Exposition of John, Chapter 8 · Verse 7
Verſe 15. Ye judge after the fleſh, I judge no man.
Before Chriſt produce any farther proof of the truth of his record, he doth here challenge them for their cenſure of him. And as in the former verſe he points out a difference betwixt himſelf and them in the point of knowing whence he came and whither he goeth; So here he points out another difference, and a defect in them flowing from this miſtake: To wit, that as they were ignorant of him, ſo they judged carnally of him, and according to outward appearance, being led by their carnal principles. Whereas he, on the contrary, judged no man; Which is not to be underſtood in oppoſition to their manner of judging, that he judged no man after the fleſh; for (though that be true, yet) then what is ſubjoyned, verſe 16. would import that he might judge after the fleſh. Nor is it to be underſtood, that he judged no man in a political way, but onelyonly, in an eccleſiaſtical way, was pointing out their faults; for neither in that reſpect will the oppoſition betwixt him and them ſtand, ſeeing they were not now judging him in any political way, but onelyonly cenſuring his doctrine and perſon: Nor yet is it Chriſts meaning in this place, to ſhew that he deveſts himſelf of that ſovereigne dominion and government that he hath over men, and all creatures, joyntly with the Father, of which Chap. 5. 22. for that he never quits; but his ſcope, is, to ſhew that he forbare the exerciſe of it, in ſome reſpects, for a time. And particularly, 1. That his chief errand in this his firſt coming, was not to judge men, but to purchaſe and offer ſalvation to loſt ſinners, Chap. 3. 17. and if any were condemned, it was but an accidental event flowing from mens own corruptions. 2. More eſpecially, now when they were judging him, he was not judging, but teaching and making rich offers; and therefore their carriage was more blame-worthy. Doctr. 1. Albeit malicious carpers, or other enemies, can do nothing to Chriſts prejudice, yet will he not paſſe the wrong intended by them in their endeavours, without a rebuke: Therefore, albeit he hath ſhewed that their cavils could not make void his teſtimony, yet he will challenge them for their attempt. 2. Raſh judging and cenſuring of Chriſt, his doctrine and way, is the ordinary fault of his enemies, and an injury which he will not endure at their hands; for, this is their particular attempt which he reproves, that they fell a judging. 3. Men by nature are ſo blinde and fleſhly, that their judgement of Chriſt and his matters is to be ſuſpected, and ſuch as juſtly deſerves a reproof from him; for, this was, in part, their fault, ye judge after the fleſh, or according to the dictates of your corrupt reaſon and hearts, which cannot perceive the things that are of God. 4. To judge of Chriſt according to viſible and outward appearances of his perſon or Kingdome, or according to our own prejudicate thoughts; is but a corrupt judgement, and ſuch as doth provoke him to anger; for this farther, and in particular, was their fault, in judging after the fleſh, when their prejudices and blinded judgements let them ſee no more of Chriſt then his outſide. 5. It is the will of God, that his ſervants be found in meekneſſe about their duty, when they are encountred with hard meaſure and unjuſt uſage from their enemies; for, ſo doth Chriſts example teach, who when they judged him, was judging no man, neither in the general exerciſe of his calling, nor at this Sermon in particular. 6. It ſpeaks Chriſts gracious condeſcendence unto loſt man, that he firſt aſſayes him with the ſweet offer of ſalvation in the Goſpel, to ſee how that will work, before he proceed to a ſentence of condemnation; for, ſaith he, I judge no man, in this my ſtate of humiliation, and at this time in particular. And albeit he ſpake ſometimes ſharply unto them, yet it tended but to drive them to his merciemercy. 7. Chriſts milde manner of dealing, even to his enemies, doth adde to their dittey, and aggravate their condemnation, who do not onelyonly ſleight, but oppoſe him; Therefore doth Chriſt mention this, to ſhew how great their guilt was, in malicious carping at him; ye judge after the fleſh, I judge no man.