John 12:49–50

The last argument serves to confirme and clear the former, and is taken from the authority of his doctrine. For, whereas they might except, that they were not afraid of his words, as being only his own. He answers, that he spake not of himselfe, but what was the Fathers word also, And to confirme this, 1. He declareth that he had received a commission from the Father who sent him, concerning his doctrine, and what to say and speak. 2. That he was perswaded this doctrine delivered to him by the Father, points out the true way to eternal life. 3. That he had exactly followed this commission in preaching, both for matter and manner. Hence the argument concludes strongly two wayes. 1. That his Word and doctrine being divine, and the Fathers as well as his, it was sufficient to judge and condemne all despisers. 2. That his doctrine only pointing out the true way to life, and means of attaining it, they could not misse condemnation who would not hearken unto it. Whence learn, 1. Albeit Christs doctrine be his own, as he is true God and the wisdome of the Father; Yet it is not his own, as meer man, nor as secluding the Father, who is one God with him, and who gave him a commission and instructions as Mediatour; for, I have not spoken of my selfe, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, &c. 2. The Father is the authour and approver of Christs doctrine, no lesse then Christ himselfe; for, I have not spoken of my selfe, &c. 3. No word, but Gods Word, is sufficient to condemne men for disobedience; and if men cannot prove their doctrine to be divine, it is neither to be obeyed, nor are terrours for the neglect thereof to be regarded; Therefore Christ takes this as the proofe that his Word shall judge men, ver. 48. for, I have not spoken of my selfe, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And this he exactly followed, as ver. 50. The two words, of saying, and speaking, may be taken comprehensively, as pointing out all the wayes of delivering his commission, by set and solemne preaching, or occasional conferences; and the whole subject matter of his preaching, in precepts, promises and threatnings. And so it will import, that his commission from the Father was full, both for matter and manner, and his discharge thereof answerable. Yet this variety of expression is not to be insisted on, seeing in the following verse Christ useth one of the words in place of both. 4. When men speak by commission from another, and according thereunto, the refuser of the message must be accountable to the Authour and sender thereof; for, so doth Christ prove his Word should judge them, seeing God is the author thereof, who will call them to an account. 5. The summe of Christs doctrine, which he delivered from the Father, is, to point out eternal life to lost sinners, and the way and means leading thereunto; for, his commandment (or the doctrine, which I, at his command, have preached) is life everlasting. See Joh 17.3. 6. Whatever esteeme sinners have of the Gospel; yet it is sure in it selfe that there is no salvation by any other way or doctrine, but by embracing thereof; and as Christ is, so every Preacher ought to be perswaded of the excellency thereof; Therefore, saith Christ, in opposition to all their misconstructions, I know that his commandment is life everlasting. 7. Christ is a true Prophet, who spake neither more or lesse in the doctrine of the Gospel, then what was the Fathers will should be delivered to us; for, whatsoever I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 8. It is the duty of the Messengers of the Gospel to cleave close to their commission, without adding or diminishing; for, herein Christs practice is a pattern of their duty. 9. Such as are perswaded of the excellency and absolute necessity of the Gospel, will cleave to it, and publish it in their stations, were their discouragements never so many, or the opposition made to them never so great; for, upon this, I know that his commandment is life everlasting, Christ inferreth this by way of conclusion, whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said to me, so I speak. Intimating that upon this knowledge of the worth of his doctrine, he cleaves to it, and speaks it, however they contemned him and it.