UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: AND HIS NAME JOHN viii. 15-22. 15 whither I-go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16, And yet if I judge, my 17 judgment is true: for I-am not alone, but I and the Father that-sent me. It-is-also18 written in your law, that the testimony of-two-men is true. I am one that-bear-witness 19 of myself, and the Father that-sent me beareth-witness of me. Then said-they untohim, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye-neither -know me, nor my Father: 20 if ye-had-known me, ye-should-have-known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as-he-taught in the temple: and no-man laid-hands-on him; for his hour was-not-yet-come. 21 Then said Jesus again unto-them, I go-my-way inaw, and ye-shall-seek me, and 22 shall die in your sins ev τη ȧμаpria: whither I go, ye can not come. Then said the SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. him not to be the Son of David, vii. 42, p. 96-nor do they seem to have known that Christ, the Son of David, should be likewise the Son of God, and thus also David's Lord, Mt. xxii. 42-.6, § 85, p. 306-see also Juo. ix. 29, 30, p. 112. Jno. viii. 15. Ye judge, &c.-see ch. vii. 25-7, p. 93. I judge no man-see on ver. 11, p. 100. 16. And yet if I judge-His very refusal to judge or condemn the adulteress, was a severe censure on her accusers-see on ver. 7, p. 99. not alone-so to his disciples, ch. xvi. 32, § 87, p. 397-see also ver. 29, p. 103, infra. p. 83. 17. testimony of two men-see on Mt. xviii. 16, § 53, 18. bear witness of myself-see ver. 14, p. 100-Jesus bare witness of himself by his life-giving word, ch. v. 24-.6, § 23, p. 177, and by the works which the Father gave him to finish, ver. 36, p. 179. The Father... beareth witness-see at his baptism, Mt. iii. 17, § 8, and transfiguration, xvii. 5, 51, and during his stay upon earth, by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him,' Ac. ii. 22; and thereafter, not only by sending according to the word of Jesus the promise of the Father, but by fulfilling his words upon that evil generation, Mt. xxiii. 36, § 85, p. 320; xxiv. 34, .5, § 86, p. 340-the continual fulfilment of prophecy, which is from the Father, is for testimony to Jesus, Rev. i. 1; xix. 10. 19. Where is thy Father?-They had before sought to kill him, because he said that God was his Father, ch. v. 18, § 23, p. 177. neither know me, &c.-see ver. 55, p. 107-and ch. xvi. 3, and xvii. 25, § 87, pp. 392, 404. if ye had known me, &c.-so ch. xiv. 6, 7, § 87, p.381. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.'-See also Mt. xi. 27, § 29, p. 228. 20. treasury-see also Mk. xii. 41, 'Jesus sat over against the treasury,' &c.-the present mention of the treasury may help to explain the implied charge against the accusers of the woman, ver. 7, p. 99-he afterwards charges them with making the temple a Joash, the priests being slack in bringing forward the den of thieves,' Mt. xxi. 13, § 83, p. 278-In the time of offerings of the people for the repair of the Lord's house, a chest was placed without, at the gate of the house of the Lord, in which the offerings might be deposited; and which, when filled, was emptied by the king's scribe and high priest's officer, when more than enough was found for finishing the work, 2 Chr. xxiv. 4-14. no man laid hands, &c.-see ch. vii. 30, 41, p. 94; x. 39, § 56, p. 123. his hour-ch. vii. 30, p. 94-see xiii. 1, § 87, p. 365. 21. I go my way-like a nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return,' Lu. xix. 12, § 80, p. 248. shall seek me, &c.-ch. vii. 34, p. 94. He refers to this saying, xiii. 33, § 87, p. 374. die in your sins-Multitudes of them died in the § 64, p. 173; Mt. xxiii. 35-8, § 85, p. 321-Their serruins of their temple, as threatened, Lu. xiii. 1-3, vice therein was sin, as denounced by the prophet, Is. lxvi. 1-4, p. (15)-see also He. x. 26-31-After describing the awful destruction to be brought NOTES. does not bring a second with him to vouch his truth; his credentials from his king ascertain his character. So our Lord represents the Father as bearing witness with him. He had before referred to his credentials. -See ch. v. § 23. Jno. viii. 15. After the flesh. According to the meanness of my extraction and appearance. 