juan calvino jn 1-11
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COMMENTARYON THE
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN
BY JOHN CALVIN
A NEW TRANSLATION, FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN,
BY THE REV. WILLIAM PRINGLE
VOLUME FIRST
CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY
GRAND RAPIDS, MIhttp55.ccel.org
http://www.ccel.org/http://www.ccel.org/ -
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TH, T7*8SL*T679S P7,:*C,
C6MM,8T*7+,S68TH,;6SP,L*CC67(+8;T6*8;,L+STS.
:e o" the!e di""ic'ltie! meet the e2po!itor o"
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ever. @here the) di""er "rom him% the) o"ten go a!tra)% and here the) agree ith him% the)
generall) "all #elo the in!tr'ctive poer o" hi! on pen "or "e can eA'al hi! clear and
vigoro'! !tatement!. @hen he place! in a B'!t light ? a! he "reA'entl) doe! ? tho!e te2t! hichhad #een re!ted "or the con"'tation o" heretic!% none #'t eager and 'n!cr'p'lo'!
controver!iali!t! ill complain. ,ver) honora#le mind ill admire the 'n#ending integrit) o" o'r
*'thor% hich% even in the de"en!e o" tr'th% di!dain! to emplo) an 'nla"'l eapon% anddevo'tl) #o! to the dictate! o" the Hol) Spirit.
The pre!ent @or$ #ring! 'nder revie !ome o" the mo!t intricate A'e!tion! in theolog) and in
handling them he i! not more care"'l to learn all that ha! #een revealed than to avoid'na'thoried !pec'lation. The) ho $no the di""ic'lt) o" the path ill the more highl)
appreciate !o !$ill"'l a g'ide% ho advance! ith a "irm !tep% point! o't the #)path! hich have
mi!led the 'nar)% cond'ct! '! to !cene! hich e had not previo'!l) e2plored% and aid! '! inli!tening to a (ivine voice hich !a)!% This is the way%walk%ye in it.
+n the H*7M68=6:TH,TH7,,,>*8;,L+STS% the reader i! !o con!tantl) re"erred to thi!
Commentar)% hich appeared to )ear! !ooner% that the #ene"it o" the "ormer cannot #e "'ll)
reaped% 'nle!! the latter #e at hand. The *'thor9! re"erence! are !ometime! vag'e% #'t theTran!lator ha! endeavored to di!cover and point o't the page in hich the de!ired in"ormation
ma) #e o#tained.
W.P.
AUCHTERARDER, 10thApril, 1847.
3
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TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
TH, L67( 76-T. (>(L,=%
,*7L, 6: L,=C,ST,7%
BARONOFDENBIGH, MAISTEROFTHEHORSETOTHEQUEENESMAIESTIE,
KNIGHTOFTHENOBLEORDEROFTHEGARTER, ANDONEOFTHE
QUEENESMAIESTIE, MOSTHONORABLEPRIUIECOUNSEL,
CHANCELOUROFTHEMOSTFAMOUSVNIUERSITIE
OFOXFORD, CHRISTOPHERFETHERSTONE,
WISHETHENCREASEOFSPIRITUALL
GIFTES, LONGLIFE, HAPPY
DAYES, ANDENCREASE
OFHONOUR
+Ti! an old !a)ing% D7ightHonora#le%E and no le!!e tr'e then olde% that !alea#le ine! neede no
i'ie #'!h hich pro'er# importeth th'! m'ch% that thinge! hich are o" them!el'e! good Fcommenda#le ha'e not an)% at lea!te no greate need o" commendation. +"% there"ore% + !ho'ld
ith "ine "iled phra!e!% ith ga) gea!on oord!% ith !tra'nge e2ample!% and nota#le h)!torie!%
compo'nd !ome long Prolog'e and tedio'! Pre"ace in commendation o" thi! mo!t e2cellent or$and Commentarie% o" that "amo'! mem#er and "aith"'ll (octo'r o" ;od9! Ch'rch% Mai!ter +ohn
Cal'ine% + might ca'!e )o'r Hono'r to !'!pect the "ondne!!e thereo" + m) !el"e !ho'ld !eeme to
do'#te o" the goodne!!e thereo" and% "inall)% mini!ter occa!ion to man) to condemne me o""oll). 6mitting% there"ore% that hich i! needle!!e% + de!cend vnto that hich i! neede"'ll to it%
to e2c'!e m) !el"e o" arrogancie hero" !ome ma) acc'!e me% in that + dare pre!'me to dedicate
vnto )o'r Hono'r thi! m) tran!lation% vnto hom + am altogether vn$none. The loade !tone% a!men !a)% riter! do te!ti"ie and e2perience doth teach% hath in it !el"e !'ch poer% "orce% and
vert'e% that it draeth iron vnto it tho'gh it #e "arre di!tant right !o% vert'e doth drae men vnto
it% and the reporte thereo" ca'!eth men to lo'e tho!e home the) ha'e not !eene% and to
re'erence tho!e o" ho the) ha'e onel) heard% hich thing% !ithence it i! !o% there i! no ca'!eh) + !ho'lde either #e acc'!ed o" arrogancie or condemned o" imp'dencie "or approching !o
#oldl) vnto )o'r Hono'r% and "or !'""ering thi! m) tran!lation to appeare in )o'r name. :or )o'r
"riende! con"e!!e% and )o'r "oe! cannot
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minde in their #ehal"e. *nd heere + am to cra'e pardon o" )o'% hiche + hope + !hall ea!il)
o#taine% "or that + ha'e not #eha'ed m) !el"e "inel) a! + might tho'gh "aith"'ll) a! + o'ght in thi!
m) or$e. *nd th'!% "earing proli2itie% + concl'de% pra)ing 'nto the Lorde ;od o" hea'en andearth% that Ging o" Ginge! and Lorde o" Lorde!% that he ill gra'nt vnto )o'r Hono'r and to the
re!t Dhom he hath placed in the li$e degree o" dignitieE hi! Hol) Spirite% that Spirite o" i!dome
and vnder!tanding% that )o' ma) there#) #e !o directed that all )o'r tho'ght!% oorde!% andor$e!% ma) tend to the !etting "oorth o" ;od9! glor)% the maintenance o" tr'e religion% the
pre!er'ation o" the realme. So !hall ,ngland ha'e ealth% #e voide o" oe% enBo)% !olace% #e "ree
"rom !orro% po!!e!!e plentie% nor ta!t o" po'ertie% inherite plea!'re% and not !ee paine. @hich;od gra'nt.
Your Honours most huml! "n# o!#i!nt,
CHR$%T&PHER'ETHER%T&(E
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T6 TH, 7,*(,7
-,+8;in!tantl) reA'e!ted Dgentle readerE #) m) godl) ealo'! "riende!% to enterpri!e the
tran!lating o" thi! mo!t learned Commentarie o" M. +ohn Cal'ine% and #eing per!aded thervnto
#) man) godl) rea!on!% hereo" ;od9! glor) and the pro"ite o" hi! Ch'rch !ho'ld #e the chei"e% +co'ld not nor o'ld not re"'!e to ta$e that charge vp on me% vnle!!e + !ho'ld ha'e "orgotten m)
d'tie toarde! ;od% hi! Ch'rch% and m) "riende! and no% "ora!m'ch Dgentle readerE a! theprincipal recompence o" m) paine! !hal #e that pro"it hich tho' !halt reape #) the reading o"
thi! m) tran!lation% + #e!eech thee re"'!e not to ta$e !ome paine! in reading the !ame. + have not
!t'"t it "'ll o" !trange ord! deri'ed o" the Latine% hich might no le!!e mole!t thee then i" the)contin'ed Latine a! the) ere. + ha'e not rac$ed the phra!e! to ma$e them r'nn !moothl) to
plea!e daintie eare!% and !o digre!!ed "rom the tr'th and meaning o" the a'tho'r #'t% !o m'ch a!
po!!i#le + co'ld% + ha'e tran!lated orde "or orde% hich the learned #) con"erence !hall el
percei'e. Long time ha'e the godl) de!ired to ha'e thi! or$e p'#li!hed in the ,ngli!h tong'e%and !eeing the) ha'e their de!ire no% m) reA'e!t vnto them i! to accept o" m) paine! herein. +
dare not% good reader% pre!'me !o "arre vpon mine one !$ill a! to !a)e that there i! no "a'lte!committed heerein% #'t + am earne!tl) to de!ire thee rather co'rteo'!l) to amend them thenc'rio'!l) to condemne me "or them. *nd th'!% tr'!ting to th) c'rtie!ie% + committe thee to the
t'ition og the *lmightie% ho !o direct thee #) hi! Spirite% that #) reading tho' maie!t pro"ite.
Thin! in th! )or#!,
CHR$%T&PHER'ETHER%T&(E
I
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TH, *JTH679S ,P+STL, (,(+C*T67=
To The
TRULY HONOURABLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS LORDS,
TH, S=8(+CS *8( C6J8C+L 6: ;,8,>*%
+8
SUPPLICATES FROM THE LORD THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND FIRMNESS, AND A
PROSPEROUS ADMINISTRATION.
+8,>,7call to remem#rance that !a)ing o" Chri!t% in hich he !et! !o high a val'e on the d't)
o" receiving !tranger! ith $indne!! a! to rec$on it done to him!el"% itho't con!idering% at the!ame time% the e2traordinar) honor hich he ha! #een plea!ed to con"er on )o'% #) ma$ing )o'r
cit) the re!ort% not o" one or a "e individ'al!% #'t o" hi! Ch'rch at large. *mong heathenco'ntrie! ho!pitalit) a! ala)! commended% and a! even acco'nted one o" the principal
virt'e! and% accordingl)% hen the) intended to deno'nce an) people a! #ar#arian! and !avage!
o" the loe!t !tamp% the) called them% ajxe>nouv% or ? hich mean! the !ame thing ?inhospitable. -'t "ar higher prai!e i! d'e to )o' that% in the!e tro'#le!ome and 'nhapp) time!%
the Lord ha! appointed )o' to #e the per!on! ho!e !'pport and protection !ho'ld #e !olicited #)
godl) and ino""en!ive men #ani!hed and driven "rom their native co'ntrie! #) the ic$ed and
cr'el t)rann) o" *ntichri!t. *nd not onl) !o% #'t he ha! al!o dedicated to hi! name a !acreddellingplace among )o'% here hi! or!hip ma) #e maintained in p'rit).
@hoever attempt!% in the !lighte!t degree% openl) to invade% or !ecretl) to ta$e "rom )o'% the!e
to advantage!% not onl) la#or! to deprive )o'r cit) o" it! #righte!t ornament!% #'t #ehold! it!e2i!tence and !a"et) ith an envio'! e)e. :or tho'gh the $ind o""ice! hich are here per"ormed
toard! Chri!t and hi! !cattered mem#er! e2cite the #ar$ing o" ic$ed men again!t )o'% !till )o'
o'ght to loo$ 'pon )o'r!elve! a! a#'ndantl) compen!ated #) thi! !ingle con!ideration% thatangel! #le!! )o' "rom heaven% and the children o" ;od #le!! )o' "rom ever) A'arter o" the orld
!o that )o' ma) #oldl) de!pi!e the "o'l !lander o" tho!e men ho are not re!trained either #)
!cr'ple! o" con!cience% or #) !hame% "rom po'ring o't more o'trageo'! in!'lt! on ;od him!el"
than on )o'% ? na)% ho% hen the) i!h to cal'mniate )o'% #egin ith #la!pheming ;od.Tho'gh thi! ver) occa!ion "/ $indle! the rage o" man) people again!t )o'% )et )o' have no
rea!on to dread an) danger ari!ing "rom it% !o long a! their "'r) !hall #e co'nteracted #) the
protection o" Hi! hand ho hath promi!ed that He ill #e the "aith"'l ;'ardian o" tho!e citie! inhich the doctrine o" Hi! ;o!pel !hall remain% and in hich godl) men% hom the orld cannot
end're% !hall #e permitted to dell. + !a) nothing a! to it! #eing 'nnece!!ar) to give )o'r!elve!
an) 'nea!ine!! a#o't conciliating thi! cla!! o" enemie! "or there i! no man that i! ho!tile to )o'"or the !a$e o" the ;o!pel% ho o'ld not de!ire to !ee )o' r'ined or oppre!!ed on other
gro'nd!. -'t granting that there ere no other rea!on h) )o' are hated #) the avoed enemie!
o" !o'nd doctrine% than #eca'!e the) !ee )o' emplo)ed in de"ending it% !till% di!regarding their!tratagem! and threatening!% )o' o'ght re!ol'tel) to de"end tho!e to impregna#le #'lar$!% the
K
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p'rit) o" religio'! or!hip% and a godl) an2iet) to maintain the Ch'rch hich Chri!t ha! placed
'nder the !helter o" )o'r ing!.
