John 7:52–53

Followeth their reply to Nicodemus, with the conclusion of their whole consultation. Albeit Nicodemus spake but very little, and that which might have been said for any delinquent, yet he meeteth with as hard a rub as if he had said more. They do upbraid him with Galilee, and do assert that they are so sure that Christ, who came (as they supposed) out of Galilee, is not so much as a Prophet, that if he were also of Galilee, they would respect him the lesse. And therefore they bid search and look, not so much if Nicodemus were a Galilean, as if he could produce any record, testifying that ever a Prophet had risen out of Galilee. Yet it is remarkable, that however they were thus more and more enraged, yet they scatter without any conclusion against Christ. Whence learn. 1. Persecutors are so furious, that if a man speak but mildly and equitably in Christs cause, and do not oppose him as furiously as themselves, they will be sure to account him an enemy; for, so do they deal with Nicodemus, who spake nothing but what justice requireth, even though the party pleaded for deserved to be condemned. 2. It is a token of fury in men, and of their rage against Christ, that when any plead for him, they are not answered in reason, but their persons are reflected on; for, so do they answer Nicodemus his rational exception, Art thou also of Galilee? 3. It is also the way of persecutors, to bear down truth, by making false and untrue grounds passe for currant; for, such are their reasonings here, Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet. Where they lay down two false principles; one was, that Christ came out of Galilee, whereas indeed he was born in Bethlehem; and the other was, that suppose it had been true that no Prophet had hitherto arisen out of Galilee; yet it would not follow that none should ever arise out of it. 4. It is very great injustice, to rub reproaches upon whole provinces of people within the visible Church, and particularly, to account of them as secluded from the participation of the gifts of Gods grace, which are freely bestowed according to his pleasure; for, herein they saile, not only that they reproach the whole province of Galilee, (a practice like to which did once breed great trouble, Judg. 12.4.) but that they would seclude all of them from being ever capable of that gift of prophecy. 5. There is no council nor understanding against Christ, but when he pleaseth, he can dissipate all of it; for, here, every man went to his own house, without doing any thing. And albeit he take not alwayes this mean of making their councils dissolve without conclusion; yet we may be certain that if they get permission to conclude, yet they shall never get their conclusions, put in execution; or if they do execute them, yet they shall be far from the end which they propose to themselves to attain thereby, which is, the subversion of Christ, his Kingdome, and truth. 6. When God hath the conspiracies of men against Christ to dissipate, he needs not many probable means to effectuate it, but can cause the speaking of one word serve the turne, to break the snare; for, upon Nicodemus word, this followeth, every man went to his own house.