John 8

John 8:1-11

In this chapter we have, 1. Christ’s reading the same which the Jesus laid for him, in bringing to him a woman taken in adultery, ver. 1—11. 2. Divers dissons or conferences of his wish the Jesus that enrolled at him, and, single occasion against him, and made every thing he said a matter of a community. (1.) Concerning his being the light of the world, ver. 12—20. (2.) Concerning the ruin of the unbelieving Jesus, ver. 21—30. (3.) Concerning liberty and bondage, ver. 31—37. (4.) Concerning his Father and their Father, ver. 38—47. (5.) Here is his dissons in answer to their helplessness reproaches, ver. 48—50. (6.) Concerning the immortality of believers, ver. 51—59. And in all this he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself.

1. JESUS went unto the mount of olives: 2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down and taught them. 3. And the scribes and Pharises brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst. 4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be твоred: but what sayseth thou? 6. This they had, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger worse on the ground as though he heard them not. 7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first call a stone at her. 8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and

Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11. She said, no man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

According to his usual custom, our Lord at evening went unto the mount of olives; perhaps to the house of his friend Lazarus; or to retire for communion with God; or to avoid the danger of some popular tumult, which his implausible enemies might attempt to raise against him in the night. In the morning early he returned to the temple, and sat down, alone having authority, to preach the gospel to the multitudes which crowded around him. Note, Early rising to wait upon God will be a gracious presage of a happy day.

Whilst Christ was engaged in this blessed employment, we are told the interruption he met with from his unremitted enemies.

1. They proposed a case to him, the decision of which they flattered themselves would bring him into disgrace with the people, or embroid him with the government. They bring a woman taken in adultery, in the very act; for, though such deeds of darkness usually are concealed with deepest cunning, God is sometimes pleased strangely to bring to light such deadly work, and to expose those to the infamy of the world, who were emboldened to transgress in the foolish confidence that no eye foreth me. The proof was evident, the law expends; but, as he assumed authority to make alterations therein, they desire to know what was his judgment on the case, hoping to get some source of accusation against him. On the one hand, if he should command the law to be put in force, they would accuse him to the Roman government as pronouncing sentence of death, and assuming judicial authority; and to the people, as acting inconsistent with himself, who invited publicans and sinners to come to him, and willingly conversed and ext and drank with them. On the other, if he should acquit her, or refuse to confirm the sentence the law had pronounced, they would brand him as an enemy to the divine institutions, a violator of the law, and a patron of the most scandalous ceremonies.

2. Christ, who knew their wickedness, seemed to pay no regard to the case they proposed; shouting down and writing on the ground, as though he heard them not. But, as they now thought he was in a dilemma from which he could not disentangle himself, they urged him vehemently to answer their question. When raising himself, with majesty and wisdom which commanded his enemies, he bids him that was without sin call the first stone at her. Since the hands of the witnesses should be first upon the criminal, Deut. xviii. 7. it became them, who appeared to zealous in punishing the sins of others, to see that they were themselves free from the like or more infamous crimes; else it would be strangely abused in them to execute the sinners, however just. Thus he testified his approbation of the law, without encouraging their prosecution, and effectually saved his own reputation, without any express condemnation of the poor criminal. Note, (1.) When we have to deal with crafty foes, a cautious answer is but needful prudence. (2.) Before we condemn others, we should first take care that we are not chargeable with the same or greater evils than we confuse in them.

3. Whilst he stooped again to the ground, to give them a moment’s time to pause, reflect, and return, they, convicted by their consciences, stunk away, fearing lest their own sins should be brought to light to their confusion. The eldest led the way, and the younger followed: so that, all those malignant accusers being fled, the woman was left alone with Jesus, and those who before had been attending his ministry. Note, (1.) Many are more afraid of being flamed for their sins than of being damned. (2.) They, who, under convictions, fly from Christ, to get rid of them, instead of coming to him with humble confusion to obtain pardon, wilfully destroy themselves.