So "ar a! relate! to the !lander! hich are thron at '!#) the Pope9! hired #raler! ? that ehave apo!tatied "rom the Ch'rch% #eca'!e e have ithdran "rom !'#Bection to the See o"
7ome ? + i!h it ere a! m'ch in o'r poer to prote!t ith 'n!ha$en con"idence #e"ore ;od
and the angel!% that e are at the greate!t po!!i#le di!tance "rom that "ilth) p'ddle% a! e canea!il) and readil) de"end o'r!elve! "rom the crime hich the) are in the ha#it o" la)ing to o'r
charge. The) #oa!t% indeed% o" the name o" the Catholic Ch'rch% tho'gh no part o" the hole
doctrine o" the La and the ;o!pel ha! #een permitted #) them to remain "ree "rom !hame"'lcorr'ption!% tho'gh the) have pro"aned the hole or!hip o" ;od #) the "ilth o" their
!'per!tition!% and have not !cr'pled to de#a!e all the ordinance! o" ;od #) their invention!. 8a)
more% !o Catholic? !o 'niver!al ? i! the ma!! o" error! #) hich the) have overt'rned thehole o" religion% that it o'ld #e eno'gh to de!tro) and !allo 'p the Ch'rch a h'ndred time!
over. @e can never% there"ore% e2tol% in term! !o lo"t) a! the matter de!erve!% the 'n#o'nded
goodne!! o" ;od% #) hich e have mirac'lo'!l) e!caped "rom that de!tr'ctive hirlpool% and
have "i2ed the anchor o" o'r "aith on the "irm and everla!ting tr'th o" ;od. "3*nd% indeed% thi!
Commentar) ill it!el"% + tr'!t% #e a !'""icient proo" that Poper) i! nothing el!e than a mon!ter"ormed o't o" the inn'mera#le deception! o" Satan% and that hat the) call the Ch'rch i! more
con"'!ed than -a#)lon.
=et + ill candidl) ac$noledge ? hat i! act'all) tr'e ? that e are not at a !'""icient
di!tance "rom that "ilth) pit% the contagion o" hich i! too idel) !pread. *ntichri!t complain!
that e have "allen aa) "rom him #'t e "4are compelled to groan that too man) o" thepoll'tion! ith hich he ha! in"ected the hole orld remain among!t '!. ;od ha! gracio'!l)
re!tored to '! "'ncontaminated p'rit) o" doctrine% religion in it! primitive !tate% the
'nad'lterated or!hip o" ;od% and a "aith"'l admini!tration o" the Sacrament!% a! the) eredelivered to '! #) Chri!t. -'t the principal ca'!e hich hinder! '! "rom attaining that
re"ormation o" cond'ct and o" li"e hich o'ght to e2i!t i!% that ver) man) per!on!% remem#eringthat 'n#ridled licentio'!ne!! in hich the Papi!t! ind'lge in oppo!ition to the command o" ;od%
cannot #ecome acc'!tomed to the )o$e o" Chri!t. *ccordingl)% hen o'r enemie!% in order toe2cite again!t '! 'n"o'nded di!li$e among the ignorant% rai!e a ve2atio'! o'tcr) that e have
#ro$en all di!cipline% their cal'mn) i! a#'ndantl) re"'ted Deven tho'gh e !ho'ld remain !ilentE
#) thi! !ingle con!ideration% that at home e have no conte!t more !evere than a#o't ? hat i!con!idered% at lea!t% #) man) people to #e ? o'r e2ce!!ive !everit). -'t !ince )o' are the mo!t
competent itne!!e! "or m)!el" and m) colleag'e!% that e are not more rigid and !evere than
the claim o" d't) demand! and even compel! '! to #e% a! e "reel) !'#mit to the deci!ion o" )o'rcon!cience re!pecting '! !o% on the other hand% )o' ill ea!il) perceive at a glance the
!ing'larl) ridic'lo'! imp'dence o" o'r enemie! on thi! !'#Bect.
+ !hall no !a) a "e ord! a#o't m)!el" a! an individ'al. Tho'gh + tr'!t that m) n'mero'!riting! ill #e a !'""icient atte!tation to the orld in hat manner + have ta'ght thi! Ch'rch% )et
+ have tho'ght that it o'ld #e o" ver) great importance "or me to dra 'p a !pecial record on
thi! !'#Bect in!cri#ed ith )o'r name "or it i! highl) nece!!ar) that the $ind o" doctrine hich
)o' ac$noledge to #e ta'ght #) me !ho'ld #e e2hi#ited to the vie o" all. "I8o tho'gh% in allthe #oo$! hich + have hitherto p'#li!hed% it ha! #een m) endeavor that )o' and the people
'nder )o'r charge !ho'ld derive advantage "rom them even a"ter m) death% and tho'gh it o'ld
#e highl) 'n#ecoming that the doctrine hich ha! emanated "rom )o'r cit) to "oreign nation!
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!ho'ld )ield "r'it e2ten!ivel)% #'t #e neglected in the place o" it! a#ode% )et + tr'!t that thi!
Commentar)% hich i! e!peciall) dedicated to )o'% ill ta$e a "irmer hold o" )o'r memor). :or
thi! p'rpo!e + pra) to ;od to in!cri#e it !o deepl) ith Hi! on "inger on )o'r heart! that it ma)never #e o#literated #) an) !tratagem o" Satan "or to Him doe! it #elong to cron m) la#or ith
!'cce!!% ho ha! hitherto given me !'ch co'rage a! to de!ire nothing more than to atch
"aith"'ll) over the !a"et) o" )o' all. :arther% a! + "reel) ac$noledge #e"ore the orld that + amver) "ar "rom po!!e!!ing the care"'l diligence and the other virt'e! hich the greatne!! and
e2cellence o" the o""ice reA'ire! in a good Pa!tor% and a! + contin'all) #eail #e"ore ;od the
n'mero'! !in! hich o#!tr'ct m) progre!!. (o + vent're to declare that + am not itho't anhone!t and !incere de!ire to per"orm m) d't). *nd i"% in the meantime% ic$ed men do not cea!e
to anno) me% a! it i! m) d't) ? #) elldoing ? to re"'te their !lander!% !o it ill #elong to )o'
to re!train tho!e !lander! #) the e2erci!e o" that !acred a'thorit) ith hich )o' are inve!ted.
@here"ore% m) +ll'!trio'! and highl) honored Lord!% + recommend )o' to the protection o" o'rgood ;od% entreating Him to give )o' ala)! the !pirit o" pr'dence and virt'e "or governing
aright% and to ma$e )o'r admini!tration pro!pero'!% !o that Hi! name ma) #e there#) glori"ied%
and that the re!'lt ma) #e happ) "or )o' and )o'r!. "K
*E(E+A,1st "nu"r-, 1/.
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TH, *7;JM,8T
OF THE
;6SP,L 6:
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=et there i! al!o thi! di""erence #eteen them% that the other three are more copio'! in their
narrative o" the li"e and death o" Chri!t% #'t
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C6MM,8T*7=
ON THE
H6L= ;6SP,L 6:
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8o a! ;od% in creating the orld% revealed him!el" #) that Speech% !o he "ormerl) had him
concealed ith him!el"% !o that there i! a to"old relation the "ormer to ;od% and the latter to
men. Servet'!% a ha'ght) !co'ndrel #elonging to the Spani!h nation% invent! the !tatement% thatthi! eternal Speech#egan to e2i!t at that time hen he a! di!pla)ed in the creation o" the orld%
a! i" he did not e2i!t #e"ore hi! poer a! made $non #) e2ternal operation. >er) di""erentl)
doe! the ,vangeli!t teach in thi! pa!!age "or he doe! not a!cri#e to the Speechabeginningo"time% #'t !a)! that he a!from the beginning% and th'! ri!e! #e)ond all age!. + am "'ll) aare
ho thi! dog #ar$! again!t '!% and hat cavil! ere "ormerl) rai!ed #) the *rian!% namel)% that
in the #eginning ;od created the heaven and the earth%D010101N;ene!i! 11E
hich neverthele!! are not eternal% #eca'!e the ord beginningre"er! to order% in!tead o"
denoting eternit). -'t the ,vangeli!t meet! thi! cal'mn) hen he !a)!%
nd the Speech was with God!+" the Speech#egan to #e at !ome time% the) m'!t "ind o't !ome
!'cce!!ion o" time in ;od and 'ndo'#tedl) #) thi! cla'!e
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+ onder hat ind'ced the Latin! to render oJ lo>gov#) $erbum% Dthe @ordE "or that o'ldrather have #een the tran!lation o" to< rJh~ma.-'t granting that the) had !ome pla'!i#le rea!on%!till it cannot #e denied that SermoDthe SpeechE o'ld have #een "ar more appropriate. Hence iti! evident% hat #ar#aro'! t)rann) a! e2erci!ed #) the theologian! o" the Sor#onne% "10ho
tea!ed and !tormed at ,ra!m'! in !'ch a manner% #eca'!e he had changed a !ingle ord "or the
#etter.nd the Speech was with God. @e have alread) !aid that the Son of Godi! th'! placed a#ove the
orld and a#ove all the creat're!% and i! declared to have e2i!ted #e"ore all age!. -'t at the !ame
time thi! mode o" e2pre!!ion attri#'te! to him a di!tinct per!onalit) "rom the :ather "or it o'ldhave #een a#!'rd in the ,vangeli!t to !a) that the Speechwasala)! with God% i" he had not
!ome $ind o" !'#!i!tence pec'liar to him!el" in ;od. Thi! pa!!age !erve!% there"ore% to re"'te the
error o" Sa#elli'! "or it !ho! that the Son i! di!tinct "rom the :ather. + have alread) remar$edthat e o'ght to #e !o#er in thin$ing% and mode!t in !pea$ing% a#o't !'ch high m)!terie!. *nd
)et the ancient riter! o" the Ch'rch ere e2c'!a#le% hen% "inding that the) co'ld not in an)
other a) maintain !o'nd and p're doctrine in oppo!ition to the perple2ed and am#ig'o'!
phra!eolog) o" the heretic!% the) ere compelled to invent !ome ord!% hich a"ter all had no
other meaning than hat i! ta'ght in the Script're!. The) !aid that there are three H)po!ta!e!% orS'#!i!tence!% or Per!on!% in the one and !imple e!!ence o" ;od. The ord uJpo>stasivDH)po!ta!i!E occ'r! in thi! !en!e in 0103NHe#re! 13% to hich corre!pond! the Latin ordSubstaatia% DsubstanceE a! it i! emplo)ed #) Hilar). The Per!on! Dta< pro>swpaE ere called #)them di!tinct propertie! in ;od% hich pre!ent them!elve! to the vie o" o'r mind! a! ;regor)
8aianen !a)!% + cannot thin$ o" the 6ne D;odE itho't having the Three DPer!on!E !hiningaro'nd me. "11
nd the Speech was God. That there ma) #e no remaining do'#t a! to Chri!t9! divine e!!ence% the
,vangeli!t di!tinctl) a!!ert! that he is God. 8o !ince there i! #'t one ;od% it "ollo! that Chri!ti! o" the !ame e!!ence ith the :ather% and )et that% in !ome re!pect% he i! di!tinct "rom the
:ather. -'t o" the !econd cla'!e e have alread) !po$en. *! to the 'nit) o" the divine e!!ence%*ri'! !hoed prodigio'! ic$edne!!% hen% to avoid #eing compelled to ac$noledge the
eternal (ivinit) o" Chri!t% he prattled a#o't + $no not hat imaginar) (eit) "1/#'t "or o'r part%hen e are in"ormed that the Speech was God% hat right have e an) longer to call in
A'e!tion hi! eternal e!!enceO
".#e was in the beginning. +n order to impre!! more deepl) on o'r mind! hat had #een alread)!aid% the ,vangeli!t conden!e! the to preceding cla'!e! into a #rie" !'mmar)% that the Speech
ala)! was% and that he was with God !o that it ma) #e 'nder!tood that the beginninga!
#e"ore all time.
