Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture, Scripture 39

Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture · Scripture 39

p. 95THE GOSPELL OF S^t IOHN.

CAP. I.

IN and before the beginning of the world,1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. the Sonne of God who is the eternall, and essentiall Word of the Father, had a true and perfect being; and that word was coeternall with God the Father, and the holy Ghost; and that Word was in essence one and the same with God the Father, and the holy Spirit.

The same Word (though hee appeared not to the world,2 The same was in the beginning with God. untill the fulnesse of time) yet was from everlasting with God the Father, and of one essence with him.

He was the Almighty Creator of all things;3 All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. for the Father made all things by him; neither is, nor was there any thing that had a being in the world, but from and by him, and his omnipotent power.

He did not onelyonly give a being to the creature,4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. at the first, but he also gave, and doth still continue the life, and preservation of those things which he hath made, and as he hath both given and preserved a life to the rest of his creatures, so to man especially, hee hath pleased to give such a life, as is joyned with the light of understanding and knowledge, whereby hee may come to the sight and acknowledgement of him who is the author and giver of all good to him:

p. 965 And the light shineth in darkenesse, and the darknesse comprehendeth it not.It is true indeed, that the faculties of mans knowledge, and understanding, are now so overspred with darkenesse of ignorance and misconceit, that hee cannot rightly apprehend and conceive the things of God; yet the meanes of this divine knowledge are offered, and held forth unto him; howsoever the indisposition of mans depraved nature is such, that he doth not intertaine them, and make use of them accordingly.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was Iohn.There was a man fore-ordained and sent from God, to be the harbinger of that sonne of his into the world, whose name was (as it was fore-appointed by the Angel) John.

7 The same came for a witnesse, to beare witnesse of the light, that all men through him might beleeve.The same came purposely to beare witnesse of the truth of that Saviour, who is the light of the world; that through his testimony all men might be won to a beleefe in Christ their redeemer.

8 Hee was not that light, but was sent to beare witnesse of that light.This John was indeed a great and holy Prophet, but he was not that light, which God had fore-promised should shine forth into the world, for their redemption, and salvation; but was onelyonly sent to give testimonie to that Messiah, whose fore-runner he was.

9 That was the true light, which lighteth every man that commeth into the world.That blessed Messiah is hee, which was the true light that shined from heaven; and from whose beames every man in the world that hath any glimpse at all of right understanding, receiveth his illumination.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.He was for a time visibly here in the world, and though by his divine power the world was made, yet (so as he was shrouded in the state of a servant) the world did not know, nor acknowledge him.

11 Hee came unto his owne, and his owne received him not.He came to his owne creature man, and that in mans owne shape; hee came to his owne peculiar people, the Jewes, (having taken flesh from one of that nation) yet, his owne creature man, his owne countrymen, the Jewes received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave hee power to become the sonnes of God, even to them that beleeve on his name.But to so many of mankinde, as did by a true faith receive him, to them he gave this blessed priviledge, that whereas formerly they were aliens from God, and enemies to him, now, they should become the sonnes of God, heires of salvation.

13 Which were borne not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.To them, I say, which are truly regenerate: who besides their naturall birth from their earthly parents, of whom they received flesh, and blood, have beene borne againe, and from the Spirit of God have received a new life of grace; which no meanes of nature could possibly convey into them.

41 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father.And as this substantiall Word of the Father was from all eternitie, one Spirit with him and the holy Ghost, so p. 97in the time appointed by the determinate counsell of God, he came into the world, and tooke flesh upon him, and dwelt among us men, in a plaine, familiar, and sociable manner; yet so, as wee that were his inward and domesticall followers, and faithfull disciples, beheld (in that meane condition of his) many evident demonstrations of his glory and majesty, even such glory and majesty as was meete for the onelyonly begotten Sonne of the Eternall Father.

For we that are of our selves emptie of all good,16 And of his fulnesse have all we received, and grace for grace. have from his infinite bountie, received all the good gifts that we injoy, and those spirituall graces which were without measure in himselfe, hath he pleased in a due proportion to communicate unto us, in those severall measures and degrees which he knowes fit for us.

And if your thoughts flye backe to the ancient courses of Gods favour to his people by the hand of Moses, as if,17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Iesus Christ. under and by him, grace were conveied to men; yet know, that howsoever the Law was indeed given by the hand of Moses, yet as the truth of those promises which were shadowed out in the Law is accomplished, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, so the grace and power of performing all those good duties which the Law requireth, is onelyonly given by Christ, and wrought by his Spirit.

God is in his nature and essence altogether invisible,18 No man hath seene God at any time: the onelyonly begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him. as being an infinite Spirit; no man hath ever, or can with mortall and bodily eyes, see him; wee could never of our selves hope to attaine unto the knowledge of him; the onelyonly begotten Sonne therefore who is one with the Father, hath graciously revealed and declared the knowledge of him to the world; hee being the perfect image of his Father, by being himselfe manifested in the flesh, hath manifested God the Father unto mee.

I had no knowledge of him by any outward denotations;33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost. but the same God that sent me to baptize with water, gave me this charge, and revelation concerning him; That man upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit of God descending from heaven, in the forme of a dove, and remaining for some time, upon him, the same is that Messiah, whose forerunner thou art; hee it is onelyonly, that together with the outward element of water, can give the holy Ghost, both in the sanctifying and miraculous graces thereof.

I know thee already, Simon, who thou art,42 And he brought him to Iesus, and when Iesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the sonne of Iona; thou shalt bee called Cephas. even the sonne of Jona, an obscure father; but out of my foreknowledge p. 98also of what thou shalt be; both of that faith which I will give thee, and of that service wherein I shall imploy thee; I will give thee from henceforth a new name: thou shalt be called Cephas, or Peter &c.

46 Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, come and see.Is it possible, that either Galilee; or, therein the obscure village of Nazareth, should yeeld any such eminent good thing as that Messias of whom thou speakest? wee have learned to expect him out of Bethleem; and how is it then that thou namest him of Nazareth?

51 Hereafter, yee shall see heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending, and descending upon the Sonne of man.Hereafter yee shall see more cleare demonstrations of my divine power; for ye shall know, and finde, that the command of heaven is mine; so as, both I onelyonly open it to all beleevers, and doe thence familiarly command the ministration of Angells for the attendance of mee and mine; and at the last, yee shall see heaven open, and me the Sonne of man, comming in a glorious and dreadfull manner, to Judgement, with all the attendance of thousand thousands of Angels.

CAP. II.

THou, who art my parent according to the flesh, mayest justly looke for all due respects from me,4 Iesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine houre is not yet come. in all earthly occasions; but when it comes to divine matters, the businesses of my heavenly Father; it is not for thee to interpose thy selfe; the will of God is knowne to me, and the times are in his most wise and eternall counsell set, when my miraculous workes shall be done; it is not, as yet, proper, and seasonable for me, to doe that which thou requirest; but when I see my meet season for this act, I will accordingly effect it.

6 And there were set there sixe water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Iewes, containing two or three firkins apeece.And there were sixe large vessells of stone, for the receit of water, for those frequent washings, which the Jewish traditions had brought into use; each of them containing two or three firkins; so as the measure of them was great, and farre more than the proportion of that quantitie of liquor which the present necessitie might seeme to require.

11 This beginning of miracles did Iesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples beleeved on him.This was the first of those miracles which he wrought, with intention of the publike notice of the world, for the manifestation of his glory, in the execution of this publike office of the Messias; and his disciples, upon the sight hereof, beleeved in him.

p. 99See Matth. 26.61.19 Iesus answered and said unto them, destroy this Temple, &c.

Many beleeved in him,24 But Iesus did not commit himselfe unto them, because he knew all men. but Jesus did not relie upon their fidelity, because hee knew all the hearts of men: and therefore well understood, who were truly affected to him, and who were false and hollow; notwithstanding their pretences of reverence, and kinde respects to him.

CAP. III.

THe same man, being on the one side,2 The same came to Iesus by night, & said unto him, Rabbi; wee know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can doe these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. desirous to hold his reputation with the Jewes, and especially them of his own sect; & on the other side, one who secretly honoured Jesus, and willing to be his disciple, came to Jesus by night, and said; Master, howsoever the envie of thine enemies is ready both to denie thee thy due, and to cast false imputations upon thee, yet wee doe well know thou art a teacher sent from God; for it is not possible for any man to doe those miracles which thou doest, but by a divine power.

Thou hast indeed given a true confession of mee;3 Iesus answered, and said unto him; verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be borne againe, hee cannot see the kingdome of God. but this is not enough, without a reall change wrought in thy soule; let me therefore most certainely assure thee, that except a man bee regenerate and borne anew, he is not fit for that spirituall life, and holy profession, which is required of the children of God.

Except a man bee borne againe by the effectuall working of Gods Spirit, as by the Author of this new birth;5 Iesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man bee borne of water, and of the Spirit, hee cannot enter into the kingdome of God. and, (in the ordinary course of Gods proceedings, in his Church) by the water of Baptisme, as the signe appointed by God in the Sacrament of our regeneration, hee cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven.

Wee receive nothing of our fleshly parents,6 That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is borne of the Spirit, is Spirit. but a corrupt nature; neither can they convey any thing into us, but what they have; if wee will have any goodnesse, or grace, it must be wrought in us by the Spirit of God; which onelyonly can bring forth effects like it selfe, spirituall and holy.

Let it not seeme so strange a thing unto thee,7 Marvell not that I said unto thee; Yee must be borne againe. as if it were past thy beleefe, that I said, Yee must be borne againe.

It is not for us to measure the workes of God by our owne conceit, & comprehension; How possible is it,8 The winde bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it commeth, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is borne of the Spirit. that p. 100wee may bee borne againe by the Spirit of God, and yet can give no account of the manner how it is done. Even in naturall things we see it to be thus: the winde bloweth at uncertainties from al coasts; thou hearest the sound &c. How much more is it so in the supernaturall workes of God; his Spirit moves where and how it pleaseth, and no man can understand the secret operation thereof.

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speake that we doe know, and testifie that we have seene, and ye receive not our witnesse.Both my selfe, and the Prophets that have beene before mee, speake that which wee know to bee the truth of God; and testifie that which both hee hath revealed to us, and which wee have experimentally felt in our selves, but yee that are carnally minded, and worldly wise, finde no savour in our words, and beleeve not our witnesse.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye beleeve not: how shall yee beleeve, if I tell you of heavenly things?And if, while I have onelyonly discoursed to thee of these principles of Christianity, which both our inlightned reason, and experience can easily make good, thou beleevest not; but findest such difficulties, both in apprehension, and assent, what liklihood, yea possibility, is there that thou shouldst beleeve me, when I shal tell thee of the greatest mysteries of salvation, and of those high and incomprehensible matters of another world?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came downe from heaven: even the Sonne of man which is in heaven.These are things whereof no man can tell thee, but he that hath beene in heaven; and no man hath beene there to see them, but hee that is now comne downe from heaven: even that Sonne of man (that talketh with thee) who in respect of his Deitie is still in heaven.

14, 15. And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wildernesse; even so must the Sonne of man be lifted up: that whosoever beleeveth in him, should not perish, but have eternall life.And as the brazen Serpent was erected by Moses in the wildernesse, for the cure of those Israelites, that were stung with the fiery serpents, there; So must the Sonne of man be lifted up, on the crosse, that all they, who are envenomed by that old serpent the Devill, and stung with the conscience of their sinnes, looking up unto him, by a true faith, may bee healed, and live for ever.

17 For God sent not his Sonne into the world, to condemne the world, but that the world through him might be saved.It was not the end, and intention that God had in sending his Sonne into the world, that the world should be condemned for not beleeving in him; but his holy and gracious drift, and purpose therein was, that the world of mankind should by him bee saved, in that by a lively faith, they apprehend that all-sufficient Redeemer.

18 Hee that beleeveth on him, is not condemned, but he that beleeveth not, is condemned already.Whosoever beleeveth in him, how great soever his unworthinesse, and iniquity bee, yet shall not come into condemnation: but hee that beleeveth not, is in a certaine way of inevitable condemnation; and is left without all remedy, in a state of eternall death, &c.

p. 101And this is that which brings just condemnation upon the world of unbeleevers; that,19, 20. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkenesse rather than light, because their deeds were evill: for every one that doth evill, hateth the light. whereas the Sonne of God is comne into the world, and hath sent his Gospell, the meanes of mans salvation abroad, into the world; yet, that men are so wedded to their owne corruptions, that they had rather to continue in their ignorance, and their knowne sinnes, than embrace the truth of God, and suffer the word of God to have his full effect in them; in which condition, whiles they doe still persist, it cannot be otherwise, but they must needs hate that good word of God, whereby their wickednesse is controled; for every one that doth evill hateth the light, &c.

