The saints treasury being sundry sermons preached in London /

IN this Chapter we have Christ continuing of his contest with the wrangling peevish Jews, in answering all that they said, notwithstanding they snarled at every word almost that past. But however it was with the multitude, yet there were some that were taken with what he said: for in vers. 30. it is said, As he spake these words many believed on him, at least there were some beginnings of faith, or some preparations to it. And Christ tells them vers. 31. That if they continued in his word, then they were his disciples indeed: as if he should say, it is not enough that you are stirred for the present and profess you believe in me; I will not take you for my disciples, unless you continue in my word: how often do the flashes that are upon the hearts and consciences of men vanish and come to nothing? they continue not in the word of Christ, and therefore are not his disciples. Christ tells them further, that they must understand more concerning their condition then yet they apprehended. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. v. 32. as if he should say, though you have some confused apprehensions of things for the present, yet it is but very little you know of your condition: but if you will go on in the way that God is beginning with you, in stirring your consciences; if you will continue, you shall come to know more then yet you know, Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free; and then in vers. 33. say they, we are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man; how sayest thou, ye shall be made free. See here, they begin to snarl