#.ll things were made by him. Having a""irmed that the Speech i! ;od% and having a!!erted hi!
eternal e!!ence% he no prove! hi! (ivinit) "rom hi! or$!. *nd thi! i! the practical $noledge%to hich e o'ght to #e chie"l) acc'!tomed "or the mere name o" ;od attri#'ted to Chri!t illa""ect '! little% i" o'r "aith do not "eel it to #e !'ch #) e2perience. +n re"erence to the Son o" ;od%
he ma$e! an a!!ertion hich !trictl) and properl) applie! to hi! per!on. Sometime!% indeed% Pa'l
!impl) declare! that all things are by God% D4113IN7oman! 113IE #'t henever the Son i!
compared ith the :ather% he i! '!'all) di!ting'i!hed #) thi! mar$. *ccordingl)% the ordinar)mode o" e2pre!!ion i! here emplo)ed% that the :ather made all things bythe Son% and that all
thing! are #) ;od thro'gh the Son. 8o the de!ign o" the ,vangeli!t i!% a! + have alread) !aid% to
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!ho that no !ooner a! the orld created than the Speecho" ;od came "orth into e2ternal
operation "or having "ormerl) #een incomprehen!i#le in hi! e!!ence% he then #ecame p'#licl)
$non #) the e""ect o" hi! poer. There are !ome% indeed% even among philo!opher!% ho ma$e;od to #e the Ma!ter#'ilder o" the orld in !'ch a manner a! to a!cri#e to him intelligence in
"raming thi! or$. So "ar the) are in the right% "or the) agree ith Script're #'t a! the)
immediatel) "l) o"" into "rivolo'! !pec'lation!% there i! no rea!on h) e !ho'ld eagerl) de!ireto have their te!timonie! #'t% on the contrar)% e o'ght to #e !ati!"ied ith thi! in!pired
declaration% ell $noing that it conve)! "ar more than o'r mind i! a#le to comprehend.
nd without him was not any thing made that was made. Tho'gh there i! a variet) o" reading! inthi! pa!!age% )et "or m) on part% + have no he!itation in ta$ing it contin'o'!l) th'! not any
thing was made that was made and in thi! almo!t all the ;ree$ man'!cript!% or at lea!t tho!e o"
them hich are mo!t approved% are "o'nd to agree #e!ide!% the !en!e reA'ire! it. Tho!e ho!eparate the ord!% which was made% "rom the preceding cla'!e% !o a! to connect them ith the
"olloing one% #ring o't a "orced !en!e what was made was in him life that i!% lived% or a!
!'!tained in li"e. "13-'t the) ill never !ho that thi! mode o" e2pre!!ion i!% in an) in!tance%
applied to creat're!. *'g'!tine% ho i! e2ce!!ivel) addicted to the philo!oph) o" Plato% i! carried
along% according to c'!tom% to the doctrine o" idea! that #e"ore ;od made the orld% he had the"orm o" the hole #'ilding conceived in hi! mind and !o the li"e o" tho!e thing! hich did not
)et e2i!t a! in Chri!t% #eca'!e the creation o" the orld a! appointed in him. -'t ho idel)di""erent thi! i! :rom the intention o" the ,vangeli!t e !hall immediatel) !ee.
+ no ret'rn to the "ormer cla'!e. Thi! i! not a "a'lt) red'ndanc)% Dperittologi>aE a! it appear! to#e "or a! Satan endeavor!% #) ever) po!!i#le method% to ta$e an) thing "rom Chri!t% the,vangeli!t intended to declare e2pre!!l)% that of those things which have been madethere i! no
e2ception hatever.
$.In him was life. Hitherto he ha! ta'ght '!% that #) the Speecho" ;od allthings were created.He no attri#'te! to him% in the !ame manner% the pre!ervation o" tho!e thing! hich had #een
created% a! i" he had !aid% that in the creation o" the orld there a! not merel) di!pla)ed a!'dden e2erci!e o" hi! poer% hich !oon pa!!ed aa)% #'t that it i! mani"e!ted in the !tead) and
reg'lar order o" nat're% a! he i! !aid to 'phold all thing! by the wordor ill of his power%D0103NHe#re! 13E. Thi! lifema) #e e2tended either to inanimate creat're!% Dhich live a"ter
their on manner% tho'gh the) are devoid o" "eeling%E or ma) #e e2plained in re"erence to living
creat're! alone. +t i! o" little con!eA'ence hich )o' choo!e "or the !imple meaning i!% that theSpeecho" ;od a! not onl) the !o'rce o" lifeto all the creat're!% !o that tho!e hich ere not
#egan to #e% #'t that hi! lifegiving poer ca'!e! them to remain in their condition "or ere it
not that hi! contin'ed in!piration give! vigor to the orld% ever) thing that liveso'ldimmediatel) deca)% or #e red'ced to nothing. +n aord% hat Pa'l a!cri#e! to ;od% that in him
we are%and move%and live% D441K/N*ct! 1K/%E
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ma$e! him!el" to #e "elt ithin '!% D441K/KN*ct! 1K/K.E *"ter having pre!ented a general e2hi#ition
o" the $indne!! o" Chri!t% in order to ind'ce men to ta$e a nearer vie o" it% he point! o't hat
ha! #een #e!toed pec'liarl) on them!elve! namel)% that the) ere not created li$e the #ea!t!%#'t having #een end'ed ith rea!on% the) had o#tained a higher ran$. *! it i! not in vain that
;od impart! hi! light to their mind!% it "ollo! that the p'rpo!e "or hich the) ere created a!%
that the) might ac$noledge Him ho i! the *'thor o" !o e2cellent a #le!!ing. *nd !ince thi!light% o" hich the Speecha! the !o'rce% ha! #een conve)ed "rom him to '!% it o'ght to !erve a!
a mirror% in hich e ma) clearl) #ehold the divine poer o"the Speech.
!.nd the light shineth in darkness. +t might #e o#Bected% that the pa!!age! o" Script're in hichmen are called #lind are !o n'mero'! and that the #lindne!! "or hich the) are condemned i! #'t
too ell $non. :or in all their rea!oning "ac'ltie! the) mi!era#l) "ail. Ho come! it that there
are !o man) la#)rinth! o" error! in the orld% #'t #eca'!e men% #) their on g'idance% are ledonl) to vanit) and lie!O -'t i" no lightappear! in men% that te!timon) o" the divinit) o" Chri!t%
hich the ,vangeli!t latel) mentioned% i! de!tro)ed "or that i! the third !tep% a! + have !aid% that
in the life of menthere i! !omething more e2cellent than motion and #reathing. The ,vangeli!t
anticipate! thi! A'e!tion% and "ir!t o" all la)! don thi! ca'tion% that the lighthich a!
originall) #e!toed on men m'!t not #e e!timated #) their pre!ent condition #eca'!e in thi!corr'pted and degenerate nat're lightha! #een t'rned into darkness. *nd )et he a""irm! that the
lighto" 'nder!tanding i! not holl) e2ting'i!hed "or% amid!t the thic$ dar$ne!! o" the h'manmind% !ome remaining !par$! o" the #rightne!! !till !hine.
M) reader! no 'nder!tand that thi! !entence contain! to cla'!e! "or he !a)! that men are no
idel) di!tant "rom that per"ectl) hol) nat're ith hich the) ere originall) end'ed #eca'!etheir 'nder!tanding% hich o'ght to have !hed lightin ever) direction% ha! #een pl'nged in
dar$ne!!% and i! retchedl) #linded and that th'! the glor) o" Chri!t ma) #e !aid to #e darkened
amid!t thi! corr'ption o" nat're. -'t% on the other hand% the ,vangeli!t maintain! that% in themid!t o" the darkness% there are !till !ome remain! o" light% hich !ho in !ome degree the
divine poer o" Chri!t. The ,vangeli!t admit!% there"ore% that the mind o" man i! #linded !o thatit ma) B'!tl) #e prono'nced to #e covered ith darkness. :or he might have '!ed a milder term%
and might have !aid that the light i! dar$ or clo'd) #'t he cho!e to !tate more di!tinctl) horetched o'r condition ha! #ecome !ince the "all o" the "ir!t man. The !tatement that the light
shineth in darknessi! not at all intended "or the commendation o" depraved nat're% #'t rather "or
ta$ing aa) ever) e2c'!e "or ignorance.
nd the darkness did not comprehend it. *ltho'gh #) that !mall mea!'re o" lighthich !till
remain! in '!% the Son o" ;od ha! ala)! invited men to him!el"% )et the ,vangeli!t !a)! that thi!
a! attended #) no advantage% #eca'!eseeing% they did not see% D401313NMatthe 1313.E :or !inceman lo!t the "avor o" ;od% hi! mind i! !o completel) overhelmed #) the thralldom o"
ignorance% that an) portion o" lighthich remain! in it i! A'enched and '!ele!!. Thi! i! dail)
proved #) e2perience "or all ho are not regenerated #) the Spirit o" ;od po!!e!! !ome rea!on%and thi! i! an 'ndenia#le proo" that man a! made not onl) to #reathe% #'t to have
'nder!tanding. -'t #) that g'idance o" their rea!on the) do not come to ;od% and do not even
approach to him !o that all their 'nder!tanding i! nothing el!e than mere vanit). Hence it "ollo!
that there i! no hope o" the !alvation o" men% 'nle!! ;od grant ne aid "or tho'gh the Son o";od !hed! hi! light'pon them% the) are !o d'll that the) do not comprehendhence that light
proceed!% #'t are carried aa) #) "ooli!h and ic$ed imagination! to a#!ol'te madne!!.
1I
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The lighthich !till dell! in corr'pt nat're con!i!t! chie"l) o" to part! "or% "ir!t% all men
nat'rall) po!!e!! !ome !eed o" religion and% !econdl)% the di!tinction #eteen good and evil i!
engraven on their con!cience!. -'t hat are the "r'it! that 'ltimatel) !pring "rom it% e2cept thatreligion degenerate! into a tho'!and mon!ter! o" !'per!tition% and con!cience pervert! ever)
deci!ion% !o a! to con"o'nd vice ith virt'eO +n !hort% nat'ral rea!on never ill direct men to
Chri!t and a! to their #eing end'ed ith pr'dence "or reg'lating their live!% or #orn to c'ltivatethe li#eral art! and !cience!% all thi! pa!!e! aa) itho't )ielding an) advantage.
+t o'ght to #e 'nder!tood that the ,vangeli!t !pea$! o" nat'ral gi"t! onl)% and doe! not a! )et !a)
an) thing a#o't the grace o" regeneration. :or there are to di!tinct poer! hich #elong to theSon o" ;od the "ir!t% hich i! mani"e!ted in the !tr'ct're o" the orld and the order o" nat're
and the !econd% #) hich he rene! and re!tore! "allen nat're. *! he i! the eternal Speecho"
;od% #) him the orld a! made #) hi! poer all thing! contin'e to po!!e!! the li"e hich the)once received man e!peciall) a! end'ed ith an e2traordinar) gi"t o" 'nder!tanding and
tho'gh #) hi! revolt he lo!t the light o" 'nder!tanding% )et he !till !ee! and 'nder!tand!% !o that
hat he nat'rall) po!!e!!e! "rom the grace o" the Son o" ;od i! not entirel) de!tro)ed. -'t !ince
#) hi! !t'pidit) and perver!ene!! he dar$en! the light hich !till dell! in him% it remain! that a
ne o""ice #e 'nderta$en #) the Son o" ;od% the o""ice o" Mediator% to rene% #) the Spirit o"regeneration% man ho had #een r'ined. Tho!e per!on!% there"ore% rea!on a#!'rdl) and
inconcl'!ivel)% ho re"er thi! light% hich the ,vangeli!t mention!% to the go!pel and thedoctrine o" !alvation.
JOHN1:%1#%. There a! a man !ent #) ;od% ho!e name a!
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#'t "or thi! !ingle circ'm!tance% that he a! the am#a!!ador o" ;od. 8or i! thi! at variance ith
the "act% that the preaching o" the go!pel a! committed to Chri!t% that he might #e a itne!! to
him!el" "or the de!ign contemplated #) the preaching o"
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"hich enlighteneth every man. The ,vangeli!t in!i!t! chie"l) on thi! point% in order to !ho%
"rom the e""ect hich ever) one o" '! perceive! in him% that Chri!t i! the light. He might have
rea!oned more ingenio'!l)% that Chri!t% a! the eternal light% ha! a !plendor hich i! nat'ral% andnot #ro'ght "rom an) other A'arter #'t in!tead o" doing !o% he !end! '! #ac$ to the e2perience
hich e all po!!e!!. :or a! Chri!t ma$e! '! all parta$er! o" hi! #rightne!!% it m'!t #e
ac$noledged that to him alone #elong! !trictl) thi! honor o" #eing called light.Thi! pa!!age i! commonl) e2plained in to a)!. Some re!trict the phra!e% every man% to tho!e
ho% having #een reneed #) the Spirit o" ;od% #ecome parta$er! o" the li"egiving light.
