John 3:12

The second ground upon which Christ reproveth and aggreageth his unbelief, is, the plainnesse of his doctrine: Christ had spoken of heavenly things in a plain way under a similitude taken from earthly things, as, v 8. and if he did not comprehend and believe them so, what would he do if they had been spoken of as heavenly things in a stile suitable to their own nature? Doct. 1. It is the will of Christ, that teachers of souls do not affect high and lofty stiles, and quaintness of expression, but that in doctrine they descend as low as may be, and accommodate themselves to the capacity of people; for, herein Christ commends his own love in drawing the copie; I have told you earthly things, 2. Even spiritual things, when they are spoken of under earthly similitudes, are but earthly things in comparison of what they would be, being spoken of in their own language and termes; therefore he calleth them, being so expressed, earthly things, in comparison of heavenly things, expressed in a suitable stile. There is an eminencie in these things above what any similitude can expresse, and when we come to know as we are known, we will finde it so. 3. When all is done that can be to bring down spiritual things to a peoples capacity, yet there is no power in men of themselves to understand or close with them; for, Christ found it so, I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not: and Ministers need not think it strange, if their doctrine be no better entertained then Christs was. 4. The plainnesse of doctrine doth aggreage the sin of ignorance and unbelief, and make it more inexcusable: for, it is a challenge, I have told you earthly things, and ye beleeve not, &c. 5. Such as are rightly convinced of their dulness in taking up spiritual things, when plainly expressed, will much more see their inability to take up these things in their own nature; and however, this will stand as a witnesse how far men are from knowledge, or closing with spiritual things: for, so doth Christ hold out, If I have told you earthly things, and ye beleeve not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things.