4. The trembling criminal still stood at his bar; when, lifting up himself, the merciful Judge questions her, Where are those thine accusers? hath none condemned thee? not offered to call a stone at thee? She saith, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. As he came not upon earth to be a temporal judge, he left the sword of magistracy to the powers that ruled; and dismissed her, with a solemn warning to beware of returning again unto wickedness, lest a more dreadful punishment than the civil magistrate could inflict should be her portion in the last great day. Note, (1.) Jesus is now a merciful Saviour: he will shortly be an inexorable Judge. Wife and happy are they who improve the moment of opportunity, and seek to him for mercy which mercy may be found. (2.) The greatest crimes, even adultery, may be forgiven to those who come by faith to a dying Redeemer, and wash their polluted souls in the fountain of his blood. (3.) Those whom Jesus pardons he saves not in their sins, but from them: they go to land a new life, whole forerone of death he reverses. There is an inseparable union between justifying and sanctifying grace.

a Let. vii. vi. Deut. xxii. 64. b Deut. xvii. 7. Rom. ii. 12. Chap. VIII:

12. ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world: he that followed me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, ‘Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15. Ye judge after the flesh, ‘I judge no man. 16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for ‘I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17. It is also written in your law, that ’the testimony of two men is true. 18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and ’the Father that sent me, beareth witness of me. 19. There said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, ‘Ye neither know me, nor my Father: ‘if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 20. 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.

13. 12—20. Though the Pharisaical accuses of the adulteress had been confounded, some of their brethren remained to cavil at the gracious words which proceeded out of the Saviour’s lips.

14. Christ, re-affirming his discourse to the people, took occasion to speak of himself under the glorious character of the Son of righteousness, saying, I am the Light of the world. What the Son is to the world, that Christ must be to the soul. Without him, universal spiritual darkness spreads over us its dreadful, baleful influence. But he that followed me, receives my gospel, and treads in my steps, shall not walk in darkness; the eyes of his mind shall be enlightened to know the truth, and his soul enabled for and directed in the practice of it; so that the darkness of error and sin shall not deceive and mislead him; but he shall have the light of life, the saving light of gospel grace here, and the eternal life of glory hereafter. Blessed and happy are they who walk in this light of the Lord.

15. He vindicates himself from the objection which the Pharisees made, who said, ‘Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true: as if, in his own cause, these affections were the mere boasts of self-commendation: overlooking the testimony which John bore to his character, and the evidence which all the miracles Christ did brought along with them. He answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of thyself, yet my record is true. If, in ordinary cases, a man’s own testimony concerning himself may be well called in question, yet, in the case of messengers sent from God, the matter is otherwise. The message he brought was itself a proof of his mission, considering the circumstances in which he appeared. For I know whence I came, and whither I go. He knew his own divine mission, and that, as he came from the Father, he must shortly return to him again; of which he had given them striking evidence in the miracles he had wrought. But ye cannot tell whence I came, nor whither I go, willfully blind to the truths he brought, and rejecting the credentials which he produced. Ye judge after the flesh, and from the manners of his outward appearance concluded, it was impossible that this should be he who should deliver (first): and they who thus judge after the flesh in spiritual matters are sure to be in the wrong. I judge no man, not at all intermeddling in acts of judicial power, nor affirming any authority; nor was it his office at present to condemn any, but to seek and save that which was lost. And yet, if I judge, my judgment is true, as being the searcher of all hearts, and beholding all things naked and open before him: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me; such an inseparable union subsisting between us, as that my judgment is according to his, and all I speak is in express conformity with his will, who gave me my mission. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men, credible witnesses, is true, and sufficient for the proof of any matter of the greatest consequence. I am one that bear witness of thyself, as the Messiah, which my doctrine and works declare me to be; and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me, not only in all the prophecies of old, but in repeated voices heard from heaven. Here therefore are two witnesses of divine authority to prove the truth.

16. The Pharisees, with contempt of his pretensions, replied, ‘When is the father? what, Joseph the carpenter? is he the witness? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me nor my Father; are not acquainted with my divine original: if ye had known me, to the Son of God, ye should have known my Father also, as we are one in nature, counsel, and operation: the knowledge of me includes the knowledge of my Father, as I am the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. Thus freely and fully doeth Jesus assert his eternal power, Godfrey, and unity with the Father. 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. And, till God’s decreed and appointed

Vol. II.

moment comes, the malice of persecutors and the rage of devils are alike impotent and vain.

21. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23. And he said unto them, ‘Ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world. 24. ‘I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am be, ye shall die in your sins. 25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the Jews that I said unto you from the beginning. 26. I have many things to say, and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and ‘I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have left up the Son of man, ’then shall ye know that I am be, and ’that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29. And he that sent me, is with me: ’the Father hath not left me alone: for I do always those things that please him. 30. As he spake these words, ‘many believed on him.

