John 1:45–46

The last who is called here to embrace Christ for the Messiah is Nathaneel, who is wrought upon, partly by Philip, ver. 45, 46. partly, by Christ himself, ver. 47, 48, 49. And upon his believing, he is commended, and promises of greater things given for his encouragement, v. 50, 51.

As for Philip the instruments part, he finding Nathaneel, declareth how they had found the promised Messiah, and when he stumbled at Christ, because of the place of his residence or birth, as was supposed, Philip inviteth him to come to Christ for clearing of that doubt. Doct. 1. As Christ by one word can draw a soul to him, so Conversion is best proved by effects, and particularly, by zeal in seeking to promote the Kingdome of Christ, and the good of our neighbours soule in our station; it being an inseparable companion of the new nature to seek to multiplie the kinde; for, Philip was gained by one word, and proveth it by finding Nathaneel, and seeking to gain him. 2. Private conference and mutual edification is a notable means for advancing the Kingdom of Christ in our selves or others; for, by these means Christ gathereth his disciples here. 3. The Messiah was spoken of and foretold, both in the Law and in the Prophets, and the godly before his coming, waited for him by studying these Scriptures; And Jesus is the true Messiah, in whom all things that were foretold are accomplished, the finding of whom is the best of newes; for these are Philips newes to Nathaneel, We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write, importing, that Moses and the Prophets did write of him, as is clear from Gen. 3.15. and 49.10. Deut. 18.18. and frequently through the Prophets; importing also, that Philip, Nathaneel, and other godly men were versed in the Scriptures, point him out, and fed upon him as held forth in the Word, and that the finding of him now in person was joyful newes unto them. 4. Such as are true Converts and love Christ, may yet be very weak in knowledge, yea, and erre also, especially when any thing of Christ is learned from tradition, or vulgar report, and not from the Scripture; for, so doth Philip mistake in calling him Jesus of Nazareth, if it be taken for the place of his birth, and not of his education, Matth. 2.23. and, the son of Joseph, as the common report was. 5. Men are naturally ready to stumble at something of Christ, yea, even good men may have prejudices to marre their own growth & progresse; for, Nathaneel stumbleth at the place, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? not so much because Christ must be born at Bethlehem, as because of the basenesse of the place, the inhabitants of Galilee where Nazareth was, being a blockish and grosse people; so that it was generally conceived, no Prophet could arise from thence. John 7.52. And this good man is overtaken with that evil of the generation; whereas there is no place so base or bad, but God when he pleaseth, can raise eminent instruments out of it, or otherwise do it good. 6. No prejudices should hinder men to come to Christ, and albeit others cannot solve their doubts, yet a blenk of him will easily dispel them; for, Philip answereth his doubt with Come and see, intimating his own weaknesse to satisfie all his doubts, that it was his duty to come to Christ notwithstanding, and that Christ could clear him.