*'g'!tine emplo)! the compari!on o" a !choolma!ter ho% i" he happen to #e the onl) per!onho ha! a !chool in the ton% ill #e called the teacher of all% tho'gh there #e man) per!on! that
do not go to hi! !chool. The) there"ore 'nder!tand the phra!e in a comparative !en!e% that all are
enlightened #) Chri!t% #eca'!e no man can #oa!t o" having o#tained the lighto" li"e in an) othera) than #) hi! grace. -'t !ince the ,vangeli!t emplo)! the general phra!e% every man thatcometh into the world% + am more inclined to adopt the other meaning% hich i!% that "rom thi!
lightthe ra)! are di""'!ed over all man$ind% a! + have alread) !aid. :or e $no that men have
thi! pec'liar e2cellence hich rai!e! them a#ove other animal!% that the) are end'ed ith rea!on
and intelligence% and that the) carr) the di!tinction #eteen right and rong engraven on theircon!cience. There i! no man% there"ore% hom !ome perception o" the eternal lightdoe! not
reach.
-'t a! there are "anatic! ho ra!hl) !train and tort're thi! pa!!age% !o a! to in"er "rom it that the
grace o" ill'mination i! eA'all) o""ered to all% let '! remem#er that the onl) !'#Bect here treated
i! the common light o" nat're% hich i! "ar in"erior to "aith "or never ill an) man% #) all theac'tene!! and !agacit) o" hi! on mind% penetrate into the $ingdom o" ;od. +t i! the Spirit o"
;od alone ho open! the gate o" heaven to the elect. 8e2t% let '! remem#er that the light o"
rea!on hich ;od implanted in men ha! #een !o o#!c'red #) !in% that amid!t the thic$ dar$ne!!%and !hoc$ing ignorance% and g'l" o" error!% there are hardl) a "e !hining !par$! that are not
'tterl) e2ting'i!hed.1).#e was in the world. He acc'!e! men o" ingratit'de% #eca'!e o" their on accord% a! it ere%
the) ere !o #linded% that the ca'!e o" the light hich the) enBo)ed a! 'n$non to them. Thi!e2tend! to ever) age o" the orld "or #e"ore Chri!t a! mani"e!ted in the "le!h% hi! poer a!
ever)here di!pla)ed and there"ore tho!e dail) e""ect! o'ght to correct the !t'pidit) o" men.
@hat can #e more 'nrea!ona#le than to dra ater "rom a r'nning !tream% and never to thin$ o"the "o'ntain "rom hich that !tream "lo!O +t "ollo! that no proper e2c'!e can #e "o'nd "or the
ignorance o" the orld in not $noing Chri!t% #e"ore he a! mani"e!ted in the "le!h "or it aro!e
"rom the indolence and ic$ed !t'pidit) o" tho!e ho had opport'nitie! o" !eeing Him ala)!pre!ent #) hi! poer. The hole ma) #e !'mmed 'p #) !a)ing% that never a! Chri!t in !'ch a
manner a#!ent "rom the orld% #'t that men% aro'!ed #) hi! ra)!% o'ght to have rai!ed their e)e!
toard! him. Hence it "ollo!% that the #lame m'!t #e imp'ted to them!elve!.
11.#e came into his own. Here i! di!pla)ed the a#!ol'tel) de!perate ic$edne!! and malice o"
men here i! di!pla)ed their e2ecra#le impiet)% that hen the Son o" ;od a! mani"e!ted in "le!h
to the
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*ccording to them% the meaning i! @hen Chri!t came don into the orld% he did not enter
into another per!on9! territorie!% "or the hole h'man race a! hi! on inheritance.Q -'t +
approve more highl) o" the opinion o" tho!e ho re"er it to the er# and the 8o'n are highl) emphatic.#e came. The ,vangeli!t !a)! that the Sono" ;od cameto that place here he "ormerl) a! and #) thi! e2pre!!ion he m'!t mean a ne
and e2traordinar) $ind o" pre!ence% #) hich the Son o" ;od a! mani"e!ted% !o that men might
have a nearer vie o" him.Into his own. -) thi! phra!e the ,vangeli!t compare! the
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become the sons of God%not by the will which belongs to the flesh% #'t hen the) are #orn o"
;od. -'t i" "aith regenerate! '!% !o that e are the !on! o" ;od% and i" ;od #reathe! "aith into '!
"rom heaven% it plainl) appear! that not #) po!!i#ilit) onl)% #'t act'all) ? a! e !a) ? i! thegrace o" adoption o""ered to '! #) Chri!t. *nd% indeed% the ;ree$ ord% ejxousi>ai! !ometime!p't "or ajxi>wsiv% Da claim%E a meaning hich "all! in admira#l) ith thi! pa!!age.
The circ'mloc'tion hich the ,vangeli!t ha! emplo)ed tend! more to magni") the e2cellence o"grace% than i" he had !aid in a !ingle ord% that all ho #elieve in Chri!t are made #) himsons of
God. :or he !pea$! here o" the 'nclean and pro"ane% ho% having #een condemned to perpet'al
ignomin)% la) in the dar$ne!! o" death. Chri!t e2hi#ited an a!toni!hing in!tance o" hi! grace incon"erring thi! honor on !'ch per!on!% !o that the) #egan% all at once% to #esons of God and the
greatne!! o" thi! privilege i! B'!tl) e2tolled #) the ,vangeli!t% a! al!o #) Pa'l% hen he a!cri#e! it
to
;od% ho i! rich in merc)% "or hi! great love
ith hich he loved '!% D40/04N,phe!ian! /4.E
-'t i" an) per!on !hall pre"er to ta$e the ordpowerin it! ordinar) acceptation% !till the,vangeli!t doe! not mean #) it an) intermediate "ac'lt)% or one hich doe! not incl'de the "'ll
and complete e""ect #'t% on the contrar)% mean! that Chri!t gave to the 'nclean and the
'ncirc'mci!ed hat appeared to #e impo!!i#le "or an incredi#le change too$ place hen out of
stonesChri!t raised up children to God% D40030NMatthe 3.E Thepower% there"ore% i! thatfitnessDiJkano>thvE hich Pa'l mention!% hen he
give! than$! to ;od% ho hath made '! :+TDor M,,TEto #e parta$er! o" the inheritance o"
the !aint!% D1011/NColo!!ian! 11/.E
"ho believe in his name. He e2pre!!e! #rie"l) the manner o" receivingChri!t% that i!% believing
in him. Having #een engra"ted into Chri!t #) "aith% e o#tain the right o" adoption% !o a! to #e
the sons of God. *nd% indeed% a! he i! the onl)#egotten Son o" ;od% it i! onl) !o "ar a! e aremem#er! o" him that thi! honor at all #elong! to '!. Here again the notion o" the Papi!t! a#o't
the ordpoweri! re"'ted. "/0The ,vangeli!t declare! that thi!poweri! given to tho!e ho
alread) believe. 8o it i! certain that !'ch per!on! are in realit) the sons of God. The) detracttoo m'ch "rom the val'e o" "aith ho !a) that% #) believing% a man o#tain! nothing more than
that he ma) #ecome a son of God% i" he choo!e! "or in!tead o" pre!ent e""ect the) p't apower
hich i! held in 'ncertaint) and !'!pen!e.
The contradiction appear! !till more glaring "rom hat immediatel) "ollo!. The ,vangeli!t !a)!
that tho!e ho believeare alread) born of God. +t i! not there"ore% a mere li#ert) o" choice that i!
o""ered% !ince the) o#tain the privilege it!el" that i! in A'e!tion. *ltho'gh the He#re ord% D'ameE i! !ometime! '!ed to denotepower% )et here it denote! a relation to the doctrine o" the
;o!pel "or hen Chri!t i! preached to '!% then it i! that e believein him. + !pea$ o" theordinar) method #) hich the Lord lead! '! to "aith and thi! o'ght to #e care"'ll) o#!erved% "or
there are man) ho "ooli!hl) contrive "or them!elve! a con"'!ed "aith% itho't an)'nder!tanding o" doctrine% a! nothing i! more common among the Papi!t! than the ord believe%
tho'gh there i! not among them an) $noledge o" Chri!t "rom hearing the ;o!pel. Chri!t%
there"ore% o""er! him!el" to '! #) the ;o!pel% and e receive him #) "aith.
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1#. "ho were born not of blood. "/1Some thin$ that an indirect re"erence i! here made to the
prepo!tero'! con"idence o" the
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1$. *nd the Speech a! made "le!h% and delt among '!% Dand e #eheld hi! glor)%
the glor) a! o" the onl)#egotten o" the :ather%E "'ll o" grace and tr'th.
1$.nd the Speech was made flesh. The ,vangeli!t !ho! hat a! that coming o" Chri!t hichhe had mentioned namel)% that having #een clothed ith o'r "le!h% he !hoed him!el" openl) to
the orld. *ltho'gh the ,vangeli!t to'che! #rie"l) the 'n'ttera#le m)!ter)% that the Son o" ;od
a! clothed ith h'man nat're% )et thi! #revit) i! onder"'ll) per!pic'o'!. Here !ome madmenam'!e them!elve! ith "ooli!h and trivial !'#tletie! o" thi! !ort that the Speechi! !aid to have
been made flesh% #eca'!e ;od !ent hi! Son into the orld% according to the conception hich he
had "ormed in hi! mind a! i" the Speechere + $no not hat !hado) image. -'t e have
demon!trated that that ord denote! a real h)po!ta!i!% or !'#!i!tence% in the e!!ence o" ;od.
The ord(leshe2pre!!e! the meaning o" the ,vangeli!t more "orci#l) than i" he had !aid that he
was made man. He intended to !ho to hat a mean and de!pica#le condition the Son o" ;od%
on o'r acco'nt% de!cended "rom the height o" hi! heavenl) glor). @hen Script're !pea$! o" mancontempt'o'!l)% it call! himflesh. 8o% tho'gh there #e !o ide a di!tance #eteen the !pirit'al
glor) o" the Speecho" ;od and the a#omina#le "ilth o" o'rflesh% )et the Son o" ;od !tooped !olo a! to ta$e 'pon him!el" thatflesh% !'#Bect to !o man) mi!erie!. The ordfleshi! not ta$enhere "or corr'pt nat're% Da! it i! o"ten '!ed #) Pa'l%E #'t "or mortal man tho'gh it mar$!
di!dain"'ll) hi! "rail and peri!hing nat're% a! in the!e and !imilar pa!!age!%for he remembered
that they were:L,SH% D1K3NP!alm K3E all:L,SHis grass% D/3400IN+!aiah 40I.E @e m'!t at the!ame time o#!erve% hoever% that thi! i! a "ig're o" !peech in hich a part i! ta$en "or the hole
"or the loer part incl'de! the hole man. "//+t a! there"ore highl) "ooli!h in *pollinari! to
imagine that Chri!t a! merel) clothed ith a h'man #od) itho't a !o'l "or it ma) ea!il) #e
proved "rom inn'mera#le pa!!age!% that he had a !o'l a! ell a! a #od) and hen Script're call!menflesh% it doe! not there"ore deprive them o" a !o'l.
The plain meaning there"ore i!% that the Speech#egotten #) ;od #e"ore all age!% and ho ala)!
delt ith the:ather% was made man. 6n thi! article there are to thing! chie"l) to #e o#!erved.The "ir!t i!% that to nat're! ere !o 'nited in one Per!on in Chri!t% that one and the !ame Chri!t
i! tr'e ;od and tr'e man. The !econd i!% that the 'nit) o" per!on doe! not hinder the to nat're!
"rom remaining di!tinct% !o that hi! (ivinit) retain! all that i! pec'liar to it!el"% and hi! h'manit)hold! !eparatel) hatever #elong! to it. *nd% there"ore% a! Satan ha! made a variet) o" "ooli!h
attempt! to overt'rn !o'nd doctrine #) heretic!% he ha! ala)! #ro'ght "orard one or another o"
the!e to error! either that he a! the Son o" ;od and the Son o" man in !o con"'!ed a manner%that neither hi! (ivinit) remained entire% nor did he ear the tr'e nat're o" man or that he a!
clothed ithflesh% !o a! to #e a! it ere do'#le% and to have to !eparate per!on!. Th'!
8e!tori'! e2pre!!l) ac$noledged #oth nat're!% #'t imagined to Chri!t!% one ho a! ;od%
and another ho a! man. ,'t)che!% on the other hand% hile he ac$noledged that the oneChri!t i! the Son o" ;od and the Son o" man% le"t him neither o" the to nat're!% #'t imagined
that the) ere mingled together. *nd in the pre!ent da)% Servet'! and the *na#apti!t! invent a
Chri!t ho i! con"'!edl) compo'nded o" to nat're!% a! i" he ere a (ivine man. +n ord!%indeed% he ac$noledge! that Chri!t i! ;od #'t i" )o' admit hi! raving imagination!% the
(ivinit) i! at one time changed into h'man nat're% and at another time% the nat're o" man i!
