George Hutcheson
8 All that ever came before me, are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
In this verse Christ clears how he is the doore in respect of other pastours; for clearing whereof, we are not to understand that by these that came before him, are meant the true Prophets, for he speaks of them who came, and not of them who were sent. But the speech relates, partly, to them who before that time gave out themselves to be the Messiah, (as some, it seems, there were, Act. 5.36.) And partly, to them who did intrade themselves into a lawful office, not entering by him, and his warrant, who is the door, and who did not preach him up to be the only door by whom beleevers have accesse to God, or did establish any religious means and waies of reconciliation to God beside him. These, and such as they, whether they be before or after Christ, in respect of time, yet they come before him, in so far as they run without his commission, and instructions. And though the context seeme to referre it, chiefly, to them who were before him in time; Yet these are sufficient characters whereby to try the like persons, or courses in all ages. So the meaning is; That whosoever take upon themselves the person and office of the Messiah, and whosoever do usurp a lawful calling in the Church without his call, and do not preach the sound doctrine of Christ: they are in effect, and ought to be accounted but murtherers and robbers, and whoever do follow them and their doctrine, yet none of the elect will finally persist in such a course; as had been verified in the case of former seducers. Whence learn, 1. Such is the vanity & perversity of mens hearts, and so great, oftimes, is the Lords quarrel against the visible Church; that there will not be wanting in all ages, men of deluded and corrupt judgements, to corrupt the doctrine, and usurp the most eminent Offices appointed for her good; for, there is an all of them who come before him. 2. However men of old, and of late, have cried up themselves, and their devised doctrines concerning the reconciliation and salvation of sinners; Yet there is no Mediatour but Christ, nor any accesse to the favour of God since the fall of man, but by him; for, all these came before him, as is explained, and so mistook the way. 3. As faithful Teachers of Christ are a great blessing to the Church; So they who runne unsent, or corrupt the doctrine of reconciliation and salvation, which is only to be had by him, they are a great judgement and plague, and ought to be looked on as such; Therefore are they resembled to theeves and robbers, of which, verse 10. 4. Albeit corrupt men will not want their own followers, who, for not receiving the love of the truth, are given up to strong delusions; And albeit not only the unconverted elect, but even regenerate Saints, may for a time be overtaken: Yet none of the elect will be suffered to persist finally in following these Sect-Masters, and their corrupt doctrines; for as it was before, the sheep did not hear them (to wit so as is expressed in the doctrine) so it will be so still.
