John 12:42–43

In these verses is recorded Christs successe among another sort of hearers, even hid and timorous friends, and these of chief rank. Of these it is said. 1. That though they did indeed beleeve, yet they durst not confess, nor avow Christ. 2. That the impediment hindering them, was fear of excommunication from the Pharisees. 3. That the reason why this was an impediment, was their love of credite and applause among men, which they, in this particular, preferred to the approbation of God. Which albeit where it beareth full swey, is an invincible impediment to grace, Chap. 5.44. Yet prevailing here but in part, and being only in one particular of not confession, it doth not anul the reality of their grace, though it prove the great weakness thereof.

From verse 42. Learn, 1. Even in times of greatest obstinacy, and where the Word comes worst speed, the Ministry will still have some successe, and not be in vain; Therefore is it declared, that in this time, Christ had some hidden ones (beside his own flock that followed and avowed him) who beleeved on him, when the generality were hardened. See 1 King. 19.18. Rom. 11.4. 2. Christ is so powerful in the Ministry of his Word, that he will (when he pleaseth) work upon them who have many impediments in their way, and who are amongst the most bitter enemies to him; for, among the chief rulers also (who were bitter enemies to Christ) many beleeved on him. And albeit they were under so many tentations, that they durst not confess him; yet they are made to beleeve. 3. Albeit the conversion of any be a work of omnipotency; yet the conversion of the greater sort of men, who have so many tentations and impediments in their way, is more to be admired then the bringing in of the meaner sort, especially in corrupt times of the Church; Therefore is it especially marked, that among the chief rulers also, many beleeved on him. 4. There may be true faith and grace, where yet there is much infirmity, to smother and bear it down; for, they beleeved on him, though they durst not avow it. This ought not to make men flatter themselves in their weakness, but should teach others to be charitable, and to encourage and stir up such to be more strong, having such a seed in them as will prevail, and not to weaken their hands from duty, by thinking they are gracelesse, because they are weak. 5. Faith is in a very weak condition, when confession is not joyned with it, and when men do not professe Christ and the true Religion, nor avow him in troublous times, and by their conversation lift not up a banner, professing that they are his followers; for, this was the infirmity of their faith, although they beleeved on him, yet they did not confesse him. Albeit a bate outside profession be to be condemned, yet if it be well grounded, it is commendable, and as necessary in its own kinde, as beleeving is in its kinde, Rom. 10.10. 6. Carnal fear of men, and danger from them, is a great impediment to the avowing of Christ; for, because of the Pharisees, they did not confesse him. Albeit they were not so powerful against Christ, as to hinder their heart from beleeving, yet they deterred them from confessing with their mouths. This is an impediment to be removed by trust in God, Prov. 29.25. and by the fear of his dreadfulnesse, Matth 10.28. 7. It is a great judgement, and an evidence of great wickedness in men, when not only men will not come to Christ themselves, but they are a terrour to all these who would embrace and avow him; for, such were the Pharisees here, because of whom they did not confesse him. See Matth, 23.13. 8. Albeit all men are naturally affraid to hazard any thing for Christ; Yet, ordinarily, fear prevails most with them who are eminent, and have most to loose; for, it was the chief rulers, who, because of the Pharisees, did not confesse him, lest they should lose their place and reputation; But it was otherwise with the blinde man, Chap. 9.30. — 34. 9. Excommunication is a divine Ordinance in the house of God, and which was in force in the most corrupt times of the Jewish Church; As, here, they kept it in use, to put men out of the Synagogue, of which we have spoken formerly. 10. Not only mean persons, but professours of greatest rank and place in the Church, are subject to the censure of excommunication, and it may justly be inflicted, upon their miscarriage; for, herein also they followed the rule, that even the chief rulers were kept under hazard of being put out of the Synagogue. 11. In corrupt times of the Church, Christs Ordinances are all abused, and the edge of censures turned against him and his followers; for, so was it here, they who did confess Christ were in hazard to be put out of the Synagogue. 12. Excommunication is in it selfe a dreadful censure, and ought to be esteemed so by all Church members, albeit the inflicting thereof injustly ought not to terrifie men from duty; for, it was their carnal fear that made them shrink from duty, lest the Pharisees should injustly inflict it, yet their fearing of it, though chief Rulers, testifies how much that censure in it selfe was feared in that Church.

From verse 43. Learn, 1. It is not enough to see the evils into which men break out and fall, unless also the causes drawing on this evil be seen and discovered; Therefore doth John search into the fountain-cause driving them on this snare. 2. Shame and disrespect for Christs cause, is true glory and honour in Gods account; for, it is supposed that if they had lost the praise of men, it had been their praise from God. 3. There is no greater snare to draw a man from duty, then inordinate affection to his credite and reputation; for, if all other losses they might have sustained, this intangled them most, that they would loose the praise of men. 4. Selfe love, and selfe-seeking, and hunting after credite and applause, are evils so dear to men, and so deeply rooted in them, that even beleevers may be overpowered by strong remainders thereof, even sometime to the neglecting of Gods testimony and approbation; for, even they who beleeved on him, ver. 42. yet loved the praise of men more then the praise of God. 5. So long as men let thoughts of earthly credite and reputation swallow up the thoughts of divine approbation and praise, they will never clearly avow Christ and his truth, in a time of trial; for, they did not confesse him, ver. 42 for, they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God. Whereas the more men study to approve themselves to God, and rest in his approbation, the more vile will this worlds praise grow in their eyes, and it will stumble them the less to want it. 6. Such as are taken up with their credite, and with applause from men, neglecting Gods approbation, they do make a very poor choice, and lose more then they can gain; for, it is insinuate, as their fault and disadvantage every way, that they loved the praise of men (which is of no worth) more then the praise of God, wherein mens happinesse consisteth.