works which he does, but it is given him from heaven: I am not the _bridegroom_ of the church, but _his friend_, who _rejoice greatly, because of his voice; what he hath seen and heard, that he testified_; and God hath sent him, _whose word he speaketh; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him; the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand_, John iii. 27-35. therefore he is set apart, by him, to perform the work of a Mediator, which belongeth not unto me.” 2. Christ was furnished with authority, or had a commission given him, to perform the work he was engaged in, as Mediator. This was absolutely necessary, since, as the apostle says, concerning the priesthood in general, that _no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God_, and authorized by him to perform it, _as was Aaron; so also Christ glorified not himself, but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee_; and, _Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec_, Heb. v. 4-6. As it was reckoned an intrusion, and no other than an instance of profaneness, for any one to exercise a sacred office, without a divine warrant, it was necessary that our Saviour should be furnished therewith: the work he was to perform was glorious, the consequences thereof of the highest importance, and his services would not have been accepted, or availed to answer the great ends thereof, had he not received a commission from the Father. And that he came into the world with this commission and authority, derived from him, he constantly asserts and proves, he asserts it, when speaking concerning himself, that _God the Father had sealed him_, John vi. 27. and elsewhere says, _I have power to lay down my life, and to take it again; this commandment have I received of my Father_, John x. 18. and he not only asserts, but proves it; every miracle that he wrought being a confirmation thereof, in which respect a divine testimony was affixed to his commission: thus he says, _The works that I do, in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me_, ver. 25. and elsewhere, when he asserts his authority, and proves, that _the words which he spake, he spake not of himself_; he adds, _the Father that dwelleth in me, he doth the works_, John xiv. 10, 11. He appeals to those miraculous works, which were performed either by himself, or by the Father, which he might well do, because the Father and he had the same divine power, and thereby intimates, that the commission, which he received from the Father, was attested in this extraordinary manner.