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VERS. VI.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
I am the way, the truth, and the life.
WHY is this superadded of truth and the life, when the question was not only about the Way.
I. It may be answered, that this was perhaps by an Hebrew Idiotism, by which, the way, the truth, and the life may be the same with the true and living way.
Jerem. XXIX. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To give you an end and hope, or expecta∣tion. That is, an hoped, or expected end. So Kinch. in loc. A good end, even as you expect.
II. Our Saviour seems to refute that opinion of the Jews concerning their Law, as if it were the way, the truth, and the life, and indeed every thing: and assert his own Authority and power, to introduce a new rule of Religion, because himself is the way, the truth, and the life, in a sense much more proper, and more sublime than the Law could be said to be.
It had been happier for the Jew, if he could have discerned more judiciously concern∣ing the Law: if he could have distinguished between coming to God in the Law, and coming to God by the Law; as also between living in the Law, and living by the Law. It is beyond all doubt, there is no way of coming to God, but in his Law: for what Out-law, or one that still wanders out of the paths of God's Commandments can come unto him? So also it is impossible that any one should have life but in the Law of God. For who is it can have life that doth not walk according to the rule of his Laws? But to obtain admission to the favour of God by the Law, and to have life by the Law; that is, to be justified by the works of the Law, this sounds quite another thing. For it is by Christ only that we live and are justified; by him alone that we have access to God.
These are the fictions of the Rabins. There was one shewed a certain Rabbin the place where Corah and his Company were swallowed up, and listen, saith he, what they say. So they heard them, saying, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Moses and his Law are the truth. Upon the Ca∣lends* 1.1 of every Month, Hell rolls them about, as flesh rolls in the Cauldron, Hell still saying 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Moses and his Law are truth. a
It is indeed a great truth what is uttered in this most false and ridiculous legend, that the Law of Moses is truth. But the Jews might (if they would) attain to a much more sound way of judging concerning the truth of it, and consider that the Law is not the summ and ultimate of all truth, but that Christ is the very truth of the truth of Moses, Joh. I. 17. The Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ.