John 10:25

Christs answer to this Question consisteth of foure branches: In the first whereof (in this ver.) He clears himselfe from being any cause of their unbelief or incertainty in this matter, as having already cleared that case fully, both by his Doctrine and Miracles; and so the blame was all their own. Whereas Christ saith, I told you, albeit we will hardly finde that expressely and in plain tearmes he had said to these persecutors that he was Christ, whatever he did to his disciples, and to some others, Chap. 4. 25, 26. and 9.36, 37. Yet we finde that he had oft-times said the equivalent, and spoken of himselfe in such tearms as was only competent to the Messiah. So Chap. 5.25, 26. and 6.35, 48, 51, 53, 54, &c. and 7.37, 38. and 8.12, 35, 56, 58, and in this Chap. ver. 9.14, 15, 16. and elsewhere. Doct. 1. Whatever be the pretences of men for their unbelief, yet the true cause thereof is in themselves, and not in Christ, or in his way of doctrine or dispensations; Therefore doth he clear himselfe, and lay the blame on them. 2. Christ word and his works are sufficient to ground our faith, and confirme it, concerning him, and what he is, Therefore, saith he, to clear himselfe, I have told you, and, the works that I do in my Fathers name, (as Mediatour, and his Ambassadour) they bear witnesse of me; to wit, that I am the Messiah. For albeit the Apostles were to do greater works, Joh. 14.12. yet they wrought them not in the same way, nor by their own power; but in his name, that they might testifie and bear witnesse to his glory. 3. Such as do not acquiesce in Christs word and working, for confirmation of their faith, they will not profit by any other mean of their own devising; Therefore doth Christ reject their desire concerning any further information, since they refused to profit by what he had said and done. 4. Whatever specious name men give to their own not closing with Christ; Yet in effect it is nothing else but infidelity, and the fruit of an evil heart of unbelief: Therefore, whereas they said only, they were in doubt, or, suspense, ver. 24. He tells than plainly, ye beleeved not. 5. Where the Lord affords many means of knowledge and faith, there unbelief will be the more hainous; for, saith he, I told you, and ye beleeved not: the works that I do in my Fathers name, they bear witnesse of me; and yet ye beleeve not, as is subjoyned, ver. 26.