John 5:35

The second thing subjoined to this Testimony, is a qualification added to his depressing of Johns Testimony. Lest any should think, that by what he had said, he had vilified John, and his Testimony; therefore he guardes it with a commendation of him, as being an eminent man, for clearnesse of Doctrine, and vigor of zeale, and effectual in his doctrine, even among these corrupt Jews, both Pharisees and others, who went out to him, Matth. 3.5, 7. Wherein also he checks them for their inconstancy, who so soone wearied of what they seemed to be so much affected with. Doctrine 1. Albeit Ministers be nothing in comparison of Christ, nor are they to think that they can adde any thing to him; Yet they will not want their own due commendation; for, so doth Christs commending of John, after what he had said, ver. 34. teach us. 2. Without the knowledge of God, and a lively Ministry holding out the same from the Word, the world lyeth in the darknesse of ignorance and errour, wandering in the unfruitful workes of darknesse; and under the disconsolate estate of misery, without any comfortable sight of Gods favour; for, Ministers being a light, (which serveth to enlighten what is dark) importeth so much. 3. Faithful Ministers are appointed of Christ, for remedying this darknesse; And it is their duty, and commendation, not only to shine in their conversation (as all Christians are bound to do, Phil. 2.15, 16.) but by purity and clearnesse of doctrine, to point out the way of salvation, and remedy of all grievances, to sinners; for, he was a shining light; The Word is, a lamp, or, lanthorne, not only pointing at this, that such a light should not be put under a bushel, Matth. 5.15. but that his light was not native and from himselfe, but lighted from that bright Sun; and that the light of the Ministry serves for our use in this dark night of time (and therefore they are also called Stars) but will cease in the other life; as John his shining candle was put out, when Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse was manifested. 4. It is also the duty of a faithful Minister, not only by clearnesse of doctrine to shine round about him, but also to have his light seasoned with much zeale and love; that so it may affect his own heart, and burne up his own corruptions; may warme and stir up others; may make him move upward (as fire doth) in his motions; and may make him active and vigorous in his calling, though with the wasting of himselfe; for, he was a burning and shining light. 5. Qualifications and gifts are not bestowed upon all Ministers in a like measure and degree; but Christ dispenseth them variously; that he may shew forth his absolute freedome in bestowing; and that the glory of successe may not be ascribed to mens gifts, when he shall effectuate great things by weakest instruments; And he doth bestow gifts on men according to their employments, in severall times or places; for, this commendation of John imports, that he was gifted above others, even honest instruments, being more then a Prophet, Matth. 11.9, 10, 11. See 1 Cor. 12.15, 16, 17. 6. The brightest and most zealous lights of the Church, have but their time of it in the world, and men will have the offer and benefit of them but for a season. They are subject, as well as others, to the common condition of mortality, and oft times they spend themselves speedily with burning and shining to others; yea, and are hastened out of the world by persecution: Beside, the Lord by removing of them, doth put an end to their toile, and call them to enjoy the fruit of their labours; doth chastise the ingratitude of the world, and exercise his own in it; and, doth make way for setting forth the riches of his glory, in raising up, and creating new stars in their place; for, here it is said of John, he was a burning and shining light, but now is put out, and gone. 7. When Christs faithful servants are dead and gone, yet their commendation liveth in his estimation; Therefore doth he commend John, when now he is gone by death, or at least, is in prison. 8. A sound and powerful, a cleare and lively Ministry, may have strange effects, even among unrenewed people; The excellency of their doctrine, when it shines among a people who have long lien under the darknesse of ignorance, and superstitious traditions; the countenance of Ministers from great men, (as John had from Herod;) the excellency of their gifts, together with a common work of the spirit upon hearers, may produce strange effects in them who have no true grace nor faith, for, saith he, ye were willing to rejoyce in his light; there was none but John in their account, and they were much taken up with him. 9. Mens affections may be much aloft, and they may have great fits of joy and delight, through the novelty and excellency of doctrine, and through some apprehension of that at a distance, which the Word speaks of, who yet have no sound grace, as never having been humbled for sinne, nor laid hold on Christ, on whom alone, sound joy is founded, Phil. 3.3. for, these temporaries were willing to rejoyce, or, delighted to rejoyce. See Matth. 13.20, 21. Mark. 6.20. Heb 6.4, 5. 10. It is also an evidence of mens unsoundnesse, when they are more taken with men, and with their gifts, as their own, then they are affected with God as the Authour of these gifts, or do finde his power accompanying the exercise of them, in effects upon their hearts; for, they rejoyced in his light, or, in that light as his, not seeing, nor feeling God in it. 11. Temporary motions, wrought in men by a lively Ministry, are not to be leaned to by themselves, nor are Ministers to look much to the respect that comes from such, for it will be but momentany. Their unsoundnesse will not beare out, and when Ministers meet with discountenance from great men, and with the crosse, and do touch their darling sinnes, they will give over; for, they were willing to rejoyce, but, for a season, or, an hour, and particularly, they rejected him, when Herod turned his enemy, and when he did testifie concerning Christ, whom they liked not. 12. Mens temporary sits will be a witnesse against them, after they have made apostacy; and their respect to a Minister, will witnesse against their not receiving his message; for, their former carriage is now a check to them for their Apostacy; and they are declared to be perverse, who, when they could upon no pretence reprove John, but must admire him, yet they would not credit his Testimony of Christ.