John 5:34

Unto this testimonie of John, Christ subjoines two things. 1. By way of correction, that he needed not mans testimonie, nor did produce it for any thing it could adde to him, but only for their good and salvation, if so be that testimony of John, whom they seemed to respect, might draw them to come to him, and be saved. Whence learn. 1. Christ doth so condescend and stoop for the good of his people, as yet he will not have his greatnesse, and Majesty forgotten or sleighted; Therefore doth he adde this correction, lest they should mistake his condescendence. 2. Christ doth then get his own roome in mens estimation, when he is seene to be such a one, as needs nothing without himself, and needs nothing to commend him, but himself; And when they are brought to see and acknowledge; That he is nothing the greater, or better, when all are for him, nor the worse, though all were against him; That his truth and doctrine needs no mans testimony for confirmation of it, being sufficiently confirmed by his own authority; And, That mens commending of him, addes nothing to him, though it be their own and others advantage, that they do so, Therefore, saith he, I receive not testimony from man. 3. Albeit Christ need nothing of himself, but is alsufficient and infinitely glorious; yet he condescends much to mans weaknesse, and for his good; for, albeit, he receive not testimony from man, yet saith he, these things I say, I borrow a testimony from John, for your cause, that ye might be saved. 4. The nature of Christs Ministry tends to the salvation of sinners, how crosse-like soever it seeme to work, to such an end; And in his Ministry, he intends the salvation of his own, whom his love doth follow when they are among the croud of enemies; for, these things I say, not onely in producing this testimony, but even in the harshest of this Apology, that ye might be saved, not that he intended the salvation of all these, but that the nature of his work tended to that end, and he intended the salvation of his own among them, 5. Albeit the salvation of men be their great and eternal happinesse, yet they are ready to lay manie obstructions in the way thereof, which it is Christs great love and condescendence to passe over; for, so much also is imported, in his saying these things, that they might be saved; They obstructed the way of their own salvation, and Christ condescended to take the stumbling blocks out of the way.