And there hee tarried with them,22 And there he tarried with them, and baptized. and by the hands of his disciples, baptized many.

It is strange that ye should still move these questions,27, 28. Iohn answered and said: a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye your selves beare me witnesse, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. after yee have had so full information from mee; but I well see it is not in the meanes; except God teach the heart from heaven, by his Spirit, all our instruction prevailes not: ye your selves can beare me witnesse, that I did alwaies disclaime this honour, and said still; I am not the Christ whom ye expect, I am onelyonly his servant, & messenger, which am sent before to make way for him.

It is he who is the true, and onelyonly Bride-groome,29 Hee that hath the bride, is the bridegroome: but the friend of the bridegroome, which standeth and heareth him, rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. and husband of his spouse, the Church: this honour is proper to him therefore to injoy her, whom hee hath chosen, and betrothed to himselfe in truth, and righteousnesse; as for me, and all other his faithfull servants, wee are the friends and attendants of this blessed Bridegroome; and therefore (as our duty is) wee wait upon him, and hold it to bee our greatest joy, and glory, that we heare his voice, and that wee see the happy successe of this his spirituall marriage.

I came but to notifie him unto the world,30 Hee must increase, but I must decrease. which when I have done, I doe most gladly give way and place to him, my God, and Saviour. His glory shall increase every day, more, and more, in that hee shall bee knowne for the Sonne of God, by his irrefragable miracles; my name and honour shall decrease every day, (by the growth of his) in that the world shall finde themselves mistaken in reputing mee the Messias, whom they shall now know to be onelyonly a servant to this Christ, whom I fore-runne and proclaime.

It is he that commeth from above,31 Hee that commeth from above, is above all, hee that is of the earth, is earthly, & speaketh of the earth; hee that commeth from heaven is above all. and therefore justly hath this preeminence, that hee is above all; as for me, and such as I am, we (howsoever our mission is from above) are but from the earth, weake, earthly creatures; p. 102and being full of infirmities, speake as we are; when we speake, as of our selves, wee speake nothing but earthly things; but he being of the eternall substance of the Father, is farre above all finite creatures, and therefore justly challengeth all answerable respects from us.

33 He that received his testimony, hath set to his seale, that God is true.He that hath beleeved, & received this infallible testimony, which Christ giveth to himselfe from his Father; hath seconded the truth of God, and is so graciously accepted of him, that hee is pleased to hold himselfe honoured by his subscription to, and obsignation of his divine truth.

34 For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.For this Sonne of God, whom the Father hath sent into the world, speaketh onelyonly the words of God; for God hath not in any finite measure communicated the graces of his Spirit unto him, as he hath done to us, men; but hath indued him with an infinite proportion thereof, as in whom the Godhead dwelleth bodily.

CAP. IIII.

4 And he must needs goe thorow Samaria.SAmaria lay right in his way from Judea to Galilee.

10 If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that faith to thee; Give me to drinke, thou wouldest have asked of him, & he would have given thee living water.If thou knewest what a gift it is, that God hath bestowed upon the world, in giving his Sonne to and for it; &, if thou couldst conceive that it is the same Son of God that saith unto thee, Give mee to drinke; thou wouldest rather have begged of mee, and I would have given thee those spirituall waters of heavenly Doctrine, and divine grace, which arise from that living fountaine, and spring forth to eternall life.

11 The woman saith unto him; Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, & the well is deepe: from whence then hast thou that living water.The woman scoffingly replied unto him: Sir, you talke of living waters; where are they? These that are here before you, for ought I see, are out of your reach: the well is deepe, and you have nothing to take them up with; What doe you therefore tell me of other living waters better than these? whence should you have them?

12 Art thou greater than our father Iacob?Are you a greater, and better man than our father the holy Patriarch Jacob, &c.?

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall bee in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.But whosoever drinketh of this spirituall water, receiving into his soule my heavenly Doctrine, and those holy graces of sanctification, which I give to all mine, shall never have cause to complaine of thirst any more: for that Spirit of mine which I shall give him, shall not only refresh him for the present, but shall continue his unspeakeable p. 103comforts, till he shall be possessed of eternall life.

The woman still scorning him, said; Sir,15 The woman saith unto him; Sir, give mee this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. It were a good matter to light upon this soveraine water; that thou talkest of; where is it? or how should I come by it? I pray thee bestow some of it upon me, that I may save this labour of drawing, and trouble of thirsting any more.

Thou hast had five husbands in succession,18 For thou hast had five husbands, and hee whom thou now hast, is not thy husband, in that saidest thou truely. one after other; and now, thou livest in an adulterous manner, with one to whom thou wert never married; so as this can is but thy husband in pretence, not truly & lawfully, &c.

Sir, I perceive by this speech of thine,19, 20. The woman saith unto him; Sir, I perceive that thou art a Prophet; our fathers worshiped in this mountaine, and ye say, that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to worship. that thou art a Prophet, and canst tell strange, and absent, and future things: Tell me then, what saiest thou to the maine question, that is betweene us Samaritanes, and ye Jewes, concerning the worship of God; wee worship God in the Temple built upon this mount Garizim, and we have by our fathers beene taught so to doe; yee contend that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her; Woman,21 Iesus saith unto her, Woman, beleeve me, the houre commeth when yee shall neither in this mountaine, nor yet at Ierusalem, worship the Father. this circumstance of place shall not bee long stood upon; Beleeve mee, ere long there shall bee no strict limitations of place at all; so as that Gods worship should bee confined to mount Garizim, or to Jerusalem.

Yee Samaritans,22 Yee worship yee know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Iewes. having mingled your religion with manifold superstitions, and foule errours, have no true ground for the worship of God, neither indeed doe yee know what yee worship. Wee Jewes worship God according to the prescript of his owne Law, (in regard of the maine substance of religion.) Herein therefore we goe beyond you Samaritans, that with the Jewes as his peculiar people hath God made that his covenant of grace and salvation; and that of their flesh and bloud is that Messias, which bringeth salvation to the world.

But the time is now at hand,23 But the houre commeth, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit, and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. when men shall not bee so straitly confined to places, and to outward rites, and ceremonies; but, the true worshipers of God shall lift up pure hands, every where, and without regard of these legall observations, shall worship God the Father, in Spirit, and truth; inwardly, and sincerely. For God takes pleasure in such suppliants, not regarding those that are altogether for outward formalities.

We men, that are but flesh;24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and truth. it is no marvell if we bee pleased with outward and carnall rites; but as for God, he is a Spirit; and therefore must needs like that service, p. 104which is most agreeable to his nature, spirituall; those then that would worship him to purpose, must worship him not formally, but in truth; not outwardly, but in spirit.

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias commeth, which is called Christ: when hee is come hee will tell us all things.I, that am a woman, and a Samaritan, yet have beene so farre instructed in that part of religion which is common to us, with the Jewes, as that I know the Messias is now upon comming, even hee that is called the Christ; and that hee when he comes, will tell us all things.

35 Say not ye, there are yet foure moneths, and then commeth harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes and looke on, &c.It is meet and requisite that I should take all oportunities of doing my Fathers will; even as when the corne is ripe, and the eares are white to the harvest, men neglect no time to reape it, and gather it in.

56 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternall, that both hee that soweth, and hee that reapeth, may rejoyce together.Wh…rein also yee my Disciples ought to imitate my seasonable care, and diligence, for your owne comfort and happinesse; for as in the harvest, he that reapeth, and gathereth in the corne, receiveth wages accordingly; so yee that labour in this spirituall harvest, shall be sure of the reward of eternall life; that so both those that have begun this good worke, and ye that finish it, may rejoice together in your happie successe.

37 And herein is that saying true: one soweth, and another reapeth.Many hands are imployed in this great service, according to that usuall saying; One soweth, and another reapeth.

38 I sent you to reape that, whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entred into their labours.I sent others before you, both the ancient Prophets, and John Baptist, and my seventie Disciples, to sow the seeds of Evangelicall doctrine in the hearts of men; and now ye are sent to perfect those good beginnings which they have made; So as yee shall reape the fruit and comfort of that good counsell, and holy labours, which have beene bestowed by others.

CAP. V.

1 After this there was a feast of the Iewes, and Iesus went up to Ierusalem.NOt long after this, was the Jewish feast of Pentecost, at which time, and upon which occasion, Jesus (according to the law) went up to Jerusalem.

4 For an Angell went downe at a certaine season into the poole, & troubled the water, &c:For an Angell went downe, at some seasons appointed by God (though not fixed, and foreknowne by men) and in testimony of his descent, and presence, moved, and troubled the water of the poole; whosoever then first, &c.

17 But Iesus answered them, my father worketh hitherto, and I worke.But Jesus answered, and said, It would be very injurious in you, to thinke, that the divine workes of God my heavenly Father, or those of mine, whereby I approve p. 105my Deitie to the world, are any violation at all of the Sabbath day: rather, that day serves to set forth and celebrate these wonderfull workes, both of him and mee.

Yee fixe your eyes upon mee, as a meere man,19 Then answered Iesus and said unto them, verily, verily I say unto you, the Sonne can do nothing of himselfe, but what he seeth the Father doe: for what things soever hee doth, these also doth the Sonne likewise. and looke no further then the flesh that you see; but herein ye are fouly deceived; it is the power of my invisible Godhead, whereby I doe these wonderfull workes; for I and the Father are one indivisible essence, and our acts are no lesse inseparable; The Sonne can doe nothing without the will, and act of the Father; and even as hee is man, can doe nothing, but what he seeth agreeable to the will and purpose of his heavenly Father.

For God the Father loveth the Sonne (even as man) and enableth him to all his wonderfull workes which he doth;20 For the Father loveth the Sonne, and sheweth him all things: and hee will shew him greater workes than these, &c. and will by his power and authority cause him to produce greater workes than yee have yet seene, that ye may yet more be astonished with wonder.

For the Father (as by himselfe immediately) judgeth no man,22 For the Father judgeth no man: but hath committed all judgement unto the Sonne. but hath committed the power and managing of this worke unto the Sonne; so as the Father by the Sonne judgeth the world.

Ye looke upon mee as a mere man,30 I can of mine owne selfe do nothing: as I heare I judge: and my judgement is just, because I seek not my owne will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. not knowing or considering that relation which I have to the Father, and that Deitie which is veiled under this flesh: know yee therefore that (in that humane state which I have assumed) I can of my selfe do nothing; but according to that I am directed, by that powerfull and all-wise Godhead; from the information whereof I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seeke not to please my owne will (as man) but the will of my eternall Father, which hath sent mee.

If I should yeeld you this,31, 32. If I beare witnesse of my selfe, my witnesse is not true; for there is another that beareth witnesse of mee. that my testimony concerning my self is not to be admitted; (as indeed amongst meere men that rule is but just and equall) ye know that ye have no reason to presse this upon mee; for there is another that beareth witnesse of mee, &c.

Yee sent unto John to know his judgement of mee;33 Ye sent unto Iohn, and he bare witnesse unto the truth. ye had not sent to him, if ye had not ascribed too much to the authority of his testimony; and behold, ye know that he bare witnesse to the truth; and pointed unto mee as that Lambe of God, which taketh away the sinnes of the world.

But it is not any humane testimony that I stand upon,34 But I receive not testimony from man, but these things I say, that ye might be saved. neither is it the approbation of any mortall man, that can adde any thing to mee, but I speake this for your conviction, that ye may be induced to acknowledge the truth, and be saved.

p. 10635, 36. Hee was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light: but I have greater witnesse than that of Iohn: for the workes which the Father hath given mee to finish, &c.John was indeed a zealous and holy man; one that gave great light to Gods Church in his time, burning with fervent affections, and shining with heavenly doctrine, and exemplary sanctimonie, and ye were willing for a season, to professe your hearty respects to him, and your thankfull and glad acceptance of his doctrine.

But I rest not in his testimony; I have greater witnesse, &c.

