John 8:30–32

In these verses, John records that this his doctrine had successe among many; And albeit it was but weak beginnings they had, (as appears by Christs doctrine to them) yet he exhorts them to perseverance, and encourages them in that study, by promising. 1. That so they shall prove themselves to be among the number of his real disciples. 2. That they shall encrease in knowledge of the truth, and in feeling the power and efficacy thereof, 3. That they shall be made partakers of true Christian liberty. Whence learn, 1. Opposition made to Christ will not hinder the successe of his Gospel, but even the contentions and debates occasioned by malicious men, may do much good to many; for, as he spake these words, many beleeved on him. Even from amongst the crew of opposers, he gathers followers. 2. As it is preaching which God hath appointed to be the mean of conversion; so in particular, when men consider, either the danger of Christs forsaking and giving up with them, or his own true excellency, as they are revealed in the word; it may be a mean to excite them to lay hold on him; for, this successe followed upon his speaking these things, which may relate either generally to the whole preceding doctrine, wherein he leaves them to give an account to God of their despising of him; or particularly, to the last words, wherein he points out his conjunction with, and his being approven of the Father. 3. Christ is a tender cherisher of weak beginners, and will rather take pains to encourage them, then weaken their hands; for, albeit they were weak, yet he calls it beleeving, and encourageth them to hold on. 4. Such as embrace Christ, do stand in great need of confirmation, and should be seriously affected with that great undertaking wherein they engage, Therefore doth Christ so much excite them, and labour to set their joints aright: Albeit conversion be a very great work, yet confirmation of the converted is no small work, and a notable fruit of the Ministry: Eph. 4.8, 9, 12, 13. 5. It is not enough that men do embrace Christ for a sit only, but if they would reap the benefit of piety, they ought to persevere; And albeit such as do persevere, may be kept a while without sensible feeling of the advantage of their course, yet, in due time, they shall finde it: Therefore doth he propound this condition to them, if ye continue, and upon performance of that, makes the promise 6. They who would persevere indeed, ought to cleave closly to the doctrine of Christ, not only renouncing false doctrine, and giving obedience to his truth, but as faith is begotten by the Word, so it must be cherished and fed by it, and they must embrace and cleave to Christ as he reveals himselfe in the Word, though otherwise they do not sensibly finde his presence; yea, and their sense and fear and guilt may represent him otherwise then the Word saith of him; Therefore saith he unto them, Continue in my word. 7. It is the great priviledge of lost sinners, to be made disciples to Christ, taught of him, and admitted to follow him and be in his company, as a pledge of their being with him for ever; Therefore it is held out as their encouragement and reward, ye are my disciples. 8. As Christ hath some disciples who are so in reality, and others who are such but in shew only; So whatever external priviledges may follow on mens outward profession and shew; Yet there is no true ground of solid comfort, but in being real disciples; Therefore doth he encourage them with this, which only could yeeld true comfort, ye are my disciples indeed, or, truly, and, in truth. 9. Albeit real converts be disciples unto Christ from the first moment of their conversion; Yet that is oft times hid from them, till they give proofe of their sincerity, by perseverance, and then their faire advantages are intimate unto them; Therefore saith he, If ye continue in my word, thou are ye my disciples indeed. He saith not then ye shall be my disciples, as if the reality of their state depended upon their perseverance, but, then are ye my disciples, that is, ye prove and make the truth of it manifest by your perseverance, and ye shall since the comfort of it your selves. 10. As all natural men, and counterfeit disciples, are but ignorant of the truth of God, especially of the power and life that is in it, and accompanieth it; So even sound beginners may be for a time weak in these things; for, so is here supposed, that however they had some beginnings, yet they were yet to know the truth. 11. It is a very great advantage to get found and saving knowledge of the truths of the Gospel, that so faith may close with them, and men may be established in them, and kept on truths side against all delusions, and be made partakers of the sweet refreshments that flow therefrom; Therefore it is held out as a rich encouragement, ye shall know the truth. 12. Proficiency in knowledge and the effects thereof, is not only beleevers dutie, which they should labour for, but it is Gods promise to work it, who should be depended on for that effect; for, it is his promise to true disciples, ye shall know the truth. 13. Whatever be the weaknesse, ignorance, and wants, of weak beginners, and how little soever refreshment they finde in the truths of the Gospel; Yet by perseverance and continuance, all this will be helped, and they will still know more and more of the truth, and the consolations thereof; for, If ye continue, ye shall know the truth, 14. Since the fall of Adam, there is no man but he is born a spiritual slave without freedome, under the dominion and power of sinne and Satan, and under the curse of the Law; for, so is here imported, in that they need to be made free. 15. Such as do embrace Christ, and persevere in obedience to his Word; albeit they be not loosed from that due subjection which, in their several stations, they owe to Superiours, 1 Cor 7.20, 21, 22. yet they are made partakers of true Christian liberty, and are delivered not onely from the bondage wherein they were held by nature, when they were slaves to sinne and Satan, and under the condemning and cursing power of the Law; and from the external bondage of an yoke of Ceremonies, imposed upon the Jewes, and of humane precepts in things indifferent in Gods worship: But also from that spirit of bondage which he lets out at first upon his own, in order to their future freedome. Rom 8.15. Therefore saith Christ, the truth shall make you free. And albeit beleevers, and they who continue in Christs Word, do not alwayes enjoy the possession and use of this liberty, but may be under bondage, terrour, and fear; Yet that is not their allowance, but flows from their own we knesse, which apprehends all their bonds to be being on, when really they are freed from them: And therefore they should complain of themselves to God, and strive for the use of what is their right, by walking familiarly with God, and chearfully and comfortably in his service, and by making their liberty a Law, to binde themselves more strictly to his obedience. 16. This making them free is here attribute to the truth, whereas Christ onely is the cause of our liberty, verse 36. But these are not inconsistent; for, it is Christ indeed who purchaseth and applyeth this liberty; Christ and this his purchase and offer, are held out in the Word, to be laid hold on there by faith, and so the beleever comes to get the right, and application of it, and he living by faith, the Spirit of Adoption comes and seals up this liberty, Ephes 1.13. Gal 4.6. So is this to be understood, the truth shall make you free.