John 13:10

In this verse we have Christs answer to this offer of Peter, wherein he clears what he meant by washing their feet only: Namely, not only to testifie his humility by stooping so low, but further, to point out somewhat concerning them. And 1. He propounds his minde in general doctrine, wherein the similitude runs thus; That as a man going home from a bath needs not wash his whole body again, but only his feet, which contract filth by walking, as they used in these hot countreyes to travel barefooted: So Saints who are already washed, by begun renovation and the Justification of their persons, need not ever again wash, as if every spot did alter their state, but ought only to be purging their affections and actions from the reliques of sin, by getting daily renewed remission, and studying sanctification daily. In saying, he who is washed, is clean every whit. He doth not assert an absolute purity in any within time, nor yet is it only his meaning, that he is clean by begun renovation, which is perfect in parts, though not in degrees: But the sense chiefly is, that by Justification his person is clean, and that the man who, being renewed and justified, doth make daily use of his priviledge of having accesse to the fountain opened up, for daily renewed remission, and washing of his foul feet, he is clean every whit in Gods account, nor is there any spot in him, for which God will condemn him. 2. Christ makes particular application of this doctrine to the disciples, pronouncing that society clean, though with exception of some, (for which a reason is after given) and that therefore they needed to wash no more but their feet. Doct. 1. It is the Will of Christ that Saints in their exercises, do put a difference betwixt the state of their persons, and the several conditions into which they may fall; for, here is a washed and clean man, who yet hath feet to be washed. 2. No man can be in an acceptable state, but he to whom it is gifted by Christ, and communicate through his blood and spirit; for, he is washed, who is clean See 1 Cor. 6.11. 3. Saints, whose persons are clean, have yet, while they are within time, some pollution and reliques of sin left, for their exercise and humiliation; and in their affections and actions are daily contracting filth; for, he that is washed, needeth to wash his feet. See Psal. 130.3. and 143.2. 4. The infirmities of washed Saints are not universal, nor like the voluntary wallowing of swine in the puddle, 2 Pet. 2.22. but are only defilements of their feet, or of their affections and conversation in going through this polluted world; for, so much is imported, that they need but to washt their feet. Where the similitude imports, that this pollution reaches not their best parts, at least reignes not there; that it breaks forth rather in their practice, then utterly poisons their heart; and, that however it have a fountain within, yet it is much helped on, by reason of pollution and entanglements without them, as mens feet are fouled by the ground they tread upon. 5. It is the duty, and ought to be the care of Saints, not to please themselves in this, that their defilements are but infirmities, but they must be washed from them; for, he that is washed, needeth yet to wash his feet. So did Paul pursue the least relique of sin, Rom. 7. 6. Not only the Justification of our persons, but even the washing of our infirmities, must be Christs work; for, the external action Christ is about, teacheth, that he also must wash the feet. 7. Albeit a justified sinner can never be separated from Christ; yet as a man who never employes Christ for pardon and purging of his daily infirmities, doth evidence that he is not justified; so a justified man will pursue these reliques of sin, that so he may thereby be more and more confirmed in the assurance of his interest in Christ; for, unto this washing of the feet, Christ applieth that, v 8. If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 8. It is not Christs Will that Saints, upon every new out-breaking, should cast loose their state, as if their Regeneration, and Justification, and Reconciliation were made void thereby; but they are to hold that fast as a thing not to be renewed, (though when the discharge is dim, they may seek a new Extract) and so go on to get that washed which is foule; for, be that is washed, needeth not save to wash his feet. 9. Albeit Saints be weak in faith, and imperfect in Sanctification, yet there is a Gospel-reckoning accordto which they are every whit clean; Namely, when they are justified and their sins pardoned, and when they are daily studying Sanctification, and making use of daily remission and cleansing; for, such a one is washed, and clean every whit. 10. General doctrine is then only useful, when particular application is made thereof; Therefore Christ applies this to them, And ye are clean. 11. It is not they who justifie themselves, that are clean, but these whom Christ accounts to be so; and his absolving word is sufficient to secure a Saint, who is humbled with his own spots, that he is clean in his account; for, here he gives this for their security, Ye are clean. 12. Hypocrisie and uncleanness are so universal, that its rate to see the choicest or smallest society free from some infected therewith; for, even among this select company there is an exception, Ye are clean, but not all, or, all the persons in this society, as the word in the Original clears And no wonder it be so; for, hereby the Lord would refute the conceit of the godly, that they can be fully separate from the wicked within time; Hereby also are they exercised; and these unclean persons are made use of in the society, as vessels of dishonour in an house, to carry forth the filth from the rest: as hereticks do take the tentations of Saints to be their opinions; and hereby the Lord leads Saints to abhorre them, who otherwise gave too much way to them. 13. Christ never lets out his approbation unto any, but ordinarily he subjoynes so much with it, as may make them very circumspect and jealous of themselves; The clore, after that sentence, Ye are clean, be subjoynes so general an exception, but not all, neither declaring whom or how many he excepted, that so every one might try himselfe.