37 And the Father him selfe which hath sent mee, hath born witnesse of me, ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seene his shape.And the Father himselfe, which hath sent mee, hath borne witnesse of mee, both in that voice which was heard from heaven in my Baptisme; and in the attestation of his Prophets, and in all the types and figures of his law. But as for you, ye have nothing to doe with that eternall Father of mine, ye have no notice of him at all, either by his voice, or any whatsoever representation hee hath made of himselfe.

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye beleeve not.Ye have not given that respect and beleefe to his word, which yee ought; for that Messiah whom the Law and the Prophets do so clearely set forth, and commend unto you, as sent from God, yee do wilfully reject.

39 Search the Scriptures, for in them yee thinke ye have eternall life, and they are they which testifie of me.Search the Scriptures, for yee professe to make high account of them; and do justly thinke in them to finde eternall life; and they are my witnesses; I desire no other testimony but theirs.

40 And yee will not come to me, that ye might have life.And yet, though by them ye be directed unto mee, as the onelyonly fountaine of life, yet ye will not come to mee by a true faith, that ye might have life from me.

41 I receive not honour from men.Do not thinke that I set forth my selfe unto you, as if I affected to be honoured by you; no, it is not reputation, and honour from men that I regard.

42 But I know you, that yee have not the love of God in you.Much lesse from you, whom I know to be altogether void of the love of God.

43 I am come in my Fathers name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his owne name, him ye will receive.For if ye did love God, ye would gladly receive mee, who am come to you in the name and authority of that my heavenly Father: but now ye receive me not; whereas, if a false Prophet shall come in his owne name, and of his owne head, ye will be apt enough to intertaine and follow him.

44 How can ye beleeve which receive honour one of another, and seeke not the honour that commeth from God onelyonly.But ye are ready to say; were the matter so plain as you pretend, why should not wee believe, as well as others? we are sure that wee know more then the common sort, why should wee not equally imbrace that truth which appeareth unto us? Let me tell you, it is your pride and ambition that lyes in your way: This grace of faith is given to the meeke and humble; as for you Scribes and Pharisees, ye are all for your owne vaine glory; all yee care for, is to be honoured of each other, and to surpasse p. 107each other in titles and reputation with men; not regarding that true honour which commeth from God onelyonly.

Ye shall one day give an account,45 Do not thinke that I will accuse you to the Father, there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom ye trust. before the Tribunall seat of God, of this stiffe incredulitie of yours, but do not thinke that I shall neede to be your accuser there; no, there is one that shall rise up to accuse you; even hee whom yee unjustly pretend and challenge for your Patron, Moses.

There will need no other conviction of you,46 For had ye beleeved Moses, ye would have beleeved me: for hee wrote of mee. then the writings of Moses, who hath given therein abundant testimonie of mee; so as had yee but beleeved Moses, yee would have beleeved mee.

But if yee beleeve not his writings which ye confesse to be so authenticall, and beyond all exception;47 But if ye beleeve not his writings, how shall ye beleeve my words. how is it like yee will beleeve my words which yee are ready to sleight, and prejudge.

CAP. VI.

WHen Jesus perceived the inclination of the people,15 When Iesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a King, hee departed againe into a mountaine himselfe alone. that they (being perswaded he was the Messias, and supposing that he must therefore be a temporall king over Israel) would goe about to force him to receive this honour from them; he withdrew himselfe; and departed againe into a mountaine himselfe alone.

Hee caused the ship by an extraordinary speed,21 And immediately the ship was at the land whither, &c. to come to land.

Which bread of life the Sonne of man shall give unto you:27 Which the Sonne of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. for him hath God the Father designed to this office of his Mediatorship; and hath given abundant proofe of his concurrence with him in this great worke.

Then said they unto him,28 Then said they unto him. What shall wee doe, that we might worke the workes of God? Dost thou thinke that wee have not a due care of attaining eternall life? yes doubtlesse, wee slacke no indeavour that might further us thereunto; what worke is there that may be acceptable to God, or is required by him, which we are not willing, and forward to performe?

Verily I say unto you;32 Then Iesus said unto them, verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread, from heaven. it was not the true heavenly bread that Moses gave you; that was but a bodily food, for the nourishing of the present life; but the bread, which my Father giveth you, is truly heauenly, and nourisheth the soule to an eternall life.

For that bread,33 For the bread of God, is hee which commeth downe from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. which my Father gives for the feeding of his Church, is his onelyonly Sonne which p. 108commeth downe from heaven into the world; and giveth a spirituall life to all beleevers.

35 And Iesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: hee that commeth to me shall never hunger.I am that true bread of life, which nourisheth the soule everlastingly; hee that commeth to me by a lively faith, and partaketh of mee, shall never have cause to complaine of spirituall hunger, &c.

36 But I said unto you, that yee also have seene me, and beleeve not.But I have told you (to your just shame and rebuke) that your incredulity is so much the more hatefull; for that having had so cleare manifestations of my divine power, yet ye beleeve not.

37 All that the Father giveth mee, shall come to me, and him that commeth to mee I will in no wise cast out.But it is not in the power of your perversenesse, to make my word and miracles ineffectuall; for (however incredulous ye prove your selves) yet all that the Father giveth to mee, shall and will beleeve in mee; and him that doth by a true faith lay hold on mee, I will in no wise abandon and cast off.

38 For I came downe from heaven, not to doe mine owne will, but the will of him that sent me.Which gratious preservation of mine elect children comes within the compasse of the very intention of my comming downe from heaven; for I came downe thence to do (not my owne will, but) the will of my Father that sent mee.

39, 40. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, and this is the will of him that sent me, &c.And this is the will of my heavenly Father that sent me, that all mine should be infallibly raised to life, and that every one which knoweth the Sonne, and feeleth the power of his Spirit, and beleeveth in him, may certainly come to everlasting life, &c.

Doe not murmur thus against my person, as if this imagined impossibilitie of descending from heaven lay on my part;44 No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. and not rather on your owne; the truth is, that all the default is in your unbeleefe; and this unbeliefe is naturall to you, and deeply fixed in your corrupt disposition; insomuch as no man can come to mee, by the foot of a true faith, except my Father which sent me, inlighten his understanding, and powerfully incline his will, and affections thereunto; and that man, whom he shall so worke upon, shall be sure that I will perfect his salvation, and raise him up to glory, at the last day.

45 It is written in the Prophets, and they shall be taught of God: every man therefore that, &c.Every one that hath duly received the doctrine of my Gospell, and hath effectually learned the same, is thereby wrought to beleeve in mee.

46 Not that any man hath seene the Father, save he which is of God, hee hath seene the Father.As no man can come to mee, but by the grace, and lively inoperation of my Father, so none can attaine to the perfect knowledge of the Father (and reveale the same to mankinde) but onelyonly that Sonne of his, who is of the same essence with him; hee hath, in a manner incommunicable to any creature, seene that eternall Father.

p. 109Yee speake of the bread which your fathers did eate;48, 49, 50. I am the bread of life; your fathers did eate Manna in the wildernesse, and are dead; this is the bread which commeth downe from heaven, that a man may eate thereof, and not die. I tell you, I am that true bread of life, which was figured by their Manna.

That Manna which your Fathers did eate of in the wildernesse was such, as could not preserve them from dying; but such vertue shall ye finde in mee, who was prefigured by that Manna, as that whosoever feedes on mee shall never dye.

Your Manna as it had no life in it selfe,51 I am the living bread which came downe from heaven, if any man eate of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. so it could give none; I am that true life-giving bread, which came down from heaven; if any man feed on this living bread, hee shall live for ever; Neither shall yee need to goe seeke farre for this bread: for the bread that I will give, is this very flesh of mine, which I will offer, upon the crosse, for mans redemption, this is it which your soules shall feede on, whiles by the meanes of this humanitie of mine, is conveyed unto you all my righteousnesse, and the full efficacie of my Deitie, for the quickening of them to life everlasting.

The Jewes therefore, mistaking the words of Christ,52 The Iewes therefore strove among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eate. as literally spoken, of a carnall and bodily manducation, argued with themselves; How can this be made good, which hee speaketh? how is it possible that this man should give us his flesh to eate? or how should that flesh be bread?

Then Jesus knowing their secret murmurings,53 Then Iesus said unto them; verily verily I say unto you, except ye eate the flesh of the Sonne of man, and drinke his blood, ye have no life in you. said unto them; Never thinke it so strange, that I have told you concerning the eating of my flesh; for I tell you yet againe, except yee do so, by a true and lively faith communicate of my flesh and my blood, as that you are incorporated thereinto, yee can have no spirituall life in you.

Whosoever thus partaketh of my flesh, and my blood,54 Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternall life, &c. as that he hath this spirituall communion with me, that man hath already a true right to eternall life, &c.

For my flesh is indeed a true spirituall meat,55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drinke in…eed. and my blood is a true spirituall drinke, whereby the soule of the true beleever is really nourished to eternall life.

He that thus partaketh of my flesh and blood,56 Hee that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in mee, and I in him. becommeth one with mee, and I with him: neither is there any other way, or meanes of his happy communion with mee.

Do not fixe your eyes too much upon this visible humanitie of mine,57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth mee, even he shall live by me. but know that this power of giving life, is derived to mee from that my living Father in heaven, which hath sent mee, and hath given mee this life of the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh: by vertue p. 110whereof, it is, that as he gives life unto mee, so I doe also give a spirituall life to whosoever shall thus partake of me.58 This is that bread which came downe from heaven, &c.

See verse 48, 49, 50.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said; this is an hard saying, who can heare it?Many therefore of his Disciples, when they had heard these words, taking them in a carnall, and literall sense, said; This is an hard and harsh doctrine; who can tell what to make of it, or how to take it?

61, 62. When Iesus knew in himselfe that his disciples murmured at it, hee said unto them, doth this offend you? what and if ye shall see the Sonne of man, ascend up where hee was before.The disciples made no open complaint of this their exception, and scandall; but when Iesus, the searcher of hearts, knew in himselfe, that his disciples murmured at his doctrine, he said unto them; Doe ye stumble at this saying of mine, I doe well know that the ground of your offence is the meane estimation of this humanity of mine; by the power whereof yee measure by your outward senses, making no difference betwixt me, and other men; what will yee say then, if ere long your eyes shall be witnesses of another manner of condition of mine, than you thinke of; if you shall behold me (the Sonne of man) ascending up by the power of my Deity into heaven, to take a repossession of that glory which I eternally enjoyed there.

63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speake unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.Ye are ready to mistake my words, of a fleshly kinde of eating my body; wherein ye doe grossely erre: for it is not my flesh, considered simply of it selfe (without respect to the Spirit) that can availe you to this happy nourishment; but it is the Spirit of the Almightie, and eternall Godhead, (whereto this body is inseparably united) which gives this soveraigne vertue unto it. And even so is it also in my Doctrine; it is not the outward sound of my words, wherein ye are to rest, and to seeke comfort; but it is the inward and spirituall sense of them; thus taken, they shall bee found to have sweetnesse, and life in them.

66 From that time many of his disciples went backe, & walked no more with him.From that time forth, many of those his fashionable disciples, taking this unjust offence at his holy Doctrine, went away from him, and followed his traine no more.

70 Iesus answered them, have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devill.Whiles the rest are gone, ye twelve sticke close unto me; and indeed I have singled you out to the honour of a more neare attendance upon mee; yet even this small number of yours must be abated; for, howsoever yee all make faire professions, yet one of you is a very devill in his heart, and will ere long manifest his wickednesse in act.

p. 111CAP. VII.

HIs kinsemen therefore said unto him;3 His brethren therefore said unto him, depart hence, and goe into Iudea, that the disciples also may see the workes that thou doest. what doest thou here in this obscure corner of Galilee; Go thy waies up to the famous and frequent City of Jerusalem, where all the confluence is of the Tribes of Israel, and Proselytes from all parts, that thou maiest winne, and confirme thy disciples with thy miracles.

It is not yet a seasonable time for me to goe up to Jerusalem; ye may goe when you please;6, 7. My time is not yet come; but your time is alway ready: the world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testifie of it, &c. all times are alike to you. The world is your friend, and favours you in your designes; but mee it hateth, because I reprove the wickednesse of it.

No man spake openly in his approbation, and defence;13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him, for feare of the Iewes. for feare of the censure of the Jewish Rulers; which had decreed to excommunicate any man that should professe respect unto him.

