John 8:21

From this to the end of ver. 29. we have a new Sermon and debate; wherein Christ threatning them with his removal, and the sad separation that should be betwixt him and them, ver. 21. They, according to their custome, do tauntingly cavil at it, ver. 22. But Christ sheweth what their disposition was, contrary to his, ver. 23. and therefore they could not but perish, especially since they made no use of him, ver. 24. he having so often informed them what he was, so that they could not sinne ignorantly, ver. 25. And further, Christ sheweth that though he had much to lay to their charge, yet he would forbear now, and content himselfe with this, that his Father, whom he obeyed, was true, and would call them to an account, ver. 26. and that (however they understood not this at present, ver. 27. yet) after his suffering, they should be convinced that he is the Messiah, obedient unto, and approven of his Father, verse 28, 29.

In this verse we have the summe of this Sermon; wherein, considering that they despised his rich offer, ver. 12. and not only so, but they intended violence against him: Therefore, he threatens them with the removal of himselfe, and that however they seek him, yet they shall perish in their sinnes, and have no accesse to him. Of this see Chap. 7. 34. Doctrine, 1. The greatest of opposition will not drive Christ away, where he hath a minde to stay, or till he please; for, he would not be put away by their violence, but I go, saith he. 2. The wicked may at last get their will of Christ, so far as to be rid of him, but for a plague to them; for to them who would have taken him, ver. 20. he saith, I go my way. 3. Where Christs gracious offers are rejected, and himselfe persecuted, it is a presage that he will remove; for, to such he saith, again, as his next message, after the former, verse 12. I go my way. 4. As Christs removal is the saddest of judgements; so it is a judgement, the evil whereof is not easily laid to heart; Therefore must it be so oft inculcate upon them, as their saddest stroak. 5. Christs removal from a people draws on such miseries, as may make great despisers misse and need him, and make them glad to seek him, if so be they could finde him; for, I go my way and ye shall seek me. 6. Since reprobate men do sometime seek Christ whom they despised, not because they love him any better, nor because they purpose to give him any employment about their sinne; but only to be rid of trouble by him; Therefore such seekers do die impenitents for all their pains, and go to their graves before they be rid of their sinnes, and with their bones full of them; for, to such he saith, ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sinne, that is, die impenitent, and pine away under the punishment of iniquity, till they die, and that because they would not die to sinne. 7. Such as do reject Christ here, and die impenitent and unreconciled with him, shall finde his removal from them will end in eternal separation; Therefore it is subjoyned, whither I go ye cannot come.