John 14:11

The third branch of Christs answer contains an exhortation to all the disciples, that they would beleeve this truth of his unity in essence with the Father. Which he presseth and confirmeth from three reasons; whereof the first (in this verse) is the same in substance with that ver. 10. that he who is the truth speaks it, and hath confirmed it by his works. Whence learn, 1. The deity of Christ, and his unity in essence with the Father, is the main article of the Christian Religion, to be studied and beleeved; Therefore doth he presse it, Beleeve that I am in the Father, and the Father in me. 2. This point of saving truth ought to be seriously and distinctly inculcate, and studied and learned; otherwise our consolation arising from the knowledge of our Mediatour, will not be so solide, and so full, as is allowed; Therefore, notwithstanding any imperfect knowledge they had of him, and what he had pressed on Philip, he doth again urge that they beleeve this, Beleeve that I am in the Father, &c. 3. Christ doth so take care of one of his followers, whose infirmities become visible, as he will not forget others, who may be in the like need; for, as he pressed Philip, ver. 10. so he presseth here all the rest to beleeve, whom he knew to be ignorant as well as Philip, though they had not expressed it. Beleeve ye, saith he, to all of them, in the plural number. 4. The knowledge of Christ to be true God, under the vail of his manhood, and state of humiliation, is as difficult as it is necessary; and a study wherein beleevers will finde much matter of humiliation for their short coming; for, so much also doth this insisting on it, teach us. 5. Christ takes pleasure in the soul-prosperity of his servants, and that for this end, they study him well, who is their fountain and store-house, and, do close with him by faith as true God; Therefore, doth he exhort and intreat them to beleeve. 6. Christ is a witnesse who will not lye; And as it is only on his testimony we must fasten in matters of faith; So his testimony is worthy of all credite and acceptation by faith in our hearts; for, the exhortation is a reason to it selfe, beleeve me, saith he, since I have said it. 7. Christ, by his condescending, to adde works to the testimony of his Word, for confirmation of our faith, and that albeit he be God who cannot lye, doth teach his people, not to try men by their words, but their power, 1 Cor. 4.19. And to examine all the fair professions of men, by their fruits; for, this other branch of the argument, taken from his works, is added, not because his Word needs such a witnesse in it selfe; but, in part, to teach us caution in the like case. 8. Christs works, joyned with his Word, do so clearly point him out, that they may extort an acknowledgement of his God-head from men, and will exceedingly heighten the sin of them who will not trust in him as God; Therefore saith he, or else beleeve me for the very works sake. Whereby he doth not allow them not to beleeve himself speaking in his Word, nor yet approves of that faith as saving, which is begotten by his works, without the Word; But declareth, that his works were so clear proofes of a deity, as none without impudence could deny it, nor without great sin misbeleeve a truth so confirmed.