John 8:37–38

In these verses, we have the second branch of Christs answer; Wherein he answers to the chiefe ground of their exception, taken from their descent from Abraham; from whence they concluded that (at least by right) they were freemen. In answering to this, Christ maketh use of the distinction betwixt Abrahams seed after the flesh, and after the spirit, (of which Rom. 2.28, 29. and 9.6, 7.) and declareth, That he would not deny, but that they were Abrahams carnal seed; yet that could availe nothing, since they did not follow his footsteps, but sought to kill him, as an evidence that his doctrine had no place, nor respect in their hearts, which was not Abrahams way, ver. 37. And to inculcate this yet more. 1. He sheweth, that the Word, which they despised, was the doctrine committed to him from the Father, which Abraham would never have entertained as they did. 2. That their carriage proves that they have another Original and father, whom they follow, then Abraham, and that this their father is contrary to him and his Father, whom Abraham worshipped and obeyed, ver. 38. And by this he indirectly points out that they were acted by Satan, whom he expressely names afterward, seeing they would not understand him when he spake thus.

From ver. 37. Learn, 1. Christ, even in his dealing with wicked men, is most tender and meek, and rather willing to gain then deterre them, so long as there is any hope; So much appeareth in his way of reasoning here, for whereas in their other ground of exception (wherein they alleadge they were never in bondage, ver. 33.) he had them at a seen advantage of an impudent lie, at least of a vain imagination; yet after he hath cleared their mistake about spiritual bondage, he doth not meddle at all with that exception, but only cleares that wherein they seemed to have some advantage of truth on their side. And by this also, he would teach all the maintainers of truth, to make it their great study, to clear and justifie it in their debates, rather then to insult over adversaries, to imbitter and estrange them yet more from the love of the truth. 2. Christs knowledge of truth is infinite, and he doth propound it so infallibly and irrefragably, that he knoweth before hand all that can be said against it; for, whereas they thought to surprize him with his objection, he tells them, I know that ye are Abrahams seed. A finite weak man might see his own shallownesse, by meeting with an objection he dreamt not of, but Christs doctrine cannot be shaken by such means. 3. Albeit external priviledges may be a snare to delude hypocrites, and make them conceit of freedome; And albeit Christ may make use of mens conceit of these priviledges, to convince them, and agreeage their miscarriage: Yet no priviledge that men can boast of, will make void Christs truth, concerning the spiritual bondage of men by nature, nor bring them into real liberty: for, saith he, I know that ye are Abrahams seed, that ye conceit of it, and expect much by it; but yet my doctrine stands true, and ye have the sadder account to make, who enjoying that priviledge, do not emprove it better, 4. A little of mens practice is a surer rule to try them by, then all their faire language or boasted of priviledges; Therefore, saith he, I know that ye are Abrahams seed, but that will not avail to prove your point, since ye seek to kill me. See Matth. 7.16. 5. Mens cruel malice against Christ and his children, proveth them to be yet in nature, and under the bondage of sinne, whatever else they have to boast of; for, by this he proves them servants of sinne, though they were Abrahams seed, ye seek to kill me. 6. Whatever natural men and hypocrites pretend to, or seem to have, of estimation and respect to the doctrine of the Gospel; Yet really it hath no place with them. Either they have no roome for Christ, or his directions or comforts, (as the word here imports) as being sufficiently provided, as they think, without him; or, they think his doctrine but cold comfort, to wait upon and follow in a time of straite; or, they cannot digest his spiritual instructions, as being so contrary to the dictates of flesh and blood, and laying a necessity on them to have so mean a conceit of themselves; or, they affect it, not, because of his authority who speaks it, but because of novelty, finenesse of expression, or the like external motives; or, the affections they have, do not make it sink down in their hearts, to take root there, and bring forth fruit, but it only fleets for a while in their imagination; or, if they be never so clearly convinced, yet out of pure malice, they will reject and oppose it: Therefore saith he, my word hath no place in you. See Jer. 22.21. Exod. 6.9. 1 Cor. 2.14. Acts 17.19, 20, 21. Matth. 13.15, 20, 21. 7. Where the Word is barred out, and gets not roome in mens hearts, there men are ful of mischiefe, and prone to all evil; and particularly, where the Word preached is not received, men will readily turne persecutors: Therefore saith he, ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not place in you. For not only is this a just judgement of God upon such despisers; but the frequent inculcating of the Word will irritate their corruption, and it will grow worse and worse. There is no member of the Church, how civil or discreet soever, but if he receive not Christs Word into his heart, he is ready to turne a persecutor.

From ver. 38. Learn, 1. Christ as he is inseparable from the Father, so is he upon all his counsels, and knoweth his secrets; for saith he, I speak what I have seen with my Father, to wit, his eternal counsels concerning lost sinners, whereof I am made participant 2. Christ also is the faithful interpreter and revealer of his Fathers counsel, for his peoples good; and his doctrine is in all things agreeable to the counsel and will of God; for, I speak that which I have seen with my Father. And this, as it sheweth the great priviledge of the Church, to whom these secrets are concredited, Rom. 3.1, 2. so it doth highly aggravate their contempt who reject this messenger and his message, Heb. 2.2, 3. and 12.25. 3. It is not enough that wicked men be shewed their evil way in it selfe, but they should be led up to see from what principle it flowes, and what the dangerous consequents of it are: Therefore doth Christ lead them up here, to see what their malitious opposition unto him was, and whence it flowed. 4. It is one sad mark upon wicked men and adversaries to Christ, that as they are opposite unto him, so their opposition proveth that he and they are not children of one Father; Therefore doth he point out himselfe and them as having different and contrary Fathers, I speak what I have seen with my Father, and ye do that which ye have seen with your Father. Whereas with his own children it is otherwise, Job. 20.17. 5. Let wicked men boast never so much of their parentage and priviledges; Yet their works and carriage do prove that Satan is their Father, by whom they are acted and guided, and whose wayes they do imitate; for, saith he, ye do that which ye have seen with your Father; where Satan is called their Father, not in respect of the substance of their nature, which is neither created nor begotten by him, but in respect of the corruption of their nature and manners, into which he was a chiefe instrument to draw man in Paradise, and doth yet foster, and hold it on foot in his posterity. Likewise, while he saith, ye do what ye have seen with him, it is not be understood of any visible communion and intercourse betwixt Satan and every unrenewed man; but that they do according as he prompts and acts them. 2 Tim. 2.26. Eph 2.2. and so do commit these evils, wherein he fell before them, as is instanced, ver, 44. 6. It is a sad and humbling sight of natural mens condition, to see them acted and led by Satan, as effectually and really, as ever their bodies were, who were corporally possessed by him: Therefore doth Christ by this point out the odiousnesse of their case unto them. And if this were well considered, it might not only discover, how little wonder it is there be a great opposition be twixt them, and the children of Christ, who are led by his Spirit. But it might humble them to think that they are under the conduct of such a guide, when they think they are only following some pleasant or profitable course: And it might let them, who dreame of a change of their manners when they please, see that it is not so easie a matter, but as hard as it was to dispossesse the man that had the Legion of devils in him.