!alloed 'p #) the (ivinit).
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The ,vangeli!t !a)! hat i! ell adapted to re"'te #oth o" the!e #la!phemie!. @hen he tell! '!
that the Speech was made flesh% e clearl) in"er "rom thi! the 'nit) o" hi! Per!on "or it i!
impo!!i#le that he ho i! no a man co'ld #e an) other than he ho a! ala)! the tr'e ;od%!ince it i! !aid that ;od was mademan. 6n the other hand% !ince he di!tinctl) give! to the man
Chri!t the name o" the Speech% it "ollo! that Chri!t% hen he #ecame man% did not cea!e to #e
hat he "ormerl) a!% and that no change too$ place in that eternal e!!ence o" ;od hich a!clothed ithflesh. +n !hort% the Son o" ;od #egan to #e man in !'ch a manner that he !till
contin'e! to #e that eternal Speechho had no #eginning o" time.
nd dwelt. Tho!e ho e2plain that the flesh!erved% a! it ere% "or an a#ode to Chri!t% do notperceive the meaning o" the ,vangeli!t "or he doe! not a!cri#e to Chri!t a permanent re!idence
among!t '!% #'t !a)! that he remained in it a! a g'e!t% "or a !hort time. :or the ord hich he
emplo)! Dejskh>nwsenE i! ta$en "rom tabernacles. "/3He mean! nothing el!e than that Chri!tdi!charged on the earth the o""ice hich had #een appointed to him or% that he did not merel)
appear "or a !ingle moment% #'t that he conver!ed among men 'ntil he completed the co'r!e o"
hi! o""ice.
mong us. +t i! do'#t"'l hether he !pea$! o" men in general% or onl) o" him!el" and the re!t o"the di!ciple! ho ere e)eitne!!e! o" hat he !a)!. :or m) on part% + approve more highl)
o" the !econd vie "or the ,vangeli!t immediatel) add!
nd we beheld his glory. "or tho'gh all men might have #eheld thegloryo" Chri!t% )et it a!
'n$non to the greater part on acco'nt o" their #lindne!!. +t a! onl) a "e% ho!e e)e! the Hol)
Spirit opened% that !a thi! mani"e!tation o"glory. +n a ord% Chri!t a! $non to #e man in
!'ch a manner that he e2hi#ited in hi! Per!on !omething "ar more no#le and e2cellent. Hence it"ollo! that the maBe!t) o" ;od a! not annihilated% tho'gh it a! !'rro'nded #)flesh it a!
indeed concealed 'nder the lo condition o" theflesh% #'t !o a! to ca'!e it! !plendor to #e !een.
s of the only)begotten of the (ather. The ord asdoe! not% in thi! pa!!age% denote an
inappropriate compari!on% #'t rather e2pre!!e! tr'e and heart) appro#ation a! hen Pa'l !a)!%"alk*Schildren of light% he #id! '! act'all) demon!trate #) o'r or$! that e are the children
of light. The ,vangeli!t there"ore mean!% that in Chri!t a! beheld a gloryhich a! orth) o"the Son o" ;od% and hich a! a !'re proo" o" hi! (ivinit). He call! him the *nly)begotten%
#eca'!e he i! the onl) Son o" ;od #) nat're a! i" he o'ld place him a#ove men and angel!%
and o'ld claim "or him alone hat #elong! to no creat're.
(ull of grace. There ere% indeed% other thing! in hich the maBe!t) o" Chri!t appeared% #'t the
,vangeli!t !elected thi! in!tance in pre"erence to other!% in order to train '! to the !pec'lative
rather than the practical $noledge o" it and thi! o'ght to #e care"'ll) o#!erved. Certainl) hen
Chri!t al$ed ith dr) "eet 'pon the ater!% D4014/INMatthe 14/I 410I4NMar$ I4 430I1N
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"ind that he immediatel) a"terard! repeat! the !ame mode o" e2pre!!ion% + thin$ that the
meaning i! the !ame in #oth pa!!age!. Thi!grace and truthhe a"terard! contra!t! ith the %aw
and there"ore + interpret it a! !impl) meaning% that the apo!tle! ac$noledged Chri!t to #e theSon o" ;od% #eca'!e he had in him!el" the "'l"illment o" thing! hich #elong to the !pirit'al
$ingdom o" ;od and% in !hort% that in all thing! he !hoed him!el" to #e the 7edeemer and
Me!!iah hich i! the mo!t !tri$ing mar$ #) hich he o'ght to #e di!ting'i!hed "rom all other!.
JOHN1:1!1'1!.
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an) thing good% tho'gh thi! !entence con!i!t! o" !everal cla'!e!. :ir!t% he !ho! that e are all
'tterl) de!tit'te and empt) o" !pirit'al #le!!ing! "or the a#'ndance hich e2i!t! in Chri!t i!
intended to !'ppl) o'r de"icienc)% to relieve o'r povert)% to !ati!") o'r h'nger and thir!t.Secondl)% he arn! '! that% a! !oon a! e have departed "rom Chri!t% it i! ill vain "or '! to !ee$ a
!ingle drop o" happine!!% #eca'!e ;od hath determined that hatever i! good !hall re!ide in him
alone. *ccordingl)% e !hall "ind angel! and men to #e dr)% heaven to #e empt)% the earth to #e'nprod'ctive% and% in !hort% all thing! to #e o" no val'e% i" e i!h to #e parta$er! o" the gi"t! o"
;od in an) other a) than thro'gh Chri!t. Thirdl)% he a!!'re! '! that e !hall have no rea!on to
"ear the ant o" an) thing% provided that e dra "rom thefullnesso" Chri!t% hich i! in ever)re!pect !o complete% that e !hall e2perience it to #e a tr'l) ine2ha'!ti#le "o'ntain and
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an)thing that di""ered "rom him. The ,vangeli!t there"ore !ho! ho "ar in"erior the mini!tr) o"
Mosesa! to the poer o" Christ. *t the !ame time% thi! compari!on !hed! no !mall l'!ter on the
poer o" Chri!t "or hile the 'tmo!t po!!i#le de"erence a! rendered toMoses#) the
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co'ld #e comprehended% e2cept !o "ar a! he revealed him!el" in Chri!t and there"ore that it a!
onl) in Chri!t that ;od a! "ormerl) $non to the "ather!. -'t + rather thin$ that the ,vangeli!t
here a#ide! #) the compari!on alread) !tated% namel)% ho m'ch #etter o'r condition i! than thato" the "ather!% #eca'!e ;od% ho a! "ormerl) concealed in hi! !ecret glor)% ma) no #e !aid to
have rendered him!el" vi!i#le "or certainl) hen Chri!t i! called the lively image of God%
D0103N
He#re! 13%E thi! re"er! to the pec'liar privilege o" the 8e Te!tament. +n li$e manner%the ,vangeli!t de!cri#e!% in thi! pa!!age% !omething ne and 'ncommon% hen he !a)! that the
only)begotten Son+ who was in the bosom of the (ather% hath made $non to '! hat a!
"ormerl) concealed. He there"ore magni"ie! the mani"e!tation o" ;od% hich ha! #een #ro'ght to'! #) the go!pel% in hich he di!ting'i!he! '! "rom the "ather!% and !ho! that e are !'perior to
them a! al!o Pa'l e2plain! more "'ll) in the Third and :o'rth chapter! o" the Second ,pi!tle to
the Corinthian!. :or he maintain! that there i! no no longer an) vail% !'ch a! e2i!ted 'nder the
La% #'t that ;od i! openl) #eheld in the "ace o" Chri!t.
+" it #e tho'ght 'nrea!ona#le that the "ather! are deprived o" the $noledge o" ;od% ho have the
prophet! dail) going #e"ore them and holding o't the torch% + repl)% that hat i! a!cri#ed to '! i!
not !impl) or a#!ol'tel) denied to them% #'t that a compari!on i! made #eteen the le!! and the
greater% a! e !a) #eca'!e the) had nothing more than little !par$! o" the tr'e light% the "'ll#rightne!! o" hich dail) !hine! aro'nd '!. +" it #e o#Bected% that at that time al!o ;od a!seen
face to face% D013/30N;ene!i! 3/30 03410N(e'teronom) 3410%E + maintain that that !ight i! not at allto #e compared ith o'r! #'t a! ;od a! acc'!tomed at that time to e2hi#it him!el" o#!c'rel)%
and% a! it ere% "rom a di!tance% tho!e to hom he a! more clearl) revealed !a) that the)saw
him face to face. The) !a) !o ith re"erence to their on time #'t the) did not !ee ;od in an)other a) than rapped 'p in man) "old!o" "ig're! and ceremonie!. "30That vi!ion hich
Mo!e! o#tained on the mo'ntain a! remar$a#le and more e2cellent than almo!t all the re!t and
)et ;od e2pre!!l) declare!%
tho' !halt not #e a#le to !ee m) "ace% onl) tho' !halt !ee m) #ac$% D0/33/3N,2od'! 33/3E
#) hich metaphor he !ho! that the time "or a "'ll and clear revelation had not )et come. +tm'!t al!o #e o#!erved that% hen the "ather! i!hed to #ehold ;od% the) ala)! t'rned their e)e!
toard! Chri!t. + do not onl) mean that the) #eheld ;od in hi! eternal Speech% #'t al!o that the)attended% ith their hole mind and ith their hole heart% to the promi!ed mani"e!tation o"
Chri!t. :or thi! rea!on e !hall "ind that Chri!t a"terard! !aid%braham saw my day% D430IN
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8o. "". The) !aid there"ore to him% @ho art tho'% that e ma) give an an!er to
tho!e ho !ent '!O @hat !a)e!t tho' o" th)!el"O "#. He !aith% + am the voice o" him
ho crieth in the ilderne!!% "33Prepare the a) o" the Lord% a! !aid the prophet
+!aiah.
1(.nd this is the testimony. Hitherto the ,vangeli!t ha! related the preaching o"
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giving the tr'e interpretation o" the Prophet% a""irm! thatJohn is,liBah% D401114NMatthe 111441013NMar$ 13.E
rt thou a -rophetO ,ra!m'! give! an inacc'rate e2planation o" the!e ord! #) limiting them toChri!t "or the addition o" the article DoJ pro!h>thv% the prophetE carrie! no empha!i! in thi!pa!!age and the me!!enger! a"terard! declare plainl) eno'gh% that the) meant a di""erent
prophet"rom Chri!t "or the) !'m 'p the hole #) !a)ing% Dver!e /%E if thou art neither theChrist+ nor Eli.ah+ nor a -rophet. Th'! e !ee that the) intended to point o't di""erent per!on!.
6ther! thin$ that the) inA'ired i" he a! one o" the ancientprophets #'t neither do + approve o"
that e2po!ition. 7ather do the) #) thi! term point o't the o""ice o"
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'ndo'#tedl)% that +!aiah give! the name ilderne!! to the mi!era#le de!olation o" the Ch'rch%
hich !eemed to precl'de the ret'rn o" the people a! i" he had !aid% that a pa!!age o'ld indeed
#e opened 'p "or the captive people% #'t that the Lord o'ld "ind a road thro'gh region! inhich there a! no road. -'t that vi!i#le wilderness% in hich
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!o "ar a! it! tr'th depend! on an)thing el!e #'t% at the !ame time% #) declaring that he ha! not the
poer o" the Spirit% he e2alt! the dignit) o" Chri!t% that the e)e! o" men ma) #e "i2ed on him
alone. Thi! i! the highe!t and #e!t reg'lated moderation% hen a mini!ter #orro! "rom Chri!thatever a'thorit) he claim! "or him!el"% in !'ch a manner a! to trace it to him% a!cri#ing to him
alone all that he po!!e!!e!.