I doe not deliver the doctrine which I teach,16 Iesus answered them, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. as my owne, but as my heavenly Fathers, which hath sent me.

If any man shall, with a simple and honest heart,17 If any man will do his will hee shall know of the Doctrine, whether it bee of God, or whether I speake of my selfe. yeeld himselfe over to doe the will of my Father, according to the measure of that he knowes, God shall incourage and blesse that man with further light; so as hee shall fully know whether my Doctrine be of God, or of my selfe.

I have done one charitable and miraculous worke on the Sabbath day, namely the cure of a palsie man,21 I have done one worke, and ye all marveile. and ye are all wondering, and yet mutinying at it.

Under the Law of Moses,22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision, (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. ye were injoyned circumcision, (not that Moses was the first instituter thereof, but God to our father Abraham,) and yee doe without scruple practise it accordingly, even upon the Sabbath day.

Looke seriously into the true state,24 Iudge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement. and ground of things: and doe not judge according to fancy, or outward appearances; but esteeme of things as they really are.

Is it out of guiltinesse that our Rulers are thus silent?26, 27. But loe, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit wee kow this man whence he is: but when Christ commeth, no man knoweth whence hee is. Doe they know indeed that this is the very Christ? If they doe so, sure we thinke they mis-know him; for we have learnt that when the Messias comes, no man shall know, or declare his generation; but for this man, wee know his kindred and pedigree.

p. 11228 Then cried Iesus in the Temple as hee taught, saying; ye both know me, and yee know whence I am, and I am not come of my selfe, but hee that sent mee is true, whom yee know not.Yee mutter secretly that ye know me, and the place of my birth, and my parentage; but yee are utterly mistaken; for I have a Father in heaven, whom yee know not; I came not of my selfe, but my Father is he that sent me, who is the God of truth, of whom ye, after all your pretences of knowledge, are utterly ignorant.

29 But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath sent me.But I doe perfectly know him, as I have good reason; for both I am from him by eternall generation, and by him sent into the world to doe this great worke of redemption.

33 Then said Iesus unto them, yet a little while am I with you, and then I goe unto him that sent me.Ye seeke to lay hands on me; but know that my time is set; it shall not bee long ere I put an end to this your contempt and persecution; and departing from you, shall returne to my Father that sent me.

34 Ye shall seeke me, and shall not finde me; and where I am, thither yee cannot come.Then yee my persecutors shall seeke mee in vaine, for ye shall not finde me; I shall be quite out of your reach, and where I am, thither can ye not come.

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Iesus stood and cried, saying; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drinke.In the last day of the feast, which day they called the Great Hosanna: Jesus stood and tooke occasion by their solemne fetching up of water from the Well of Siloa (at the foot of mount Sion) for their sacrifices, and libations, to speake of better waters; and cried, saying; If any man thirst spiritually, let him come to mee, and drinke.

38 He that beleeveth on mee, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.Hee that beleveth in mee, shall (according to the frequent promises, every where in the Scriptures) be abundantly blessed; and shall not onelyonly have much comfort in himselfe, but shall have such store of grace, and heavenly consolation in his heart, that hee shall bee able to yeeld forth abundance of it, unto others.

39 The holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Iesus was not yet glorified.The miraculous and sanctifying gifts of the holy Ghost were not as yet so fully given, as they were afterwards, when Jesus was received up into glory.

48. 49. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees beleeved on him? but this people who knoweth not the Law, are cursed.Were this man such as you pretend, doe yee thinke that the Rulers, and the Pharisees, men of better judgement than your selves, would not have discerned and acknowledged him? They know the Law, & according to that, judge infallibly; but this ignorant multitude that hath no insight into the Law of God, lies open to miserable seduction, and error, and is therein accursed.

p. 113CAP. VIII.

SInce you plead the Law against this offender,7 Hee that is without sinne among you, let him first cast a stone at her. I gainesay not; but am ready to second Moses herein; in the meane time, doe not yee prosecute that in her, whereof your selves are guilty; she hath well deserved to be stoned; but who shall be her executioners? If any of you be innocent, let his hand be first upon her.

Howsoever thou hast deserved,11 And Iesus said unto her, neither doe I condemne thee; Goe and sin no more. it is not mine office to passe sentence of condemnation upon thee; since therefore thine accusers are sent away by their owne guiltinesse; it is not for me to prosecute thee; Goe thy waies, repent thee of this great wickednesse, and take heed thou be not mis-carried into this sin any more.

Howsoever,14 Iesus answered, and said unto them, though I beare record of my selfe, yet my record is true, for I know whence I came, and whither I goe, but ye cannot tel whence I come, and whither I goe. in the ordinary course of humane proceedings, it is true that no mans testimony is to be taken concerning himselfe, yet in this case of mine, who am a divine person, exempted from all possibilitie of errour, God in the flesh, it is farre otherwise. Being such a one, though I doe beare record of my selfe, yet the record cannot but be true; for I, and I onelyonly know whence I came, even from the; bosome of mine eternall Father; and whither I am returning; even to the repossession of that glory; but ye (judging onelyonly according to the outward appearance) know neither of these.

Ye presume to judge according to your carnall affections;15 Yee judge after the flesh, I judge no man. and follow your outward senses in the judgements yee passe on me; and, in the meane time, will not endure me, who doe not challenge, or execute that power which I might, in judging you.

Not that I doe disclaime, or forsake that right;16 And yet if I judge, my judgement is true, for I am not alone, but I and the Father, that sent me. but make use of it when I see it meete; and whensoever I do judge any man, my judgement is true, and altogether infallible; and such, as whereby ye may be convinced, according to your owne rules; for I am not alone; the Father that sent me, is with me, and testifieth with me, and for me.

I am now shortly going away,21 Then said Iesus againe unto them, I goe my way, & yee shall seeke me, and shall die in your sins: whither I goe, ye cannot come. and removing from the earth; and then, in vaine shall ye seeke for help from mee, whom yee have despised; imploring the aid of the divine power of that Messias whom yee have rejected; justly therefore doe I cast you off, and suffer you to die in your sinnes; barring you out from my presence; for, whither I goe, yee shall never bee allowed to come.

Then said the Jewes;22 Then said the Iewes, will he kill himselfe? because hee saith, whither I goe, ye cannot come. what meanes this threat of his departure, whither we shall not come to him: Will hee p. 114kill himselfe? if hee doe, he shall indeed goe alone, wee list not to follow him on that condition.

23 And hee said unto them, ye are from beneath, I am from above.It is to no purpose to speake to you of heavenly things; ye cannot bee capable of my Doctrine; yee are altogether earthly and sensuall; and savour nothing but earthly things; I am from heaven, and my Doctrine is accordingly, &c.

24 For if ye beleeve not that I am hee, ye shall die in your sinnes.For if yee beleeve not that I am the Sonne of God, the true Messias, that should come to save the world, ye shall die in your sinnes.

25 And Iesus saith unto them, even the same that I said unto you, from the beginning.I am not one that is sudenly, and inexpectedly started forth into the world; but, that very Messias, who from the beginning of the world, was foretold, and fore-promised to mankinde.

26 I have many things to say, and to judge of you, but he that sent me is true, and I speake to the world those things which I have heard of him.If I minded to take advantage of your wickednesse, and infidelity, I have matter enough to accuse and condemne you for; but that is not my errand for which I came; onelyonly I must tell you, these contempts, and this unbeleefe of yours will not bee let goe unpunished; for my Father, that sent me, as he is truth it selfe, so hee will certainely make good that which I have delivered to the world, from him, and, that which hee hath spoken to the world by mee.

27 They understood not that hee spake to them of the Father.All this while, their understandings were so blinded, that they did not perceive that hee spake unto them, concerning God the Father, and that dreadfull judgement of his, before which they must appeare, and receive the due sentence of their obstinate unbeleefe.

28 Then said Iesus unto them, when ye have lift up the Sonne of man, then shall ye know, that I am he, and that I doe nothing of my selfe.When ye have lift up me, the Sonne of man, to the crosse, and have fastned me to that tree of shame, and curse, whereon I shall suffer an ignominous, and painefull death, ye shall then know, both by the miraculous signes which then shall appeare to the world, and by the wonderfull consequences of my glorious resurrection, and ascension, that I am that Messias, whom ye have expected; and that I am not a meere man, as yee now suppose, and that I doe nothing of my selfe &c.

29 And he that sent me is with mee; the Father hath not left me alone, for I doe alwaies those things that please him.The eternall Father that sent me, hee is inseparably with me; hee hath not left me alone; His Godhead is mine; I am one with him, and therefore I can doe nothing but that which is perfectly pleasing unto him.

31 Then said Iesus to those Iewes which beleeved on him, if ye continue in my word, then are yee my disciples indeed.I, who know your hearts, doe well see, that upon these words of mine, yee doe now beleeve in mee; but, take heed that this faith of yours bee not unsteddy and temporary; see that yee continue constant in the profession of my name, and then ye shall indeed bee my Disciciples.

p. 115And then yee shall have the truth of God further revealed unto you;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. and this divine Evangelicall truth shall so worke with you, that it shall blesse you with the liberty of the Sonnes of God; making you free from the bondage of sinne, and Satan, under which yee are now held.

What tellest thou us of freedome?33 They answered him, Wee bee Abrahams seed, and were never in bondage to any man, how sayest thou, ye shall be made free? tell this to the forlorne heathens, who are borne to servitude; as for us, we are the seed of faithfull Abraham, and that not of the bond-woman, but of the free: wee scorne the imputation of bondage; and abhorre the very name of it? why doest thou then tell us of being made free?

Indeed yee challenge a naturall freedome,34 Iesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoeuer committeth sinne, is the servant of sinne. but yee are morally slaves and vassalls; howsoever yee please your selves, ye are servants to a base Master, even Sinne; for whosoever yeelds himselfe over to the commission of sinne, as ye doe, is no other than a slave and vassall unto sinne.

Yee brag of your privileges, and liberty;35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Sonne abideth ever. but how long will this last? yee are in Gods family but as Ismael was in Abrahams; ye may challenge, and usurpe a kinde of liberty, and immunity; but it shall soone bee at an end, as his was; the truth is, ye are servants of sinne, and not Sonnes of God: and, it is not for a servant to make account of a perpetuall claime to the house, or stay in it; if ye be once the adopted Sonnes of God, yee may challenge a roome in his house, but as yee are, yee have none.

Neither shall yee attaine to this happy condition of spirituall freedome,36 If the Sonne therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. unlesse the Sonne of God doe invest you with it; your owne indeavours will but inthrale you more, his grace and mercy must onelyonly worke your deliverance.

I know ye are Abrahams seed, according to the flesh,37 I know that ye are Abrahams seed, but yee seeke to kill mee, because my word hath no place in you. but what will this availe you, whiles yee are strangers from the faith of Abraham, this is too plaine, in that ye seeke to kill mee, in whom Abraham beleeved, a wickednesse, which ye could never yeeld unto, if yee had given place to that saving word of mine, which hath beene delivered unto you: that very contempt of yours hath drawne upon you this hatefull sinne of your murderous intentions against me.

My Doctrine is such as I have received from my heavenly Father, and therefore holy, and divine:38 I speake that which I have seene with my Father: & ye do that which yee have seene with your father. your practises are such, as ye have received from that true father of yours, whom ye will bee very unwilling to acknowledge.

p. 11641 Wee be not borne of fornication, we have one Father, even God.We could not be true-borne, if wee had any other father then that one, whom we challenge; being the sonnes of Abraham, it must needes follow that wee are the Sonnes of God; OnelyOnly God therefore, who is the Father of faithfull Abraham, is the Father of us who are his true children.

43 Why do yee not understand my speech? even because yee cannot heare my words.I have spoken plaine enough to you; why doe ye not understand my speech? the fault is in none but in your selves; ye are so carried with prejudice, and dis-affection, that yee will not apply your mindes to listen unto that, which I deliver unto you.

44 Ye are of your father the devill.Pretend, and professe what ye will, I must point you to your true father; Ye are of your father the devill, &c.

44 When he speaketh a lye, hee speaketh of his owne: for hee is a lyar and the father of it.Hee is both a practiser of lies himselfe, and the author and cause of them in others; when he utters lyes, he doth but his kinde; if at any time he let fall a truth, that is but stolne, and usurped; his proper worke is both to lie, and to move lies in others.

