The Fountain of Life Opened

First, Though they had the Scriptures among them, they misunderstood them; and did not rightly measure Christ by that right rule. You find Joh. 7.52. How they reason with Nicodemus against Christ, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see; for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet. Here is a double mistake. First, they supposed Christ to arise out of Galilee, whereas he was of Bethlehem, though much conversant in the parts of Galilee. And secondly, they thought because they could find no Prophet had arisen out of Galilee, therefore none should.

First, Though they had the Scriptures among them, they misunderstood them; and did not rightly measure Christ by that right rule. You find Ioh. 7.52. How they reason with Nicodemus against Christ, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see; for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet. Here is a double mistake. First, they supposed Christ to arise out of Galilee, whereas he was of Bethlehem, though much conversant in the parts of Galilee. And secondly, they thought because they could find no Prophet had arisen out of Galilee, therefore none should.

Another mistake that blinded them about Christ, was from their conceit that Christ should not die, but live for ever, Joh. 12.34. We have heard out of the Law, that Christ abideth for ever; and how sayest thou the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of man? That Scripture which probably they urge against the mortality of Christ, is Esa, 9.7. Of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, &c. In like manner, Joh. 7.27. We find them in another mistake, We know this man whence he is, but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. This likely proceeded from their misunderstanding of Mica. 5.2. His going forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Thus were they blinded about the person of Christ by misinterpretations of Scripture-Prophesies.