John 5:36

The second particular testimony, produced by Christ, whereby also the Father witnesseth concerning him, is, that of his works, in doing miracles, and the work of redemption, which he declareth to be a greater witnesse then that of John, and that they prove abundantly that he is sent of the Father, as the Messiah and Saviour of the world. Whence learn, 1. Albeit our hearts be naturally jealous and suspitious of divine truth, and of what Christ saith of himself; yet he hath abundance of witnesses, for curing of this disease, and putting us beyond all cause of suspition; for beside John, he hath more and greater witnesses, that in their mouths every word may be established, 2 Corinth. 13.1. 2. Christ is willing and ready to give proof of his excellency, not onely by his own or others words, but by his working really to prove it to their sense and satisfaction; for he hath a witnesse of his works. 3. Christs workings are not dumb works, but are speaking testimonies of his glorie; and we never take them up rightly, till we see that in them; for, his works do beare witnesse that the Father hath sent him, as his own Sonne, to be the saviour of the world, and that he is not contrary to the Father in his working, as they alleadged, 4. Albeit the testimony of the meanest instrument, concerning Christ, being according to the Word, is as true as any other witnesse; yet if we respect degrees of convincing evidence, the testimony of Christs own works, is a clearer confirmation of his Godhead, office, and doctrine, then the best of mens testimonies, For, not only is this testimony more intrinsccall, then the commendation of another, but his doing these things that were fore-prophesied of the Messiah, is an undeniable proofe, and therefore he remits John to it, Matth. 11.3, 4, 5. and his doing of them in his own name, proveth that he did them of himselfe from the Father; Therefore saith he, that his works are a greater witnesse then that of John, proving that the Father hath sent him; For he could not have done what he did, not only by way of confirmation of the doctrine of the Scriptures, (which seducers by their miracles do not, Deut. 13.5.) but so agreeable to predictions of Scripture concerning the Messiah, if he had not been God, and sent of the Father, and if he had called himself what he was not. And albeit Prophets and Apostles wrought great miracles, who were not the Messiah; Yet this infringeth not the clearnesse of this Testimony; for, these miracles did only confirme their calling, authority and doctrine, and that they were what they called themselves, (which was not that they were the Messiah) and so do Christs miracles confirme his doctrine, and what he said of himselfe: Next, they were but instruments, and that not of the miracle, but of the Word and signe by which it was done, and they expressely declared that it was not in their own name or power any such thing was done, Act. 3.12, 16, But Christ was principal agent, and wrought them in his own name, and in this respect, he did the works, which none other man did, Joh. 15.24 5. All the works that Christ did, were entrusted him from the Father, not only to undertake, but to finish and perfect them: As God, the Father did communicate his nature and operation with him, and as Mediatour, he had a commission by the common counsell of the blessed Trinity; for, they were the works, which the Father gave him to finish. 6. Christ is faithful in his trust, and what is committed to him he doth; for, saith he, the works which the Father hath given me to finish, are the same works that I do. 7. As Christs works do prove his excellency in himselfe, so also do they commend him to his people, as being sent out of the Fathers love for their good, an alsufficient and omnipotent Mediatour, able to effectuate all his purposes, and worthy to be rested on by them; for, saith he, they beare witnesse of me, that the Father hath sent me.