51 If a man keepe my saying hee shall never see death.If a man keepe my saying; hee shall be surely freed from everlasting death.

56 Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.Your father Abraham by a lively faith foresaw this comming of mee, the Messias, and lived in that faith of his; and in that spirituall life rejoyced with joy unspeakable and glorious.

57 Then said the Iewes unto him, thou art not yet fiftie yeares old: and hast thou seene Abraham?Thou canst not so boast of age, as to make thy selfe neare fiftie yeares old; thou appearest to be much short of that; and hast thou lived so long as to have seene Abraham?58 Iesus said unto them, verily verily I say unto you, before Abraham was I am.

I tell ye, O ye fond Jewes, my being is not to be measured by my comming in the flesh; I am that God, which was and is from everlasting; Abraham had his being in time, mine is from eternitie, your fathers knew mee by the name of I AM, I am still so to you, yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever.

59 Then tooke they up stones to cast at him: but Iesus hid himselfe, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.But Jesus withdrew himselfe from them, and by his secret power so avoided their hands, as that they were not able (in his passage through the midst of them) to stay, or touch him.

CAP. IX.

2 And his Disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sinne, this man, or his parents, that hee was borne blinde?THere be these two things which we take for granted, The one that all punishment that is inflicted upon man, is for sinne; the other, that every mans soule hath p. 117formerly had a being in some other body; and hath passed from one to another; Now therefore, (these things presupposed) tell us, whose sinne it is that is punished with blindenesse in this man; was it his owne, whiles hee was in some other body, or was it his parents: for which hee is now thus from his very birth, blinde and miserable.

Howsoever ordinarily these outward afflictions are the just punishments for sinne;3 Iesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the workes of God should be made manifest in him. yet in this case it was not the respect to the sinne of any man whomsoever, that is the cause of this mans blindenesse, but the respect that God hath to his owne glory, that hereby occasion might be taken, to shew forth his great power and and mercy in his cure.

Whiles it pleaseth my heavenly Father (that sent me) to give mee opportunitie of life,4 I must worke the workes of him that sent me, whiles it is day: the night commeth when no man can worke. I must doe these great workes that hee hath designed mee unto; the night of death comes now shortly and fast on: then it will be no season to worke in this kinde any more.

The Sunne hath his daily course,5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. which when he hath finished, hee then withdraweth his light, and then the night succedeth; whiles my bodily presence is in the world, I am that true Sunne that inlightneth the world; but this Sunne of mine shall set; and then ye shall not expect from mee any more this visible and sensible illumination; that I should shew forth my Fathers glory by my personall miracles.

Goe, and wash in the poole of Siloam,7 Go wash in the poole of Siloam (which is by interpretation Sent) he went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. which is by interpretation, Sent: no other poole but that shall cure thee: neither could that doe it, but by my institution: it is my sending that gives that vertue, that successe, to these waters.

Do not so wrong God, as to rob him of his glory,24 Give God the praise, we know that this man is a sinner. in ascribing that to a sinfull man, which is due onelyonly to his glorious name: Never say that this man cured thee thus; hee is a sinner, we know: for he is a Sabbath breaker: God hath done it sure by some other meanes.

It is a strange thing,30 The man answered and said unto them, why herein is a marvelous thing, that yee know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. that yee who professe so much knowledge should be ignorant in so great and important a matter. I am but a simple man, yet I can easily see, and boldly affirme, that such a miracle as this is, cannot be wrought any other way than by a divine hand: and can a man be sent from God with such supernaturall power, and yet ye not know whence he is?

Never tell me (as ye doe) that this man is a sinner:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doth his will. we know and have bin so instructed by you, that God gives not to sinners such wonderfull graces, as this, to be able p. 118to give eyes to a man that never had them: yea, this is a thing that transcends all finite powers; and therefore do not cast so wrongfull an imputation upon him that hath done so great things for mee, &c.

33 If this man were not of God hee could doe nothing.If this man were not of God, in an extraordinary manner, as sent from him, assisted by him, it were not possible he should do such wonders.

34 They answered and said unto him, thou wast altogether borne in sinnes, and dost thou teach us? and they cast him out.Thou ignorant and presumptuous fellow; God had set a marke upon thee in thy very birth; therein proclaiming to the world, that thou hadst beene a sinner in thy former estate, ere thy soule entered into this body of thine; and doest thou take upon thee to teach us who are Masters in Israel? And they excommunicated him from their Synogogues.

39 And Iesus said, for judgement I am come into this world, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blinde.I am come to set right those things which are confused and disorderly in the world: and therefore, in much mercy, to illuminate those that are spiritually blinde; and in no lesse justice, to give those up to blinde ignorance, and spirituall darkenesse, which are fondly, and proudly misconceited of their knowledge and wisdome.

40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him, heard these words, and said unto him, are we blinde also?What dost thou strike at us in this speech of thine? canst thou not hold up thine owne reputation without disgracing of us: others, wee know, are blinde and ignorant enough, but dost thou cast this aspersion upon us?

41 Iesus said unto them, if yee were blinde, yee should have no sinne: but now ye say, wee see, therefore your sinne remaineth.If ye were blinde in your owne conceit: or were so indeed, for want of those helpes which are afforded unto others, your sin should be the lesse, and your fault should be both the more excusable, and more easily remedied: but now ye stand upon the opinion, and ostentation of your quicke sightednesse, ye make your selves uncapable of redresse; and can looke for no other, but that your proud contempt of Gods ordinances shall be required of you.

CAP. X.

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, hee that entreth not by the doore into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a theefe and a robber.VErily, verily, I say unto you: There are many that challenge to themselves the titles of your spirituall pastors; which indeed are no better then wolves to waste, and destroy the flocke. The Church is as a sheepefold, I am the doore of that sheepfold, by which every lawfully-called pastor must enter; if any man will be climbing up, over the walls, and endeavouring to enter by undue and unwarrantable meanes, upon the charge of the Church, that man is no other than a thiefe and a robber.

p. 119But he that is duly and lawfully called by mee,2 But he that entreth in by the doore is the sheepheard of the sheepe. hee is the true sheepheard of his Church.

To him,3 To him the porter openeth, and the sheepe heare his voice, and hee calleth his owne sheepe by name, and leadeth them out. God the Father (who is the porter of this spirituall doore) gives willing entrance and admission; and the people of God who are his sheepe, do willingly heare his voice; and hee is familiarly, and intirely acquainted with them, and leades them forth to the greene pastures of heavenly doctrine, and to the waters of comfort.

Hee leades them the way to heaven by wholsome doctrine, and holy example; and they follow him in both:4 And when he putteth forth his owne sheepe, he goeth before them, and the sheepe follow him: for they know his voice. for they are so instructed as that they can discerne his doctrine from errour, and heresie.

So verse 5.

I am that doore of my Church,7 Then said Iesus unto them againe, verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the doore of the sheepe. through which every one that hopes for true comfort in this holy function must enter; and by whom every one that would attaine salvation must necessarily passe.

So verse 9.

All that have heretofore taught any doctrines contrary to mine,8 All that ever came before mee are theeves and robbers: but the sheepe did not heare them. or that have indeavoured to draw away the hearts of men, to the beleefe of those doctrines, which have not had a reference to mine, (as if men could bee saved against, or without mee) shortly, all that ever have taught in their owne name, they are deceivers and robbers, but those that are my true and faithfull people, did not give any regard to them.

He that is not the true shepheard,18 But hee that is an hireling, and not the sheepheard whose owne the sheepe are not. seeth the wolfe comming, and leaveth the sheepe, and fleeth. but takes upon him that calling, for the advantage of an outward commodity; who doth but tend another mans flocke for an hyre, will not adventture his life for their safetie; but when hee seees a danger comming, will run away, and shift for himselfe, leaving his sheepe to the mercy of the wolfe, &c.

Ye my chosen people of the Jewes are now my known,16 And other sheepe I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall heare my voice, and there shall be one fold and one sheepheard. and noted flocke: but I have other sheepe also besides you, even the Gentiles, which are not of your fold; but shall have a fold of their owne, a more famous Church then yours: these must I ere long bring home out of the waste deserts of the world: and they shall heare the voice of my Gospell: and by the power thereof shall be united into one body of the Church, with you; so as Jewes p. 120and Gentiles shall make up one holy Catholick Church, under me their one onelyonly head.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay downe my life that I might take it againe.Howsoever, the love of my Father to me, as his eternall Sonne, is infinite every way, and not capable of the limits of time, or measure; yet as man, and as Mediator betweene him and man, he loveth me for that deare propension of love, which hee sees in me to mankinde; that I am (for the redemption thereof) so cheerefully ready to lay downe this life of mine; which yet I shall not utterly forgoe, and lose: but onelyonly lay it downe for the time, and soone after take it up againe, in my glorious resurrection.

18 This commandement have I received of my Father.All the whole carriage of this great businesse both in the voluntary resigning, and the reassuming of my life, is that, which is determined by the eternall, and most wise, and holy decree of my Father.

26 But ye beleeve not, because yee are not of my sheepe, as I said unto you.Ye beleeve me not, because, howsoever yee make an outward profession to be within the fold of the Church: yet in truth, ye are not that which yee pretend, though ye carry the fleeces of sheepe, yet yee are wolves within, and whiles yee continue such, how can yee beleeve my words, how can ye do other then persecute mee?

34 Iesus answered them: Is it not written in your law; I said yee are gods?Why are yee offended at this? It is onelyonly your ignorance that is guiltie of a scandall herein; were yee rightly informed, yee would understand how justly I doe challenge this honor; but in the meane time there was no cause ye should stumble at this title which is in the holy Scriptures imparted to men in authority; for is it not written in the Psalmes, I have said ye are Gods?

If God himselfe in his Scriptures, call them gods, upon whom it pleaseth him to put rule and command over others,35 If hee called them gods, unto whom the word of God came. honouring them with so high a stile: and withall, ye will grant that the authority of the Scripture is sacred, and inviolable.

36 Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Sonne of God?Say ye of mee, whom the Father hath set apart, to be the mediator betwixt himself, and mankinde, and whom he hath sent into the world to be the Saviour thereof: Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Sonne of God? I tell you, this word of yours is no other then an high, and hainous blasphemie against God; and that claime of mine is most just, and irrefragable.

37 If I do not the works of my Father, beleeve me not.That ye may be throughly convinced hereof, do but looke upon the workes that I doe; if the miracles that you see come from mee, be any other than divine, and such as can have none but God himselfe for the author of them, beleeve me not.

p. 121CAP. XI.

WE shall not neede to feare that wee shall upon this sicknesse forgoe Lazarus;4 This sicknesse is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Sonne of God might be glorified thereby. for this disease shall not end in a continuing death; but shall give an accasion to win much glory to God, by his miraculous restoring.

In all that time of the cleare day,9 Are there not twelve houres in the day? if any man walke in the day, hee stumbleth not, because hee seeth the light of this world. wherein wee have the benefit and direction of the Sunne, wee walke securely, and stumble not; neither feare falling; The call and fore-appointment of God is the light of that Sunne, which I am, and must be directed by; whiles I walke according to the guidance thereof, I cannot do amisse.

But if a man walke either without, or against this sure, and holy direction, he cannot but stumble,10 But if a man walke in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. and fall, and miscarry.

Then said Thomas, &c. to his fellow disciples,16 Then said Thomas which is called Didymus, unto his fellow Disciples, Let us also goe, that wee may die with him. Our Master is (I see) resolved to goe up to Jerusalem, where hee was so lately in danger of stoning; or at least, to the skirts of it, which is Bethanie, wherein what will hee do other then put himselfe in the very jawes of death; since hee hath taken up this resolution, let us not leave him; but let us also go, that we may dye with him.

Whereas man hath by his sinne exposed himselfe to a double death, both spirituall and bodily,25 Iesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: hee that beleeveth in mee, though hee were dead, yet shall he live. I am he who am both the author or beginner of life unto him, and the preserver and finisher thereof; those sonnes of Adam, which are dead in their sinnes and trespasses, I do by the power of my Spirit revive, by working in them a lively faith in mee, and cause them to leade the life of grace.

And those who do thus live the life of faith,26 And whosoever liveth and beleeveth in mee, shall never die. I doe by my power and mercy preserve from dying eternally, &c.

