John 8:39–41

The Jewes do except nothing against the first branch of Christs doctrine, concerning spiritual bondage; but finding that in his answer to their objection, he had insinuate that they had some father of whom he had little good to say: and being either really ignorant, or wilfully seeming not to know that Christ spake of their spiritual parentage and pedigree; they again lay claim to Abraham as their father, of whom Christ durst say no ill, and so would render him odious as calumniating holy Abraham Christ, in his reply, doth more clearly hold out that he is not speaking of their carnal descent according to the flesh, but of their original and parentage according to the Spirit. And, 1. He sheweth in general, that if they were Abrahams children according to the Spirit, they would imitate him in his works. 2. He sheweth, in particular, wherein their way was contrary to Abrahams, in that they persecuted him for telling the truth of God. And therefore, 3. They behoved to father themselves on another in that respect, then Abraham. Doctrine. 1. Conceit of priviledges is a disease not easily cured, nor will men be easily taught or convinced of the evill of it; for, after Christ hath sufficiently refuted this exception before, yet they will not be put from it, but repeat it again, Abraham is our Father. 2. It is an old trick of degenerate Churches and Church-men, to cry up the names of pious Ancestours, to oppose them against the light of truth; for, so do they hold up Abraham as their Father, that any thing Christ would say of their parentage, might be repelled by that: and so do many, like them, cry up these from whom they have farre degenerate. But if these Saints departed knew how they were abused by these their degenerate sinnes, they would cry, let them perish from under these heavens. 3. Whatever external priviledges men may enjoy, by being born of religious Parents, and members of the Church; Yet true grace is not an hereditary gift, nor doth carnal and outward succession make men partakers of spiritual priviledges: Therefore, albeit he had granted they were Abrahams seed, ver. 37. by carnal generation and succession, yet he makes a doubt of their being his spiritual seed, till they prove it better, If ye were Abrahams children, &c. 4. There is no just ground for any to boast of their religious progenitours, unlesse they follow their footsteps: for, saith he, If ye were the children of Abraham, and would have that a priviledge unto you indeed, ye would do the works of Abraham. Such as do boast of religious Parents, and yet will not imitate them, are but in effect reading a Narrative to a sad sentence against themselves. 5. Albeit Abrahams carnal seed did enjoy many temporal, yea, and external Church-priviledges, by vertue of the Covenant made with him; Yet none are his successours, as to participation of peculiar spiritual blessings and priviledges, but only these who are followers of his faith and fruitfulnesse in piety: And they who do so, may lay hold on all the spiritual promises made to him and his seed. Therefore doth Christ require of these men, who were his carnal seed, that if they would partake of the promises made to him concerning spiritual freedom, they should prove their interest in him by another title, doing the works of Abraham, and then their claim would be good. And this is a fair advantage and encouragement to Gentiles. See Rom. 4.11, 12 6. As walking in any wicked course, so in particular, the persecution of Christ and his followers, is unbeseeming Saints, and proves that the persecutors have no claime to the priviledges of Saints; Therefore doth he instance this in particular, ye seek to kill me who have told you the truth, to shew how unlike they were to Abraham, who did not this, and therefore could not claim to the priviledges of his spiritual seed. 7. Albeit the Lord, in great mercy, will passe over the many violent fits of corruption in his people, which, through grace, and by fleeing to Christ, they get smothered before they break forth; Yet the Lord will judge of wicked men by their wicked endeavours and attempts, though they succeed not, seeing they are only withheld by some obstacle from without; Therefore doth he charge it on them, as sufficient to prove what they were, ye seek to kill me, though it had not taken affect. See Psal. 21.11. and 28.4. 8. Christ is a Teacher who will not dissemble, nor deceive or flatter his hearers, but will faithfully deliver the truth which he receives; for, saith he, I have told you the truth which I have heard of God. 9. As a faithful declaration of the truth of God is the best service can be done to men, so it is horrid wickednesse and ingratitude in men, when they will not only persecute the innocent, but even these who are beneficial unto them, and do them best offices; for, so doth Christ aggravate their cruelty; ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth. See Psal. 109.4. 2 Cor. 12.15. 10. Such is the perversity of the world, and their hatred to the truth of God pointing them out in their right colours, that the servants of Christ need expect no case, so long as they are faithful in their trust; for, such was Christs lot before them, ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth. 11. Wicked men can never attempt any violence against the servants of God, because of their fidelity, but God will look upon the injury as reflecting on himselfe who entrusts them; for this cause doth Christ shew that the truth, for which they did persecute him, he heard it of God, and so their quarrel was in effect against God, the Author of that truth. And as this may deterre men from such violent courses, so it may sweeten the bitter cup, when it is held to the head of any of Gods servants. 12. Let wicked men cavil never so much against Christ, or strive to clear themselves, yet he will not alter his verdict of them till they change their manners; Therefore, over again doth he conclude, ye do the deeds of your father, that is, deeds like unto his, and deeds whereunto he driveth you. 13. Christ is so milde, even to his violent enemies, that when he reproves them, he rather desires that they should severely judge themselves, then that he should deale too harshly with them; And when he reproves any, it is their duty to set conscience on work, to apply and enlarge the challenge against themselves: for these causes it is, that he, now the second time, saith only, ye do the deeds of your father, not naming who that father is, but leaving that to their own consciences to gather, when they should think seriously on the challenge.