Exposition of John, Chapter 7 · Verse 26
Verſe 47. Then anſwered them the Phariſees, Are ye alſo deceived?
48. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Phariſees beleeved on him?
49. But this people who knoweth not the Law, are curſed.
The Phariſees, who were ill pleaſed with their returning without their earand, are more nettled with their reaſon, and do upbraid them that they ſhould ſuffer themſelves to be deceived, who were their own attenders, when yet none of the Grandees or learned Rabbi's had cloſed with Chriſt, only an accurſed crew (as they eſteeme them) of ignorant people doated on him. Whence learn, 1. It is an old, but injuſt, imputation, to account ſuch as embrace Chriſt and his truth, deluded; for, ſo do they reckon here, are ye deceived? 2. Chriſt when he pleaſeth, can adde to the vexation of perſecutors, by bringing the knowledge of the truth which they perſecute in others, in among their own confident creatures, and making them reſpect it whom they would leaſt ſuſpect of any; for, they are now put to it, to apprehend that Chriſt is coming in among their own followers, and that they are alſo deceived. 3. When corrupt men are never ſo much convinced, yet all that will but contribute to encreaſe their rage, and their oppoſition to truth; for, albeit it might have pleaded much for Chriſt among them, that their very creatures are affected with his doctrine; Yet all that followeth thereupon, is their greater eagerneſſe to bear him down. 4. Such as expreſſe any reſpect to Chriſt and his truth in evil times, may expect much allurement and inſinuation from Satan, to draw them back, and that enraged perſecutors will cover their fury with enchantments, to ſee if they can prevaile; for, theſe words, are ye alſo deceived, although ſpoken in anger, yet do not tend expreſly to cry them down who had ſaid ſomewhat on Chriſts behalf…, but to inſinuate with them, that they ſhould quit that courſe, alledging not only that they were deceived, but that, however the multitude went wrong, yet they expected better things of them who were their ordinary followers. 5. Such as will not ſtoop to Chriſt nor reſpect the honour of being his ſervants, are juſtly left to ſtoop to their own ſervants, to intreat for their countenance in their wrong courſe; Therefo…e theſe eminent Rulers muſt thus inſinuate and flatter their baſe officers, that they may not want a back in their courſe. 6. It is nothing ſtrange to ſee eminent men, for authoritie and parts, ſo puffed up with their own grandour, and with a conceit of their own learning and knowledge, that they will not ſtoop to Chriſt, nor embrace him; for, they confeſſe that not any of the Rulers (or Governours of the Jewes) or of the Phariſees (their eminent ſect, though not all of them Rulers) have beleeved on him. 7. It is an old engine of Satan, to keep men from Chriſt, by reaſon of the oppoſition made unto him by eminent and able Churchmen; for, this is the reaſon whereby they think to diſſwade them, Have any of the Rulers, or of the Phariſees beleeved on him? But this will prove a weak argument to them who have learned to call no man Rabbi. 8. To live ignorant of God, eſpecially in a viſible Church, is in effect a curſed condition; for, this general is of truth, the people who knoweth not the Law, are curſed, though it be ill applied here. 9. It is an ordinary device of Satan, to deterre men from embracing the truth, by branding them with odious and injuſt imputations who do follow it; for, this they urge as another ſtrong argument, But this people who know not the Law, are curſed, ſpeaking contemptibly of them as a baſe, ignorant and curſed crew. Whereas not only is it high preſumption in Church Rulers, thus to undervalue Gods heritage in reſpect of themſelves; but if all this had been true, yet it was unjuſt for them to lay all the blame upon the people, when themſelves were they who kept the people in ignorance. But it was moſt injuſt, thus to traduce the followers of Chriſt, who by ſeeking to the fountain of bleſſedneſſe, and embracing the promiſed Meſſiah, did prove their knowledge and bleſſedneſſe; whereas they themſelves were in effect blinde (many of them, by malicious ſhutting of their eyes) and curſed.