22. 21—30. Words of terror to awaken their consciences, as well as words of grace to engage their hearts, did the Redeemer employ, if any thing might at last effectually work upon them.

23. He warns them of their approaching ruin, and the cause of it. They said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, to the Father; and ye shall seek me, when your calamities overtake you, and shall long for the Messiah to save you from them; and shall die in your sins, or your sin, under the guilt of all your other iniquities, and especially that capital one of unbelief, and rejection of me and my gospel: whether I go, ye cannot come; the gates of eternal life and glory will be for ever barred against you, and no entrance permitted you into those regions of blessedness, where I shall shortly be. Note, (1.) Unbelief is the damning evil. It is the sin against our remedy, and necessarily leads men to destruction. (2.) They who refute to embrace the Saviour in faith and love, and to follow him in holy obedience here, must never expect admission into his eternal kingdom of glory hereafter.

24. The Jews, instead of trembling before the warnings of Jesus, treated them with derision, saying, ‘Will he kill himself?’ to get rid of his enemies, and be out of their reach.

25. In reply to their malicious suggestion, he answers, Ye are from beneath, earthly and sensual in your spirit and temper, and therefore cannot understand and follow me; I am from above, celestial in my original, and my concentration in heaven: ye are of this world, affecting and pursuing its honours, interests, pleasures, and esteem; I am not of this world, dead to it in my affections, and looking forward to that blessed world to which I go. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins, as you must infallibly die, if you continue in your present state of impenitence, worldly-mindedness, and unbelief: for if ye believe not that I am be, the eternal, unchangeable Jehovah, or the Messiah, the Light of the world, the Saviour of the miserable, ye shall die in your sins, no pardon or redemption being possible for those who reject the grace of the gospel. Jesus alone can deliver the soul from the guilt, power, and punishment of sin; and out of him there is no help or hope of salvation.

26. With a repetition of the like taunt as before, they replied, Who art thou? that talked such great things, and threatened so highly? Jesus saith unto them, Even the Jews that I said unto you from the beginning, the great object of faith since the first promise was given, and the same Messiah which from the beginning of my ministry I have proved myself to be. I have many things to say and to judge of you, to upheard your infidelity, and prove the inexcusableness of your impenitence; these are reserved for an after-reckoning: but he that sent me is true, both in fulfilling his promises and his threatenings; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him, both the purposes of his grace to his people, and the inevitable ruin which will attend those who reject his Christ, and which the issue will infallibly prove to be a true testimony. They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father; their hearts were hardened in sin, and their minds blinded by prejudice. Note, The plaintiff truths of God, the most solemn warnings of danger, are not apprehended nor understood. The God of this world hath blinded the minds of sinners, and they continue stupid and insensible.

27. Christ refers them to a future day for a full conviction of what at present they will not believe. When ye have left up the Son of man upon a cross, as the broken serpent, in consequence of which sufferings his exaltation to glory would follow, then shall ye know that I am he, the true Messiah, as the wonders which happened during his hanging upon the cross bespoke him

to be; as was proved by his resurrection and ascension to glory; as many of them to their eternal comfort perceived, when by his Spirit their souls were converted, and turned to him whom they had pierced; and as the rest would terribly feel, when shortly he should take vengeance on their nation, cut them off by the Roman sword, and doom them to eternal misery. Then will ye be convinced, faith be, that I do nothing of myself, without divine authority; but as the Father hath taught me, I speak these things, in exact correspondence with the instructions that, as man and mechanic, I have received from him; and he also, for me, it with me, Christ being in nature and essence one with the Father, and having his pretence, power, and Spirit, to enable him for, and encourage him in, the great work of redemption. The Father hath not left me alone, without the cleared demonstrations of his favour and regard; for I do always think things that please him; and therefore he cannot but take the highest complacency in me and my undertaking, which is in such exact conformity to his will, and ultimately tends so highly to advance his glory. Now, (1.) All must know, by happy or dreadful experience, that Jesus is the Christ: they who are not convinced of it by his word and Spirit, will prove it in the judgments he will inflict upon them. (2.) However much we may be deduced of the world, God will never leave nor forsake his faithful servants; and we can want neither company nor comfort, if his blessed patience be with us.

