John 1:17

In the third branch of this commendation, (which cleareth also the former, of his fulnesse to communicate grace for grace, and therefore is joyned with it by the particle, for) John preferreth Christ not only to himself, but to Moses also, on whom the Jewes doated so much: And that, both in respect of the Doctrine and benefits brought by either of them to the world; Moses being the Minister of the Law, which reveales wrath, and pointeth out Christ in dark types, and sanctification under Ceremonial washings; And Christ bringing grace and truth with him, to releeve such as groaned under these Legal administrations: And, in respect of their persons, and way of conveighing these benefits; Moses being but an instrument and Messenger carrying that doctrine which he delivered, and Christ being the Author and procurer of these benefits which he revealed to the world. Doctrine 1. The faithful servants of Christ will not onely be afraid to meddle with his glory themselves, but will cry down all glory that is given to any other, to Christs prejudice; and will study to exalt him above the most excellent of men, considered in their best things; Therefore John preferreth Christ unto Moses, as well as to himself, and that in these things wherein Moses was most eminent; as his going up to the Mount to God, and his receiving of the Law from him. 2. Albeit the doctrine of free grace was revealed in Moses time; and by him, and renewing grace, and grace as a remedy against the rigour of the Law was then known: Yet it was but very obscurely revealed, and sparingly let forth in comparison of the times of the Gospel; And in his Ministry, the paedagogy of the Law was much insisted on, pressing the Moral Law of duties under the pain of the curse, and holding out Christ under dark shadows; In this respect it is said, the Law was given by Moses, in opposition to grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ. 3 The legal pedagogy as it is contradistinguished from the grace offered in the Gospel, is a very hard and unsupportable yoke; for, in that respect the Moral Law requireth compleat and personal obedience under the pain of Gods curse, and yet giveth no strength to performe any thing; it beareth in our duty upon us with rigour and terrour, discovereth our misery without shewing a remedy, bringeth on a spirit of bondage without any hope of release, irritates and provokes nature to sin yet more, &c. And the Ceremonial Law contained but a shadow of good things to come, was a veile cast over Moses face, and was a toilsome yoke, for these causes the Law by Moses is postponed to what Christ bringeth. 4. In Christ there is an case and relief to beleevers against all the burdensomnesse of the Law; And particularly, by the Gospel he hath published the free grace and favour of God, accepting the self-condemned sinner in him, and freely justifying the ungodly through his imputed righteousnesse, conferring grace freely to sanctifie and cure the perversnesse of mens nature, and so fitting them for glory. He hath also taken off the veile of Moses face, being himself the substance of all the shadows. And having given the performance of all the promises; for, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 5. Albeit Christ hath abolished the Ceremonial Law, and hath abolished the Moral Law to beleevers, in its condemning, cursing, and irritating power; Yet none get good of grace through Christ, but such as are sent by the Law as self-condemned to him for a remedy, and such as continue under the Law as a rule of life, being enabled to the obedience thereof by Christ; for, not onely doth Christ bring truth of sanctification, answering to all their legal purifications under the Law, but grace also, which presupposeth a work of the Law discovering sin and wrath, and grace enabling such as come to him to endeavour obedience thereunto; And thus Christ established the Law, not onely by fulfilling the same in his own person, as our surety, but by making his members also to walk in some measure according to it, which the Law of it self could not do. 6. Christ is above Moses, not onely in respect of the benefits or doctrine he publisheth, but inrespect of his efficiency about these benefits, he is above him, and all other Messengers, who are but instruments and messengers publishing the doctrine which they receive, and the benefits held out therein; whereas Christ is the Author and procurer, as wel as the publisher of the spiritual benefits of the Gospel; for, the Law was given by Moses, as a Messenger, receiving the same from God, to deliver it to the people, but grace and truth came, (or was made, or brought to passe) by Jesus Christ.