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So the truth, that is, the ministration of the gospel, is always treated; and if Jesus himself could not please all, let none expect to succeed better.

SECTION XXX.

Chap. vii. ver. 14-24.

CHRIST TEACHETH IN THE TEMPLE.

14. Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

This was his business in the world, and he was always intent upon it. Happy are they who are ready to learn of him.

15. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

In answer, he tells them plainly whence he had the skill and ability to teach, and also what it was which hindered them from learning of him.

16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Christ tells them, that his doctrine comes directly from God, and that it was not acquired in the ordinary way.

17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that will do the will of God, is fitted by this disposition to discern, and receive the truth, and God will not suffer him to be deceived. It does not follow that any man shall know all things, or never be deceived in anything; but if we are deceived upon the whole, the fault is in our own wills. If you are blind in what concerns your salvation, it is not for want of learning: you here know

from Christ where to look for the cause of your blind

ness.

18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

A man who speaks for himself, shows that he speaks of himself, and has his own ends in view in all he does. How few can bear the test contained in the latter part of this verse!

19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

They had no such thoughts of themselves, as that they were going about to kill Christ, and scorned the imputation, though it was strictly true. We have a piercing eye upon us.

20. The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

Christ had borne his testimony, that their deeds were evil, by charging them with murder in their hearts. And what did they do? They reviled him horribly, and so the matter ended. What are we the better than these Jews? If Christ does not bring us to self-conviction, and amendment, we cannot but hate him. No doubt these men had some form of confessing their sins to God; but, like us, did not mean to be taken at their word. Tell one, who calls himself a miserable sinner in his prayers, wherein he is so, though never so charitably and respectfully, and he will think no usage bad enough for you.

21. Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

You all wonder at me for breaking the sabbath, as you

suppose.

22. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers ;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the

law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Christ knew the miracle had wrought a perfect cure on him in body and soul.

24. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Consider before you condemn.

SECTION XXXI.

Chap. vii. ver. 25—39.

HIS DISCOURSE CONTINUED.

25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26. But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto bim. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ.

Are they really of this mind, that they suffer him to pass unmolested? These, it seems, were some of the forwardest to have him censured, and they pretended to give a reason why he could not be the Christ.

27. Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

They were mistaken in both respects. Christ was not of Nazareth, as they supposed; and they might have known that he was of Bethlehem; which seems to be the meaning of his saying in verse the twenty-eighth.

28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

He tells them they knew, or might have known, and they would not. In conclusion, he speaks to this effect,

whatever you know, there is one thing of which you are sadly ignorant: you know not God, nor ever will, till you know him as sending me, and me as sent by him.

me,

29. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent

If we do not know God, let us allow Christ to teach us to know him.

30. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

See how God overrules the designs of men, and has his bridle in their jaws. If he were to let them loose, there would be no living in the world.

31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

They argued correctly; and gave such a reason for their belief, as all the world could not answer.

32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent of ficers to take him.

33. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

It may be but a little while with us. We have a precious moment now in our hands, and death will soon snatch it from us.

34. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

Because they would not. Nothing can keep us from God, but our own wills.

35. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36. What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

They would have understood him better, if their wills had inclined them to seek him; and their hearts had been set upon the place where he was going.

37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Christ, we may be sure, would give the most weighty instruction when there was the greatest concourse, "in the last day." "Jesus stood and cried." Hark! he cries now, and with so loud a voice as to be heard by all, in all parts of the earth. "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." Whoever is athirst for Christ, will come to him, and none else can.

38. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

That is, living water shall flow from Christ, as from a fountain, or conduit, to believers. This is too much to be said of any other, and the scripture says it only of Christ. No man has such abundance, no, nor a drop of this living, or life-giving water to bestow; it is all in Christ, and to him we must go for it.

39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

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The Holy Spirit then is the author and giver of life, namely, as sent by Christ, and acting in his stead, the purchase of his sufferings, and the fruit of his ascension into glory, and his session in that state.

SECTION XXXII.

Chap. vii. ver. 40-53.

DIVERS OPINIONS OF CHRIST.

40. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

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