John 9:28–29

Being angry at this boldnesse of the man, they give him a third assault; Wherein 1. They declare that however he, and such as he, were so silly as to become disciples to him, (which was little matter) Yet they would cleave to Moses, from whom Christ and his followers made apostacie, verse 28. 2. They give a reason of their resolution, which they think may render Christ suspected to him; They think they may lean to Moses with whom they knew God spake, but as for Christ, they knew not whence he had his office and authority, as they alledge, ver. 29. Whence learn, 1. Corrupt men cannot endure to have their idols rubbed upon, and particularly, corrupt Church-men take it ill, when they are not in such estimation as they would: Therefore do they raile on him, because he did not give them reverence enough. 2. It is persecutors policy, to cast disgrace upon the course they persecute, that so they may shame professours from it, Therefore do they upbraid him with being Christs disciple, as a very odious course, which they would be very loth to joyn in, Thou art his disciple. 3. Albeit it be the greatest honour of sinful men, to be admitted disciples unto Christ; and their greatest ignominy, who are not so; Yet times may be so ill, even in a visible Church, that it may be accounted the greatest of reproaches upon men, that they give up their name to Christ: for, they think it a reproach great enough, when they may say, Thou art his disciple. 4. The best of men may be mistaken and abused by their carnal successours; and particularly, it is a great wrong, when any instrument is cried up to Christs prejudice, and when men do pretend to the doctrine of the Scriptures, when they are rejecting Christ; for, say they, as a pretext, whereupon they do reject Christ, But we are Moses disciples. Moses did set forth Christ, and he pressed the Law to lead them to Christ, and so none could be his disciples who were not Christs disciples also; and yet they made use of Moses, and their adhering to his doctrine, to oppose and reject Christ. 5. Such as men do admit of as teachers to their souls, they would make sure that they are called of God, and have their doctrine from him; for, this was sound, though ill applied by them, We are Moses disciples; for, we know that God spake unto Moses. 6, Such as are led by malice and prejudice against Christ, will not onely think basely of his person, but will not see the clear evidences of his authority and Commission; for, albeit this point had been often cleared before this, yet say they, as for this fellow we know not from whence he is, or who gave him Commission.