John 3:27

Followeth the testimony it self, wherein John represseth their emulation, partly by shewing that the dispensations of God to every man, are to be acquiesced in, v. 27. and by remitting them to his former doctrine, wherein he had asserted the difference betwixt Christ and him, v. 28. and partly, by an ample commendation of Christ his excellencie, wherein he points out the differences, not only betwixt Christ and himselfe, in his peculiar office of being a forerunner, but betwixt Christ and all men; And namely, that Christ is the Bride-groom, he and others but servants and friends, v. 29. That Christs glory was on the growing hand, and his splendour decreasing, v. 30. That Christ is as far above men, as heaven is above earth, v. 31. That he is far above all in his knowledge of divine things, which he reveals, v. 32. — (though his doctrine be but ill entertained v.— 32. and so men deprive themselves of the dignity of setting their seal to the truth of God, v. 33. which yet is undoubtedly spoken by Christ, as having the Spirit without measure for that, as for other ends, v. 34.) That he is the beloved Son, having the charge of the Elect, and a Soveraignty over all things for their good, v. 35. and that salvation is to be attained only by faith in him, without which men will perish, v. 36.

In this verse, John in a general Assertion sheweth, that the difference betwixt Christ and him (as betwixt men and men) for dignity of calling, gifts, efficacy and successe, flowed from a divine dispensation, which could not nor should be quarrelled, unlesse men would bark against heaven. Whence learn, 1. Faithful Ministers will be far from emulation themselves, and from fostering it in others: and where grace is lively, it will resist tentations, which would kindle the fire of emulation; for, when they blow this corruption, zeal to Christs honour doth not onely quench that fire, but sets him on work to quench it in them. 2. Every excellency and lawfull calling men have, is from God, who dispenseth variously for eminencie in calling, gifts and successe, as he pleaseth; for, so is here imported, that God giveth from heaven, what men have in their several measures. 3. Men are to submit to dispensations of divine providence in what they enjoy of any of these, and upon that ground ought to cure carnal emulation; it being neither lawful, nor to any purpose, to do otherwise, for John keepeth down his own, and curbeth their emulation with this, a man can receive (or, take to himself) nothing, except it be given him from heaven, from which these grounds of curing this disease may be gathered. 1. Any calling or gift, and any successe men have in the exercise of their calling and gifts, is from God; which they ought rather to acknowledge, then quarrel what they want. 2. The variety of dispensations which men are ready to quarrel, is chiefly in gifts and excellencies given for the use of others, and which are adorning rather then saving; for, of these the text is speaking, and men have the lesse cause to quarrel for a lesse measure of these, if they have the truth of saving graces, necessary unto life. 3. There can be no envying of any who excell us in these, without reflecting on God who hath so dispensed his own gifts; for, it is from heaven that the difference is. 4. As no man can lawfully usurp any calling which he hath not from God; (as they would have had John above Christ) so it will be to no purpose to aspire higher, in calling or gifts, then God hath set men, nor will it prosper; No man can receive, or, take to himself, but what is given from heaven; he can neither lawfully usurp a calling, nor think to be blessed in it, if he usurp it, nor can he prosper in stretching himself beyond his gifts and abilities, or in hunting after eminencie and reputation by them.