16. For I am not alone. This was shewn by the evidence that God gave that he had sent him into the world. [19. Where is thy Father? Spoken, not from ignorance, but in derision and insult; q. d. "Where is this father of yours, that we may interrogate him? we do not see this other witness." To which our Lord indignantly replies, that their very question betrays the malignity of their hearts, and shews that they neither truly know, nor care to know, either him or his Father. If they knew him, as a Teacher sent from God, they would know that it is God who beareth witness of him, though not in a visible way, yet "by signs and wonders and mighty deeds."-Bloomf.] 20. The treasury. A certain part of the women's court, where the chests were placed for receiving the offerings of those who came to worship, and consequently a place of great concourse.-See NOTE, Mt. xxi. 12, § 83, p. 277. [21. I go my way, &c. Meaning that "he is about to leave them, and they shall seek the Messiah, and PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. 17. In your law, &c. De. xvii. 6; xix. 15-comp. Mt. xviii. 16, § 53, p. 83. This related to cases in which the life of an individual was involved. 18. The Father.... beareth witness of me. By the voice at his baptism, &c., and by the miracles which Jesus wrought, as well as by the prophecies of the Old Testament. [Jno. viii. 15, .6. Jesus, by refraining from condemning the adulteress, did in a manner pronounce sentence upon the nation, as not being worthy of the protection of their law. This sentence of Christ, intimated in the words, and yet if I judge,' has been confirmed by the providence of God: the Jews of that very generation were left without the protection of law, and which indeed has been their condition in almost every place, ever since, till our own day, when the prayers and efforts of Christians begin to avail in their behalf.] sons, as here the Son testifieth concerning himself and the Father. [19 ver Let no man pretend to be a Christian. while living in estrangement from God; and as we desire to have communion with the Father, let us seek it through Christ, the Son of his love. There is such a oneness of the Son with the Father, that he who knows the Son, knows the Father also.] 21 ver. We have here the witness of Christ, that those who seek a Messiah, but do not find him in Jesus of Nazareth, die in their sins; and thus without any well founded hope of everlasting life. How should this consideration stir up the Christian to all diligence for the conversion of the Jews IMMANUEL.-Isa. vii. 14.-Matt. i. 23. 18 ver. Although there is a sense in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one, yet there is also a sense in which they are distinct perVOL. 11.] [101 SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.-Isa. ix. 6. HE THAT COMETH FROM ABOVE IS ABOVE ALL: HE THAT IS OF THE EARTH IS EARTHLY, JOHN viii. 23-.7. 23 Jews, Will-he-kill himself? because he-saith, Whither I go, ye can not come. And hesaid unto-them, Ye are from beneath EK TWV KaTw; I am from above Ex Twv avw: ye are 24 of this world; I am not of this world. I-said therefore unto-you, that ye-shall-die in 25 your sins for if ye-believe not that I am he, ye-shall-die in your sins. Then said-they unto-him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto-them, Even the same that I-said unto26 you from-the-beginning nv aρxηv ó тi kaι λaλw vuv. I-bave many-things to-say and to-judge of you: but he that-sent me is true; and I speak to the world es TOV Kμ 27 those-things which I-have-heard of him. They-understood not that he spake to-them of SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. viii. 22. Will he kill himself?-Many of the men of that generation were so left to themselves as to kill those dearest to them, which had been threatened, De. xxviii. 52-8-see their former supposition, vii. 35, p. 95. 23. Ye are from beneath, &c.—see ch. iii. 31, § 13. ye are of this world-1 Jno. iv. 5, They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.' The disciples of Jesus_are described by himself, as being not of the world, Jno. xv. 19; xvii. 6, § 87, pp. 390, 399-He also says, xviii. 36, § 90, My kingdom is not of this world: ... now is my kingdom not from hence.' 24. I said, &c.-see ver. 21-Jesus, by his repeated warning of the judgment threatened, gives example to the watchman, to whom the Lord says, by the prophet, Eze. iii. 18, .9, When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.' If ye believe not that I am-so the Lord, by Moses, had threatened, in the case of their refusing to hear that Prophet, De. xviii. 