John 3:32

A fifth difference betwixt Christ and all men, is taken from his knowledge and the manner of it, All men of themselves do but speak and favour of the earth, verse 31. and what they have above this, is of free gift; but Christ in this also is above all, having the knowledge of that doctrine which he delivereth, by seeing and hearing, that is, by a clear, full, certain and immediate comprehension of it, as being in the bosome of the Father and upon all his counsel; whereof mens being eye and eare witnesses of what they speak, is but a shadow. And yet for all this, John regrateth that so few embrace his doctrine, of which see verse 11. Whence learn, 1. It is Christs prerogative to have the knowledge of divine truths of himself from the Father, and to have all others who know any thing beholden to his bounty and illumination; for, his doctrine is, what he hath seene and heard, in a way peculiar to him. 2. It sets out the bounty of Christ, that he doth not keep up this knowledge, but discovereth it, that so sinners may have a sure guide and teacher, and the solemne testimony of an eye and eare witnesse, on which they may lean; for, what he hath seene and heard, that he testifieth. It is called a testifying both in respect of the certainty of the matter, and in respect of Christs earnest perswading of men to embrace it, as testifying seemeth to import, Acts 18.5. 3. Christs gracious condescendence in revealing the counsel of God concerning mans salvation, gets but ill entertainment in the world; the most part of men either not hearkning to him, or not embracing his offer with respect, affection or faith, for no man (that is, very few or none in comparison of them who do otherwise, though some there are verse 33.) receiveth his testimony: Let them hear it as they will, yet they do not receive nor embrace it as becometh; and therefore also it is called a testimony, as witnessing against them, that they receive not so certain a truth. 4. It ought, and will be matter of regrate to all the friends and servants of Christ, that his doctrine is so ill received in the world; for, whereas Johns disciples complained, verse 26. that all men came to Christ, he seeth rather cause to complaine that no man receiveth his testimony.