John 1:6–7

In the next branch of the first part of the Chapter, John having spoken of the manifestation of Christ before his incarnation, and how it did not suffice; he cometh to his more clear manifestation under the Gospel, and beginneth (as the rest of the Evangelists, and because of that Prophecie, Mal. 4.5.) at John the Baptist, his forerunner, and by occasion of him, speaks yet more of Christ. Concerning this forerunner we have here held out, his calling, his name, and the ends of his calling and office, which were to point out and bear testimony concerning Christ, that men might be drawn to saith in him Doct. 1. A special mean and way whereby Christ shineth to the world, and helpeth the world to know him, is the Ministry of men; whereby he condescendeth to our weaknesse, who could not endure more glorious instruments; he trieth our obedience, and acknowledgment of his authority in the weak messengers; and he maketh manifest that the excellency of the power whereby they do so great things, is of him; Therefore doth he bring in Johns Ministry, as a particular mean whereby he shined. 2. Ministers of Christ must not run unsent, but ought to have a calling from God, either extraordinary (in extraordinary times and cases) or ordinary; as being that which will afford them matter of courage in undertaking their work, of comfort under difficulties, and of hope of successe; for, so John was a man sent from God; to wit, in an extraordinary way, as Christs forerunner. 3. Albeit an unregenerate man may be a lawful Minister, yet they will in a most lively way proclaime that geace of God bringing salvation, who have themselves obtained grace and favour by it: And it is a sweet thing, when men prove answerable to these names and titles which Scripture giveth them, because of their Christian profession; for, this forerunners name was John, a name given by the Angel, without the consent of friends, Luke 1.13.59, 60. &c. which in the Hebrew signifieth, one that had obtained grace and favour, or, one to whom the Lord had been gracious that he might actively proclaime the same to others, and a name to which Johns carriage was answerable. He was one, in giving of whom the Lord shewed himself gracious to his parents, Luke 1.13. One, to whom the Lord was gracious, in sanctifying of him from his mothers womb, and in making of him faithful and successeful in his Ministry, Luke 1.15, 16, 17, 77, 78. 4. The chief and special end of a Ministry, is, to point out Christ in his excellencies and usefulnesse to lost men, to declare him in his person, offices and benefits, how he should be bebeleeved in, served or suffered for; John came to beare witnesse of the light, or of Christ in his glorious excellency, and as he is the light of dark man, in his comforts and directions. 5. Faithful Ministers are to preach Christ as his witnesses, with plainesse, with fidelity in not adding or diminishing, with boldnesse and constancy; and as men by whom Christ (who needs not any testimony from men) doth temper and fit his light to our capacity, and who will be witnesses one day against them who do not receive their doctrine; for, the same came for a witnesse to beare witnesse of the light. 6. The end and scope of a Ministers witnessing and preaching is, and should be, to bring self-condemned sinners to beleeve in Christ; his preaching of the Law and wrath is in order to that, and to bring men to see their need of Christ, and should be joyned with the doctrine of the Gospel; His preaching of the doctrine of sanctification and holinesse should be joyned with the doctrine of faith in Christ, from whom vertue floweth, for that end: And faithful Ministers should not be content that their excellent gifts lead men to esteeme of themselves; but it should be their endeavour to lead men unto Christ; for, albeit John did threaten sharply, and call them a generation of Vipers, and did presse repentance and renovation hard; yet the same came for a witnesse, that men through him (or by his Ministry and his leading them not to rest or doat upon himself) might beleeve. 7. No man is secluded from being allowed to beleeve in Christ, who hath the ofter, but every one of whatsoever condition or quality, who heareth the Gospel, is bound to make this use of it, following the due order appointed for sinners to come to Christ; And particularly, under the Gospel, Christ is to be held forth as the common refuge of all his people of whatsoever kindred or Nation; for, John came for a witnesse that all men might beleeve, not that all, even of Judaea, heard John, but that all who heard, were thus obliged, and all indifferently of any nation, were now allowed to come to Christ.