15-9-who was to come in the name of the Lord, Ex. iii. 14, I AM,' &c., Ps. cxviii. 26-and who was now come as the Fulfiller of all righteousness, Mt. iii. 15, § 8, p. 58-Only in Him could refuge be found from the threatened wrath, | De. xxviii. 58, 'If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;-ver. 59, Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful,' &c.-but Jno. iii. 18, 'He that believeth on him is not condemned:' &c.and Ac. iv. 12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' 25. Even the same, &c.-Jesus had said at the beginning of the present discourse, ver. 12, p. 100, I am the Light of the world,' &c.-but perhaps the words may better be rendered, The Beginning, which also I said unto you:'-so he is described in the commencement of this gospel, ch. i. 1-3, § 7, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2, The same was in the beginning with God. 3, All things were made by him; &c.-see what Jesus had said to them regarding his oneness with the Father, ch. v. 17-30, § 23, p. 176 and on the present occasion just before, ver. 23, I am from above:'-He is called, Col. i. 18, the Beginning,'-and Rev. iii. 14, the Beginning of the creation of God;'-comp. Ge. i. 3. 26. many things to say and to judge, &c.—see his prophetic discourses upon his last visit to Jerusalem, Mt. xxi. 28-xxiv. §§ 84-.6. he that sent me, &c.-ch. vii. 28, p. 94. which I have heard-see ch. iii. 32, § 13, p. 90- The voice of the Father, which was heard on the holy mount, Mt. xvii. 5; 2 Pe. i. 17, .8, forms the groundwork of the succeeding part of his present discourse, ver. 28-43-see on ver. 45, p. 196. 27. They understood not-as before, when they sought to kill him for saying that God was his Father, ch. v. 18, § 23-Jesus after this proceeds to speak more plainly of the Father, ver. 28, .9. NOTES. even according to the opinion of the Jews, great criminality; for we find from Jos. Bell. iii. 14, that the Pharisees supposed the lowest pit of hell to be reserved for self-inurderers.'-Ibid. the destruction of Jerusalem, that multitudes of To such extreme misery were the Jews reduced at them committed suicide. desire his coming; but the Messiah that they expect will not come and as they have rejected him who is the true and only Messiah, there remains no other salvation." Ev rỷ áμapria v droe, is a mode of expression formed on that of Eze. iii. 19; xviii. 26; xxxiii. 9, 18, "shall die in his iniquity." And ȧuapría may be here understood in a general way of that fountain and cause of all other sins and miseries, obstinate unbelief; which, in their case, shortly led to [25. From the beginning. Some suppose that this the crucifixion of their Saviour, and carried with it refers to what had been said at the beginning of the the Divine vengeance so soon to overtake them.'-present discourse, ver. 12, p. 100. He had before fully Bloomf.] declared himself, ch. v. § 23. Others have supposed that the words might be rendered the Beginning,' which is also what I said unto you.'-See Scr. Illus."] 26. I have many things to say. By this he implied that he understood well their character, and was able to expose it. Jno. viii. 22. Will he kill himself? This appears to have been a wilful perversion of our Lord's meaning; q.d. "What! will he make away with himself, to get away from this our pretended persecution?"-see vii. 20, p. 92. Thus imputing to him what involved, PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Jno. viii. 22. Awful is the case of those who mock at the warning words of the Redeemer! The Jewish nation soon plunged into self-destruction; and multitudes among them sought relief from the evils of life in the guilt of suicide. [23 ver. It is good to make a clear distinction between that which is of God, and that which is not.] 24 ver. It is only through faith in Christ as the 'I AM,' the living life-giving One, that we can, any more than the Jews, escape from dying in our sins. Let us, from their case, be warned to flee from the wrath to come. 102] 25 ver. Let us carefully trace the connection of the words of Christ from the beginning; and may we, as being new created in Christ Jesus, experience that he is indeed the Light of the world, the Beginning of the creation of God.' 26 ver. Let us listen now to the words of warning in the day of our merciful visitation, and not delay till the judgment be past, and the irrevocable senxxiii.' § 85, p.320; Lu. xix. 41-4, § 82, p. 264. tence, like that upon Jerusalem, be declared, see Mt. [Let him who handles the words of God, be able to appeal to the God of truth as to One whom he knows, and who can witness to his integrity.] AND SPEAKETH OF THE EARTH: HE THAT COMETH FROM HEAVEN IS ABOVE ALL.