John 2:18–19

Followeth in the second branch of this part of the chapters Christs conference with the contentious Jewes, even these (it seems) who were driven out, who being put to the door, and he drawing back his terrour, they (in these verses) begin to question his authority to do as he had done. For, seeing these that were in power did tolerate these things they reckon that it was boldnesse in him to undertake it, unlesse he had an extraordinary calling, or were the Messiah, and if so he were, they desire a proof of his Commission by some signe. Christ in answering, remits them (but in dark termes) to his death, which he foresaw and would permit them to put him to, and to his Resurrection, to prove that he was the true Messiah, and Saviour of sinners. Doct. 1. A work of Reformation of Gods house, will never want opposition from corrupt men, even when Christ and his terrour is eminently seen in it; for, Christ met with opposition thus far, that we should not stumble when we meet with more. 2, Obstinate wicked men, and especially polluters of the House of God, will hardly be reformed, however they be convinced; for, these Jewes answer again, or except against what he did, now when terrour had driven them out, and they had nothing to say. 3. Whatever pretences men may have, wherewith they think to palliate their corruptions in Gods service, and make them plausible, yet when Christ cometh, he will make their greatest Patrons speechless in that cause; for, they are put to the door with silence, and when they would carp most, they dare say nothing in defence of the corruptions themselves, only they question his authority to purge them out 4. When mens hearts are once hardened in ill courses; even a shake with the terrour of God will not gaine them, but so soon as the fit is over, they will not fear impudently to speak against Christ; for, so do they when he draweth back his terrour. 5. When enemies of Reformation cannot justifie their own faults, they will rather quarrel the calling of Reformers, then yield to the convincing truth held out by them; for, their question importeth their questioning of his calling to do this, since he had given no signe for it. 6. Enemies of Reformation and unbelievers are not content with warrants from the Word, nor with such confirmations as God prescribeth, unlesse they get signes of their own carving; for, it was not their fault simply to seek a signe, seeing Christ was to confirme his authority and doctrine by signes, but that (beside that they had no intention to believe however) they were nothing at all wrought upon by the Word; foretelling this, nor are they content and convinced by he signe Christ had given now wrought upon themselves, in that one man had chased them all, being overcome with the conscience of the filthinesse of their fact, and the sense of his Majesty. 7. No man ought to undertake a work of Reformation, but he who hath a calling thereto, and can instruct it by evidences sutable to the nature of the calling he claimeth to; for, this Question doth import, that if Christ could not prove his authority, he had done unwarrantably, though the action were good in it self. 8. Chtist did foreknow all his own sufferings, and would not hinder, but willingly permitted them to come on, and underwent them; for, Destroy this Temple, is not a command of Christ; but a Prediction foretelling their malice, and a permission to them to do their uttermost. 9. The malice of superstitious and greedy enemies of Truth and Reformation, will be satisfied with no lesse then the lives of Reformers; and as God permitted Christ to be killed, so he may permit the lives of notable Reformers to be taken by enemies, that so they may be made conforme to their head, and that their sufferings may be a seale and testimony to their doctrine; for, Destroy this Temple, doth import, that he knew no signes would satisfie them, but to have him killed, hereby also teaching all his followers, what to expect in doing the like work. 10. Christ foreknew that he would not succumbe in his sufferings, but would overcome death, and all the malice of his enemies, by giving them their will, and then rising again the third day by his own power, as it accordingly came to passe: for, saith he, Destroy this Temple, and in three dayes I will raise it up. 11. Christs Death and Resurrection from the deal, is an infallible signe that he is the Messiah and true Redeemer of sinners, having authority to order abuses in his own house; for, herein he did the works of the Redeemer of sinners; and triumphed over death, and proved himself to be God, Rom. 1.4. therefore doth he remit them to this signe, to prove his authority.