+t i! a "ooli!h mi!ta$e% hoever% into hich !ome people have #een led% o" !'ppo!ing that
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!ome have in!erted here the nameðany% #'t thi! i! a mi!ta$e "or e !hall a"terard! !ee ho
nearðanya! to
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the
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that he him!el" a! #e"ore him in the order o" time% to prepare the a) "or Chri!t% according to
the te!timon) o" Malachi%
-ehold% + !end m) me!!enger #e"ore m) "ace% D30301NMalachi 31.E
*gain% hen he !a)! that he was preferred to himself% thi! relate! to the glor) ith hich ;od
adorned hi! Son% hen he came into the orld to "'l"ill the o""ice o" a 7edeemer. *t la!t% therea!on i! added% hich i!% that Chri!t i! "ar !'perior in dignit) to
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pa!!age ;od intended to ma$e a p'#lic repre!entation o" that mildne!! o" Chri!t o" hich +!aiah
!pea$! in lo"t) term!%
The !mo$ing "la2 he ill not A'ench% and the #r'i!ed reed he ill not #rea$% D/34/03N+!aiah4/3.E
+t a! then% "or the "ir!t time% that the Spirit was seen descending on him2not that he had"ormerl) #een de!tit'te o" him% #'t #eca'!e he might #e !aid to #e then con!ecrated #) a !olemnrite. :or e $no that he remained in concealment% d'ring thirt) )ear!% li$e a private individ'al%
#eca'!e the time "or hi! mani"e!tation a! not )et come #'t hen he intended to ma$e him!el"
$non to the orld% he #egan ith hi! #apti!m. *t that time% there"ore% he received the Spiritnotonl) "or him!el"% #'t "or hi! people and on that acco'nt hi! de!cent a! vi!i#le% that e ma)
$no that there dell! in him an a#'ndance o" all gi"t! o" hich e are empt) and de!tit'te. Thi!
ma) ea!il) #e in"erred "rom the ord! o" the -apti!t "or hen he !a)!% 3pon whom thou shaltsee the Spirit descending+ and remaining on him+ it is he who bapti0eth with the Spirit% hi!
meaning i!% that the rea!on h) the Spirita! #eheld in a vi!i#le "orm% and remained onChri!t%
a!% that he might ater all hi! people ith hi! "'llne!!. @hat it i! to bapti0e with the Spirit+
have alread) noticed in a "e ord! namel)% that he impart! it! e""icac) to #apti!m% that it ma)not #e vain or '!ele!!% and thi! he accompli!he! #) the poer o" hi! Spirit.
##.3pon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending!Here a di""ic'lt A'e!tion ari!e! "or i"
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#$.I saw and testified!He mean! that hat he declare! i! not do'#t"'l #eca'!e ;od a! plea!ed
to ma$e him "'ll) and thoro'ghl) acA'ainted ith tho!e thing! o" hich he a! to #e the itne!!
to the orld and it i! orth) o" notice% that he testifiedthat Chri!t a!the Son of God+#eca'!ehe ho give! the Hol) Spirit m'!t #e the Chri!t% "or to no other #elong! the honor and the o""ice
o" reconciling men to ;od.
JOHN1:#!#(#!.The ne2t da)
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can #e no do'#t that% d'ring that night% he in!tr'cted them more "'ll)% !o that the) !oon
a"terard! #ecame entirel) devoted to him.
#(.It was about the tenth hour2that i!% the evening a! approaching% "or it a! not more thanto ho'r! till !'n!et. The da) a! at that time divided #) them into telve ho'r!% hich ere
longer in !'mmer and !horter in inter. -'t "rom thi! circ'm!tance e in"er that tho!e di!ciple!
ere !o eagerl) de!iro'! to hear Chri!t% and to gain a more intimate $noledge o" him% that the)gave them!elve! no concern a#o't a night9! lodging. 6n the contrar)% e are% "or the mo!t part%
ver) 'nli$e them% "or e ince!!antl) dela)% #eca'!e it i! not convenient "or '! to "ollo Chri!t.
JOHN1:$)$"$).*ndre% Simon Peter9! #rother% a! one o" tho!e ho heard
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/I.E Hence thi! mode o" e2pre!!ion #ecame prevalent% !o that hen theMessiahorChrista!
mentioned% it a! 'nder!tood that no other than the 7edeemer a! meant. Th'! e !hall "ind the
oman o" Samaria !a)ing% the Messiah will come% D4304/N
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the !ecret grace o" ;od A'ic$en! it% all the !en!e! m'!t #e a""ected in !'ch a manner that men
ill #e prepared tofollowherever ;od call! them. @e o'ght% there"ore% to pra) to Chri!t that he
ma) di!pla) in '! the !ame poer o" the ;o!pel. +n the ca!e o"-hilip+there a! no do'#t apec'liarit) a#o't hi!followingChri!t "or he i! commanded to "ollo% not li$e one o" '!% #'t a! a
dome!tic% and a! a "amiliar companion. -'t !till the calling o" all o" '! i! ill'!trated #) thi!
calling o"-hilip!$$. "as of ðsaida!The name o" the cit) appear! to have #een mentioned on p'rpo!e% that the
goodne!! o" ;od to the three *po!tle! ma) #e more ill'!trio'!l) di!pla)ed. @e $no ho
!everel)% on other occa!ion!% Chri!t threaten! and c'r!e! that cit)% D4011/1NMatthe 11/14/1013NL'$e 1013.E *ccordingl)% hen ;od #ro'ght into "avor ith him !ome o't o" a nation !o
'ngodl) and ic$ed% e o'ght to vie it in the !ame light a! i" the) had #een #ro'ght o't o" the
loe!t hell. *nd hen Chri!t% a"ter having dran them o't o" that deep g'l"% honor! them !ohighl) a! to ma$e them *po!tle!% it i! a di!ting'i!hed "avor and orth) o" #eing recorded.
$!.-hilip findeth 'athanael!Tho'gh pro'd men de!pi!e the!e "ee#le #eginning! o" the Ch'rch%
)et e o'ght to perceive in them a #righter di!pla) o" the divine glor)% than i" the condition o"
the Gingdom o" Chri!t had #een in ever) re!pect% "rom the o't!et% !plendid and magni"icent "ore $no to ho rich a harve!t thi! !mall !eed a"terard! gre. *gain% e !ee in-hilipthe !ame
de!ire o" #'ilding hich "ormerl) appeared inndrew!Hi! mode!t)% too% i! remar$a#le% in
de!iring and !ee$ing nothing el!e than to have other! to learn along ith him% "rom Him ho i! aTeacher common to all.
"e have found Jesus!Ho !mall a! the mea!'re o" Philip9! "aith appear! "rom thi!
circ'm!tance% that he cannot 'tter a "e ord! a#o't Chri!t itho't mingling ith them togro!! error!. He call! him the son of Joseph+and !a)!% that'a0aretha! hi! native ton% #oth o"
hich !tatement! ere "al!e and )et% #eca'!e he i! !incerel) de!iro'! to do good to hi! #rother%
and to ma$e Chri!t $non% ;od approve! o" thi! in!tance o" hi! diligence% and even cron! itith good !'cce!!. ,ach o" '! o'ght% no do'#t% to endeavor to $eep !o#erl) ithin hi! on
limit! and% certainl)% the ,vangeli!t doe! not mention it a! orth) o" commendation in Philip%that he tice di!grace! Chri!t% #'t relate! that hi! doctrine% tho'gh "a'lt) and involved in error%
a! '!e"'l% #eca'!e it neverthele!! had thi! "or it! o#Bect% that Chri!t might #e tr'l) $non. He"ooli!hl) !a)! that he a! the son of Joseph+and ignorantl) call! him a native o"'a0areth+#'t
)et he lead!'athanaelto no other than the Son o" ;od ho a! #orn in -ethlehem%
D400/01NMatthe /1%E and doe! not contrive a "al!e Chri!t% #'t onl) i!he! that the) !ho'ld $nohim a! he a! e2hi#ited #)Moses and the -rophets!@e !ee% then% that the chie" de!ign o"
doctrine i!% that tho!e ho hear '! !ho'ld come to Chri!t in !ome a) or other.
There are man) ho engage in a#!tr'!e inA'irie! a#o't Chri!t% #'t ho thro !'ch dar$ne!! andintricac) aro'nd him #) their !'#tletie! that the) can never "ind him. The Papi!t!% "or e2ample%
ill not !a) that Chri!t i! the son of Joseph+ "or the) di!tinctl) $no hat i! hi! name #'t )etthe) annihilate hi! poer% !o a! to hold o't a phantom in the room o" Chri!t. @o'ld it not #e#etter to !tammer ridic'lo'!l)% li$e-hilip+and to hold #) the tr'e Chri!t% than #) eloA'ent and
ingenio'! lang'age to introd'ce a "al!e Chri!tO 6n the other hand% there are man) poor d'nce! in
the pre!ent da)% ho% tho'gh ignorant and 'n!$illed in the '!e o" lang'age% ma$e $non Chri!t
more "aith"'ll) than all the theologian! o" the Pope ith their lo"t) !pec'lation!. Thi! pa!!age%there"ore% arn! '! that% i" an) 'n!'ita#le lang'age ha! #een emplo)ed concerning Chri!t #)
ignorant and 'nlearned men% e o'ght not to reBect !'ch per!on! ith di!dain% provided the)
40
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direct '! to Chri!t #'t that e ma) not #e ithdran "rom Chri!t #) the "al!e imagination! o"
men% let '! ala)! have thi! remed) at hand% to !ee$ the p're $noledge o" him "romthe %aw
and the -rophets!
$%.Can any good thing come out of 'a0areth5*t "ir!t%'athanaelre"'!e!% the place o" Chri!t9!
nativit) Da! de!cri#ed #)-hilipE having given him o""en!e. -'t% "ir!t o" all% he i! deceived #) the
incon!iderate di!co'r!e o"-hilip2"or hat-hilip"ooli!hl) #elieved'athanaelreceive! a!certain. 8e2t% there i! added a "ooli!h B'dgment ari!ing "rom hatred or contempt o" the place.
-oth o" the!e point! o'ght to #e care"'ll) o#!erved #) '!. Thi! hol) man a! not "ar "rom
!h'tting o't again!t him!el" all approach to Chri!t. @h) a! thi!O -eca'!e he ra!hl) #elieve!hat Philip !po$e incorrectl) a#o't Chri!t and ne2t% #eca'!e hi! mind a! 'nder the in"l'ence
o" a preconceived opinion that no good thing could come out of 'a0areth. +" then e are not
care"'ll) on o'r g'ard% e !hall #e lia#le to the !ame danger and Satan la#or! ever) da)% #)!imilar o#!tacle!% to hinder '! "rom coming to Chri!t "or he ha! the de2terit) to !pread man)
"al!ehood!% the tendenc) o" hich i! to e2cite o'r hatred or !'!picion again!t the ;o!pel% that e
ma) not vent're to ta!te it. *nd ne2t% he cea!e! not to tr) another method% namel)% to ma$e '!
loo$ on Chri!t ith contempt "or e !ee ho man) there are ho ta$e o""en!e at the degradation
o" the cro!!% hich appear! #oth in Chri!t the head and in hi! mem#er!. -'t a! e can hardl) #e!o ca'tio'! a! notto #e tempted #) tho!e !tratagem! o" Satan% let '! at lea!t remem#er
immediatel) thi! ca'tion
Come and see!8athanael alloed hi! to"old error to #e corrected #) thi! e2pre!!ion hich
Philip 'ttered. :olloing hi! e2ample% let '! "ir!t !ho o'r!elve! to #e !'#mi!!ive and o#edient
and ne2t% let '! not !hrin$ "rom inA'ir)% hen Chri!t him!el" i! read) to remove the do'#t! hichhara!! '!. Tho!e ho read the!e ord! not a! a A'e!tion% #'t a! an a""irmation% Some good thing
may come out of 'a0areth% are greatl) mi!ta$en. :or% in the "ir!t place% ho trivial o'ld !'ch an
o#!ervation #eO *nd ne2t% e $no that the cit)'a0aretha! not at that time held in e!timationand Philip9! repl) !ho! plainl) eno'gh that it a! e2pre!!ive o" he!itation and di!tr'!t.
JOHN1:$&!1$&.@hen
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order to tear the ma!$ "rom h)pocrite!% give! a !hort de"inition o" a true Israelite% and% at the
!ame time% remove! the o""en!e hich o'ld a"terard! ari!e "rom the ic$ed o#!tinac) o" the
nation. :or tho!e ho i!hed to #e acco'nted the children o" *#raham% and the hol) people o";od% ere !hortl) a"terard! to #ecome the deadl) enemie! o" the ;o!pel. That none ma) #e
di!co'raged or alarmed #) the impiet) hich a! generall) "o'nd in almo!t all ran$!% he give! a
timel) arning% that o" tho!e #) hom the name o" +!raelite! i! a!!'med there are "e ho aretr'e +!raelite!.
