſaid, all the Prophets were witneſſes of Chriſt, and the Apoſtles: Act. 1.8, 22. & 3.5. & 10.39, 41. how then was this proper to Iohn?
Anſw. In generall it is a common duty to all Miniſters: but Iohn was a more ſpeciall witneſſe, for that he firſt pointed out Chriſt, and declared him before he was knowne, going immediately before him, as a Herald before a King, as the Day-ſtar befo…e the Sunne.
2. The obiect is in theſe words [to the truth.]
Verſ. 35.
He was a burning and a ſhining candle, and yee would for a ſeaſon hauehave reioyced in his light.
IN this Verſe is ſet downe the commendation of the witnes-bearer: which Chriſt addeth, becauſe hee would not inſiſt vponupon the teſtimony of Iohn, and lay the whole proofe vponupon it. Now leſt he ſhould ſeeme to make light of Iohn, as one whoſe teſtimonie was nor ſo greatly to be regarded, he doth therefore here giuegive this high commendation of him. Whence wee ſee, that Chriſt as he doth maintaine his owne honour, ſo doth he not diſparage the honour of Iohn, but together with his, maintaineth his authority. Contrary to the practice of many, who enuie the credit of others, &c. Now Iohn is commended,
1. From the condition of his office: He was a candle, and therefore not hauing light from himſelfe, but from another: ſhewing, that Miniſters are no other then ordinary men, vnleſſe they be illightned from God. And this teacheth people how to eſteeme aright of Miniſters, and yet not to deſpiſe them, ſeeing that a candle is neceſſary in the night.
2. From his properties: firſt, of burning, noting his inward zeale to the glory of God, and ſaluation of his people. Secondly, of ſhining, by his faithfull preaching, and godly life. A patter…e for all Miniſters.
3. From the effect of his miniſtery, the people reioyced, though the wicked and hypocrites but for a ſeaſon. Here note firſt, the action, they reioyced; which is ſpoken, not ſo much in commendation of them, as to ſhew the efficacy of the miniſtery of Gods Word, that it workes euen vponupon the obſtinate.
2. The Obiect; They reioyced in the light. To ſhew, that if Miniſters will hauehave the people to affect them, and to reioyce in their Miniſtery, they muſt ſhew forth the light of the Word, and the euidence of the Goſpell in their Miniſtery. And ſo no maruell though many are not regarded, who be as candles either not lighted, or elſe put vnderunder a buſhell. Now to ſhew that this reioycing is ſpoken more, to ſhew the powerfull effect of the miniſtery of the Word, then in commendation of them, hee addes a limitation, that this their ioy was but for a ſeaſon; as is the ioy of all hypocrites and wicked men: Iob. 20.5. ſee Mat. 13.19, 20. They reioyced in Iohn for by-reſpects, in hope that he would hauehave brought them liberty, and deliuered them from the Romanes, and the like: but when Iohn did plainely vnmaske their hypocriſie, and diſcouer their ſinnes, their ioy was nipt in the head, and withered. Which hath been the practiſe of people from all time, firſt, for a while greatly to admire a Miniſter; but when hee tells them of their ſinnes, and preſſeth their duties vponupon them, Oh then he is too hard and too ſeuere, &c. and ſo they forſake him.