A01972:580
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…
An exposition on the whole fifth chapter of S. Johns Gospel also notes on other choice places of Scripture, taken by a reverend divine, now with God, and found in his study after his death, written with his own hand ...An exposition on the vvhole fifth chapter of S. Iohns Gospell also notes on other choice places of Scripture, taken by a reuerend diuine, now with God, and found in his study after his death, written with his owne hand ...
London: printed by H. Lownes and R. Young for John Bartlett, 1630London: printed by H. Lownes and R. Young for Iohn Bartlett, 1630
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. The fault is noted in these words [ye have not heard his voice at any time neither have ye seen his shape.] Which words may be taken, first, literally: That they never heard the voice of the first person speaking by himself at any time, that is, at any other time, except then, and upon that occasion when he gave testimony to his Sonne. Neither yet did, or can any man behold God with carnal eyes. So that this, first, amplifies the greatness of this testimony, that it is a matter of great weight, sith never before, nor since, the like testimony hath been given. Secondly, it shows what a great benefit it was, that Christ was incarnate, who is the character and engraved form of the Father, in whom we may see and behold him: Heb. 1.3.
1. The fault is noted in these words [yee haue not heard his voice at any time neither haue yee seene his shape.] Which words may be taken, first, litterally: That they neuer heard the voice of the first person speaking by himselfe at any time, that is, at any other time, except then, and vpon that occasion when hee gaue testimonie to his Sonne. Neither yet did, or can any man behold God with carnall eyes. So that this, first, amplifies the greatnesse of this testimony, that it is a matter of great weight, sith neuer before, nor since, the like testimony hath been giuen. Secondly, it shewes what a great benefit it was, that Christ was incarnate, who is the character and ingraued forme of the Father, in whom we may see and behold him: Heb. 1.3.
2. Metaphorically, and to this sense I rather agree: and then it is a proverbial kind of speech taken from men, whereby Christ doth tax their ignorance and unacquaintance with God. For men are known two ways, by their speech, and by their shape. Now they had neither heard the voice, nor seen the shape of God, and so were without all knowledge and acquaintance with him, and so in this respect like Heathen men. All the means that God afforded for the declaration of his presence among them, his voice that he caused to be sounded forth by the ministry of his Prophets, by Christ, yea by himself extraordinarily, they regarded not, but still remained ignorant. Like unto these Jews, are many among us; that notwithstanding the preaching of the Word, remain still in their ignorance, &c.