John 8:59

Followeth now the issue of this long dispute, and particularly of this last contest. They look upon him as so absurd in what he had last spoken, that they will reason no more, but seek to cut him off as a blasphemer; And he takes no more pains to convince them, but delivers himselfe miraculously from their fury. Whence learn, 1. Malicious persecutors will not hearken to truth, though never so clearly told them; but when all arguments fail them, they will betake themselves to violence; for, then they take up stones to cast at him, wherein they were injurious, in returning him the reward of a blasphemer, who had told them the truth, and unjust, in their tumultuous procedure, and not taking a legal way. And this is it which may be expected of all contradictors of Christs doctrine, if they get power, and be not bridled. 2. It is lawful for Gods servants to withdraw from the fury of bloody persecutors, when the persecution is personal, as Christs example doth teach. 3. Our blessed Lord did condescend to sanctifie all the weak means prescribed to his people in hard times, in his own person; for, he who could have destroyed them, hid himselfe, and made use of fleeing, he went out, &c. 4. Christ can disappoint persecutors, and deliver his people, even in greatest extreamnity; for, when they have him among their hands in the Temple, he first hid himselfe, and then went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, &c. Either he dazled their eyes, and made himselfe invisible, both when he hid himselfe, and went away; or having done so for a while, while he hid himselfe, he did binde up their hands that they could not touch him when he went openly through them out of the Temple. And so he evidenced his great power even in his infirmity, and so also doth he make his people prove strong while they are weak, and perfects his strength in their weaknesse.