John 3:25–26

The second and nearer occasion of this testimony, is, a debate betwixt some Jewes, and some of Johns disciples, whether his baptisme or their washings were best for purging of sin; and the Jewes (it seemeth) having nothing to object against John or his baptism, will yet depresse it what they can, by casting up Christ and his baptisme, as now out-shining John. Whereupon his disciples, out of carnal emulation come to him with a regrate, that Christ who was brought in credit by his testimony, did now gather disciples of himself; and carie all the praise from him; and this is the third and nearest occasion of the testimony. Whence learn, 1. Truth will alwayes be liable to contest so long as men are carnal, and especially times of Reformation will readily breed debates and questions; for, there arose a question at this time. 2. None are more bold and ready to fall on debates, then those who are weakest in Religion, having much rash zeal, being conceited of the little light they have, and ignorant of their own inability, and of the subtility of errours and hereticks; for, it was some of Johns disciples, who were weak, very ignorant and emulous of Christ, who enter on this question. 3. Adversaries of the truth, are so deeply rooted in their superstitious customes, as they will be as ready and bold to dispute for them, as others are for truth, especially when they meet with a weak party: for, the Jewes question with Johns disciples about purifying. 4. It is an old policie of adversaries of the truth, when they can do no better, to put Christs friends by the eares among themselves; for, so it is supposed the Jewes did here, by casting up Christs baptisme to disparage John. 5. Such disciples as are weak, and rash, and foolishly forward in debates, get more hurt then good by them one way or other; for, Johns disciples are sent away poisoned with carnal emulation and envie against Christ. 6. In so far as men know Christ, he will grow in their estimation, and men will come down, and get only their own room: for, it is supposed that Christs train was greatest, he baptizeth, and all men come to him. 7. Carnal emulation is an old and great sin in the Church, and even among Professors; it being the foule fruit of a carnal temper, to look on the successe and applause of one mans gifts, as the debasing of anothers who is faithful: to count the thriving of the work of God in one Ministers hand, the disgracing of another who is not so flocked unto: to be forty that any praise should go by our selves, or these we esteem of; or to be taken up, not so much with what concerneth the Gospel and the glory of God, as with the reputation of men employed about it; for, in all these they failed, they think Christ wrongeth John, that his rising disgraceth him, (and therefore they give him honourable titles, and debase Christ as one that had been with him, and brought in credit by him) and the thriving of the work in Christs hand angereth them, since it brought (as they judged) their Master out of request, Rahbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, &c. See; 1 Cor. 3.4. 8. It is a great injury done to Christ, when his voluntary humiliation abaseth him in mens hearts, when men think he is obliged to any for giving him due respect, or that he wrongeth any when he is in greatest repute in his Church; for, herein they wrong him, in casting up that he was with John beyond Jordan, as one of his hearers, in alledging ingratitude upon him, in baptizing to Johns prejudice, who had born witnesse to him, and brought him in credit, and in quarrelling that all men come to him.