John 8:16–18

Lest they should except, that therefore he judged them not, because he could not truely challenge any thing; Therefore he declares, that he might judge them if he would, and if he did, his judgement were true. And thus he returnes to assert the truth of his own record, and, 1. He enlargeth the assertion, shewing, that if he not only bear record of himselfe, but against them also, yet his record is true, 2. He addes a second reason confirming this assertion, which is propounded, ver. 16. that he is not alone in what he doth, but the Father is with him, and it is confirmed, ver. 17, 18. that if the testimony of two men be sufficient in any matter according to Moses Law, to proove it, true, Deut. 17.6, how much more is his record true, being witnessed unto by himselfe who is God, and by the Father also, who by a voyce from heaven, and by mighty signes and wonders did declare and confirme who he was, and command he should be hearkned unto?

From verse 16. Learn, 1. Albeit Christ do condescend to offer salvation unto lost sinners, yet if he pleased, he might in place thereof, judge and condemne them, and yet do no wrong; for, he speaks here of his judging, as a thing he might well do, if he pleased. 2. Christ cannot erre in judging of men; but as all his testimonies are true, so also he is true in judging, how crosse soever it seem to us; for, yet if I judge, my judgement is true. 3. As all these who are employed by God in his service are never left alone by him in their difficulties; So in particular, Christ and the Father are undivided in the work of judging of men, as in all other works; and the Father is still with him as being of the same essence, and as with his Ambassadour and servant, acting according to his instructions; Therefore, saith he, I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me, where he proves the Fathers conjunction with him, from his being his Father, by eternal generation, and from his sending of him. 4 Christs union with the Father, in judging, is an infallible proofe that he cannot erre in that work. It being impossible that he who is God, one with the Father, and who in all things walks according to his Fathers instructions, should erre in any of his testimonies or records: Therefore is it given as a reason why his judgement is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

From verse 17, 18. Learn, 1. The Laws given by God do not serve for rules to direct or binde him, who is supreme and above all Law; but to be a rule and direction to these to whom they are given; Therefore it is called your law, not that they were the penmen or prescribers of it, nor yet only because they gloried of it, albeit they did little regard it in practice, but because it was given for their use and direction. 2. It is the will of God, that, as men should not be rash in private judging, so, in publike contraversies, they should not proceed to judgement upon every report or single testimony, but, at least, the matter must be proven by two witnesses; for, saith he, It is written in your Law, that the testimony of two men is true. Not that necessarily every thing that is deponed by two witnesses is true, for false witnesses may conspire to assert an untruth, 1 Kings 21.13. Matth. 26.60. Acts 6.11, 13. But the meaning of the Law is, that at least, there shall be no fewer testimonies to prove any thing. And as great care should be had in examining witnesses, to finde out if there be any falshood, (wherein, even in persecuting of Christ, the Pharisees were exact, Marke 14.55, 56.) and for more security, the Jewes put the witnesses to confirme their testimony, by being first in executing the sentence, Deut. 17.6, 7. So where two witnesses concurre in one testimony, the matter is to be accounted legally true and proven, albeit the witnesses should lie. 3. Albeit Christ, as God, be above Law, yet his wayes are so just, that the Law can have no just exception against him; Therefore doth he confirme his assertion from their own Law. For, if the testimony of two men (who are fallible and may deceive) doth suffice to prove a matter to be true; how much more is he to be credited, who is witnessed unto by the Father, and by himselfe as God witnessing of himselfe, as man and Mediatour; seeing these witnesses are truth it selfe, who cannot lie, nor be byassed? 4. The truth of Christs offers unto lost sinners is so abundantly confirmed by unquestionable witnesses, that none can call them in question, without egregious wrong done to God; So much also may be gathered from this double witnesse, of himselfe, and the Father that sent him. 5. The Father and the Sonne, albeit one and undivided in essence and operation; yet are distinct persons, and did distinctly bear witnesse in this testimonie concerning the man Christ, and his offers as Mediatour; for, saith he, I am one that bear witnesse of my selfe, and the Father that sent me, beareth witnesse of me.