And this howsoever Caiphas spake out of his owne malicious sense,51 And this spake hee not of himselfe, but being high Priest that yeare, hee prophecied that Iesus should die for that nation. yet God over-ruled his tongue herein (as being the high Priest that yeare) to utter unawares an oracle-like prophesie concerning Christ, that hee should dye for that nation of the Jewes.

And not for that nation onelyonly, but for all mankinde;52 And not for that nation onelyonly, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. that by the vertue of his death hee might gather together all his elect ones among the Gentiles; and might happily bring them to the participation of the same grace, and glory.

p. 122CAP. XII.

19 Behold, the world is gone after him.WEe see so many beleeve in him, as if all the world would turne disciples to him.

23 And Iesus answered them, saying, the houre is come that the Sonne of man should bee glorified.The time is now at hand, wherein the Sonne of man shall be glorified, both by his triumph over death, and by the generall publication of the Gospell all the world over.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corne of wheate fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.In the meane time, let it not trouble you to see me die: for I tell you, this is the way to my greater glory. Even as ye see the corne falls into the ground, and there doth, as it were, die, in a naturall corruption, that it may live againe in a plentifull increase.

25 Hee that loveth his life, shall lose it, &c.See Matth. 10.39.

27 Father, save me from this houre, but for this, &c.See Matth. 26.39.

I doe not so regard my owne safetie and peace, that I would have either of these stand in the way of thy glory. O Father,28 Father, glorifie thy name: then came there a voice from heaven saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorifie it againe. therefore, whatsoever I suffer, doe thou glorifie thy owne name, &c.

I have hitherto glorified it by all those proofes I have given of thy Deity, by all the miracles which thou hast wrought; and I will perfit that which I have begun; & will after a glorious death consummate thine everlasting glory in heaven.

32 And, I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, upon my Crosse (which my enemies intend to my shamefull death) shall then shew forth my glorious triumphes, and will then by the power of my death, draw up all my chosen ones into heaven with me.

35 Yet a little while is the light with you, walke while yee have the light, lest darkenesse come upon you.Yet a little while is the light of my bodily presence with you, and the light of my personall Doctrine shines forth unto you; make use of this happy opportunity whiles it lasteth, &c.

39, 40 Thererefore they could not beleeve, because that Esaias said againe; He hath blinded their eies, & hardned their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, &c.Therefore they could not beleeve, because that, as Isaias speaketh, in a just punishment of their maliciousnesse and contempt, God had strucken them with a reprobate sense, so as their eies were blinded, and their hearts hardened against the meanes of their conversion, and salvation.

47 For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.See Iohn 3.17.

p. 123That Doctrine which by his commandement I preach unto you,50 And I know that his commandement is everlasting. is that which will surely bring you to everlasting life, &c.

CAP. XIII.

IEsus, though he well knew what evill was towards him,3, 4, 5. Iesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that hee was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and tooke a towell and girded himselfe: after that he powreth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towell wherewith hee was girded. by the treacherous conspiracy of Judas, yet well knowing also, the happy issue of all these his imminent sufferings, and foreseeing his triumph over all his enemies; and the glory prepared for him, in that free & full soveraignty, which the Father had given him, over all things, both in heaven and earth; and knowing, that as hee was sent from heaven, by his eternall Father; so also, that he was (in spight of all the opposition of the powers of hell) to returne now to the glory of his Father; He cheerefully addressed himselfe to this great worke; and rising from Supper, in a desire to leave behinde him, an example of humility, and charity, he laid aside his garments, and tooke a towell, and girded himselfe; and powring water into a bason, began to wash his disciples feet.

Thou doest not as yet understand the reason of this act of mine; thou shalt in due time know,7 Iesus answered and said unto him, what I doe thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter. upon what ground I doe it; but in the meane time, it behoves thee to submit thy selfe with all humble obedience, to this worke which I have in hand.

If I doe not wash thee both by my bloud,8 If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. shed for the expiation of mans sinne; and by the sanctifying power of my Spirit, (which I would represent unto thee by this washing) thou canst have no part with me, no interest in me, no benefit by me.

Nay then, Lord,9 Simon Peter saith unto him; Lord, not my feet onelyonly, but also my hands and my head. let it not be enough that thou washest some part of mee alone; for alas, I am all uncleane with my sinnefull corruptions; wash mee therefore all over, cleanse thou both my hands that are guilty of many offensive actions, and my head that hath conceived many sinnefull thoughts.

As it is in the custome of bathes,10 Iesus saith to him, hee that is washed, needeth not, save to wash his feet, but is cleane every whit: and yee are cleane, but not all. that those who come forth thence, shall not need to bee washt over againe, save onelyonly to have their feet washt, which have soyled themselves by treading upon the ground; so is it in this spirituall washing, ye my disciples are already, in respect of the maine businesse of regeneration, washed from your sinnes, yet there are some remainders of earthly and worldly affections, which must bee still purged p. 124away, and rectified in the best men; so shall they be altogether cleane; and such is your condition at this time; ye my disciples are cleane; and yet not all of you; there is one of this your small number, who is extreamely foule and filthie.

18 I speake not of you all, I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled. Hee that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heele against me.But when I say yee are happy, I speake not of you all, I doe well know the condition of those, whom I have chosen to follow me; and amongst them I do well know who bee my true and faithfull followers, and vessels of honour; and I know yee are not all such; for in my family must that be fulfilled which David my true type spake of his familiars, He that eateth bread with me hath conspired against me.

23 Now there was leaning on Iesus bosome, one of his disciples, whom Iesus loved.Now, according to the usuall forme of their posture at the Table, one of the disciples, (even John whom Jesus loved above the rest) leaned on the bosome of Jesus.

26 Iesus answered, hee it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.Then Jesus, as whispering secretly unto John, said; He it is to whom I shall give a sop, &c.

27 And after the sop, Satan entred into him: then said Iesus unto him, that thou doest, do quickly.Upon that sop so kindly given by Jesus to him; Satan tooke more full possession of Judas; and more strongly prevailed with him, to resolve, and indeavour his intended mischiefe. Then said Jesus unto him, I know well what thou goest about; thy secrecy cannot elude my knowledge of thy plots against mee; since therefore thou wilt needs doe thus treacherously, dispatch speedily that which thou hast in hand.

31 Now is the Sonne of man glorified: and God is glorified in him.Now is the time at hand, wherein the Sonne of man shall be exempted from all the miseries, and calamities of this life, and shall be invested with the incomprehensible glory of God; as in his patient death and powerfull resurrection, God shall be glorified by him.

So also verse 32.

36 Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow mee afterwards.Thou art not yet fit to follow mee up to my Crosse, or to ascend up with me to my glory: but ere long, thou shalt be enabled to both, and shalt bee admitted to the fellowship both of my death, and blessednesse.

CAP. XIIII.

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me.YE have great conflicts to undergoe: see therefore that your soules be furnished with a strong, and lively faith: and, let it not suffice you, that yee doe beleeve p. 125in one infinite, and invisible God, that eternall, and incomprehensible Spirit, who hath made you, and all the world; but repose the whole affiance of your hearts upon me, the true and onelyonly Son of God, whom ye see clothed with flesh: and the rather now fasten your soules upon me, by a stedfast beleefe, for that yee shall see this humanity of mine subjected to many, and great miseries, much contempt, paine, insultation, yea to an ignominious death; but let not your hearts be troubled with those heavie things, which ye shall see to befall mee: the issue whereof yee shall finde to bee glorious.

In heaven, which is the house of my Father,2 In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you: I goe to prepare a place for you. above there is infinite provision, and store of glo…ious mansions, for all my faithfull ones; were there onelyonly roome for mee alone, I would not have borne you in hope of that which were not to bee enjoyed; but now, I know, there are such great store, that I goe, before hand, to prepare places for you.

And, though I doe now goe from you,3 And if I goe & prepare a place for you, I will come againe, and receive you unto my selfe, that where I am, there ye may be also. and ascend into heaven, to make provision for you, and my whole Church, yet I will, at the day of my last Judgement, and restoring of all things, come againe into the world; and gather all mine Elect to my selfe; that in a full consummation of blisse, where I am, there may ye bee also.

Master,5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, wee know not whither thou goest: and how can wee know the way? thou hast in some generall termes told us of thy going to thy Father, and taking possession of thy kingdome: but thou hast not clearely explicated unto us the meanes, and manner, how thou wilt doe it; since therefore thou hast not fully expressed thy selfe in those particularities of thy kingdome and glory, how much lesse should wee bee able to know, which way thou wilt take for thy compassing, and attaining of it?

If thou wouldst know the way to heavenly glory;6 Iesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth unto the Father, but by me. know, that there is no way thither, but in and by mee; there is nothing tending to happinesse that thou canst desire, but it is found in me. In me is to be found the beginning, the proceeding, the end of all perfection; whosoever would come to the glory of my Father, in me hee must enter, for I am the way; in mee hee must goe forward, for I am the saving light of divine truth; in me hee must shut up, for I am eternall life, &c.

If yee had so thorowly observed,7 If yee had knowen mee, yee should have knowen my Father also: and from henceforth, yee know him, and have seene him. and informed your selves of mee, and noted my words and actions, as yee might have done, ye might have seene in mee the lively image of my Father, and have acknowledged the fullnesse of his Godhead dwelling bodily in me: but herein you have hitherto beene defective: now from henceforth, p. 126see your owne errour, and amend it; and know, that in knowing, and beleeving in me, yee doe know my Father, and doe so beleeve in him, as if your eyes beheld him.

So also verse 9.

8 Philip saith unto him; Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.Lord, wee have seene thee, and wee have seene great proofes of thy divine power, so as thy Father hath shewed forth himselfe in thee, but wee wish that thou wouldest shew us thy Father in himselfe; if we could see him with our bodily eyes, we should be fully satisfied, and should not trouble thee with any more questions of this kinde.

10 Beleevest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?Beleevest thou not that I am, in my eternall essence, one God with the Father, and that the God-head of the Father dwelleth, and exhibiteth it selfe in me, &c?

So verse 11.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, hee that beleeveth on me, the workes that I doe, shall he doe also, and greater workes than these shall he doe, because I go unto my Father.I would have you know that the manifestation of the power of my God-head is not so tyed to my personall presence, as that when I am gone, there shal be no further proofe, nor use of it; but contrarily, even after my departure out of the world, I will give such power to those that beleeve in me, that they shall doe the very same miracles that I have done: yea, I will doe more and greater workes by their hands, after I have ascended, than those which I have here done in person upon earth. Because I going to my Father, shall and may in that glorious condition of mine, so much more manifest my divine power, by this meanes, unto the world.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that hee may abide with you for ever.I have hitherto beene a true comforter unto you, but it is not for mee to make my personall aboad amongst you; in respect of my visible presence, I must leave you; but bee not therewith dismaied, for I that am the Mediator for my Church, will pray to my Father, and hee will send you another Comforter, even his holy Spirit, which shall abide with you for ever.

17 Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but yee know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.That holy Spirit of mine who is the author, and teacher of all truth; whom the world hath no understanding of; as being led by sense, and not acknowledging ought that it sees not, or conceives not by the dim apprehensions of corrupt reason: but yee know him by the light of your faith, and the experience of his working in you; for hee dwelleth in you, and shall in a more full measure take up your hearts in his sanctifying, and miraculous graces.

p. 127It canot bee but yee must be afflicted with my departure, but I will not leave you comfortlesse,18 I will not leave you comfortlesse, I will come to you. though I must leave you for the time: there is another presence of mine, which I must, and will make good unto you, even the presence of my Spirit.

Ere long, indeed,19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more: but ye see mee, because I live, yee shall live also. I shall bee taken away from the sight of the world; but yet I shall be still and ever present with you, and yee by the eye of your faith shall see and acknowledge me: for, both I shall live, and ye by the vertue of my life, shall live also this life of faith before mee, and in that state of your spirituall life, shall see and injoy me.

And, at that time of my effectuall illumination,20 At that day, yee shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me. yee shall know and understand that holy and mysticall union, which is betwixt my Father and me, and my Church; and how that divine vertue is communicated from the Father to me, and by me to you beleevers.

He that is rightly instructed in my commandements,21 Hee that hath my commandements, & keepeth them, hee it is that loveth me. and apprehendeth them aright, and conscionably endeavours to keepe and observe them, hee it is that loves me really and truely, &c.