-John iii. 31. HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT JOHN viii. 28-32. 28 the Father. Then said Jesus unto-them, When ye-have-lifted-up ivwonre the Son of man, then shall-ye-know that I am he, and that I-do nothing of myself; but as my 29 Father hath-taught me, I-speak these-things. And he that-sent me is with me: the 30 Father hath- not -left me alone; for I do always those-things that-please him. As-hespake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which-believed on-him, If ye continue in my word, then 32 are-ye my disciples indeed; and ye-shall-know the truth, and the truth shall-make SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. viii. 28. lifted up the Son of man-see on ch. iii. 14, § 12, p. 85; xii. 32-4, § 82, p. 268-Jesus here speaks of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem,' Lu. ix. 31, § 51, p. 51. then shall ye know-when on the day of Pentecost was given, in the descent of the Holy Spirit, the proof of Christ's ascension to the throne of the Father, Peter said, Ac. ii. 36, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.'-ver. 40, And with many other words did he (Peter) testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.'-That very generation was made to know the truth of the words spoken to their fathers, Je. xliv. 28, and all the remnant of Judah,... shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or their's.' nothing of myself-so ch. v. 19, 30, § 23, p. 177. as my Father-ch. iii. 11, 32, §§ 12, .3, pp. 84, 90. 29. he that sent me is with me-see his words to Philip, ch. xiv. 10, .1, § 87, and also to Judas, not Iscariot, ver. 22, 3. ib. not left me alone-see ver. 16, p. 101-and ch. xvi. 32, § 87. those things that please him-so the Father witnessed at his baptism, Mt. iii. 17, § 8, and at his transfiguration, xvii. 5, § 51-His meat was to do the will of the Father that had sent him, Jno. iv. 34, § 13-see also v. 30; vi. 38, §§ 23, 43. 30. many believed-ch. vii. 31, p. 94; x. 42, § 57, p. 125; xi. 45, § 58, p. 132; xii. 11, § 81, p. 257; 42, .3, § 85, p. 310-'Among the chief rulers also many be lieved on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.'-Such believers will not be acknowledged in the judgment, Mk. viii. 38, § 50, p. 43, Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.' 31. continue in my word unlike the way-side hearer, who does not retain the word; does not understand it, Mt. xiii. 18, .9, § 33, p. 254-see ver. 43, p. 105-it is he who endureth to the end that shall be saved, Mt. xxiv. 13, § 86; He. x. 36-.9, For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37, For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39, But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.'-A little after, ver. 44, p. 106, these seem to be addressed as having for their father, the devil, who abode not in the truth,'-it is also said unto them, ver. 45, Because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.'-Their case is described, ch. xv. 6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.' then are ye, &c.-This is the true test of christian character, ch. xiv. 21, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:'see 1 Jno. ii. 5; iii. 24; 2 Jno. 6. 32. know the truth-Ho. vi. 3, Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain. unto the earth.'-The apostle could say, 2 Ti. i. 12, 'I know whom I have believed,'-John concludes his first epistle by declaring his knowledge of the truth, and warning against idols, 1 Jno. v. 20, .1, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.' NOTES. Jno. viii. 28. The Son of man. See NOTE, Mt. viii. the consciousness that in executing it he did those 20, § 31, p. 265. things which God approved. Know. However ignorant ye now are of me, when once ye have crucified me, and occasioned my exaltation to glory, either the happy influences of my spirit, or the miseries on yourselves and nation, will convince you that I act by my Father's authority, and have faithfully declared his doctrines, promises, and threatenings. 