George Hutcheson
15 Ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man.
Before Christ produce any farther proof of the truth of his record, he doth here challenge them for their censure of him. And as in the former verse he points out a difference betwixt himself and them in the point of knowing whence he came and whither he goeth; So here he points out another difference, and a defect in them flowing from this mistake: To wit, that as they were ignorant of him, so they judged carnally of him, and according to outward appearance, being led by their carnal principles. Whereas he, on the contrary, judged no man; Which is not to be understood in opposition to their manner of judging, that he judged no man after the flesh; for (though that be true, yet) then what is subjoyned, verse 16. would import that he might judge after the flesh. Nor is it to be understood, that he judged no man in a political way, but onely, in an ecclesiastical way, was pointing out their faults; for neither in that respect will the opposition betwixt him and them stand, seeing they were not now judging him in any political way, but onely censuring his doctrine and person: Nor yet is it Christs meaning in this place, to shew that he devests himself of that sovereigne dominion and government that he hath over men, and all creatures, joyntly with the Father, of which Chap. 5. 22. for that he never quits; but his scope, is, to shew that he forbare the exercise of it, in some respects, for a time. And particularly, 1. That his chief errand in this his first coming, was not to judge men, but to purchase and offer salvation to lost sinners, Chap. 3. 17. and if any were condemned, it was but an accidental event flowing from mens own corruptions. 2. More especially, now when they were judging him, he was not judging, but teaching and making rich offers; and therefore their carriage was more blame-worthy. Doctr. 1. Albeit malicious carpers, or other enemies, can do nothing to Christs prejudice, yet will he not passe the wrong intended by them in their endeavours, without a rebuke: Therefore, albeit he hath shewed that their cavils could not make void his testimony, yet he will challenge them for their attempt. 2. Rash judging and censuring of Christ, his doctrine and way, is the ordinary fault of his enemies, and an injury which he will not endure at their hands; for, this is their particular attempt which he reproves, that they fell a judging. 3. Men by nature are so blinde and fleshly, that their judgement of Christ and his matters is to be suspected, and such as justly deserves a reproof from him; for, this was, in part, their fault, ye judge after the flesh, or according to the dictates of your corrupt reason and hearts, which cannot perceive the things that are of God. 4. To judge of Christ according to visible and outward appearances of his person or Kingdome, or according to our own prejudicate thoughts; is but a corrupt judgement, and such as doth provoke him to anger; for this farther, and in particular, was their fault, in judging after the flesh, when their prejudices and blinded judgements let them see no more of Christ then his outside. 5. It is the will of God, that his servants be found in meeknesse about their duty, when they are encountred with hard measure and unjust usage from their enemies; for, so doth Christs example teach, who when they judged him, was judging no man, neither in the general exercise of his calling, nor at this Sermon in particular. 6. It speaks Christs gracious condescendence unto lost man, that he first assayes him with the sweet offer of salvation in the Gospel, to see how that will work, before he proceed to a sentence of condemnation; for, saith he, I judge no man, in this my state of humiliation, and at this time in particular. And albeit he spake sometimes sharply unto them, yet it tended but to drive them to his mercie. 7. Christs milde manner of dealing, even to his enemies, doth adde to their dittey, and aggravate their condemnation, who do not onely sleight, but oppose him; Therefore doth Christ mention this, to shew how great their guilt was, in malicious carping at him; ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man.
