John 1:32–34

John declareth further, that he got a signe from God whereby he might know the true Messiah and the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost, which being accomplished on Christ at his Baptisme, Matth. 3.16. did confirme John, and encourage him to proclaime Christ to be the Sonne of God. Whereas John saith, ver. 33. that he knew not Christ, it is not to be understood as if he knew him not at all, before the accomplishment of that signe, for it is clear from Matth. 3.13, 14 he knew him when he came to be baptized. But the meaning is, that when John entred to his Ministry, and got the promise of this signe, he knew not Christ by face, though afterward about the time of his Baptisme, he knew him first by revelation, and was yet more confirmed by the accomplishment of the promised signe. Doctrine 1. The glorious evidences of Christs excellencie and Godhead, when he came into the world, are not cunningly devised fables; but most certaine and infallible truths; for, John bare record, saying, I saw, &c. He giveth a solemne testimony of it. 2. Christ in his solmne entry to his offices, was sealed from heaven, and stated in them, that so the Church may learn to embrace him with all respect. Therefore doth the Spirit descend upon him in this visible glorious way, and the Father beare witnesse to him, as it is, Matth. 3. all the persons of the Trinity manifesting themselves on Jordans bank. 3. Christ is endowed with the Spirit from on high for executing of his offices, and it is made manifest that the Spirit is to be found on him, and sought from him; for, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven upon him, where the Spirit, who filleth heaven and earth, is said to descend in respect of that visible manifestation and signe of his presence. 4. The Spirits descending like a dove, a meek, harmlesse and affectionate creature, pointed out, what Christ is in his own nature to them that come to him, even meeke, harmlesse, loving, and not dreadful; what he is in the execution of his office, even he in whom the Father is well pleased and pacified, and he who bringeth the good newes of asswaging the deluge of wrath, as Noahs dove of the drying up of the flood; And what he is in the operations of his Spirit upon his people, that they are made meek, harmlesse, and lowly as doves, not like birds of prey. 5. Albeit all Christs members do receive of the Spirit in their measure, yet it is Christs prerogative to have the Spirit resting on him; Not only as God is the Spirit of one essence with him, proceeding from the Father and him, and so is ever present with him [to] But even as man by vertue of the personal union, the Spirit floweth and resteth on Christ, and efficaciously worketh in him all divine graces and vertues without measure, and immutably, so that none can come wrong to him at any time for receiving of his Spirit: Therefore, it is said, it abode upon him. See Isa, 11.2, 3. 6. Christ in taking on our nature, did so cover his glory with the vaile of our flesh and common infirmities, that he could not be known by bodily sight from another man, without divine revelation, and evidences from God; for, without this, John saith, I knew him not. See Matth 16.17. 7. The Lord is very tender and careful of his servants, to encourage and confirme them in their calling and message; And will not faile to performe what he hath promised for that effect, when he sendeth them out; for, John saith, he saw this signe in a peculiar way, as being to him an accomplishment of that promise given to him; for, God had said to him, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, &c. and now it was accomplished. 8. The Spirit resteth upon Christ, and was manifested to be on him by a visible signe, not onely for himself, and to point out his ezcellency, but for the Churches good, and to certifie them that he received the Spirit to communicate unto them, either extraordinarily, when need required, or ordinarily, to work that inwardly by his Spirit, which Baptisme scaleth and signifieth; for, this signe served to point out that Christ is be which baptizeth with the holy Ghost. Which is spoken, partly, with relation to the extraordinary pouring out of his Spirit after his Ascention, as appeareth from Acts 1.5. partly, with relation to the external Ordinance of Baptisme administred by John and others, whereof he onely can give the substance, when by his Spirit he sanctifieth and cleanseth the beleever. 9. Albeit that extraordinary signes and wonders be not now needful to confirme the doctrine so oft confirmed already; Yet every Minister, would be sure grounded in what they testifie to be the minde of God, and what they know of Christs excellency, they would not hide nor conceale it; So much may be learned from John’s way, who saw, and bare record. 10. This truth, that Jesus the Sonne of Mary, is also the Sonne of God in the same person, was confirmed by infallible evidences, and by eye and eare witnesses; for, I saw, and bare record that this is the Sonne of God. See 2 Pet. 1.16. 1 John 1.1. 11. It is not enough to receive Christ as excellently endowed for the discharge of his offices; but to receive and beleeve in him as the Sonne of God by eternal generation, as being the ground-stone of our salvation, of our comfort, peace and strength; Therefore doth John hold him out not onely as the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost, but as the Sonne of God. See 1 John. 5.5.