John 5:19

Christ insisteth in his Apology, to the end of the Chapter, and cleareth and confirmeth that which offended them in his discourse, of his equality and conjunction with the Father, which doth inferre the justifying of his work on the Sabbath. For this end, he produceth many instances and arguments of his equality, to ver. 31. and then produceth many witnesses testifying concerning him, whereof he maketh use, in the rest of the Chapter. What Christ here speaks of himselfe, is to be understood of his Godhead, for divine nature, though he mention his commission to come into the world, ver. 23. and bis becoming man. ver. 27. to shew that as he is man and Mediatour, that the Majesty of his Godhead might not deterre sinners from coming to him; so his condescendence did take away none of his glory, nor his equality with the Father, as God.

In proving this equality. 1. He insists in general to prove his conjunction in operation with the Father, which he had asserted, ver. 17. promising further and greater manifestations of it, ver. 19, 20. 2. He produceth particular instances of this conjunction and equality, to ver. 31. And namely. That he is equal with the Father in quickening the dead. ver. 21. in the matter of judgement and authority, ver. 22. in being the object of divine honour, ver. 23. in giving eternal life to beleevers on his word, ver. 24. in quickening dead souls by his word, ver. 25. in having a fountaine of life, ver. 26. (which may be cleared by his authority as Mediatour also, ver. 27.) and in his power to be shewed in the resurrection and general judgement, ver. 28, 29. all which is summed up by way of conclusion, ver. 30.

In this verse after a grave asseveration, we have two assertions; in the first (which is negative) is declared, that what the Sonne doth, he doth it from the Father, and doth nothing separate or divided from him, and so sheweth that he doth only what the Father doth, though there be a distinction and order of his working from the Father. In the second, (which is positive, and a confirmation of the former) is declared, that the Sonne doth all that the Father doth, and the Father doth nothing without him; and withall, that there is an unity and equality of the working of the Father and Sonne, both in matter and manner. Whence learn. 1. As truth is not to be quit and forsaken because of opposition, so truth will lose nothing by opposition; but Christ will take occasion thereby to clear it more, and make it shine the brighter; for, notwithstanding their rage, he insists to inculcate and clear this truth the more. 2. The mysteries of Religion, especially concerning God, and Christ as God, and plurality of persons in the unity of essence, ought to be spoken of, heard, and thought upon, with much gravity, reverence and sobriety; Therefore, doth he begin this doctrine with a grave esseveration, verilie, verilie. 3. Christs equality and unity with the Father, is a truth hardly received or believed by the hearts of men, as being a mystery above the reach of natural reason, and yet it is worthy to be received, for setting forth of his greatnesse, and the dignity of his person; for grounding our faith in him; and, for assuring us of the certaine successe of his undertakings; Therefore, also it is inculcate with a verelie, verelie. 4. In takeing up divine and supernatural mysteries, we are to submit unto, and acquiesce in divine revelation, what ever carnal reason suggest to the contrary; so much also doth his confirming this truth, and obviating all objections, with his asseveration, teach us. 5. As the Father and Sonne are one in nature and essence, so are they undivided and inseparable in operation and working, and the Sonne worketh only what the Father worketh; for, the Sonne can do nothing of himselfe, (or seperate from the Father) but what the Father doth; and that he cannot work otherwise, but in conjunction with the Father, doth not argue any impotency in him, but his strait union with the Father. 6. Albeit the Father and Sonne be one in essence and operation, yet are they distinct persons, and there is an order of subsistence and operation to be observed betwixt the Father and the Sonne; So much are we taught, in that the one is the Sonne, the other; the Father, and so distinct each from other, and in that the Sonne doth nothing of himselfe, which doth not seclude Christs own proper power as God, but holds out (beside his conjunction with the Father) that in order of working, he worketh from the Father; And it is yet further confirmed, in that he doth what he seeth the Father do; Which seeing, (as that shewing also ver. 20.) though it be an expression fitted to our capacity, and borrowed from among men, who shew their children their skill by acting and practising thereof before them, that they may imitate it; Yet it is not to be understood, as if Christs work were posterior to the Fathers work, and done in imitation of his, as is after cleared: But it points out that unspeakable communication, whereby the Father communicates unto the Sonne his nature, will, wisdome and power, and so the Sonne in order of subsistence is from the Father; and points out also, that the Sonne knoweth the Fathers working, because he works the same work with him, and from him. 7. The Sonne is not only joint with his Father in working, or execution of his purposes, but is upon all his counsels also, and perfectly understandeth all his purposes; So much also may be gathered from his seeing what the Father doth, and the Fathers shewing, ver. 20. importing that he is conscious to all his Fathers counsel and working, as having the same wisedome communicate from the Father to him. 8. Christs workes are not only like unto the Fathers, but the same in substance, as flowing from one and the same essence and power; for, what he doth, these things also doth the Sonne. 9. Christ, in working with the Father, acts not as an instrument subordinate, but as there is an unity in the work, so also in the manner of it, by the same power, wisdome, liberty, authority, &c. the order of operation being observed; for, these things also doth the Son likewise, or, in like manner. 10. Christ is joint with the Father, not in one or some only of his workes, but in all that he doth, for, whatsoever things he doth, these doth the Sonne likewise. 11. It is comfortable to the Church to be much in studying Christs excellency, to look on his working as the work of God, who can effectuate what he will, and that the works which he works, they are the works of the Father also, and to see him on all the Fathers counsels and undertakings; whereby beleevers may see nothing contrived from all eternity, or acted within time, but what he, who is their Head and Mediatour also, hath an hand in; So much may be gathered from this doctrine, whereby he sets out his own glory for our use.