John 5:44

The fourth chalenge, (and the chiefe cause of their unbelief, and not embracing Christ) is for their pride and vaine glory, which they hunted after among men, not contenting themselves to be approven and respected of God, by embracing his Sonne by faith. See chap. 12.43. Doctrine 1. True beleevers, and receivers of Christ are all one: They do indeed beleeve in Christ; who, out of affection and sense of need, do close with, and embrace Christ offering himselfe in the Gospel, albeit they have not attained to lively assurance; and without this, historical assent will not prove saving faith; Therefore, receiving, ver. 43. and beleeving in this verse do mutually explain one another. So also Joh. 1.12. 2. Albeit faith be the gift of God, and it be impossible for any natural man to beleeve of himselfe; Yet men by continuance in sinfull wayes, and entertaining particular reigning sinnes, may adde to this impotency, may lay more impediments in the way of Gods working faith, and may be convinced that their case is inconsistent with true faith; for, how can ye beleeve? saith he, intimating, that they had superadded impediments of beleeving to their condition by nature, as a crooked twig by growing, becometh more difficult to be made streight, and that themselves might see that their temper was inconsistent with faith. 3. As faith, which supposeth a man regenerate and subdued to Christ and his yoke, and which purifieth the heart, is inconsistent with the dominion of any one lust or corrupt affection; So in particular, it cannot consist with the dominion of ambition, and affectation of vaine-glory; for, albeit we be bound to honour all men, and Magistrates in particular, 1 Pet. 2.17. and are bound in honour to preferre one another, Rom. 12.10. and albeit beleevers ought so to carry themselves, as the way of God may be honoured in, and because of them, Rom. 2.24. Yea, albeit they cannot hinder, nor is it their sinne, if undue honour be offered unto them, provided they mourn for it, and receive it not: Yet when men hunt after respect from men, and do receive it with lustful delight, and rest on it as the chief scope of their actions, it is an evidence of no faith, or that what they pretend to, is unsound: Therefore, albeit some such be said to beleeve, where it prevailed but in part, Joh. 12.42. yet where it beares full sway, and it only is sought after, he saith, how can ye beleeve, which receive honour one of another? And indeed, such do evidence, that they have not closed with Christ on his own tearmes, of selfe denial and being convinced of their worthlesnesse; that they will take most paines on their outside to be seen of men, and so cannot but neglect sincerity; and, that their ambition and love of respect from men, will draw them to apostacy and prove their unsoundnesse, when they are called to undergo an ignominious crosse. 4. God alloweth and conferreth much honour upon true beleevers; They have an honour of state and priviledges, in being sonnes and friends to God; They have the honour of his approbation in their conscience, yea and sometimes his respects to them are made conspicuous to the world; And, they are allowed to wait for the honour of eternal exaltation; for, there is the honour that cometh from God, to such. 5. As this true honour comes from God alone, whose approbation only may be rested on, and who can advance those whom he approveth, and make them honourable. So sincere beleevers must seek after this which is so necessary; by studying humble sincerity in his sight, following those duties that are in least respect in the world, and not resting on so much only, as may gain them honour from men; And as they must seek after it, not contenting themselves with lesse, so they must be content with this, and be loosed from the love of honour from men, not regarding how they be looked on by the world because they embrace Christ; Therefore, it is imported, they should seek the honour that cometh from God only, See Rom. 2.29. 2 Cor. 10.18. 6. Whatever may be mens duty, in seeking to approve themselves even to the consciences of men, and not to neglect just disrespect in the world, under pretext of approving themselves to God; Yet such as ambitiously hunt after vain-glory, and respect from men, do prove themselves to be carelesse of Gods approbation, since hunting after the one, and seeking the other, cannot consist together; for, here they are opposed, ye receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only.