6. Great was the effect produced by these words. As he gave them, many believed on him, as came with a divine commission from God, and the true Messiah: at least, so far were they convinced, as to make a profession of their faith, though by the sequel it seems, that many of them were far from being found converts. Note, Many for a time make a fair profession, which treats are not right with God, and who abide not fledfully in his covenant.

7. Heb. iii. 7a.

8. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33. They answered him, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayeth thou, Ye shall be made free? 34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, “Whoever committed sin, is the servant of sin. 35. And the servant abide to me is the house for ever; but the Son abide to ever. 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

John 8:31-37

We have here,

1. Christ’s address to those Jews who professed to believe in him. If ye continue in my word, faithfully adhere to the gospel and the profession of it, unmoved with any opposition, and equally prove your obedience to it in all holy congregation and godliness; then are ye my disciples indeed: I will own and accept you as such: and ye shall know the truth, obtain deeper and utter dissonance of it; and the truth shall make you free, free from guilt, through the knowledge of the Redeemer’s blood and tighten-beds; free from the dominion of sin and Satan, through the powerful operations of the Spirit; free from ignorance and error, through divine teaching; free from the bondage of the law and assumption, and brought into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. Note, (1.) The proof of true discipleship is seen in our abiding faith in, and adherence to, Jesus and his gospel, Many profess to believe for a while, who, in time of temptation, fall away. (2.) Our measure of attainments in knowledge and grace is very imperfect here; we have need to be looking up continually for daily supplies of divine light and love, and Christ’s faithful followers shall find both abundantly dispersed to them from on high. (3.) That is true liberty, when our souls are brought to God’s happy service, and delivered from the servitude of sin and Satan.

2. The Jews who heard him, felt their pride hurt by the insinuation of their subsistence, which Christ intimated, and with indignation replied, We are Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayeth thou, Ye shall be made free? They heart of their descent from that patriarch, as their great honour, and with the strangest effrontery profess to have enjoyed uninterrupted liberty as their birthrights and privilege; when it was so notorious, that under a multitude of enemies they had suffered the most abusive servitude and captivity, and were now a conquered province of the Roman Empire.

3. Wearing the discussion of the point relative to their civil liberty, concerning which he spoke not, he lets them know there is a more dreadful servitude than that of the body, even of the immoral soul, under the yoke of sin and Satan. Whose remanded sin, is the servant of sin; let that make a practice of sin, and how habitually under the power of it, is the word of Jesus, whenever his civil liberties may be, however make his defense, or high his church privileges. And the servant abide not in the house always; but as the son of the bondwomen was cast

out of Abraham’s family, so would all the impenitent and unbelieving among the Jews be cast off from the church of God; as every unfaithful professor will be, who continues to live in his sins, however high an opinion he may have entertained of himself, or however respectfully others may have thought of him: but the Son abide to ever; he who is Abraham’s promised seed emphatically, the true Hase, his is the inheritance; and all who claim under him, as the sons of God by faith, have a sure title to a place among the household of God. If the Son therefore shall make you free, the Son of God, the Lord of the house, where Moses himself was but a servant, ye shall be free indeed; not with that imaginary freedom, of which the Jews heathen, but (now) that real liberty which only Jesus can give to the fallen, corrupt, and guilty soul. He makes his people free, (1.) From the streets of the law; by an obedience unto death he hath satisfied all its demands, and found a ransom for us. (2.) From corruption; his Spirit both delivers as from the blindness of error, and from the power of sin. (3.) As free-born sons, we are adopted unto God’s family, enjoy all the privileges, in which perfect obedience in our own persons could have entitled us, and have an assured title to the eternal kingdom.

4. He applies the case to them. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but, very unlike that patriarch in your spirit and temper, ye seek to kill me; and the reason is, because my word hath no place in you; your hearts are stalled against it; you cannot bear the humbling truths I deliver, and your pride, prejudices, and self-righteousness, effectually prevent their influence; and where this is the case with any soul, there the gospel is as water split on the ground, utterly unprofitable.

5. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39. They answered and said unto him, “Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, ‘If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40. But now? ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42. Jesus said unto them, ‘If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth, and came from God; I neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and ‘abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46. Which of you converseeth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47. He is that is of God, he are God’s words: ye therefore hear, ‘I know not, because ye are not of God.’

John 8:38-47

Christ proceeds in his discourse.

