4. That if w-e would not go back, we must not look back The devil will not say at first. Go back to Sodom, though that is it which he in- tendeth ; but rather. Look back, hoping the person which yields to look back will go back in the end. Sin is bashful and shameth to beg too much at first ; it asketh but a little, and that little will draw on more ; and so corruption insensibly steals upon us, and our hearts are drawn off from God. Therefore watch against the first declinings ; these are the cause of all the rest. Evil is best stopped at first ; the first breakings off from God, and remitting our zeal and watchfulness. He that keeps not a house in constant repair will be in danger of having it fall down upon him. So, if we grow remiss and careless, and keep not a constant w^atch, temptations will increase upon us.
A SEEMON ON JOHN III. 33.
He that Jiath received his testimony hafliset to his seal that God is true. — John iii. 33.
For the occasion of these words, we must look a httle back into tlie context. There you will find that both John and Jesus were admit- tino^ proselytes into the kingdom of God by baptism ; Jesus in the land of Judea, and John at .^non, near Salira. Now the kingdom of God seldom enjoy eth any long and successful progress without opposition. If outward enemies fail, domestic jars and quarrels shall be raised rather than this kingdom shall go forward without contradiction. John's disciples were at least half friends to Christ, yet were troubled at the great resort to his baptism, out of foolish emulation and jealousy for their master's credit ; which was occasioned thus : A dispute there was between John's disciples and some Jews, whether John's baptism or their legal washings did most avail for the purging away of sin. Among other things objected by the Jews to lessen John's baptism, they mentioned that practised by Christ as a more excellent and esteemed way. This nettled John's disciples ; therefore, as men grieved to see so many attend to Christ's doctrine and frequent his baptism, and fearing lest their master should be outshined, and the respects of the people be turned upon another, they complain to John : ' Rabbi,' say they, ' he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.' It is good to see how John receiveth this complaint. Nothing will try a man's grace more than questions of emulation. John, like a modest and self-denying spirit, doth seek to allay this envy in his disciples by his humility and faithfulness, giving a large testimony to Christ, both of the excellency of his person, and the certainty and truth of his doctrine.
1. Of the excellency of Christ's person above himself, or any other messenger of God. He telleth them that every one must hold the place given him from above, and contain himself within his degree and measure. Now his place was to be the servant, and Christ the lord. He was not the Christ, but his harbinger. Christ was the principal person and bridegroom. He had honour enough in being the friend of the bridegroom, and to rejoice in that the bride or the church began to hear Christ. Christ had the spring in himself ; what others had was by communication ; and therefore he must yield to the growing
380 A SERMON ON JOHN III. 33.
glory of Christ, who by his original came from above, and in respect of dominion and sovereignty was above all.
2. The certainty and truth of this doctrine: 'What he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth.' His doctrine was infaUible, and as being conscious to the secrets of God, his testimony was certain, though it found little credence and reception in the world: ' No man receiveth his testimony ;' that is, no man in comparison, none with that assurance they ought to do. John's disciples say, ' All men fol- low him ;' but Jolm saith here, ' No man receiveth his testimony.' They think there were too many followed Christ, and John think- eth there were too few. They say invidiously, 'AH men;' John humbly, ' No man.' None to speak of, none as they ought, for many followed him out of novelty. Thereupon he persuadeth them to receive Christ's testimony. His argument is, that thereby tkey should bring honour to God, and honour him with that honour which he most esteemeth, by a solemn acknowledgment of his truth : ' He that hath received his 'testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.'
Tile w^ords contain —
1. The true notion of Christ's doctrine — it is a testimony.
2. The respect due to it — it must be received.
3. The effect and fruit of this receiving — it bringeth honour and glory to God.
There take notice —
[1] Of the particular attribute that is honoured — that God is true.
[2.j The solemnity or manner of honouring — hath put to his seal. Or, in short —
(1.) The description of a believer — he is one that receiveth Christ's testimony.
(2.) The work of a believer is to put to his seal that God is true,