I must bid you farewell,27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I giuegive unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you: let not your heart bee troubled, neither let it bee afraid. and wish you all peace and happinesse, not according to the fashionable complement of the world, but seriously, and with effect; as bestowing upon you that good which I wish; let not your hearts be dismayed at my valediction; neither bee discouraged with the feare of those evills which shall follow after my departure.

If ye did so spiritually love me, as ye ought,28 If ye loved me, ye would rejoyce, because I said I goe to my Father, for my Father is greater than I. ye would rejoyce, because I said, I goe unto the Father; for the glory wherewith my Father is eternally invested, is greater than that which this humane nature and life of mine is capable of; it is infinitely therefore for my advantage, that I goe to the Father, and therein, also for yours.

I have not many words more to speake unto you;30 Hereafter I will not talke much with you: for the Prince of this world commeth, and hath nothing in me. I am now drawing neere unto my end. Satan, the great ruler of this wicked world, is now working his utmost against me; and is stirring up my enemies and conspirators to my ruine; but he neither doth, nor can finde any the least advantage against mee; except that, which I shall voluntary yeeld for the working out of mans redemption; hee shall not finde in me either sinne, or impotence; so as what ever I shall suffer, it shall bee out of my will, not out of his power, or constraint.

That herein the world may know that I love the Father, in that, out of my obediēce to his wil,31 But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father give me commandement, even so I doe: arise, let us goe hence. (who hath decreed me to be the propitiation for the sins of the world) p. 128I do yeeld my selfe over to death; and in this passion of mine shall cheerefully fulfill all that, which the eternall counsell of my Father hath fore-determined to be done, and undergone by mee.

CAP. XV.

1, 2. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman, every branch in me that beares not fruit, he taketh away.AS the naturall vine is to the brances, so am I spiritually to my Church; I give juice and sappe unto them that are mine; and all the moisture that they have, and the fruit that they beare, is received onelyonly from mee, as the originall thereof; so as I am the true spirituall vine stock, to my faithfull branches, and my Father is as the carefull owner, and dresser of this vine, in that he is ready to tend it, at all assayes; and to lop off all those superfluous twigs, that yeeld no fruit answerable to the nourishment received. Every branch therefore that is professedly in mee, and yet beares not fruit, but is utterly barren, hee taketh away by his just censures and judgements, &c.

3 Now yee are cleane through the word which I have spoken unto you.Ye my Disciples have had experience of this spirituall husbandry, and the efficacie thereof; for now yee are pruned, and purged from your evill and corrupt affections, through the power of that word, which I have spoken unto you; and of my spirit working therewith.

4 Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot beare fruit of it selfe, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except it abide in mee.Hold fast the grace that ye have received; be carefull that no inconstancie, or weake feares slacken your hold on mee; abide ye in mee, and be firme to mee, for I am stedfast unto you, and will abide in you for ever.

6 If a man abide not in mee, hee is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.If any man that professeth my name shall revolt from mee, and abandon that grace which he hath received; not persevering therein unto the end; hee is justly cast forth in a deserved punishment of his levity, and unthankfulnesse, as a superfluous and feare branch that is lopped from the stock, is cast aside for the fire.

10 If ye keepe my commandements, yee shall in my love, even as I have kept my Father commandements, and abide in his love.I would not have you propound any other patterne to follow, then mine; yee se how studiously and exactly I have kept the commandements of my heavenly Father; and with how infinite love hee imbraceth mee; do ye so therefore: there is no way to continue in my love, but by keeping of my commandements; thus yee do it, and shall be sure never to faile thereof.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remaine in you, and that your joy might be full.These things have I spoken unto you, that the joy of my holy Ghost might remaine in your hearts, constantly; and that your joy in me might be exquisite, and perfect.

p. 129For all that part of my Fathers counsell which it concernes you to know,15 For all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made knowne unto you. and all that is any way requisite to your salvation, I, as the onelyonly doctor of my Church, and the Word of my Father, have imparted unto you.

It is their obstinate infidelitie and wilfull contempt that shall procure their just, and deepe damnation;22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sinne: but now they have no cloake for their sinne. if they had not had meanes sufficient offered unto them; yea if I had not come to them in person, and spoken unto them, and tendered to them the meanes of salvation, their sinne had beene the lesse; but now they have no excuse for their sinne, no colour of extenuation.

So also verse 24.

But now have they seene in mee the cleare proofes of the Godhead of my eternall Father,24 But now have they both seene, and hated both me and my Father. with whom I am one; and have maliciously opposed themselves against mee, and that divine power whereof they have beene convinced.

CAP. XVI.

BUt now I am going to heaven from whence I came,5 But now I goe my way to him that sent mee, and none of you asketh me, whither goest thou. to the repossession of my Fathers glory; and none of you so askes after the issue, and successe of my departure, as to establish his heart with abundance of comfort in the assurance of that happy provision which I shall there make for him and my Church.

It is for your benefit and advantage that I remove my bodily presence from you;7 Neverthelesse I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you, that I go away: for if I goe not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. for except I goe away from you, ye shall not have the holy Ghost, (who is the true comforter of my Church) sent downe upon you in that abundant measure, which you shall shortly finde: for it is the decree of mine eternall Father (which in all things must be obeyed and fulfilled) that untill mine ascension into heaven, the holy Spirit shall not in the plentifull store of his graces be sent downe upon the earth.

And this Spirit which I will send,8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne, and of righteousnesse, and of judgement. shall in the powerfull preaching of that Gospell which shall be committed unto you, and by his secret cooperation therewith, shall convince this wicked and sinfull world, both of their owne sinne, and of my righteousnesse and judgement.

Of their sinne, wherewith they abound every where,9 Of sinne because they beleeved not on mee. p. 130and which shall be most justly imputed to them, because of their unbeleefe; for could they beleeve in mee, that faith would worke repentance, and that faith and repentance would have purged them from all their sinne.

10 Of righteousnesse, because I goe to my Father, and ye see me no more.Of my righteousnesse, wherein both I have approved my selfe perfectly answerable to the will of my heavenly Father; and whereby onelyonly I doe and can justifie all that beleeve in mee, notwithstanding all their unworthinesse; because, as having overcome sinne and death, I ascend triumphantly to the glory of my Father.

11 Of judgement, because the Prince of this world is judged.Of my righteous judgement, in the moderation of the world, and ordering all the affaires of my Church, redressing the enormities thereof, suppressing and punishing the enemies of it, maintaining and vindicating the truth professed in it, and reducing all things therein to a right order; because Satan the Prince of the world is by me despoyled of his power, and restrained, and confounded in his devices and attempts.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot heare them now.I have yet many things to speake unto you concerning the future estate of my Church, which through your weakenesse ye are not as yet meet to receive.

13 For hee shall not speake of himselfe; but whatsoever he shall heare that shall he speake, and he will shew you things to come.The lying spirits of false teachers speake, as of themselves, their owne vaine imaginations, and erroneous doctrines; but the holy Spirit which I shall send, as hee proceeds from the Father, and me his eternall Sonne; so he speakes also as from God the Father, and the Sonne; and whatsoever he hath from us received, that will hee inspire you with; and informe you in; and shall reveale unto you those things which concerne the future condition of my Church.

14 He shall glorifie me, for hee shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.He shall not set up any new kingdome different from mine, but shall establish that glory and government, which is put upon me by the Father; he shall conferre the blessings & benefits that arise from my incarnatiō, suffering redemption, justification, sanctification upon you my faithfull ones, and shall reveale unto you the knowledge of those things which I have willed ye should be informed in; and shall inrich you with those heavenly treasures of wisedome and knowledge, which are laid up in mee.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that hee shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.All things that the Father hath are mine, by the right of that Godhead, which is one and the same, in both; and to mee also, as mediator, hath hee communicated all that power, which may serve for the administration and happinesse of my Church; therefore said I, that hee should impart the treasures of my wisedome, and knowledge unto you.

16 A little while, and ye shall not see mee, and againe a little while yee shall see me, because I goe to the Father.Now it shall not be long, ere I be removed from you, p. 131in respect of my bodily presence; and againe it shall not be long after that, ere I comfort you with the gracious presence of my Spirit; because I goe to the Father.

Ye shall after my departure be put to great extremities, for many grievous persecutions shall befall you:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that yee shall weepe and lament, but the world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowfull, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. in the meane time the worldshall insult upon you, and shall cry you downe as miserable men, and magnifie their owne ease, and happinesse; but be not herewith discomforted, for this sorrow of yours shall end in unspeakable joy, and blessednesse.

Yea, ye shall finde cause of exceeding joy,21 A woman when she is in travaile, hath sorrow, because her houre is come; but assoone as she is delivered of the child. in that which was the occasion of your sorrow, even your sufferings, for my names sake; even as a woman in travell is extremely afflicted with her painfull throwes, but as soone as, &c.

In that day when I shall have sent my holy Spirit upon you,23 And in that day yee shall aske me nothing. yee shall not need to aske any questions for the gaining of further knowledge: for all things, meet for you to know, shall be clearely revealed unto you, &c.

Yee have not hitherto taken so expresse notice of my mediatorship,24 Hitherto have yee asked nothing in my name, aske and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. as to propound your suits to my heavenly Father in my name; though the types and figures of the law, and the plaine intimations of the Prophets have directed you to this practise; but now, ever hereafter make this use of my name, in your prayers, and ye shall be sure to obtaine that which yee sue for, to the unspeakable joy and comfort of your soules.

I have hitherto delivered divers doctrines to you in darke and mysticall manner, as ye have thought,25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbes, &c. through the weakenes of your apprehension, but henceforth, &c.

I shall not need to incourage you with the assurance of my praying for you;26 And I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. for such is the gracious propension of my heavenly Father toward you, that hee will in his wonderfull merciemercy, prevent you with his goodnesse, and give you all blessings unasked.

CAP. XVII.

O Father,1 Father, the houre is come, glorifie thy Sonne, that thy Sonne also may glorifie thee. as thou hast hitherto mightily declared mee for thy Sonne, by those wonderfull miracles that have beene wrought by mee; so now, that the houre of my suffering and death approacheth, do thou more glorifie thy selfe by mee, in that, by this bitter passion of mine, mankinde shall be redeemed, satan, and all the powers of hel defeated; even whiles I must undergoe this paine, and ignominie, doe thou shew forth thy almightie p. 132power in acknowledging, and magnifying the infinite vertue of this my al-sufficient redemption; that herein I, thine eternall Sonne, the mediator betwixt thee and mankinde, may also glorifie thee in this worke of attonement, which I shall make betwixt thee, and men, and the full glorification of all mine with thee.

3 And this is life eternall, that they might know thee the onelyonly true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent.And this is the sure and certaine way to attaine eternall life, even this, to know thee, who art the onelyonly true God, and Jesus Christ thy Sonne whom thou hast sent into the world to be the redeemer thereof.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the worke which thou gavest mee to do.I have by my doctrine and miracles made thee known to men on earth; and now I am upon the point of finishing that worke of mans redemption, by my death, and passion, which thou hast injoyned mee to doe.

7 Now they have knowne that all things, whatsoever thou hast given me, are of thee.And now they have known, both by my information, and by their owne experience, that all the power that I have, & all the great acts that I have done, are from thee, and from that perfect and indivisible union which I have with thee.

9 I pray for them I pray not for the world; but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine.O Father, I require nothing of thee, but what I know may and doth well stand with thine eternall counsell; I pray not therefore for the world of unbeleevers, and rebellious wicked men; I pray for that speciall charge, that peculiar flock which thou hast committed unto me; they are thine, and thou hast professed to have a deare interest in them, and an infinite care of them.

There is that perfect union betweene thee and mee, that those which pertaine to the one,10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. are no lesse peculiarly proper unto the other: our right in all the elect is inseparable; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am, together with thee, glorified in them.

11 Keepe, through thine owne name, those whom thou hast given mee, that they may be one as wee are.Keepe thou, through thy mightie power, and gracious protection, those whom thou hast given mee, that they may be joyned together in the unity of the Spirit, and may be so of one heart, as thou, O Father, and I, are of one nature, and essence.

