George Hutcheson
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
To make the former chalenges have place, Christ warnes them of being judged and accused before the tribunal of God; And that he might prevent the thoughts of their hearts (who leaned to Moses as their great teacher, Joh. 9.28, 29. and beleeved to be absolved and saved by following the Law given by him, and so regarded not Christs chalenges) He declareth that not only he, but Moses his Law would accuse and condemne them; And so leades a special Scripture witnesse for himselfe, even Moses Law. While Christ saith, he will not accuse them, it is not a simple denial, for his doctrine and offer of salvation will be the sad condemnation of sinners: But it is spoken according to their opinion, who regarded little his opposition, and therefore he declares that even Moses, their great friend, would be their partie, not in respect of his person, but his writeings. Doctrine 1. Sinners, continuing obstinate after abundance of conviction, may look for appearing before Gods tribunal, to have the matter discussed; and Ministers oughe to set this before them; Therefore doth a Christ here put them in minde of being accused to the Father. 2. Sinne unrepented of, and the sinners not fleeing to Christ for pardon and purging of it, will draw on sharp and sad accusations before the tribunal of God; both law and Gospel, Gods justice, mens own consciences, the spirit resisted by them in his moral swasions, Act. 7.51. yea, all the paines taken on them, will contribute to this work; for, it is supposed, they will be accused to the Father. 3. Such as reject Christ, and do neglect chalenges for this, it is because they have some false confidence beside, which bolsters them up in their opposition; for, so had the Jewes, Moses, in whom ye trust, saith he; they gloried of being his disciples who spake with God, and thought to be safe by looking to his Law. 4. What ever be the confidence, which seemeth to uphold men in their mis-regarding of Christ, it will not only fail them, but turne an accuser to make up their ditty; for, even Moses, in whom ye trust, will accuse you to the Father. 5. What ever men may think of Christs being an adversary; Yet not only is it sad when the Saviour of sinners turnes the sinners accuser; But he will finde many witnesses to prosecute his sentence and chalenge against the despisers; Godly men, whom such glory of, in opposition to him, will be ready to be their greatest enemies, and the Word of God in the Ministry of his servants, extraordinary or ordinary, will beare witnesse against them, whatever respect they seem to carry thereunto; for, saith he, think not that I will accuse you to the Father, (or, albeit ye think light of that, though too sad for you to beare, yet) there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom ye trust, not only, because the sentence of the Law stood against them, but all his writing and doctrine should accuse them, as is after cleared.