*gain% a! thi! pa!!age contain! a de"inition o" Chri!tianit)% e m'!t not pa!! #) it !lightl). To
!'m 'p the meaning o" Chri!t in a "e ord!% it o'ght to #e o#!erved that deceiti! contra!tedith 'prightne!! and !incerit) "3!o that he call! tho!e per!on!sly "40and deceitfulho are
called in other part! o" Script're double in heart% D11/0/NP!alm 1//.E 8or i! it onl) that gro!!
h)pocri!) #) hich tho!e ho are con!cio'! o" their ic$edne!! pretend to #e good men% #'tli$ei!e another inard h)pocri!)% hen men are !o #linded #) their vice! that the) not onl)
deceive other! #'t them!elve!. So then it i! integrit) o" heart #e"ore ;od% and 'prightne!! #e"ore
men% that ma$e! a Chri!tian #'t Chri!t point! o't chie"l) that $ind o" deceithich i! mentioned
in 13/0/NP!alm 3//. +n thi! pa!!age ajlh#w~vDtrulyE mean! !omething more than certainly. The
;ree$ ord% no do'#t% i! o"ten '!ed a! a !imple a""irmation #'t a! e m'!t here !'ppl) acontra!t #eteen the "act and the mere name% he i! !aid to #e truly+ho i! in realityhat he i!
!'ppo!ed to #e.
$'. "hence knowest thou5Tho'gh Chri!t did not intend to "latter him% )et he i!hed to #e heard
#) him% in order to dra "orth a ne A'e!tion% #) the repl) to hich he o'ld prove him!el" to
#e the Son o" ;od. 8or i! it itho't a good rea!on that 8athanael a!$! whence Christ knew him"or to meet ith a man o" !'ch 'prightne!! a! to #e "ree "rom all deceit i! an 'ncommon ca!e%
and to $no !'ch p'rit) o" heart #elong! to ;od alone. The repl) o" Chri!t% hoever% appear! to
#e inappropriate "or tho'gh hesaw 'athanael under the fig)tree+it doe! not "ollo "rom thi!that he co'ld penetrate into the deep !ecret! o" the heart. -'t there i! another rea!on "or a! it
#elong! to ;od to $no men hen the) are not !een% !o al!o doe! it #elong to Him to !ee hat i!not vi!i#le to the e)e!. *! 8athanael $ne that Chri!t did not !ee him a"ter the manner o" men%
#'t #) a loo$ tr'l) divine% thi! might lead him to concl'de that Chri!t did not no !pea$ a! aman. The proo"% there"ore% i! ta$en "rom thing! hich are o" the !ame cla!! "or not le!! doe! it
#elong to ;od to !ee hat lie! #e)ond o'r vie than to B'dge concerning p'rit) o" heart. @e
o'ght al!o to gather "rom thi! pa!!age a '!e"'l doctrine% that hen e are not thin$ing o" Chri!t%e are o#!erved #) him and it i! nece!!ar) that it !ho'ld #e !o% that he ma) #ring '! #ac$% hen
e have andered "rom the right path.
$(. Thou art the Son of God!That he ac$noledge! him to #e the Son of God"rom hi! divinepoer i! not onder"'l #'t on hat gro'nd doe! he call him7ing of IsraelO "or the to thing!
do not appear to #e nece!!aril) connected. -'t 8athanael ta$e! a lo"tier vie. He had alread)
heard that he i! the Me!!iah% and to thi! doctrine he add! the con"irmation hich had #een givenhim. He hold! al!o another principle% that the Son of Godill not come itho't e2erci!ing the
o""ice o"7ingover the people o" ;od.
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more than a !hado o" Chri!t i!% that the) have #een care"'l to loo$ at hi! mere e!!ence% #'t have
di!regarded hi! kingdom% hich con!i!t! in the poer to !ave.
*gain% hen 8athanael call! him7ing of Israel% tho'gh hi! kingdome2tend! to the remote!t#o'nd! o" the earth% the con"e!!ion i! limited to the mea!'re o" "aith. :or he had not )et advanced
!o "ar a! to $no that Chri!t a! appointed to #e Ging over the hole orld% or rather% that "rom
ever) A'arter o'ld #e collected the children o" *#raham% !o that the hole orld o'ld #e theIsraelo" ;od. @e to hom the ide e2tent o" Chri!t9! $ingdom ha! #een revealed o'ght to go
#e)ond tho!e narro limit!. =et "olloing the e2ample o" 8athanael% let '! e2erci!e o'r "aith in
hearing the ord% and let '! !trengthen it #) all the mean! that are in o'r poer and let it notremain #'ried% #'t #rea$ o't into con"e!!ion.
!).Jesus answered. He doe! not reprove 8athanael a! i" he had #een too ea!) o" #elie"% #'t
rather approving o" hi! "aith% promi!e! to him and to other! that he ill con"irm it #) !trongerarg'ment!. -e!ide!% it a! pec'liar to one man that he was seen under a fig)tree#) Chri!t% hen
a#!ent and at a di!tance "rom him #'t no Chri!t #ring! "orard a proo" hich o'ld #e
common to all% and th'! ? a! i" he had #ro$en o"" "rom hat he originall) intended ? in!tead o"
addre!!ing one man% he t'rn! to addre!! all.
!1. 8ou shall see heaven opened!The) are greatl) mi!ta$en% in m) opinion% ho an2io'!l)
inA'ire into the place here% and the time hen% 8athanael and other!saw heaven opened"or he
rather point! o't !omething perpet'al hich a! ala)! to e2i!t in hi! $ingdom. + ac$noledgeindeed% that the di!ciple! !ometime!saw angels% ho are not !een in the pre!ent da) and +
ac$noledge al!o that the mani"e!tation o" the heavenl) glor)% hen Chri!t a!cended to heaven%
a! di""erent "rom hat e no #ehold. -'t i" e d'l) con!ider hat too$ place at that time% iti! o" perpet'al d'ration "or the $ingdom o" ;od% hich a! "ormerl) clo!ed again!t '!% i!
act'all) opened in Chri!t. * vi!i#le in!tance o" thi! a! !hon to Stephen% D440KN*ct! K%E to
the three di!ciple! on the mo'ntain% D401K0NMatthe 1K%E and to the other di!ciple! at Chri!t9!a!cen!ion% D4//41NL'$e /41 44010N*ct! 1.E -'t all the !ign! #) hich ;od !ho! him!el"
pre!ent ith '! depend on thi! opening of heaven% more e!peciall) hen ;od comm'nicate!him!el" to '! to #e o'r li"e.
scending and descending on the Son of man!Thi! !econd cla'!e re"er! to angels!The) are !aid
to ascendand descend% !o a! to #e mini!ter! o" ;od9! $indne!! toard! '! and there"ore thi!
mode o" e2pre!!ion point! o't the m't'al interco'r!e hich e2i!t! #eteen ;od and men. 8o
e m'!t ac$noledge that thi! #ene"it a! received thro'gh Chri!t% #eca'!e itho't him theangelshave rather a deadl) enmit) again!t '! than a "riendl) care to help '!. The) are !aid to
ascend and descend68TH,S686:M*8%not #eca'!e the) mini!ter to him% #'t #eca'!e ? in
re"erence to him% and "or hi! honor ? the) incl'de the hole #od) o" the Ch'rch in their $indl)regard. 8or have + an) do'#t that he all'de! to the ladderhich a! e2hi#ited to the patriarch
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CH*PT,7 /
JOHN":1111.Three da)! a"ter% "4/there a! a marriage in Cana o" ;alilee and the mother o"
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*gain% it ma) #e !'ppo!ed to !ho a ant o" co'rte!)% that the #ridegroom allo! hi! g'e!t!% in
the middle o" the entertainment% to #e in ant o" ine "or it loo$! li$e a man o" little
tho'ght"'lne!! not to have a !'""icienc) o" ine "or hi! g'e!t!. + repl)% nothing i! here relatedhich doe! not "reA'entl) happen% e!peciall) hen people are not acc'!tomed to the dail) '!e o"
ine. -e!ide!% the conte2t !ho!% that it a! toard! the concl'!ion o" the #anA'et thatthe wine
fell short+hen% according to c'!tom% it might #e !'ppo!ed that the) had alread) dr'n$ eno'gh"or the ma!ter o" the "ea!t th'! !pea$!% *ther men place worse wine before those who have drunk
enough%but thou hast kept the best till now. -e!ide!% + have no do'#t that all thi! a! reg'lated
#) the Providence o" ;od% that there might #e room "or the miracle.
#.The mother of Jesus saith to him!+t ma) #e do'#ted i" !he e2pected or a!$ed an) thing "rom
her Son% !ince he had not )et per"ormed an) miracle and it i! po!!i#le that% itho't e2pecting
an) remed) o" thi! !ort% !he advi!ed him to give !ome pio'! e2hortation! hich o'ld have thee""ect o" preventing the g'e!t! "rom "eeling 'nea!ine!!% and at the !ame time o" relieving the
!hame o" the bridegroom. + con!ider her ord! to #e e2pre!!ive o" Dsumpa#ei>aE earne!tcompa!!ion "or the hol) oman% perceiving that tho!e ho had #een invited ere li$el) to
con!ider them!elve! a! having #een treated ith di!re!pect% and to m'rm'r again!t the
#ridegroom% and that the entertainment might in that a) #e di!t'r#ed% i!hed that !ome mean!o" !oothing them co'ld #e adopted. Chr)!o!tom thro! o't a !'!picion that !he a! moved #)
the "eeling! o" a oman to !ee$ + $no not hat "avor "or her!el" and her Son #'t thi!conBect're i! not !'pported #) an) arg'ment.
$."oman+ what have I to do with thee5@h) doe! Chri!t repel her !o ra!hl)O + repl)% tho'gh !he
a! not moved #) am#ition% nor #) an) carnal a""ection% !till !he did rong in going #e)ond herproper #o'nd!. Her an2iet) a#o't the inconvenience end'red #) other!% and her de!ire to have it
in !ome a) mitigated% proceeded "rom h'manit)% and o'ght to #e regarded a! a virt'e #'t !till%
#) p'tting her!el" "orard% !he might o#!c're the glor) o" Chri!t. Tho'gh it o'ght al!o to #eo#!erved% that hat Chri!t !po$e a! not !o m'ch "or her !a$e a! "or the !a$e o" other!. Her
mode!t) and piet) ere too great% to need !o !evere a cha!ti!ement. -e!ide!% !he did not$noingl) and illingl) o""end #'t Chri!t onl) meet! the danger% that no improper '!e ma) #e
made o" hat hi! mother had !aid% a! i" it ere in o#edience to her command that he a"terard!per"ormed the miracle.
The ;ree$ ord! D$i> ejmoi< kai< soi
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manner% in order to la) don a perpet'al and general in!tr'ction to all age!% that hi! divine glor)
m'!t not #e o#!c'red #) e2ce!!ive honor paid to hi! mother.
Ho nece!!ar) thi! arning #ecame% in con!eA'ence o" the gro!! and di!grace"'l !'per!tition!hich "olloed a"terard!% i! too ell $non. :or Mar) ha! #een con!tit'ted the 'een o"
Heaven% the Hope% the Li"e% and the Salvation o" the orld and% in !hort% their "'r) and madne!!
proceeded !o "ar that the) !tripped Chri!t o" hi! !poil!% and le"t him almo!t na$ed. *nd hen econdemn tho!e horrid #la!phemie! again!t the Son o" ;od% the Papi!t! call '! malignant and
envio'! and ? hat i! or!e ? the) malicio'!l) !lander '! a! deadl) "oe! to the honor o" the
hol) >irgin. *! i" !he had not all the honor that i! d'e to her% 'nle!! !he ere made a ;odde!! ora! i" it ere treating her ith re!pect% to adorn her ith #la!phemo'! title!% and to !'#!tit'te her
in the room o" Chri!t. The Papi!t!% there"ore% o""er a grievo'! in!'lt to Mar) hen% in order to
di!"ig're her #) "al!e prai!e!% the) ta$e "rom ;od hat #elong! to Him.