12 Whiles I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name, those that thou gavest me, I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the Sonne of perdition: that the Scripture might be fulfilled.Whiles I was visibly with them in the world, I was ready upon all occasions to sustaine and comfort, and instruct them, and as by the personall execution of that power of a mediator, which thou hast committed unto mee to preserve and keepe them, even all those whom thou gavest to my peculiar charge, and attendance, have I yet more specially watched over, and kept from the perill of tentations; so as not one of them is lost: OnelyOnly Judas, who was of old ordained to this condemnation, mis-carrieth, not through any neglect of mine, but through his owne p. 133wilfull wickednesse; So as in him is that Scripture fulfilled, which the Psalmist said of him long agoe, let his dayes be few, and let another take his office. Psal. 109.10.

Sanctifie thou them, O Lord,17 Sanctifie them through thy truth: thy word is truth. and purge them from all evill, and corrupt affections, by the power of thy Gospell; which is the word of truth, and the power of God to salvation to every beleever.

For their sakes I have sanctified,19 And for their sakes I sanctifie my selfe, that they also might be sanctified through the truth: and consecrated my selfe to this worke of mediation, to become an holy, and al-sufficient sacrifice unto thee; that the holinesse of my perfect obedience might be derived unto them, that they through this my word of truth might be sanctified unto thee.

That they may be perfectly joyned in the unitie of faith, and love, and may make up one entire body,21 That they all may be one, as thou Father art in mee, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may beleeve that thou hast sent mee. whereof I am the head; even as thou, O Father, art one with mee, as I am mediator betwixt thee and men; and by the vertue of this union, all that I have received from thee, is communicated unto them, and they become one with us: that by this full accord and unitie, that is betweene them, the world may be convinced of the efficacie of my comming into the world, and of my divine power and authoritie, putting me upon this great worke, and effecting it by mee.

The glory which thou hast put upon mee,22 And the glory which thou gavest mee, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. as mediator, I have not so received for my selfe, or so reserved to my selfe, as not to communicate it unto them which are the members of my body; I have stamped them with the same glorious impression, that they may be one in themselves and in mee, as wee are one, not onelyonly by an eternall communication of essence, but by an inseparable conjunction of the manhood with God.

Thou, O Father, art in mee, as mediator,23 I in them, and thou in mee, that they may be made perfect in one. and I (as such also) am in them by my Spirit, working effectually in them, to unite them perfectly in one, both with themselves, and with us, &c.

O Father,24 Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given mee, be with mee where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given mee. it is the utmost of all my indeavours and desires, that all those faithfull ones whom thou hast given mee, may injoy the full participation of my glory; and that, for this end, they may be received up, at last, into that heavenly kingdome, whither I am going before them, and be there present with mee for ever, &c.

p. 134CAP. XVIII.

11 Then said Iesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into thy sheath; the Cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?IT is not for thee to make opposition to this violence, which they are now going about to offer unto me; my Fathers will must be fulfilled; & doest thou goe about to prevent my sufferings? Since this passion of mine is set forth, and determined unto me, by the decree of my heavenly Father, shall not I cheerefully, and resolutely undergoe it? or, is it for thee to struggle against it?

28 Then led they Iesus from Caiphas unto the hall of judgement, and it was early, and they themselves went not into the judgement hall, lest they should bee defiled: but that they might eate the Passover.Then led they Jesus from Caiphas, unto the house of Pilate; and it was early, even before day, and they themselves went not into the house of that heathen-governour, lest they should be defiled by going in thither; as being carefull to keepe themselves from all legall pollution, that they might bee capable of eating the Passover.

29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said; What accusation bring you against this man?Since therefore, out of this scruple, they would not come under the roofe of Pilate; Pilate came forth unto them, and said, &c.

32 That the saying of of Iesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death hee should die.That hereupon, the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which hee spake concerning his lifting up to the crosse; foretelling what manner of death hee should die: since this was an execution proper to the Romans, under whose soveraignty they were, of whom also hee had clearely fore-prophesied, That the Sonne of man should be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.

36 My kingdome is not of this world: if my kingdome were of this world, then would my servants fight, &c.I am falsely accused to thee, as if I had challenged an earthly kingdome to my selfe, or, made any opposition against the politicke government of secular Princes; I have indeed preached of a kingdome, which I have right unto; but it is a spirituall kingdome, to bee set up in the soules of men; which doth not at all clash with these earthly dominions. Had I affected any such matter, as a temporall kingdome (in all likelihood) thou wilt imagine that I would have set up my servants, and followers, to gather forces, and make an head against the usurpers, but now, &c.

37 Iesus answered, thou saiest that I am a King, to this end was I borne, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should beare witnes unto the truth, every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.Jesus answered, I am, that which thy question implieth, a King indeed; but such a one, as I have formerly declared unto thee; I must deliver this truth unto thee, and to the world; for to this very end came I into the world, that I should informe the world of this saving truth; and howsoever this seemes harsh unto thee, yet every one who is rightly inlightened with the knowledge p. 135of the truth, will receive it with all assent, and reverence.

What is that truth thou talkest of? Is there no body,38 What is truth? thinkest thou, that can discerne of truth, but thou and thy followers?

CAP. XIX.

BEhold, since ye will not come into heare his accusation, and defence,4 Behold, I bring him forth to you, that yee may know, that I finde no fault in him. I doe therefore bring him forth to you, to let you know, that I cannot finde any fault at all in him, for which I may justly proceed against him; only since you have complained on him, as a man that affects a kingdome, I have here brought him forth to you, in a royaltie fit for him.

If thou, being a stranger in matters of religion,7 The Iewes answered him, wee have a law, and by our law hee ought to die, because hee made himselfe the Son of God. canst finde no fault in him, yet wee, that are Jewes know his offence to bee capitall; neither doe wee offer him to punishment, as out of our owne spleene, and malice, but in a conscionable obedience to our Law. For, we have a Law, which inflicteth death upon a blasphemer; and we know, and urge that whatsoever mere man shall call himselfe the Sonne of God, blasphemeth. This man (whom wee take to bee no other than he seemeth) hath called himselfe the Sonne of God; and therefore, by our Law ought to die.

When Pilate heard this plea, and pretence of theirs he was more troubled in himselfe, out of a feare, lest,8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid. if hee should not satisfie this vehement rage of the multitude, some tumult might follow upon it to his danger and prejudice.

I am indeed now by my owne voluntary dispensation,11 Iesus answered, thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above; therefore hee that delivered mee unto thee, hath the greater sinne. in thy power, and stand before thee, as my Judge; but, know thou, that this power of thine is not absolute, and independent; but is committed unto thee from an higher hand, to which thou must bee accountable; this authority is put into thy hand, by that God, whose tribunall is above thine; and therefore since all judiciary power is of his ordination, their sinne is so much the greater, and more hainous, who to cloake their owne malice, have had this recourse to abused authority; as seeking colourably to kill me under a false pretence of justice.

Hitherto in my personall presence with thee,26 Woman, behold thy sonne. I have provided for thee, and comforted thee as a mother justly deare unto mee; but now, that I shall no longer continue p. 136upon earth, I doe commend thee to the love, and care of this my beloved disciple; &c.

28 After this Iesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.After this, Jesus knowing that he had exactly performed all that was required of him, before the full consummation of his passion; that the Scripture might be fullfilled, which saith of him (in his Type) They gave me vineger to drinke, he said, I thirst, &c.

30 It is finished.Now, I have done that I came for; I have both done, and suffered all that was requisite for mans redemption; my life and the Law are now fulfilled.

For that Sabbath was an high day;31 For that Sabbath was an high day. by reason that there was a concurrence of the Passover and the Sabbath both at once in that one day.

CAP. XX.

17 Iesus saith unto her, touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but goe to my brethren, and say to them; I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God.IEsus saith unto her; Make not so eager haste to lay hold on mee, as if I were going away from thee, for I am not yet ascending to my Father: but, goe to my disciples, (whom I lately conversed familiarly with, as with brethren) goe to them, and say unto them; I arose from the dead, not with any purpose to continue with you upon earth, but that I might ascend up to my Father in heaven; yea to your Father also, in that he is mine; ye are his children by adoption, as I am by nature, and as fellow heires with mee shall bee received up in due time to the participation of the same glory; which I now goe to take possession of.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the weeke, when the doores were shut, where the disciples were assembled, for feare of the Iewes, came Iesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them; Peace be unto you.On the Sunday night, when the doores were close shut up in the roome, where the disciples were secretly gathered together for feare of the Jewes, who maliciously made inquirie for them, (with an intent of their further persecution) came Jesus in, miraculously amongst them; and suddenly standing in the midst of them, said unto them: Peace be unto you.

21 As my Father hath sent mee, even so send I you.I was sent by my Father, to preach the Gospell, in my owne person, to the world; and afterwards to substitute, and surrogate those, which should in my name carry the same message; now therefore, the same commission that I received from my Father, I doe here put over unto you. Ye have beene heretofore the messengers of this glad tidings to Judea; now I designe and appoint you to the same errand, unto all the parts of the world.

p. 137And he breathed upon them; as by that sensible signe,22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the holy Ghost, giving them assurance of that spirituall power, which hee indued them withall, and said: Receive yee the holy Ghost; be ye by me ordained for worthy, and effectuall instruments of my service, in my Church; and be furnished, by this act of mine, with such a measure of grace, and supernaturall abilities, as may assure you, that ye are set apart for this great imployment of my Apostleship; and shall, ere long, receive the full measure of those miraculous gifts, which I have intended to you.

Whose soever sinnes ye doe remit,23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sinnes yee retaine, they are retained. whether by way of publique Doctrine, or particular application of your Apostilike sentence, they are remitted to them, in heaven; and whose sinnes soever ye retaine, whether by generall doctrine, or by speciall censure, they are retained by God, and shall bee fearefully imputed to the offenders. These acts of yours both wayes (as also of your true and lawfull successours) shall bee accordingly ratified in heaven.

CAP. XXI.

NOw when Simon Peter heard, by the voice of the disciple whom Jesus loved, that it was the Lord;7 Therefore that disciple whom Iesus loved, saith unto Peter, It is the Lord; Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, hee girt his fishers coat unto him (for he was naked) and did cast himselfe into the sea. he put upon him an upper coate (for he was clad after the manner of fishers, with some close inner garment onelyonly, and having girt it unto him, did cast himselfe (in the vehemence of his desire to come unto Christ) into the sea.

And the disciples, seeing such assured proofes,12 And none of the disciples durst aske him, who art thou, knowing that it was the Lord. and cleare evidences, that it was the Lord: durst not, for shame, move any question thereof, as if they could conceive any doubt of so manifest and undeniable a truth.

Simon, the sonne of Jona,17 Hee said unto him the third time, Simon son of Ionas, lovest thou mee? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things▪ thou knowest that I love thee; Iesus saith unto him, feed my sheepe. thou hast shewed much servent affection to me, above thy fellowes, in that thou hast cast thy selfe into the sea, to come unto me; and indeed, thou hast reason to love mee more than the rest, for that more is remitted to thee, than to them. Tell me therefore, Dost thou love mee more than these thy fellow disciples? Hee saith unto him, yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee, fervently, and zealously. Jesus saith unto him, Then doe thou shew, and improve this love of thine unto me, in this one point above all others; see that thou doe carefully teach, and guide the soules of p. 138my people: thy affection cannot reach unto me, let it be bestowed upon those tender converts which shall come under thy charge.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girddest thy selfe, & walkedst whither thou wouldest, but when thou shalt bee old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, &c.Verily, I say unto thee; In thy younger times, thou hadst the free command of thy selfe, and full scope, and liberty to dispose of thy selfe to thine owne best liking; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt be restrained in durance, and be forced to undergoe martyrdome, thou shalt be both bound, and crucified

It neither concernes thee, nor befits thee to aske what shall become of thy fellowes?22 Iesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Leave that to my care; I have determined what to do with all mine; and particularly with this disciple, whom I have alwaies held so deare unto me. And, if it were my dermination to continue him here upon earth, till my comming againe, what were this to thee? looke thou to thy selfe; and addresse thy selfe to follow mee in that bloody way which I have led thee, to glory:

25 And there are also many other things, which Iesus did, the which if they should bee written every one, I suppose that even the world it selfe could not containe the bookes that should bee written: Amen.Let no man thinke that I intended in this writing, to comprehend all the miraculous workes which Jesus did; but onelyonly to choose out some few from a world of those wonders, that he wrought; and, if all his great and marvelous acts should bee recorded, they would doubtlesse fill infinite volumes.