29. Those things that please him. See Mt. iii. 17, § 8, p. 60, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'-Phil. i. 8,9; Is. liii. 10, 2, p. (55) ; 2 Pe. i. 17, For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' Mt. xvii. 5, § 51. His undertaking the work of redemption was pleasing to God, and he had 31. If ye continue. pente, 'dwell,' as a man doth at home, which is his centre, and rest, and refuge. 32. Shall know the truth. Jesus is himself the TRUTH-see ch. xiv. 6, § 87. He is the truth of all those shadows to which the Jews were in bondage under the law. See NOTE, ch. vii. 17, p. 91, If any man will do his will.' The truth shall make you free. kalasia, meaning, 'the truth as it is in Jesus, will free you from the bondage to sin and Satan,' and place you in the glorious liberty of the children of God.'-See Rom. viii. 2, 15, 21. The condition of a sinner is that of a captive or a slave to sin. He is one who serves and obeys the dictates of an evil heart, and the corrupt desires of an evil nature.-See Scrip. Illus.,' ver. 34. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Jno. viii. 28. May we, in our blessed experience, know that he who was lifted up on the cross, is exalted to the throne of the Father, and hath, as made known on the day of Pentecost, received gifts to give unto men. May we know the Son of God in his saving grace, so shall we not know him in his avenging power. 29 ver. Not only at his Baptism and Transfiguration was Jesus acknowledged by the Father as his 'BELOVED SON,' in whom he is well pleased; the same acceptance of Christ, as our High Priest, is VOL. II.] declared in every one who is given to experience the blessedness of walking with God. 31 ver. Let us not merely begin, but let us continue, to attend to the instructions of Christ; and let us see that our believing on him is with knowledge and in truth. [32 ver. Let us truly seek to know the truth, in opposition to all the deceptions of Satan, and our own deceitful hearts; that, set free from the thraldom of sin, we may serve God in the liberty of the sonship.] WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?-Matt. xxi. 42. [103 THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM.-John iii. 36. HIS OWN INIQUITIES SHALL TAKE THE WICKED HIMSELF, AND HE SHALL BE HOLDEN WITH THE CORDS OF HIS SINS.-Prov. v. 22. JOHN viii. 33-.9. 33 you -free. They-answered him, We-be Abraham's seed, and were- never-in-bondage 34 dedovλevкaμev to-any-man: how sayest thou, Ye-shall-be-made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I-say unto-you, Whosoever committeth Tov sin is the-servant of 35 sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever els Toν alwva: but the Son 36 abideth ever es TOV αlova. If the Son therefore shall-make-you-free, ye-shall-be 37 free indeed. I-know that ye-are Abraham's seed; but ye-seek to-kill me, because my 38 word hath- no-place ou xopet in you. I speak that-which I-have-seen with rapa my 39 Father and ye do that-which ye-have-seen with wapa your father. They-answered and SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. viii. 32. make you free-see ver. 36. 33. We be Abraham's seed-see on Lu. i. 55, § 2, p. 12 -The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, Ge. xvii. 7, I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.'-This covenant the Lord confirmed by an oath, xxii. 16, saying, ver. 17, In blessing I will bless thee,'-ver. 18, And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed ;'-The sign of circumcision was given in connection with the covenant, Rom. iv. 11, A seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:'-God requires the circumcision of the heart, Je. iv. 4; Rom. ii. 28, .9-So that being merely of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, did not secure the blessing of Abraham, as had been abundantly shewn by Moses, De. xxviii. 32-The Baptist had pointed to a more important respect in which men may become children of Abraham, when he said to the Jews, Mt. iii. 9, § 7, Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.' bondage-The Lord had forbid that the children of Israel, whom he had brought forth out of Egypt, should be sold for bondmen, Le. xxv. 42-but the threatening was soon to be accomplished, De. xxviii. 68, The LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.' 