1. He points out the cause of the contrariety of sentiments which subsisted between them. I speak that which I have seen with my Father, as perfectly knowing his mind and will, and from eternity acquainted with all his councils and designs; and ye do that which ye have seen with your father; your works shew whose children you are, whose example you imitate, and under what father’s tuition you have been brought up.

2. Fired with retinament, as if he retitated upon their pedigree, they boasted their descent from Abraham, the friend of God, of whom they could surely learn nothing that was evil. Jesus answered them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham; but, very opposite to his faith and obedience is your conduct, ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God; a truth so needful to be known, that I am the very promised Messiah, the eternal Son of the Father: this did not Abraham; his submission to the first notice of God’s will was eminent; and such a murderous spirit, as to contrive the death of any man, much less of a messenger sent from heaven, never dwelt in his bosom; therefore it is sufficiently evident, that your relation to him can never be proved by your temper; for ye do the deeds of your father, and who that is, let your conduct tell. Note, It is often prudent, in conveying unpleading truths, to state the premises, and let the persons themselves draw the conclusion.

3. With indignation they replied, perceiving he spoke not in a literal but figurative sense, We be not born of fornication; are not idolaters, nor their descendants; have never gone a whoring from God: we have no Father, whom we worship and share, even Jehovah, the only living and unto God. But alas, they who stater themselves they have the true religion, because they make profession of it, whilst their practice is utterly contradictory to found godliness, deceive their own souls.

4. Christ

5. Christ thaws them their fatal mistake. God could not be their Father, whilst their ways were to pervert before him. If God were your Father, you would lose me, and embrace the truth. I deliver to you; for I proceeded forth, and came from God, as my Father, and one in nature with him: neither came I of myself, but he sent me, to accomplish the great designs of his grace, as the redeemer of his elect children. Why do ye not understand my friend? The reason is, because ye cannot bear my words; your hearts are averse to the truth, and prejudiced against me; and have them can God be your Father? Ye are of your father the devil; he is the spirit which worketh in you; and the lusts of your father ye will do; obstinately bent on following the dictates of pride, malice, and envy, the grand characteristics of this foul mind. He was a murderer from the beginning: reducing man in paradise from his allegiance to God, he thereby rejected the whole human race to death spiritual, temporal, and eternal; and ever since, from the days of righteous Abel, at his instigation have those horrid deeds of bloodhed and murder been committed, under which the earth groans. And he abuts not in the truth; he left the purity and reditude of his own nature, and then by a daring he tempted man to disbelieve the divine communion respecting the forbidden fruit; because there is no truth is fear; his kingdom is supported by falthood and delusion; all the errors and breaches that rend the church, and all the vain hopes that fall sinners to ruin, derive from him these origin. When he forseth a lie, he forseth of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it: all his temptations from the beginning have been, and are, a trifle of falthoods; his own devoting; the genuine offspring of his apostate spirit: and as he is in himself forbidden in his nature, so is he the father of all lies and liars; they are his children; they bear his strong and striking lineaments, and evidence clearly from whom they are defended; they obey his commands, and follow his example. And because I tell you the truth, the truth of my gospel, mission, and divine character, ye believe me not: such is your miserable indignation and delusion, that ye are more disposed to believe the devil’s lie, than God’s truth; so enlivened are you by this wicked spirit. Which of you commenseth me of sin? either of immorality in conduct, or unfoundness in doctrine? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? when every circumstance conjures to prove my mission divine, how inexcusable is your obstinacy? He that is of God, as you pretend to be, howeth God’s word; desirous to know, and willing to obey it; ye therefore bear them not, and pay no regard to what I declare to you, because ye are not of God; are not his children, nor influenced by his spirit, but under the power and dominion of the god of this world, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience. Note, (1.) They who have God for their Father, will thaw it by an unbiased love to the Lord Jesus Christ; by a solemn attention to his word, and faithful obedience to his will. (2.) They who do the devil’s works, are infallible the devil’s children. By their desire ye shall know them: Pride, envy, malice, comity against those that are good, lying, rage, &c. these are the features of Satan, and mark his genuine offspring. (3.) Christ’s pleasthen and people, like their Mother, must give diligence to keep a conscience void of offence, that their most enivious enemies may have no evil thing guilty to by of them. (4.) They who fight and disregard the Redeemer’s gospel, and those who preach it, despite not men, but God, and therein prove the unabandoned enmity and apostasy of their hearts.