My hour is not yet come!He mean! that he ha! not hitherto dela)ed thro'gh carele!!ne!! or
indolence% #'t at the !ame time he !tate! indirectl) that he ill attend to the matter% hen the
proper time "or it !hall arrive. *! he reprove! hi! mother "or 'n!ea!ona#le ha!te% !o% on the other
hand% he give! rea!on to e2pect a miracle. The hol) >irgin ac$noledge! #oth% "or !he a#!tain!"rom addre!!ing him an) "arther and hen !he advi!e! the !ervant! to do hatever he
command!% !he !ho! that !he e2pect! !omething no. -'t the in!tr'ction conve)ed here i! !till
more e2ten!ive that henever the Lord hold! '! in !'!pen!e% and dela)! hi! aid% he i! notthere"ore a!leep% #'t% on the contrar)% reg'late! all Hi! or$! in !'ch a manner that he doe!
nothing #'t at the proper time. Tho!e ho have applied thi! pa!!age to prove that the time o"
event! i! appointed #) :ate% are too ridic'lo'! to reA'ire a !ingle ord to #e !aid "or re"'tingthem. The hour of Christ!ometime! denote! the hourhich had #een appointed to him #) the
:ather and #) his timehe ill a"terard! de!ignate hat he "o'nd to #e convenient and !'ita#le
"or e2ec'ting the command! o" hi! :ather #'t in thi! place he claim! the right to ta$e and choo!e
the time"or or$ing and "or di!pla)ing hi! (ivine poer. "44
!.#is mother saith to the servants!Here the hol) >irgin give! an in!tance o" tr'e o#ediencehich !he oed to her Son% "4hen the A'e!tion related% not to the relative d'tie! o" man$ind%
#'t to hi! divine poer. She mode!tl) acA'ie!ce!% there"ore% in Chri!t9! repl) and in li$e mannere2hort! other! to compl) ith hi! inB'nction!. + ac$noledge% indeed% that hat the >irgin no
!aid related to the pre!ent occ'rrence% and amo'nted to a declaration that% in thi! in!tance% !he
had no a'thorit)% and that Chri!t o'ld do% according to hi! on plea!'re% hatever he tho'ghtright. -'t i" )o' attend clo!el) to her de!ign% the !tatement hich !he made i! !till more
e2ten!ive "or !he "ir!t di!claim! and la)! a!ide the poer hich !he might !eem to have
improperl) '!'rped and ne2t% !he a!cri#e! the hole a'thorit) to Chri!t% hen !he #id! them dowhatever he shall command!@e are ta'ght generall) #) the!e ord!% that i" e de!ire an) thing
"rom Chri!t% e ill not o#tain o'r i!he!% 'nle!! e depend on him alone% loo$ to him% and% in
!hort% do whatever he commands.6n the other hand% he doe! not !end '! to hi! mother% #'t ratherinvite! '! to him!el".
%.nd there were there si, water)pots of stone!*ccording to the comp'tation o" -'dae'!% e
in"er that the!e water)potsere ver) large "or a! the metreta "4IDmetrhth
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miracle. +" there had #een onl) to or three Bar!% man) might have !'!pected that the) had #een
#ro'ght "rom !ome other place. +" in one ve!!el onl) the ater had #een changed into ine% the
certaint) o" the miracle o'ld not have #een !o o#vio'!% or !o ell a!certained. +t i! not%there"ore% itho't a good rea!on that the ,vangeli!t mention! the n'm#er o" the water)pots+and
!tate! ho m'ch the) contained.
+t aro!e "rom !'per!tition that ve!!el! !o n'mero'! and !o large ere placed there. The) had theceremon) o" a!hing% indeed% pre!cri#ed to them #) the La o" ;od #'t a! the orld i! prone to
e2ce!! in o'tard matter!% the
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hich !ome give% that thi! i! rec$oned the "ir!t among the miracle! hich Chri!t per"ormed in
Cana o" ;alilee a! i" a place% in hich e do not read that he ever a! more than tice% had
#een !elected #) him "or a di!pla) o" hi! poer. +t a! rather the de!ign o" the ,vangeli!t tomar$ the order o" time hich Chri!t "olloed in the e2erci!e o" hi! poer. :or 'ntil he a! thirt)
)ear! o" age% he $ept him!el" concealed at home% li$e one ho held no p'#lic o""ice. Having #een
con!ecrated% at hi! #apti!m% to the di!charge o" hi! o""ice% he then #egan to appear in p'#lic% andto !ho #) clear proo"! "or hat p'rpo!e he a! !ent #) the :ather. @e need not onder%
there"ore% i" he dela)ed till thi! time the "ir!t proo" o" hi! (ivinit). +t i! a high honor given to
marriage% that Chri!t not onl) deigned to #e pre!ent at a n'ptial #anA'et% #'t honored it ith hi!"ir!t miracle. There are !ome ancient Canon! hich "or#id the clerg) to attend a marriage. The
rea!on o" the prohi#ition a!% that #) #eing the !pectator! o" the ic$edne!! hich a! '!'all)
practiced on !'ch occa!ion!% the) might in !ome mea!'re #e regarded a! approving o" it. -'t it
o'ld have #een "ar #etter to carr) to !'ch place! !o m'ch gravit) a! to re!train thelicentio'!ne!! in hich 'nprincipled and a#andoned men ind'lge% hen the) are ithdran "rom
the e)e! o" other!. Let '!% on the contrar)% ta$e Chri!t9! e2ample "or o'r r'le and let '! not
!'ppo!e that an) thing el!e than hat e read that he did can #e pro"ita#le to '!.
nd manifested his glory2that i!% #eca'!e he then gave a !tri$ing and ill'!trio'! proo"% #) hichit a! a!certained that he a! the Son o" ;od "or all the miracle! hich he e2hi#ited to the
orld ere !o man) demon!tration! o" hi! divine poer. The proper time "or di!pla)ing hi! glor)a! no come% hen he i!hed to ma$e him!el" $non agreea#l) to the command o" hi! :ather.
Hence% al!o% e learn the end o" miracles "or thi! e2pre!!ion amo'nt! to a declaration that
Chri!t% in order to manifest his glory%per"ormed thi! miracle. @hat% then% o'ght e to thin$ o"tho!e miracle! hich o#!c're the glor) o" Chri!tO
nd his disciples believed on him!+" the) ere disciples+the) m'!t alread) have po!!e!!ed !ome
"aith #'t a! the) had hitherto "olloed him ith a "aith hich a! not di!tinct and "irm% the)#egan at that time to devote them!elve! to him% !o a! to ac$noledge him to #e the Me!!iah%
!'ch a! he had alread) #een anno'nced to them. The "or#earance o" Chri!t i! great in rec$oninga! di!ciple! tho!e ho!e "aith i! !o !mall. *nd indeed thi! doctrine e2tend! generall) to '! all "or
the "aith hich i! no "'ll gron had at "ir!t it! in"anc)% nor i! it !o per"ect in an) a! not to ma$eit nece!!ar) that all to a man !ho'ld ma$e progre!! in believing. Th'!% the) ho no believed
ma) #e !aid to #egin to believe% !o "ar a! the) dail) ma$e progre!! toard! the end o" their "aith.
Let tho!e ho have o#tained the "ir!t"r'it! o" "aith la#or ala)! to ma$e progre!!. The!e ord!point o't li$ei!e the advantage o" miracle! namel)% that the) o'ght to #e vieed a! intended
"or the con"irmation and progre!! o" "aith. @hoever ti!t! them to an) other p'rpo!e corr'pt!
and de#a!e! the hole '!e o" them a! e !ee that Papi!t! #oa!t o" their pretended miracle! "orno other p'rpo!e than to #'r) "aith% and to t'rn aa) the mind! o" men "rom Chri!t to the
creat're!.
JOHN":1"1&1".*"ter thi! he ent don to Caperna'm% he% and hi! mother% and hi! #rethren% and
hi! di!ciple! and he remained there not man) da)!. 1#.*nd the pa!!over o" the
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m) :ather9! ho'!e a ho'!e o" merchandi!e. 1&.*nd hi! di!ciple! remem#ered that it
a! ritten% The eal o" th) ho'!e hath eaten me 'p.
1".#e went down to Capernaum!The ,vangeli!t pa!!e! to an additional narrative "or havingre!olved to collect a "e thing! orth) o" remem#rance hich the other three had le"t o't% he
!tate! the time hen the occ'rrence hich he i! a#o't to relate too$ place "or the other three al!o
relate hat e here read that Chri!t did% #'t the diver!it) o" the time !ho! that it a! a !imilarevent% #'t not the !ame. 6n to occa!ion!% then% did Chri!t clean!e the temple "rom #a!e and
pro"ane merchandi!e once% hen he a! #eginning to di!charge hi! commi!!ion% and another
time% D40/11/NMatthe /11/ 41111NMar$ 111 4/14NL'$e 14%E hen he a! a#o't to leave the
world and go to the (ather% D431I/N
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1#.nd the passover of the Jews was at hand2 therefore Jesus went up to Jerusalem!The ;ree$
ord! kai< ajne>%h% ma) #e literall) rendered% *8(he went up #'t the ,vangeli!t ha! '!ed thecop'lative *8(in!tead o" therefore "or he mean! that Chri!t went upat that time% in order tocele#rate the passoverat
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their remem#rance at that time #'t a"terard!% hen% having #een ta'ght #) ;od% the)
con!idered ith them!elve! hat a! the meaning o" thi! action o" Chri!t% #) the direction o" the
Hol) Spirit thi! pa!!age o" Script're occ'rred to them. *nd% indeed% it doe! not ala)! happenthat the rea!on o" ;od9! or$! i! immediatel) perceived #) '!% #'t a"terard!% in proce!! o"
time% He ma$e! $non to '! hi! p'rpo!e. *nd thi! i! a #ridle e2ceedingl) ell adapted to re!train
o'r pre!'mption% that e ma) not m'rm'r again!t ;od% i" at an) time o'r B'dgment doe! notentirel) approve o" hat he doe!. @e are at the !ame time reminded% that hen ;od hold! '! a! it
ere in !'!pen!e% it i! o'r d't) to ait "or the time o" more a#'ndant $noledge% and to re!train
the e2ce!!ive ha!te hich i! nat'ral to '! "or the rea!on h) ;od dela)! the "'ll mani"e!tationo" hi! or$! i!% that he ma) $eep '! h'm#le.
The 0eal of thine house hath eaten me up!The meaning i!% that the di!ciple! at length came to
$no% that the eal "or the ho'!e o" ;od% ith hich Chri!t #'rned% e2cited him to drive o't o" ittho!e pro"anation!. -) a "ig're o" !peech% in hich a part i! ta$en "or the hole% (avid emplo)!
the name o" the temple to denote the hole or!hip o" ;od "or the entire ver!e r'n! th'!
the eal o" th) ho'!e hath eaten me 'p% and the reproache! o" them ho reproached thee
have "allen on me% D1I0N
P!alm I.E
The !econd cla'!e corre!pond! to the "ir!t% or rather it i! nothing el!e than a repetition e2plaining
hat had #een !aid. The amo'nt o" #oth cla'!e! i!% that (avid9! an2iet) a#o't maintaining the
or!hip o" ;od a! !o inten!e% that he cheer"'ll) laid don hi! head to receive all thereproacheshich ic$ed men thre again!t ;od and that he #'rned ith !'ch0eal+that thi!
!ingle "eeling !alloed 'p ever) other. He tell! '! that he him!el" had !'ch "eeling! #'t there
can #e no do'#t that he de!cri#ed in hi! on per!on hat !trictl) #elonged to the Me!!iah.
*ccordingl)% the ,vangeli!t !a)!% that thi! a! one o" the mar$! #) hich the disciples$ne that
it a!
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tho' doe!t the!e thing!O 1(.
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-'t it ma) #e a!$ed% !ince he per"ormed !o man) miracle!% and o" vario'! $ind!% h) doe! he
no mention #'t oneO + an!er% he !aid nothing a#o't all the other miracle!% :ir!t% #eca'!e hi!
re!'rrection alone a! !'""icient to !h't their mo'th Secondl)% he a! 'nilling to e2po!e thepoer o" ;od to their ridic'le "or even re!pecting the glor) o" hi! re!'rrection he !po$e
allegoricall) Thirdl)% + !a) that he prod'ced hat a! appropriate to the ca!e in hand "or% #)
the!e ord!% he !ho! that all a'thorit) over the Temple#elong! to him% !ince hi! poer i! !ogreat in #'ilding the tr'e Templeo" ;od.
This temple. Tho'gh he '!e! the ord templein accommodation to the pre!ent occ'rrence% )et
the #od) o" Chri!t i! B'!tl) and appropriatel) called a temple. The #od) o" each o" '! i! called atabernacle% D4K004N/ Corinthian! 4 I10113N/ Peter 113%E #eca'!e the !o'l dell! in it #'t the #od)
o" Chri!t a! the a#ode o" hi! (ivinit). :or e $no that the Son o" ;od clothed him!el" ith
o'r nat're in !'ch a manner that the eternal maBe!t) o" ;od delt in the "le!h hich he a!!'med%a! in hi! !anct'ar).
The arg'ment o" 8e!tori'!% ho a#'!ed thi! pa!!age to prove that it i! not one and the !ame
Chri!t ho i! ;od and man% ma) #e ea!il) re"'ted. He rea!oned th'! the Son o" ;od delt in
the "le!h% a! in a temple there"ore the nat're! are di!tinct% !o that the !ame per!on a! not ;odand man. -'t thi! arg'ment might #e applied to men "or it ill "ollo that it i! not one man
ho!e !o'l dell! in the #od) a! in a ta#ernacle and%