Exposition of John, Chapter 16 · Verse 10
Ver. 11. Of judgement, becauſe the Prince of this world is judged.
The laſt thing whereof the Spirit convinceth the world, is, judgement, in the underſtanding whereof, we will be much helped by what is ſaid on Chap. 12. 31. For judgement in Scripture, in relation to the object, on things about which it is employed, doth oft-times ſignifie, the exerciſe of power and authority to diſpoſe of them, and put and keep them in order. And in relation to the ſubject, and perſon in whom it is, it ſignifieth, the having of authority. So to order theſe things, Here the interpretation may be fetched from Acts 2.36. that Jeſus in his exaltation is made both Lord and Chriſt, and here the Spirit convinceth the world that he is both; That he is Chriſt, by convincing them of his righteouſneſſe, v. 10. and, That he is Lord, by convincing them of judgement, and that all power and judgement is committed to him; which is evidenced and proven by his judging Satan the prince of the world, over whom he triumphed in the Croſſe, Col. 2.15. and made his purchaſe and conqueſt evident by his caſting out of Satan, from theſe poſſeſſed by him, his ſilencing Satans Oracles in the world, and caſting him out of theſe who receive the Goſpel, and are converted, deſtroying the Kingdome of wickedneſſe and darkneſs, and tranſlating them into his own Kingdome, and into a ſtate of holineſſe and light. This the general ſcope of this purpoſe, that the world ſhall be convinced of Chriſts dominion, by his ſeen power over Satan, under which (among many other things) is to be comprehended, a judgement of condemnation of all the wicked in Satan their Prince and head; and a judgement of abſolution, and vindication into liberty and freedome from Satans ſlavery, in favours of theſe who flee to him, and in whom the work and Kingdome of Satan is deſtroyed. Doct. 1. Satan is a Prince, who, by his tyrannical uſurpation, and by a voluntary conſent of deluded ſouls, doth get and exerciſe a tyrannical government over the children of men, ſo long as they are without Chriſt; for, he is the Prince of this world 2. Chriſt by his death did condemne and overcome Satan, and hath made his conqueſt evident to the conviction of men, by the effects and operations of his Spirit, in doctrine condemning Satan and his work in men, caſting him out miraculouſly, and deſtroying his work in beleevers; for, he ſuppoſeth it as a clear and undeniably truth, that the Prince of this world is judged. 3. By this judging of Satan, the Spirit hath made it undeniably evident, that Chriſt hath all authority and power to preſerve his Church, triumph over his enemies, and order all the confuſions that Satan and ſin have occaſioned in the world; for, whatever were their thoughts of Chriſt, yet when it ſhall be evident that Chriſt took Satan, the great diſturber, to task, and foiled him, it cannot in reaſon be denied, but he is Soveraigne Judge and Lord, having all power in his hand, and all his adverſaries under his feet: He ſhall convince the world of judgement, becauſe the Prince of this world is judged. 4. By the powe… of Chriſt, evidenced in condemning and triumphing over Satan, it is made apparent to all the wicked, that their condemnation is already paſſed, in the judgement and condemnation of Satan their head and Prince, and to all the godly who flee to Chriſt, that they are abſo…ved and freed from the tyranny and Kingdome of Satan, in Chriſt the conquerour; for, thus this ju…gement may be branche… out on both hands, as provi…g the condemnation of the wicked, and abſolution of the be…eever, becauſe the Prince of this world is judged. 5 Such as are ſavingly convinced of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, ought alſo to be convinced of their abſolution and deliverance from Satan thereby, and to feele the effects of Chriſts dominion, in his daily ſubduing of Satan within them, and it will be their comfort to fi…de this. For, ſo much is imported in reference …o the Elect, as this is ſubjoyned to the former particulars. That not only, having fled to Chriſt for righteouſneſſe, who hath given viſible evidences of his dominion over Satan; they may be comforted in their deliverance from ſuch a Tyrant. But that, having found righteouſneſſe in Chriſt to cover their guilt, v. 10. the next wo…k of the Spirit will be, to convince them of Chriſts authority to rule and that not ſo much by any outward, or common effects without them, as by his deſtroying of S…tan and his Kingdome within them. For upon the juſtification of beleevers, the Spirit evidenceth Chriſts getting a throne in their heart, to vindicate them from the ſlavery of corruption, by caſting down Satan from his dominion and power over them, and convinceth them of judgement, and freedome from ſlavery thereby, becauſe the P…ince of this world is judged. And where conviction in this particular is not, it brings conviction of righteouſneſſe in queſtion.