John 1:15

IN the second part of the Chapter John confirmeth this his doctrine concerning Christ from four testimonies of John the Baptist, given after the Baptisme of Christ, ver. 37. The first, from this ver. to ver. 14. The second, from ver. 19. to ver. 29. The third, from ver. 29. to ver. 35. The fourth, ver. 35, 36.

In the first testimony, he holds forth the excellency of Christ, first, as being above himself in dignity, ver. 15. Next, as being above all beleevers in the point of fulnesse, and sufficiency for the supply of lost sinners, ver. 16. Thirdly, as being preferred to Moses the Minister of the Law, ver. 17. Fourthly, as being preferred to all men in the point of knowing and revealing of God. ver 18.

In the first branch of this commendation, Christ being now immediately gone from John after his Baptisme, to be tempted in the Wildernesse (and therefore he saith, this was he, speaking of one who had been with him, but was now gone) John doth repeat his former testimonies, and apply them to this individuall person who had been with him; Wherein he had declared, and yet again doth declare, that howsoever Christ did come after him in time of nativity, and in time of manifestation and execution of his office; Yea, and after him for a time in place, as coming to be baptized by him, and as yet more obscure then he: Yet he was truly before him in dignity of person and office, as being the eternal God. Doctrine 1. It is a commendable and sweet thing when Ministers prove faithful in their trust, and mind the work about which they are sent; for, John was sent to bear witnesse of the light, ver. 7. and accordingly his practice is, John bare witnesse of him. 2. The testimony of faithful Ministers doth not evanish with the publication thereof, nor dieth with themselves, but continueth as a constant witnesse to all those to whom the knowledge thereof cometh: And particularly, it is so with the doctrine of extraordinary Messengers, whose doctrine being recorded, standeth as a constant witnesse; for, in the Original it is, John beareth witnesse of him, in the present time, though John was long since dead. 3. Faithful Ministers having to do with hearers at a great distance from God; who are deaf, and distracted with the noise of tumultuous lusts, had need to be earnest and instant in their doctrine, and should in plain termes, not going about the bush, with boldnesse and fearlessenesse, and with fervency, and not for the fashion only, publish what they have in commission; for, in these respects, John bare witnesse of him, and cried. Beside that John, entring to his Ministry in a year of Jubilee, as is supposed, did thus become the trumpeter to proclaime the acceptable year of the Lord. 4. Christ needeth not visible manifestations of himself, to invite such as know him from the Word, to commend him, and esteeme highly of him; for, John, before Christ came unto him, or he saw him, had given ample testimonies concerning him, This was be of whom I spake, even all these testimonies before Christs Baptisme, recorded by the other Evangelists. 5. As faithful Ministers ought to be preparing people for Christs manifestations of himself; So when he doth manifest himself, a Minister is yet needful to expound these manifestations to be the thing promised, that so they may not be mistaken nor stumbled at; Therefore, John having spoken of Christ before he manifested himself, finds it needful to apply that doctrine to that person, that they might not stumble at his low condition. This was he of whom I spake. And we are ready to fall in the like mistake of his promised comforts and outgoings, when they come. 6. Christs real excellency and worth is such, that commenders of him according to his word, will never have cause to change their note, but when he manifests himself, they will see all true that was said of him, and when again he obscureth himself; there is no cause to change our thoughts; for, here when Christ comes to John, he points him out, as making good all he had said, and when now he is gone to the Wildernesse to be hungry and to be tempted of the Devil, John saith the same things of him, This was be of whom I spake, &c. 7. As Christ is still above, and preferred before the choisest of Ministers, however he abased himself in the dayes of his flesh, and subjected himself to fulfil all righteousnesse; So it is the duty, and will be the practise of faithful Ministers, and honest Christians, to abase themselves, that Christ may be exalted, and to guard against any respect that may encroach upon his honour; for, thus did John preach of him first and last, he that cometh after me is preferred before me. 8. The dignity and eternity of Christs person as God, sets him up above all creatures, how excellent soever; for albeit as man, he was for a time made a little lower then the Angels, yet by vertue of the personal union, he is, even as man, made head of Angels. And as God, there is no comparison betwixt him and the creatures; So much doth Johns reason teach us, he is preferred before me, for he was before me.