An exposition on the whole fifth chapter of S. Johns Gospel also notes on…An exposition on the vvhole fifth chapter of S. Iohns Gospell also notes on…

In the manner, note, First, The Kind of this Opposition; they sought to Kill him. Secondly, the Extent; the more. In the Kind, note this Doctrine, arising from it: that the adversaries of the truth labour to suppress the truth, not by force of argument, but by persecution. Thus did the old Jews with the Prophets, casting them into Prison, and killing them, but yet not discovering any error in their Preachings; as 2. Chron. 24.21. So dealt Herod with John Baptist; and the Jews with the Apostle; Act. 4.16. So have Heathen men and Heretics always done towards godly Martyrs; and so do Papists where they get the upper hand.

In the manner, note, First, The Kinde of this Oposition; they sought to Kill him. Secondly, the Extent; the more. In the Kind, note this Doctrine, arising from it: that the aduersaries of the truth labour to suppresse the truth, not by force of argument, but by persecution. Thus did the old Iewes with the Prophets, casting them into Prison, and killing them, but yet not discouering any error in their Preachings; as 2. Chron. 24.21. So dealt Herod with Iohn Baptist; and the Iewes with the Apostle; Act. 4.16. So haue Heathen men and Heretikes alwaies done towards godly Martyrs; and so doe Papists where they get the vpper hand.

Reason hereof is; First, The evidence of truth, which is such, that it cannot by soundness of argument be refuted.

Reason hereof is; First, The euidence of truth, which is such, that it cannot by soundnesse of argument bee refuted.

2. Obstinacy on the adversaries part, who will not be beaten down.

2. Obstinasy on the aduersaries part, who will not be bea•en downe.

The Extent is, in these words. The more.] why? because Christ had more evidently maintained that which he did, and had now clearly manifested himself.

The Extent is, in these words. The more.] why? because Christ had more euidently mantained that which he did, and had now clearely manifested himselfe.

Doct. The more evidence is given to the truth by the defenders of it, the more violent opposition is made against it by the enemies thereof. When Christ had wrought that great miracle of raising up Lazarus. We see how the Jews persecuted him; Joh. 11.47, 48, 53.

Doct. The more euidence is giuen to the truth by the defendors of it, the more violent opposition is made against it by the enemies thereof. When Christ had wrought that great miracle of raising vp Lazarus. We see how the Iewes persecuted him; Ioh. 11.47, 48, 53.

But especially, when he rose again from the dead, how do they bestir themselves; by spreading abroad lies, by bribes, &c. Mat. 28.12, 13. This makes Papists more to hate Protestants, then any other kinds of Religion whatsoever; because of that clear light which they bring against their Idolatry. And here note a further difference between a meek spirit and a contradicting spirit; the one considers the force of argument, and if it be a sure, a certain ground they yield unto it, albeit their Opinion were otherwise before; as Peter Act. 10.28. the other only labour to maintain a cause.

But especially, when he rose againe from the dead, how doe they bestirre themselues; by spreading abroad lies, by bribes, &c. Mat. 28.12, 13. This makes Papists more to hate Protestants, then any other kindes of Religion whatsoeuer; because of that cleare light which they bring against their Idolatry. And here note a further difference betweene a meeke spirit and a contradicting spirit; the one considers the force of argument, and if it be a sure, a certaine ground they yeeld vnto it, albeit their Opinion were otherwise before; as Peter Act. 10.28. the other only labour to maintaine a cause.

The Causes are twofold: partly old matter; because he had broken the Sabbath, which is not to be taken simply, but in reference to their conceit, who made this a pretence. Partly new matter; because he made himself equal to God.

The Causes are twofold: partly old matter; because he had broken the Sabbath, which is not to be taken simply, but in reference to their conceit, who made this a pretence. Partly new matter; because he made himselfe equall to God.

Thus these adversaries, though they have new matter yet, they let not go their old hold. Even as the Papists that still bring their old threadbare arguments, besides their new devises.

Thus these aduersaries, though they haue new matter yet, they let not go their old hold. Euen as the Papists that stilbring their old threadbare arguments, besides their new deuises.

The new matter that they conceit to have against him, is, that he blasphemed: First, In that he made God his Father, Secondly in making himself equal to God.

The new matter that they conceit to haue against him, is, that he blasphemed: First, In that hee made God his Father, Secondly in making himselfe equall to God.

But before we come to their erroneous conceits, let us first ⟨p. 30⟩observe some sound and orthodoxall points, which the Jews gathered from the words of Christ, whereby we shall see, how they understood his meaning aright. The

But before we come to their erroneous conceits, let vs first ⟨p. 30⟩obserue some sound and orthodoxall points, which the Iewes gathered from the words of Christ, whereby we shall see, how they vnderstood his meaning aright. The

1. Is, That Christ did account God his own Proper Father [Greek or Hebrew], and not a common Father, as he is to other creatures.

1. Is, That Christ did account God his own Proper Father 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and not a common Father, as he is to other creatures.

2. That he was equal with God. And so though they were malicious enemies of Christ yet more truly did they observe and conceive his meaning, then many heretics have done.

2. That he was equall with God. And so though they were malicious enemies of Christ yet more truly did they obserue and conceiue his meaning, then many heretickes haue done.

3. A third is this▪ That he that unjustly makes himself the son of God is worthy of death. This is a sound collection and herein they go beyond the Papists in tolerating the Pope, who maketh himself God, taking unto him his Titles, Attributes, and Authority.

3. A third is this▪ That he that vniustly makes himselfe the sonne of God is worthy of death. This is a sound collection and herein they go beyond the Papists in tolerating the Pope, who maketh himselfe God, taking vnto him his Titles, Attributes, and Authority.

All this serves to amplify and aggravate their malice, that thus perceiving his meaning, and not being able to charge him with untruth and collusion that he had at any time used, yet notwithstanding they would without any further trial, rashly accuse and condemn him of blasphemy, and seek to slay him. Worse then Pilate, who hearing that Christ never said but truth, was afraid to meddle with Christ, when he heard that he called himself the Son of God. John 19.7.8.13.

All this serues to amplifie and aggrauate their malice, that thus perceiuing his meaning, and not being able to charge him with vntruth and collusion that he had at any time vsed, yet notwithstanding they would without any further triall, rashly accuse and condemne him of blasphemie, and seeke to slay him. Worse then Pilate, who hearing that Christ neuer sayd but truth, was afraid to meddle with Christ, when hee heard that he called himselfe the Sonne of God. Iohn 19.7.8.13.

Doctrine. Malice blinds mens eyes that they cannot search into the truth: but makes them condemn at the first whatsoever they think will make against them. As do the Papists.

Doctrine. Malice blinds mens eyes that they cannot search into the truth: but makes them condemne at the first whatsoeuer they thinke will make against them. As doe the Papists.