34. committeth sin-1 Jno. iii. 4, 'transgresseth also the law-ver. 8, 'is of the devil;'-ver. 9, 'Whosoever kill me-ver. 40; ch. vii. 19-25, pp. 92, .3. NOTES. [Jno. viii. 33. They answered him. It has been thought that these are distinct from such as before were said to have believed in him, but there is no hint of this given by the evangelist; their belief was without an understanding of the relation in which themselves stood to God, and consequently without the knowledge of their need of Christ as a Divine Redeemer.] [Never in bondage. They could not well say that they as a nation had been, or were then, free from political bondage. They were bondmen in Egypt, and subsequently were brought into subjection by the Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, and Babylonians; and at this very time they were under the Roman yoke, and paid tribute to Cæsar: but it is possible that they may have referred to personal slavery, from which they would of course deem themselves free. If these persons were only professed believers, and in reality enemies of Christ; and if they supposed him to speak of political bondage, they would naturally be desirous that Jesus should explain himself more fully, that they might have wherewith to accuse him. So those who feigned themselves just men, and professed faith in his teaching, Lu. xx. 20, .1, § 81, p. 295.j [34. Committeth sin. Kolv åμapriav, 'worketh,' or acteth known sin. Every one that makes sin,' makes contrivances of sin. makes provision for the flesh, deviseth iniquity, &c. If there were among the persons present those who feigned themselves to be believing listeners, but who really were in a plot to procure a shew of evidence for his condemnation, these words may have a special application to their case, as well as that they contained a general truth.] illustration drawn from what is usual in common sure of his owner, be sold unto another.' [Ver. 36 contains another view, engrafted on the former; the comparison being the same, but the application different. And as, in the foregoing verse, PRACTICAI. REFLECTIONS. Jno. viii. 33. Let us beware of trusting in the flesh, and as little let us presume that we are blameless, because sentence against our evil works may not have been executed speedily. Delay, as in the case of the unbelieving Jews, may only result in the more terrible destruction. 34 ver. There are none so sunk in slavery as those who labour to accomplish sinful contrivances. 104] [35, .6 ver. The true believer has not only the privilege of being set free from the slavery of sin, but also from the bondage of those typical rites in which the servants of God had, under the law, in comparative darkness to labour, until life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel.] 39 ver. It is not a mere profession of faith, any more than mere natural descent, that will truly constitute WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD SINNETH NOT;-1 John v. 18. [VOL. II. HE SHALL DIE WITHOUT INSTRUCTION; AND IN THE GREATNESS OF HIS FOLLY HE SHALL GO ASTRAY.-Prov. v. 23. JOHN viii. 39-43. BUT HE IS A JEW, WHICH IS ONE INWARDIY; AND CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, said unto-him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto-them, If ye-were Abraham's 40 children, ye-would-do the works of Abraham. But now ye-seek to-kill me, a-man that hath-told you the truth, which I-have-heard of mapa God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of-your father. Then said-they to-him, We be-not-born of fornication; 42 we-have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto-them, If God were your Father, yewould-love me: for I proceeded-forth and came from God EK TOV OEоv enλov кa nкw; 43 neither came-I of myself, but he sent me. Why do-ye- not-understand my speech SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Jno. viii. 39. Abraham is our father-see on ver. 33, p. 101-Believers are more nearly related to Abraham than those who are merely his descendants according to the flesh, Ga. iii. 7, Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.'-ver. 29, If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.' -In the parable, Lu. xvi. 23-31, § 69, p. 200, a son of Abraham is represented as crying to him from hell, without deriving the least advantage from his natural relationship-but Ga. iii. 9, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.' If ye were, &c.