George Hutcheson
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that beleeveth on me, hath everlasting life.
Christ having digressed this far (being interrupted with their murmuring) to shew the cause of their distemper; He returnes now to inculcate and presse the former doctrine, taking occasion from the former ver. wherein he hath spoken of his immediate knowledge and seeing of the Father. And first, he gravely asserts and seals the truth of that doctrine which points out salvation to beleevers in him. Whence learn. 1. Christs immediate acquaintance with the Father, is forth-coming for beleevers good; Therefore, unto that doctrine, ver. 46. is this subjoyned, for their comfort. 2. Such as do know and take up Christ rightly, will see great cause of trusting him, and closing with him; So much also doth the dependance of this on the former ver. import, that they who take him up to be one who immediately seeth the Father, will finde ground to credite this doctrine, whatever they thought of it before. 3. This repetition, and pressing this doctrine doth hold out how necessary these truths are. 1. That men be taken up with their own salvation, and the way of attaining it, as being the mean to drive away many idle and needlesse janglings; Therefore doth he wave the answer to their sophistry, and direct them how they may attaine everlasting life. 2. It is necessary that men study much that eternal life is to be had only in and by Christ, and will certainly be attained so: This he again repeats here. 3. It is necessary, that all false wayes to heaven be cryed down, and that men look on faith as the only and sure way of taking hold of Christ, and of getting life in him; for, to such is the promise againe repeated. 4. Men should also study that this offer of life, is indefinite, and it will be undoubtedly granted to all who shall or will beleeve: for, it is indefinite, he that beleeveth, be what he will, or be they never so many. 5. It is also to be seriously studied, that beleevers have eternal life in some respects, even here, to wit, in Christ, and by faith, in the earnest penny and first fruits; for, he that beleeveth, hath everlasting life. Doctrine 4. The confirmation of this doctrine, by a double asseveration, teacheth. 1. Men are by nature so addicted to the covenant of works, and so loath to be stripped of their own worth and righteousnesse, that they are hardly perswaded that faith in Christ is the way to life, and very unwilling to embrace and rest in it; for, this asseveration imports, that there is a controversie in this matter, 2. Corrupt reason will never end this controversie, but we must take us to Christs word alone, to satisfie us; Therefore he useth no dispute, but asserteth it on his truth and word. 3. This truth (however controverted) is most certain, and without all controversie; for, it is verily, verily, true. 4. It is most needful, and profitable, that sinners beleeve and close with this truth, and make use of it; Therefore doth he inculcate and assert it. 5. Christ alloweth such as beleeve in him, to be very confident and perswaded of his accepting of them, and of their eternal happinesse; Therefore doth he strongly assert that verily, verily, they have everlasting life.
