John 12:41

In this verse the pertinent citation of these prophecies (chiefly the last) is cleared. And lest any should think these testimonies belonged only to Isaiahs dayes, and spake of the Father; John clears his citation was pertinent, and that however these passages had their own accomplishment in Isaiahs time, yet they belong also to these dayes of the Gospel, and to the times of Christ, whose glory was seen, and spoken of by Isaiah, Isa. 6.1, 2. &c. and who spake of Christ in that and the other passage, Isa. 53.1, 2. And therefore they were predictions of these times. Whence learn, 1. It is not enough to justifie mens assertions in Religion, that they can bring many Scriptures which seem to favour their opinions, unlesse they can clear they are pertinently cited, and that in their true meaning they hold out what they assert; Therefore John not only cites Scriptures, but proves the pertinency of his citation. 2. This passage doth clearly demonstrate that Christ is true God, and that there are three persons in the blessed Godhead; for, Jehovah who appeared and spake to Isaiah, is granted by all to be Father, and here the same glorious appearance is said to be the glory of Christ, and Acts 28.25, 26. The commission then given is ascribed to the Holy Ghost, as Jehovah, equal with the Father and the Son. 3. It pleased Christ our Lord to manifest himselfe to his people under the Old Testament, sometime in the likeness of a man, as a preludy to his Incarnation; (as to Abraham and others) and sometime in resplendent glory, to give evidence of his Godhead: As here Esaias saw his glory, which gives us to understand that the glory of other visions shewed to the Prophets, were the glory of Christ also. See 1 Cor. 10.9. 4. The more of Christs glory be seen, and the more means men have, the greater will the obduration of wicked men be; for, these thing; (of mens being blinded and hardened) said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him, intimating, that as in his time, there was never greater hardness then when most of Christ was seen and spoken of; So in the dayes of the Gospel, when the Sun of righteousness should shine most brightly, the hardness would be greatest of all.