--implying that their natural descent and circumcision in the flesh, did not constitute them children of Abraham, so as to make them heirs with him of the blessing-see on ver. 33, p. 104. works of Abraham-Abraham, who was justified by faith, Rom. iv., was equally remarkable as being justified by works, Ja. ii. 21-3. terceded, with the most earnest importunity, for even I proceeded forth and came from God-to be of God, born of God, sent of God, are terms used of believers and prophets, ver. 47; 1 Jno. iv. 4; v. 1; but the expression here used is peculiar to Christ; it denotes his Divine original as well as mission; that he is of the Father as a Son of his own essence, proceeding from him, as well as that he came from the Father as a Divine Messenger. The form of expression S TOU Osov snov, is often used by the LXX. to 40. the truth-Ga. iv. 16, Am I therefore become signify a proper birth when applied to man, Ge. your enemy, because I tell you the truth? XV. 4; XXXV. Il-It is used of Christ with respect to his human birth, Is. xi. 1, And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots :'-Guyse-comp. Juo. vi. 46, § 43; vii. 29, p. 94; xiii. 3, § 87-see xvi. 27, .8; heard of God-see on ver. 26, p. 102. this did not Abraham-Abraham heard and was obedient to the words of God, Ge. xii. 1, 4; xv. 1, 6; xvii. 1, &c., 23; xxii. p. (1)—Abraham risked his life in behalf of Lot, whose conduct towards him had been selfish and ungenerous; and acted most generously, not only towards him, but also to the people of Sodom, who seem to have had no claim upon his kindness, except their being in distress, xiii. 8; xiv. 14, &c. -He received with the most polite attention the way faring strangers, and entertained them with his best, xviii. 1-8-One of them, we afterward find, was the Lord himself, ver. 13, .4, whom Abraham's descendants were now minded to kill: whereas Abraham in xvii. 7, 8, 26. he sent me-Thus he has explained what they did not understand, that he had spoken of God as his Father, who had sent him, see ver. 26, .7, p. 102, and comp. therewith ver. 28-42; thus he has again desought to kill him, ch. v. 18, § 23; and again x. 32,3, clared the same truth for which they formerly § 56, p. 122. 43. Why do ye not understand?-see ver. 27, p. 102, They understood not,' &c. NOTES. there is a comparison between the state of a slave from the beginning: 1st, In seeking to kill him, or possessing a murderous and bloody purpose. 2nd, In rejecting the truth as God revealed it. [37-41. I know that ye are the natural descendants of Abraham; but ye are so far from being like him in his faith or obedience, that ye seek to murder me, merely because your own proud and carnal hearts cannot relish nor receive the self-humbling doctrine which I preach unto you. I speak and act as one intimately acquainted with God my Father, and obedient to him; and ye act as under the influence of the devil as your true father, and in communion and concert with him; a very sure evidence that ye are not the genuine and believing children of Abraham.] full sense is, "I proceeded forth [from God], and am [42. I proceeded forth, &c. En oor naι hxw. The come into the world [as his Legate]." A sense of found in the Greek tragedians. The former term (ov) has reference to the character of Jesus as the eternal Son of God; the latter, his character as Legate and Mediator.'-Bloomf.] 43. Why, &c. 'Speech,' Aalia, refers to the manner of speaking, meaning, How is it that [as ye say] ye PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. viii. Re us children of Abraham; we must be found in the steps of Abraham, acting out the same faith in God, and exercising the same good will towards men. Jno. viii. 40. Let us, like Abraham, be ready to entertain strangers; and especially let us, like him, obediently listen to the voice of the Lord. Let us hear patiently the truth, even when spoken by man in reproach or reproof; and, like Abraham, answer it with prayer for the reprover.-See Ge. xx. VOL. II.] 41 ver. Let us not flatter ourselves, that because we are not in the same respect as some others, children of the devil, that therefore we are children of God. 42 ver. Let us shew our love to God by our love to his only begotten Son, and by our loving all who, through him, are made partakers of the Divine nature. 43 ver. Let our earnest desire be to hear the words of Jesus; so may we expect to understand their import. HE IS NOT A JEW, WHICH IS ONE OUTWARDLY;-Rom. ii. 28. [105 IN THE SPIRIT, AND NOT IN THE LETTER; WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD.-Rom. ii. 29. |