John 8:54–55

Followeth Christs answer to this exception, And, 1. In general (in these verses) he clears himself of any ambition in this matter, and proves them guilty of it. Whereas, in their exception, they thought it great ambition in him, to preferre himself to Abraham and all the Prophets; He answers (by way of concession) that it he himself, and of himself, did take this honour on him, it were of no worth; but he hath it of the Father, who doth allow and conferre it on him. And whereas they might except, that if this Father of whom he boasted so much, be the true God, they had greater cause to lay claime to him then he had; He answers, that this proves them really guilty of that ambition wherewith they charge him; For they boast of him while as they have no saving knowledge of him; But he knows him, and would be a liar, like unto them, if he should say that he knew him not, seeing he gives real proof of knowing him; by keeping his word. Doctrine 1. Such as hunt after vain-glory, and seek after respect and estimation otherwise then God alloweth and approveth of, they do hunt a shadow, and that which really is of no worth; for, this is of general verity, If I honour my self my honour is nothing. See 2 Cor. 10.18. 2. Christ seeketh no glory but what the Father alloweth on him; And as he is God over all, blessed and honoured for ever, and as his humane nature is honoured, by being exalted to a personal union with the Godhead; So whoever dishonour Christ, yet the Father alloweth and hath conferred honour on him as Mediatour, to be a testimony how well he is pleased with the redemption of lost man, performed by him; and to be matter of comfort to all them who seek to this exalted Prince, and matter of terrour to all his and their enemies: For, saith he, if I honour my self, my honour is nothing, it is the Father that honoureth me. 3. What men have received from God with his approbation, and have his testimony for it, they may avow and maintain it against all opposition; Therefore doth Christ not deny that honour they alledged he took to himself, but he avows it on this ground, It is my Father that honoureth me. 4. Albeit Christ be in himself God alsufficient, and so is not capable of any accesse of glory: Yet it pleased him to condescend so farre, as to obscure his own glory under the vail of his flesh and state of humiliation, till he had perfected the work of Redemption; and to account of his office of Mediatour, and the dignity accompanying it, as great honour conferred upon him by the Father; Therefore, saith he, my Father honoureth me, above Abraham and the Prophets, that I can give life to them that keep my sayings. 5. Christs greatest enemies may yet be so presumptuous and deluded, as to sooth up themselves, with a conceit of a special interest in God; for, the Father, is he, of whom ye say that he is your God. 6. Persecutors, pretending to interest in God, do but proclaim their own carnal ambition and selfe-seeking, and that they do but lye and deceive themselves; for, he brings this as a proofe of their ambition, and asserts that they were liars in so saying, I shall be a liar like unto you. 7. As none are more ready to boast of an interest in God, then they who know least of him; so none can prove an interest in him, but they who know and acknowledge him as he is revealed in Christ by the Gospel; for, saith he, ye say that he is your God but (to refute that) ye know him not, to wit, savingly, in so far as they knew not him as Father to his Sonne whom he had sent, and acknowledged not the Gospel to be his revealed will. 8. It is not sufficient for proving an interest in God, that men do acknowledge God as he reveals himselfe, unlesse also obedience to his will be joyned therewith; so much doth Christ teach by his own evidences that he is of God, contrary to theirs, I know him, and keep his saying. 9. Such as are of God, and know him, should confidently avow their right and interest, and it is as great a wrong in a child of God, to deny his right, as it is in a prophane man, to claime an interest; Therefore, saith Christ, in opposition to them, But I know him, and if I should say I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you, who boast of an interest without ground. 10. Christ doth perfectly know the Father and his will, so that none can be deluded in resisting on what he reveals of him; And he was perfectly obedient to the will of the Father in all things, so that nothing can be objected against them, who flee to lay hold on his righteousnesse; for, I know him, and keep his saying.